Anyone has a Canon Speedlite 220 or 430 EX? - The Photo Forum

sincere · 03-25-2008, 02:56 PM

How do you like it? Pros and cons. Thanks!

Big Mike · 03-25-2008, 03:03 PM

I have a 430EX...it's a great unit. It's not quite as good as it's big brother, the 580EX, but it's quite a bit less expensive but still quite capable.

I wouldn't recommend the Speedlite 220, it doesn't tilt or swivel.

Village Idiot · 03-25-2008, 03:07 PM

Sigma makes several cheaper TTL speed lights that are compatible with Canon's cameras. I've never used them and can't vouch for the quality. I have a 580EX II that I purcashed for times when I absolutely needed an on camera flash. Other than that, my other two flashes are $90 Vivitar manual flashes.

keith204 · 03-25-2008, 03:36 PM

I have the 430 and really like it. Of course, the 580 EX II is on my list, but I won't be getting rid of the 430EX.

CWA_JGEISINGER · 03-25-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by keith204

I have the 430 and really like it. Of course, the 580 EX II is on my list, but I won't be getting rid of the 430EX.

Same here

03-25-2008, 04:37 PM

I have the 430EX and like it fine. The only thing it lacks feature-wise is you can't use it remotely from the camera itself (but I think you can if you have the 580). Also, as some reviews state, the semi-circular buttons on the back are hard to push.

sincere · 03-25-2008, 05:28 PM

Is there an alternative, possibly from a different manufacturer than the Canon ones?

Village Idiot · 03-25-2008, 07:54 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by sincere

Is there an alternative, possibly from a different manufacturer than the Canon ones?

Quote: Originally Posted by Village Idiot

Sigma makes several cheaper TTL speed lights that are compatible with Canon's cameras. I've never used them and can't vouch for the quality. I have a 580EX II that I purcashed for times when I absolutely needed an on camera flash. Other than that, my other two flashes are $90 Vivitar manual flashes.

...

aadhils · 03-25-2008, 08:54 PM

So it's basically better to jump right up to the 580EX without learning to use the lower models first? I don't have any hotshoe flash btw and only use the built in flash. I'm in the market for my first flash. Cash isn't much of an issue.

keith204 · 03-25-2008, 10:15 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by aadhils

So it's basically better to jump right up to the 580EX without learning to use the lower models first? I don't have any hotshoe flash btw and only use the built in flash. I'm in the market for my first flash. Cash isn't much of an issue.

If I were to do it over, I would have bought the 580EX II first. But, at the time money was an issue, so the 430EX sufficed.

Quote: Originally Posted by aadhils

Cash isn't much of an issue.

Wow, that must be nice! C'mon, share now...

A guy once told me: "Spend your money while you have it, because when you get older...you won't have any."

Village Idiot · 03-25-2008, 10:42 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by aadhils

So it's basically better to jump right up to the 580EX without learning to use the lower models first? I don't have any hotshoe flash btw and only use the built in flash. I'm in the market for my first flash. Cash isn't much of an issue.

The only real advantage you have with the 580EX II is more power unless you're going to buy more than one flash and use the wireless functions. There's other small things, like weather sealing, a metal hotshoe, a pc sync port, and a sturdier build that are going to be appealing.

The 580EX II can be used as a master to fire other Canon speed lights wirelessly. I prefer radio triggers for that though...just my preference. I have a 580EX II and two $90 Vivitar 285HV's. The 580 is my on camera flash, but for off camera lighting I didn't see spending a lot of money for a bunch of features that would be useless to me.

sincere · 03-26-2008, 10:09 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Village Idiot

...

Quote:
Originally Posted by sincere

Is there an alternative, possibly from a different manufacturer than the Canon ones?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Village Idiot

Sigma makes several cheaper TTL speed lights that are compatible with Canon's cameras. I've never used them and can't vouch for the quality. I have a 580EX II that I purcashed for times when I absolutely needed an on camera flash. Other than that, my other two flashes are $90 Vivitar manual flashes.

...

Village Idiot · 03-26-2008, 10:14 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by sincere

Quote:
Originally Posted by sincere

Is there an alternative, possibly from a different manufacturer than the Canon ones?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Village Idiot

Sigma makes several cheaper TTL speed lights that are compatible with Canon's cameras. I've never used them and can't vouch for the quality. I have a 580EX II that I purcashed for times when I absolutely needed an on camera flash. Other than that, my other two flashes are $90 Vivitar manual flashes.

...

And all you asked was if there was an alternative.

sincere · 03-26-2008, 10:46 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Village Idiot

And all you asked was if there was an alternative.

= passive agressive

fail.

