430EX II or 580EX II?

vd853 · Jul 15, 2009

I can't decide between these two! This will be my first speedlite, and I don't want to upgrade in the future (but will be slaving). I'm not a Pro (although I do own L lens..), do you guys think a 430 will be more suitable for me? What is really the difference besides a brighter flash? HELP!

K8-90 · Jul 15, 2009

I'd like to see what is suggested... I'm thinking about picking one of those up, too

Bitter Jeweler · Jul 15, 2009

Me three!

Samanax · Jul 15, 2009

vd853 said:
I can't decide between these two! This will be my first speedlite, and I don't want to upgrade in the future (but will be slaving). I'm not a Pro (although I do own L lens..),

Based on what you've stated, you should get the 580EX II first and then the 430EX II down the road. You can slave the 430EX II off the 580EX II but you can't slave a 430EX II off another 430EX II.

inTempus · Jul 15, 2009

Yep, the 580 is the better of the two. Its brighter, cycles faster, has a sync port for using things like Pocket Wizards, and it's capable of being a commander for other flashes.

I bought the 580 first then picked up two 430's as remote/fill flashes.

rufus5150 · Jul 16, 2009

I'd say the 580exII. You won't need to upgrade that any time soon. It's a rock solid performer.

musicaleCA · Jul 16, 2009

rufus5150 said:
I'd say the 580exII. You won't need to upgrade that any time soon. It's a rock solid performer.

QFT.

I have two. Love them both. Damn things could fry an egg though (I'm actually carrying both now so that I can swap-out when one heats up; that way I can keep firing away like mad when I'm trying to capture fast-moving action in crappy light without my gels melting...yes, I did it again...was fighting against really, really red lights. Bah!). As stated, you won't need to upgrade any time soon. I have a 550EX as well (the last generation most-powerful flash Canon made), and aside from the marginal difference in GN and a few nifty features on the 580's, it pretty much performs just as well as the new ones; feature-wise anyway.

Bluepoole · Jul 16, 2009

I agree with all of the above posters.

I guess it depends on your budget as well, let me put it this way: if you can afford the 580EX II, go for it. If you can only buy the 430EX II, do it - you won't be wasting your money, just save up for a 580EX II in the future.

I could only afford the 430EX II for now, but I'm very satisfied with it. In my country the 430EX II's price is relatively stable, not much difference between retailers, but prices on the 580EX II vary hugely, in some cases they're exactly double that of a 430EX II !!

Derek Zoolander · Jul 16, 2009

I just picked up a 430ex II at best buy for $220. I just couldn't afford the 580 ex yet. I love mine for what it's worth...If I need it off camera im using the cactus v2s transmitter/receiver which has been very good to me so far.

Bitter Jeweler · Jul 16, 2009

Canon | 580EX II Flash | 1946B002 | B&H Photo Video

$370

illstudio · Jul 17, 2009

Picked up the 430EX II for $214 shipped. By far the better value! Plenty of power and features for the money. I have no regrets.

Samanax · Jul 17, 2009

illstudio said:
Picked up the 430EX II for $214 shipped. By far the better value! Plenty of power and features for the money. I have no regrets.

Have you ever tried the 580EX II?

soylentgreen · Jul 17, 2009

Get the 580. I got the 430 and almost immediately regretted it. The 580 is quicker, more powerful and can use external Turbo Battery packs with more ease. The 430 needs a special battery pack and even than cannot use the Lithium batteries on the new lighter packs. And NO PC sync cord.

Misfitlimp · Jul 17, 2009

Derek Zoolander said:
I just picked up a 430ex II at best buy for $220. I just couldn't afford the 580 ex yet. I love mine for what it's worth...If I need it off camera im using the cactus v2s transmitter/receiver which has been very good to me so far.

Theres your problem dude u bought it at best buy. Online prices are way cheaper. try bhphotovideo.com

Derek Zoolander · Jul 17, 2009

Misfitlimp said:
Derek Zoolander said:

I just picked up a 430ex II at best buy for $220. I just couldn't afford the 580 ex yet. I love mine for what it's worth...If I need it off camera im using the cactus v2s transmitter/receiver which has been very good to me so far.

Click to expand...

Theres your problem dude u bought it at best buy. Online prices are way cheaper. try bhphotovideo.com

I don't think I got it for a bad price? I actually thought I got it for a pretty good price.. BH is selling a new one for $240 and that's already with the $30 instant rebate included.