580EX ii Vs.430 EX ii

apersson850 wrote in post #9715597
The 430 EX II can swivel 270°. The 580 EX II covers 360°.

The 580 EX II has:
More swivel.
More power.
Capability to be a flashing master.
PC sync connector.
External battery pack connector.
Catchlight card.
More custom funtions for fine tuning.
Better panel for settings.
Higher weight.
Higher cost.

Here are a few more items to add to the list:

External Automatic Flash Exposure Sensor http://www.usa.canon.c​om …tArticleAct&art​icleID=946
Weather Sealing
Control Wheel
Flash head tilts downwards
stroboscopic (MULTI) flash
Flash exposure bracketing (FEB)
AF focus assist cover 45points. (430EX II only covers 9)

Here is a good side by side comparison: http://photo-tips-online.com …0ex-ii-vs-canon-580ex-ii/

apersson850 wrote in post #9715597
The 430 EX II can swivel 270°. The 580 EX II covers 360°.

Yea, that's what I meant. If your doing OCF, you may need to point the OCF flash receptor at the master, You're not always shooting with flash to the left.

Just remember, the 7d will transmit an IR signal to set off the external flashes, so doing this in bright daylight or more than 10-15 ft away will probably cause you issues. Nothing around the corner or out LOS for sure.

windpig wrote in post #9717465
Yea, that's what I meant. If your doing OCF, you may need to point the OCF flash receptor at the master, You're not always shooting with flash to the left.

No, you're not always shooting with (slave) flash to the left...still, I've never had any problem positioning a slave flash to the right with 270 degrees of axis motion and not be able to get the pick-up side aimed toward the camera or camera-left mounted Master... And using reflectors or being in a small enough indoor venue, the Canon slave units are sensitive to visible bounce so even line of sight isn't always necessary.

Meve2441 wrote in post #9708601
Which would be the better flash to get if I am working with a 7D body and 24-70mm 2.8 Lens, if i am taking portaits and concert photography? I feel as though the 580EX ii is clearly better but I am on a tight budget and if i could make full use of the 430EX ii then i would. But i need some or insight thank you.

A used 550EX will have most of the features and power of the 580 for less than the cost of a new 430. So that could be a compromise worth considering.

As for the ability to use sync cords...there are adapters for all the Canon flash units that are pretty inexepensive.

If you haven't, you should do some reading at:

http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com/

....pretty much everything you could want to know about flash phototography. Including some very useful money saving and work-around suggestions.

Peace,
D.