Village Idiot · 03-26-2008, 11:18 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by sincere

= passive agressive

fail.

Metz Sunpak Vivitar

More alternatives.

sincere · 03-26-2008, 11:24 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Village Idiot

Metz Sunpak Vivitar

More alternatives.

Thanks a lot!

aadhils · 03-28-2008, 09:43 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by keith204

Wow, that must be nice! C'mon, share now...

A guy once told me: "Spend your money while you have it, because when you get older...you won't have any."

I live with my parents so my expenses aren't that many

Foxtrot · 03-28-2008, 03:52 PM

I used a flash one time...hated it...I had the canon 430....I took like 5 shots....hated it...completely wrong for the photography I do...
As for the on board Flash...I use a plug for the hot shoe that i took off a Nikon.....it disables the onboard flash....Kind of tricks the camera into thinking it has a flash on it....This way I never have to worry about being a flasher...IMO
I took my flash back and bought a new lens

Big Mike · 03-28-2008, 03:55 PM

Quote:

As for the on board Flash...I use a plug for the hot shoe that i took off a Nikon.....it disables the onboard flash....Kind of tricks the camera into thinking it has a flash on it....This way I never have to worry about being a flasher...IMO

Why would you need to 'disable' the on-board flash? If you don't want to use it, then just don't use it. It's not automatic (unless you shoot in the stupid green box mode).

03-25-2008, 02:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
sincere I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Berlin Posts: 331 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	Anyone has a Canon Speedlite 220 or 430 EX? How do you like it? Pros and cons. Thanks! __________________ http://papology.wordpress.com/

03-25-2008, 03:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
Big Mike I am Big, I am Mike Site Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Edmonton Posts: 17,617 My Photos Are OK to Edit	I have a 430EX...it's a great unit. It's not quite as good as it's big brother, the 580EX, but it's quite a bit less expensive but still quite capable. I wouldn't recommend the Speedlite 220, it doesn't tilt or swivel. __________________ Edmonton Wedding Photographer Blog

03-25-2008, 03:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
keith204 TPF Junkie! TPF Subscriber Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bolivar, MO Posts: 1,554 My Photos Are OK to Edit	I have the 430 and really like it. Of course, the 580 EX II is on my list, but I won't be getting rid of the 430EX. __________________ 5DII w/ some L's and primes.

03-25-2008, 04:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
CWA_JGEISINGER Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 137 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	Quote: Originally Posted by keith204 I have the 430 and really like it. Of course, the 580 EX II is on my list, but I won't be getting rid of the 430EX. Same here __________________ www.procapturestudios.com MY FLICKR

03-25-2008, 05:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
sincere I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Berlin Posts: 331 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	Is there an alternative, possibly from a different manufacturer than the Canon ones? __________________ http://papology.wordpress.com/

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03-25-2008, 03:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
Village Idiot TPF Junkie! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Shepherdsturd, WV / Almost, MD Posts: 1,989 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	Sigma makes several cheaper TTL speed lights that are compatible with Canon's cameras. I've never used them and can't vouch for the quality. I have a 580EX II that I purcashed for times when I absolutely needed an on camera flash. Other than that, my other two flashes are $90 Vivitar manual flashes.

03-25-2008, 04:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
astrostu Guest Posts: n/a	I have the 430EX and like it fine. The only thing it lacks feature-wise is you can't use it remotely from the camera itself (but I think you can if you have the 580). Also, as some reviews state, the semi-circular buttons on the back are hard to push.

03-25-2008, 07:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
Village Idiot TPF Junkie! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Shepherdsturd, WV / Almost, MD Posts: 1,989 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	Quote: Originally Posted by sincere Is there an alternative, possibly from a different manufacturer than the Canon ones? Quote: Originally Posted by Village Idiot Sigma makes several cheaper TTL speed lights that are compatible with Canon's cameras. I've never used them and can't vouch for the quality. I have a 580EX II that I purcashed for times when I absolutely needed an on camera flash. Other than that, my other two flashes are $90 Vivitar manual flashes. ...

03-25-2008, 08:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
aadhils No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 65 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	So it's basically better to jump right up to the 580EX without learning to use the lower models first? I don't have any hotshoe flash btw and only use the built in flash. I'm in the market for my first flash. Cash isn't much of an issue.

03-25-2008, 10:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
keith204 TPF Junkie! TPF Subscriber Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bolivar, MO Posts: 1,554 My Photos Are OK to Edit	Quote: Originally Posted by aadhils So it's basically better to jump right up to the 580EX without learning to use the lower models first? I don't have any hotshoe flash btw and only use the built in flash. I'm in the market for my first flash. Cash isn't much of an issue. If I were to do it over, I would have bought the 580EX II first. But, at the time money was an issue, so the 430EX sufficed. Quote: Originally Posted by aadhils Cash isn't much of an issue. Wow, that must be nice! C'mon, share now... A guy once told me: "Spend your money while you have it, because when you get older...you won't have any." __________________ 5DII w/ some L's and primes.

