430 EXII for first flash

430 flash is a good choice and you should have lots of fun with it.

Have you also considered this option: Nissan? For only $50 more you can get the power of a 580EX

All my client shoots are done with 1-2 430EXII's It is a great flash and you're getting just about as much power with this flash as a 580EXII, in a cheaper package. It's only about a 1/2 stop difference!

I've shot anywhere from a single person with one flash to a group a 55 graduating nurses on a stage with two flashes. Clearly this flash is more capable of producing great results. I actually just did a shoot with 60D yesterday using the pop flash to control the 430EXII (accidentally left my PW miniTT1 and FlextTT5's at home). It worked great! I don't think you'll be disappointed and with the new built in flash controller on the 60D you'll have a lot of fun.

drvnbysound wrote in post #11468081
Can you provide more detail on the things that are bothering you about the 430?

Mushy buttons (especially the power -/+ buttons), the head only rotates 90 degrees right but rotates 180 to the left (which makes zero sense, it should have been the other way around if anything), on/off switch keeps getting turned on while the flash is in a bag or when you put it back in the pouch that comes with it, lack of a PC connection, the battery door feels a bit flimsy (though I haven't had any problems with it so that's just nitpicking), lack of a negative tilt position and it always seems to miss one shot in the middle of a burst of shots.

When you add that the extra flash power, weather sealing and the ability to use external power packs would be nice (though these are pluses rather than annoying things about the 430EX II) you've pretty much got the exact list of things that are better on the 580EX II, which I didn't think would matter at the time.

I think the 580EX II is way overpriced IMO, if I needed more than what my current flash heads can deliver (3 total, 1-430EX and 2-Yongnuos) I would go for the 3rd party brands, I like the Yongnuos very much, I currently shoot via wireless triggers and most of the time I just use the two Yongnuos, that's it. For the price of 1 580EX you can get about 5 Yongnuos or 4 and wireless triggers for all 4 of them.

I recently picked up a 430EXII and it's fantastic. Of course, Amazon has them now for 30 bucks less than I paid.

I love the thing, there's no doubt that it's well-made and already (with my very limited flash experience) it's helping me take better pictures. I needed the hotshoe flash badly, as my Rebel does not have an AF assist light.

I agree that the 580EXII would be the way to go if you're thinking about trying multiple flash setups in the future, but regardless of which you buy now, you can always add the other later. If it's your first flash, I'd go for the 430.

the 60D and 430 EX II are practically made for each other....very versatile and works great for indoors.

If you are doing event photography the more powerful the flash the better, save up and get the 580EX II, if that's not where your focus is or you don't plan on doing a lot of weddings in big rooms with high ceilings than the 430EX II is pretty good and will probably more than fit the bill for most flash photography. There are plenty of pro wedding photographers that use the 430 series flashes so it is still suitable. It's always best to try to get your flash off your camera though. So look at what you want to shoot and how you plan to use the flash. But in general the 430 series flashes are very good. The 580 will give you better re-cycle times (is that important to you?), a bit more power, and the ability to control other flashes, do you need that? Otherwise the 430s are very good.

npompei wrote in post #11468064
430EXii is a great flash.

Luscuios8909 - Bounce flash diffuser dome and umbrellas with stands. Bhphoto.com has everything you need. But first get a diffuser cap and learn to bounce flash. Then get some umbrellas with stands and some nice cheap wireless flash triggers. GOLDEN!

Thanks for the advice
I also have a question about those mini soft boxes that mount to the flash.

Are the results different from the diffuser and the mini soft box?

Don't they basically do the same thing?

luscious8909 wrote in post #11469715
Thanks for the advice
I also have a question about those mini soft boxes that mount to the flash.

Are the results different from the diffuser and the mini soft box?

Don't they basically do the same thing?

