Three silly questions

Alright, haha. I'm running low on cash, and can't really afford a 580ex ii, so I'm settling for the 430ex ii... I was going to ask, is the 430ex ii just about as good as the 580ex ii? Flash recycling speed isn't a big problem, just as long as it isn't as slow as the pop-up flash... lol.

Also, about the BG-E5, do I need a second battery to make the battery grip work or not?

Finally, lens-wise, I need to buy another standard zoom lens since someone stole my last one, of all my equipment, my 17-50... anyway, I need to spend as little as possible, but with the quality there at the same time. I was thinking of selling my 70-300mm ($200--it'll probably go to $150 though. It's in perfect working condition) and adding $100 onto it to buy a lens, so I should be able to spend around $250-300 on a new lens. I need a range similar to my 17-50, and the Canon 18-55 is totally NOT an option. =P I'm so against that lens...

Since the 430EX II is $330, the BG-E5 costs around $110, so that's $440 right there...

Anyway, some help would be nice!

You could save some money on the 430EX II and buy a Sigma E-TTL variant (I assume B&H and Adorama sell them) or even a Yongnuo YN465 or YN467 (both E-TTL) off eBay. Frees up some cash for the lens. Not to mention that you could possibly find a third party BG-E5 and save some money there, too.

I was thinking about buying an off-brand of the 430EX, but I don't know. Build quality is an issue for me. Also same with the battery grip. I'd be kind of irritated if the grip didn't feel like my actual camera's grip. :\

I really like my 430 EX II. Its build pretty solid and is strong. Don't really miss having the 580 as a slave because my 7D now is a master for off camera flash work.

i got the Opteka battery grip for my T1i, and it came w/ 2 batteries:
http://www.amazon.com …001HK4LWA/ref=o​ss_product

love it.

quadwing wrote in post #9529132
Alright, haha. I'm running low on cash, and can't really afford a 580ex ii, so I'm settling for the 430ex ii... I was going to ask, is the 430ex ii just about as good as the 580ex ii? Flash recycling speed isn't a big problem, just as long as it isn't as slow as the pop-up flash... lol.

For most uses they are about the same. The 580EX has more output, but all you have to do is shoot one stop slower, so 400 vs 200 and it is the same.

no, but it kinda defeats the purpose if you ask me.

There's the Sigma 18-50 f2.8-4.5 that just price dropped to $199. Not a bad lens at all, but you lose a stop on the long end vs the Tamron.

tkbslc wrote in post #9529347
For most uses they are about the same. The 580EX has more output, but all you have to do is shoot one stop slower, so 400 vs 200 and it is the same.

no, but it kinda defeats the purpose if you ask me.





There's the Sigma 18-50 f2.8-4.5 that just price dropped to $199. Not a bad lens at all, but you lose a stop on the long end vs the Tamron.

It's for comfort, plus the flash. I do a lot of vertical shots, and it kills my hand, so that's part of the reason.

And also, regarding the 18-50, I'm not worried about losing a stop since I rarely zoom ALL the way in onto anything anyway. My biggest problem would be CA, since it's come to annoy me very much.

I got the Targus grip from amazon and I really like it. I haven't put two batteries in it at once as one is not Canon and I'm kind of scared to put them together as I've read some stories...

I do like the comfortable hold it gives me now.


altho I'm not using it much since I got the 1D...

Save even more and buy a used 550EX.

Don't compromise.. If you can't afford the 580EX buy the 430EX..

Check out the Phottix range of battery grips on eBay,,heaps cheaper than the Canon model... I've been using these for a few years now,,no problems.. You only need one battery in a battery grip..

The Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 is a nice standard zoom..

1. 430EX can be had for under $200 used easily. It is almost the same as the 430EXII. The main difference for me was the charge up noise and not having 1/3 power levels.

2. One battery works fine in a grip, but I can strongly recommend the Opteka grip (which I have been using). It is less than $70 on Amazon.com and comes with two batteries which are just as good as the Canon ones.

3. A good walk around for $300? Thats kinda tough if you don't like the EF-S 18-55IS. Maybe the Sigma 18-50 f2.8-4.5 OS HSM?

Make sure the flash you buy is compatible with the eTTL-II, not just eTTL. The Canon flash units sell at a premium price, but you need the latest version of these so do not get caught into buying the older version if shopping used/refurbished.

You can buy a Sigma model that is between the two Canon models in output power that is fully compatible with the camera, and priced much better. I believe the model is 530 II DG Super (check the specs - I'm pulling that out of memory and it is late).

I agree the Opteka (sp?) grip is a good unit and better priced - comes with higher capacity batteries in most packages, and mine even had a charger unit for house or car charging.

themadman wrote in post #9529980
1. 430EX can be had for under $200 used easily. It is almost the same as the 430EXII. The main difference for me was the charge up noise and not having 1/3 power levels.

2. One battery works fine in a grip, but I can strongly recommend the Opteka grip (which I have been using). It is less than $70 on Amazon.com and comes with two batteries which are just as good as the Canon ones.

3. A good walk around for $300? Thats kinda tough if you don't like the EF-S 18-55IS. Maybe the Sigma 18-50 f2.8-4.5 OS HSM?

1/3 power levels?

Also, I rarely buy anything online as I'm a little paranoid. So that might be a problem.. Buuut, if the store I go and buy something from has it, with the two batteries (which would be EXTREMELY helpful), I'd be more than happy to invest in it, haha.

There's a very very small chance that I might just dig in and buy an 18-55 just to have the gap filled between my focal lengths.. I can't stand the fact that everything I take a picture of now, since my 17-50 was stolen, I have to be 5 feet away from to get a good shot. :\

Yes, 1/3 power levels.

With the 430EX II you can choose power levels of (in manual mode):
1/1
1/1 -0.3 || 1/2 +0.7
1/1 -0.7 || 1/2 +0.3
1/2
1/2 -0.3 || 1/4 +0.7
1/2 -0.7 || 1/4 +0.3
1/4
etc
etc
etc

Quad.
The 430EXII is a great choice. The price difference is significant compared to the 580EXII.
You may want to buy the 580EXII when money is available down the road.
You will then have two flashes which will open other opportunities.