Canon Speedlite 430EX

[jenbeat1]

Does anyone have Canon's Speedlite 430EX and if so, what is your opinion of it?

Thanks!

 

[Master Mason]

I have one, it does everything I need it to do. I like that it is adjustable so you can bounce the flash etc. I would not by the smaller version because it isn't adjustable.

 

[mabas9395]

I got it and it rocks.

 

[Lachesis00]

I have the 420 and a higher one (I forget, I loaned it to a friend, it's too big for me to hold... the 5xx?) I love te 420.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I think that the 430EX is the best fit for most people. I find the 220 under powered and I hate the lack of bounce capability.

If you someday decide to use multiple flashes, you can add a 580EX and use the 430EX as a slave.

One drawback of the 430EX is that it allows less manual control than the 580EX. Well, the 420EX did, so I assume that the same applies to the 430EX. The main feature that you'll miss is the ability to set flash exposure compensation. If you have a 20D/30D/40D, you can do this in the camera, so it's not a big deal. If you have a Rebel (not sure about the XT or XTi), you cannot. That may not seem like a big deal, but being able to set flash exposure compensation is pretty important to getting good natural looking flash shots under a variety of conditions.

So I guess my advice is to get the 430EX if you camera supports flash exposure compensation (or if they've added that to the 430EX) and to upgrade to the 580EX if it does not.

 

[Master Mason]

you can set exposure comp with the 430

 

[MarkBarbieri]

you can set exposure comp with the 430

Excellent. So what advantage does the the 580EX have now other than the ability to be used as a master and greater power?

 

[Master Mason]

I don't have the 580, but I think the two that you listed, and tighter control on the exposure comp and better af assist.