03-25-2008, 10:42 PM	#11 (permalink)
Village Idiot TPF Junkie! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Shepherdsturd, WV / Almost, MD Posts: 1,989 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	Quote: Originally Posted by aadhils So it's basically better to jump right up to the 580EX without learning to use the lower models first? I don't have any hotshoe flash btw and only use the built in flash. I'm in the market for my first flash. Cash isn't much of an issue. The only real advantage you have with the 580EX II is more power unless you're going to buy more than one flash and use the wireless functions. There's other small things, like weather sealing, a metal hotshoe, a pc sync port, and a sturdier build that are going to be appealing. The 580EX II can be used as a master to fire other Canon speed lights wirelessly. I prefer radio triggers for that though...just my preference. I have a 580EX II and two $90 Vivitar 285HV's. The 580 is my on camera flash, but for off camera lighting I didn't see spending a lot of money for a bunch of features that would be useless to me.

03-26-2008, 10:09 AM	#12 (permalink)
sincere I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Berlin Posts: 331 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	Quote: Originally Posted by Village Idiot ... Quote: Originally Posted by sincere Is there an alternative, possibly from a different manufacturer than the Canon ones? Quote: Originally Posted by Village Idiot Sigma makes several cheaper TTL speed lights that are compatible with Canon's cameras. I've never used them and can't vouch for the quality. I have a 580EX II that I purcashed for times when I absolutely needed an on camera flash. Other than that, my other two flashes are $90 Vivitar manual flashes. ... __________________ http://papology.wordpress.com/

03-26-2008, 10:14 AM	#13 (permalink)
Village Idiot TPF Junkie! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Shepherdsturd, WV / Almost, MD Posts: 1,989 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	Quote: Originally Posted by sincere Quote: Originally Posted by sincere Is there an alternative, possibly from a different manufacturer than the Canon ones? Quote: Originally Posted by Village Idiot Sigma makes several cheaper TTL speed lights that are compatible with Canon's cameras. I've never used them and can't vouch for the quality. I have a 580EX II that I purcashed for times when I absolutely needed an on camera flash. Other than that, my other two flashes are $90 Vivitar manual flashes. ... And all you asked was if there was an alternative.

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03-26-2008, 10:46 AM	#14 (permalink)
sincere I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Berlin Posts: 331 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	Quote: Originally Posted by Village Idiot And all you asked was if there was an alternative. = passive agressive fail. __________________ http://papology.wordpress.com/

03-26-2008, 11:18 AM	#15 (permalink)
Village Idiot TPF Junkie! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Shepherdsturd, WV / Almost, MD Posts: 1,989 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	Quote: Originally Posted by sincere = passive agressive fail. Metz Sunpak Vivitar More alternatives.

03-26-2008, 11:24 AM	#16 (permalink)
sincere I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Berlin Posts: 331 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	Quote: Originally Posted by Village Idiot Metz Sunpak Vivitar More alternatives. Thanks a lot! __________________ http://papology.wordpress.com/

03-28-2008, 09:43 AM	#17 (permalink)
aadhils No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 65 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	Quote: Originally Posted by keith204 Wow, that must be nice! C'mon, share now... A guy once told me: "Spend your money while you have it, because when you get older...you won't have any." I live with my parents so my expenses aren't that many

03-28-2008, 03:52 PM	#18 (permalink)
Foxtrot TPF Noob! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 18 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	Flasher I used a flash one time...hated it...I had the canon 430....I took like 5 shots....hated it...completely wrong for the photography I do... As for the on board Flash...I use a plug for the hot shoe that i took off a Nikon.....it disables the onboard flash....Kind of tricks the camera into thinking it has a flash on it....This way I never have to worry about being a flasher...IMO I took my flash back and bought a new lens

03-28-2008, 03:55 PM	#19 (permalink)
Big Mike I am Big, I am Mike Site Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Edmonton Posts: 17,617 My Photos Are OK to Edit	Quote: As for the on board Flash...I use a plug for the hot shoe that i took off a Nikon.....it disables the onboard flash....Kind of tricks the camera into thinking it has a flash on it....This way I never have to worry about being a flasher...IMO Why would you need to 'disable' the on-board flash? If you don't want to use it, then just don't use it. It's not automatic (unless you shoot in the stupid green box mode). __________________ Edmonton Wedding Photographer Blog

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