430 EXII for first flash

430 EX II is good enough for me. I shoot alot of gatherings and photojournalism. I did only buy my flash because of the fact that winter hit sweden. It got dark, fast. I was in the need of a flash bad, so I sold my 18-200mm and bought the 430 EX II. I haven't been dissapointed. But then again when I shoot in the studio I dont even bring it. I got the stationary flashes rigged up and a cable to sync them.

going to the camera place to get my flash and accessories tomorrow
Is it a good idea to get rechargeable batteries too?
I heard that flashes "eat" batteries.

Can't go wrong with the 430exii or 580exii both great flashes!

luscious8909- yeah rechargeable batteries are a really good idea. You'll go through a lot of batteries with the flash if you use it a lot, so it's better to spend a little more on rechargeables now cause it will save you in the long run.

Not only that, but with NiMH batteries your flash-recharge cycle will be considerably quicker than with non-rechargeables.

Okay so this is my shopping list :

430 EXII
flash diffuser
rechargeable batteries with charger

Is there a certain brand of diffuser or batteries I should get or will any one do ?

The latest rave on batteries I have heard about, are the Energizer ones with their 15-minute charger. This combination MAY not (speculation - has anyone tested??) last quite as long as some of the others, but that 15-minute recharge is unbeatable. Whether you need a quick recharge while on location, or if you are charging multiple sets of batteries the night before - 15-min vs. 2 hours (of some other chargers) is well worth it IMO.

Get a good set of rechargeable batteries, I have many different brands, I have about 24 AAs and 8 AAA, I like the Duracell brands, they seem to hold charge the longest but the Eneloops and Powerex I hear are also good. And if you want to get the most out of you batteries get a good charger and stay away from "fast" 15 min chargers.

This is the charger I have, back when I bought it I didn't get the batteries and paid more for it:

http://www.newegg.com …aa-_-17-355-039-_-Product

Thanks for all your help everyone

Got my flash, rechargeable batteries, and diffuser yesterday...

I can't use it because it really is a Christmas gift from my mom but I'm super excited to start taking pictures with it.

IME, diffusers are pretty much useless. You'd be better off learning how to bounce. Take a visit to www.planetneil.com/tan​gents.

After a while, you may get to the point where you'll want to take the flash off camera, but that's still a little ways away. You're safe, for now

Yeah the plastic diffusers really dont do what you think they might. Learn how to bounce your flash, and make yourself a bounce card for times when there isnt a bounce surface handy. It makes all the difference in the world.

Well, I've found out that bouncing the flash with a plastic diffuser attached has the best effect in my photographs. That's been my experience at least, the light spreads better and looks more pleasing, I never shoot direct flash unless I'm just filling when taking outside shots and for that I also use the diffuser, not sure why anyone would think they're useless.

enrigonz wrote in post #11496459
Well, I've found out that bouncing the flash with a plastic diffuser attached has the best effect in my photographs. That's been my experience at least, the light spreads better and looks more pleasing, I never shoot direct flash unless I'm just filling when taking outside shots and for that I also use the diffuser, not sure why anyone would think they're useless.

The reason we think they are useless is comparison shots. This has been demonstrated on countless threads here. The only thing that makes light softer is increasing the apparent size of the light source. The stofen does that inside where you have white ceilings and walls by redirecting the light around thus bouncing it off larger surfaces, thus the name stofen omnibounce. Outside you dont have any of those surfaces to aid you so all you are doing is reducing the power of your flash by a stop or two. It doesnt soften anything but perhaps that reduction in power makes the the fill seem softer. But if you do the test shots and then dial back the FEC you end up in the same spot.

having worked over 500 weddings in my job as a banquet manager at a large country club, i can say i've seen more photographers use some type of diffuser on their flash heads.. be it a gary phong light sphere (which i see more than anything else) to stofens to bounce cards.

and having talked to so many of the photographers while they are at work i can honestly say the only place i see diffusers not recommended so heavily is on the internet.

your best bet is to buy the couple of diffusers you want to try, and use them, if you dont like them sell them, that way you know for yourself if its for you or not. i just picked up a gary phong here in the forums for $25 shipped.. beats the $60 new for it thats for sure.. and i can already tell i like it alot.

i look at it like i look at the gun i carry.. i'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

cheers

Naturalist wrote in post #11468140
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

The 580 is about $150 more than the 430 and about $100 more than the Nissin mentioned. I have the 430 EX, have had it for over a year and have had no problems or complaints. The extra $150 is a lot to spend unless you really need it.

If you're just using it on-camera, it'll be fantastic for you. If you're using it off-camera, it's be really good. I wouldn't worry about getting the 430exii now. If you decide you really want to mess with two flashes later, then buy the 580exii then, and the 430 will be a great second flash.

I don't think you'd go wrong either way.