The light on a mini soft box is more controlled in what it illuminates, a diffuser .... "diffuses" the light so is less harsh and more natural looking but it spreads out more. With a soft box you either aim it a what you're shooting or you can try bouncing it.I like the diffusers more and I have both, but you get very similar results.

enrigonz wrote in post #11469787
The light on a mini soft box is more controlled in what it illuminates, a diffuser .... "diffuses" the light so is less harsh and more natural looking but it spreads out more. With a soft box you either aim it a what you're shooting or you can try bouncing it.I like the diffusers more and I have both, but you get very similar results.

Which is better for product photography?

I do a LOT of ebay posting and I like taking clear bright pictures of what is being posted.

Is it better to have the light straight on or bounced off the setup I have around the item?

I'm a graphic designer so I know how to make photos look good but I want to try to take pictures that don't need to be edited that much if at all.

Depends on the size of the product. For small stuff, build a lightbox. There are some great DIY lightbox threads here.

Virto wrote in post #11468971
I agree that the 580EXII would be the way to go if you're thinking about trying multiple flash setups in the future, but regardless of which you buy now, you can always add the other later. If it's your first flash, I'd go for the 430.

That's pretty much my approach. I will probably buy a 580 at some point so I can use the 430 as an optical slave, but at that point I'll probably have a radio trigger also. As an only flash, I'm perfectly happy with the 430. It's a bit smaller than the 580 and I think it's well built. One possible downside to the smaller size is that when bouncing the light 180° straight back (no tilt) in portrait, the flash is right next to your face. I think the 580 would give a bit more space there.

Yes, the buttons are a bit mushy. Yes, the swivel lockout is annoying but it can be corrected in a half hour.

Have never felt limited by the fact that it won't angle downward. I guess I would just hold the camera upside down if I wanted that!

DazJW wrote in post #11468680
Mushy buttons (especially the power -/+ buttons), the head only rotates 90 degrees right but rotates 180 to the left (which makes zero sense, it should have been the other way around if anything), on/off switch keeps getting turned on while the flash is in a bag or when you put it back in the pouch that comes with it, lack of a PC connection, the battery door feels a bit flimsy (though I haven't had any problems with it so that's just nitpicking), lack of a negative tilt position and it always seems to miss one shot in the middle of a burst of shots.

When you add that the extra flash power, weather sealing and the ability to use external power packs would be nice (though these are pluses rather than annoying things about the 430EX II) you've pretty much got the exact list of things that are better on the 580EX II, which I didn't think would matter at the time.

Wow. Thats a pretty impressive list. I bought a 430EX II about 3 months ago and love it. I havent had any issue with the On/Off button, and dont really get the "mushy" button thing. I primarily shoot with the flash on Manual, so I use them to make the adjustments and also havent had any issues. Battery door flemsy? Has it fell off? Ive only opened mine a couple of times, and again, no issues. I guess the head rotation thing could be an issue, but I haven't come to a situation yet where i couldn't get what I needed.

The only thing that I can bothers me about the 430 is the lack of the sync connection (personally wouldn't want it to be PC - but that's another discussion all together). However, there are plenty of hot shoe adapters that can be purchased (less than $30) that would add the sync functionality.

Having said that, the only thing I want the 580 for is the extra power.

YMMV, and apparently has, but I am more than happy with my 430. Just my $0.02

I prefer the 430exII than the 580ex II... the 580exII ...bulky and eats up batteries FAST.

drvnbysound wrote in post #11474389
Wow. Thats a pretty impressive list. I bought a 430EX II about 3 months ago and love it. I havent had any issue with the On/Off button, and dont really get the "mushy" button thing. I primarily shoot with the flash on Manual, so I use them to make the adjustments and also havent had any issues. Battery door flemsy? Has it fell off? Ive only opened mine a couple of times, and again, no issues. I guess the head rotation thing could be an issue, but I haven't come to a situation yet where i couldn't get what I needed.

The only thing that I can bothers me about the 430 is the lack of the sync connection (personally wouldn't want it to be PC - but that's another discussion all together). However, there are plenty of hot shoe adapters that can be purchased (less than $30) that would add the sync functionality.

Having said that, the only thing I want the 580 for is the extra power.

YMMV, and apparently has, but I am more than happy with my 430. Just my $0.02

It would be impossible for me to agree more!