Speedlite 430 or 580

OK - I know this has been asked over and over again and when I read the threads I get confused and am pretty sure most of the tech stuff is over my head

I have the Speedlite 270 ex and it really is a pretty powerful little flash, I like the weight and all. With that said, it sometimes isn't enough and I would like something more powerful that I can bounce and twist and turn around. I do want to experiment some with lighting, but not even close to the level that most of you do. All along, I thought I would end up with the 430 ex but now want to be sure.

Let me say I will probably always have it on my camera. I don't think I will ever take it to the level where I want to have one or more flashes that are not on my camera. I don't think I would use most of the controls of either flash. What I do want is a nice powerful flash that will bounce off the ceiling and give great lighting for my pictures. Mostly for portraits and close-ups.

For just lighting, is the 580ex that much more powerful as far as range? I like the built in bounce-card of it and the fact it can pretty much rotate where ever I want it. But I do have a little concern about the weight of the 580 vs the 430. I am a 57 year old female with RA and will probably always use a Rebel or a xxD model just because I prefer the smaller camera.

With all that said - which flash do you think I will be happiest with now and down the road?
Thank you much for your help!

I have both 430 and 580 flashes. I personally use the 430 a lot more. I like how it's smaller and lighter in my bag and on my camera. However, I do find myself wishing for my 580 when I'm trying to bounce a flash in a gym, banquet or church etc. The power would help there.

As for the weight, the 580 is heavily unbalanced on a rebel. On my Xsi, the heaviest lens I have is the 85mm f1.8 and when I mount the 580, I'll definitely feel in on my wrists. It's even worse when I mount my 50mm f1.8 on it. I feel that it's really awkward without a grip or a heavier body.

Consider that, my vote goes to 430ex. I think your wrist would thank you for it, heh. Though, not sure how much more it weighs compared to the 270EX.

you'll probably be happy with the 430exII. If not for your concerns about weight I would recommend the 580 as a lot folks start with the 430 and then let the upgrade lust/curiosity get to them and upgrade. The 580 is twice as powerful as the 430, which equates to one stop.

gonzogolf wrote in post #11785826
you'll probably be happy with the 430exII. If not for your concerns about weight I would recommend the 580 as a lot folks start with the 430 and then let the upgrade lust/curiosity get to them and upgrade. The 580 is twice as powerful as the 430, which equates to one stop.

That is probably my problem, the whole "upgrade lust/curiosity" thing....
But I am trying to be practical, avoid the upgrade lust thing and buyers remorse...

mabviper wrote in post #11785800
I have both 430 and 580 flashes. I personally use the 430 a lot more. I like how it's smaller and lighter in my bag and on my camera. However, I do find myself wishing for my 580 when I'm trying to bounce a flash in a gym, banquet or church etc. The power would help there.

As for the weight, the 580 is heavily unbalanced on a rebel. On my Xsi, the heaviest lens I have is the 85mm f1.8 and when I mount the 580, I'll definitely feel in on my wrists. It's even worse when I mount my 50mm f1.8 on it. I feel that it's really awkward without a grip or a heavier body.

Consider that, my vote goes to 430ex. I think your wrist would thank you for it, heh. Though, not sure how much more it weighs compared to the 270EX.

I didn't think about balance and it being top heavy. I have the 15-85mm on my camera most of the time and the added weight might be too much, I hadn't considered that. Thanks for that thought.

So in most situations, the 430 EX would be all I would need?

michgirl wrote in post #11785908
That is probably my problem, the whole "upgrade lust/curiosity" thing....
But I am trying to be practical, avoid the upgrade lust thing and buyers remorse...

I went that route. I got the 430ex and was never fully satisfied by it. But the source of my dissatisfaction wasnt any real shortcoming on the part of the 430, but rather my own experience with more powerful flashes in my film days. If you think you are going to wan the 580 eventually, just do it and save yourself the hassle, you can always downgrade at little cost as 430 users are always looking to trade up.

Speedlite 430 or 580

I was actually contemplating whether to buy a 430EXII or a 580EXII the other day. I ended up with the 580EXII because I didn't want to go through the hassle of selling/buying another more powerful flash. I took a few shots last night in a fairly large room with dim lighting, bounced the flash off the rather high ceiling and was pleasantly surprised by its capabilities. I do not know how the 430EXII's power output is like, but whatever it is, it feels great to know that I am now capable of shooting at ISO 100~400 indoors. As of now, I am not regretting my decision one bit.

The only qualm i have about the flash is that it causes my T1i to be top heavy. I guess i'm going to have to buy a grip sometime soon eh? :P

michgirl wrote in post #11785927
I didn't think about balance and it being top heavy. I have the 15-85mm on my camera most of the time and the added weight might be too much, I hadn't considered that. Thanks for that thought.

So in most situations, the 430 EX would be all I would need?

I'm just a hobbyist so I just use it for everyday stuff, family/friend gatherings indoors and for fill outdoors. I reach for the 580 when I want or need wireless flashes. I used to use the 580 for everything but the weight really got to me. Not so much the raw weight, it's just the unbalanced weight I found really really annoying.

Best bet is to go to the store and try them both out ^^