Canon speedlite 430 EX II with Canon EOS T3i

[truephotoga]

I am considering the purchase of a Canon 430 EX II speedlite for my EOS T3i. Anybody out there have comments good or bad on this flash? I beleive I can use the flash off-camera and the T3i has a wireless sync/trigger, can anyone confirm who has used this setup on the performance of the wireless? Thanks.

 

[Hardrock]

Its a fantastic flash! Ive used it with Canons xt,50d and 7d models with no problems. As far as off camera it works great indoors with my 7d . I have no experience with the t3i. Hope this helps!

 

[Big Mike]

Great flash, no problem.

Yes, the T3i is one of only a few Canon cameras that can use it's built-in flash to wirelessly control a remote Canon flash.

 

[KmH]

If it's an IR (InfraRed), optical system, it's limited in range, and mostly to line-of-sight, like all IR optical systems.

Direct sunlight has a lot of IR, so using an IR system in direct sunlight can be problematic.

 

[Big Mike]

(AFAIK), it's not an IR system. Like the 580EX (when used as a master) it uses pulses from the flash bulb to communicate with the remote 'slave' unit.

Still, this system will struggle or fail when using outdoors (with no line of sight) or when used in bright sunlight.

 

[truephotoga]

Thanks for all the great info!

 

[SteveD1050]

Big Mike. Do you know if you can use it without firing the on camera flash? It seems like you should be able to but I can't seem to get it to work that way.

 

[iresq]

Check your manual but I believe the on camera flash is required as it's that pulse of light that triggers the 430 to flash.

 

[o hey tyler]

Big Mike. Do you know if you can use it without firing the on camera flash? It seems like you should be able to but I can't seem to get it to work that way.

No, you need the flash from your camera to fire the 430EX. You can get or build something to redirect the on camera flash so that it doesn't add a great deal to the exposure, yet it will still trip the off camera flash.

 

[PhillOS]

I just purchaced this flash.. and im loving it so far! GET IT!

Big Mike. Do you know if you can use it without firing the on camera flash? It seems like you should be able to but I can't seem to get it to work that way.

No, you need the flash from your camera to fire the 430EX. You can get or build something to redirect the on camera flash so that it doesn't add a great deal to the exposure, yet it will still trip the off camera flash.

UR RONG! .. the on-camera flash will flash and trigger the external.. but it will not contribute to the exposure!

 

[Joey_Ricard]

Great flash, and get good rechargeable batteries

 

[o hey tyler]

I just purchaced this flash.. and im loving it so far! GET IT!

Big Mike. Do you know if you can use it without firing the on camera flash? It seems like you should be able to but I can't seem to get it to work that way.

No, you need the flash from your camera to fire the 430EX. You can get or build something to redirect the on camera flash so that it doesn't add a great deal to the exposure, yet it will still trip the off camera flash.

UR RONG! .. the on-camera flash will flash and trigger the external.. but it will not contribute to the exposure!

Well, no I am not actually. I stated that you DO need the on camera flash to trigger the 430EX. However, after posting I decided to look up some specifics on the functions of the wireless flash control. And I've found that you can have it set to either contribute to the flash exposure, or not. So you don't necessarily need to redirect the flash.

 

[brush]

Check your manual but I believe the on camera flash is required as it's that pulse of light that triggers the 430 to flash.

On camera flash triggers it, but does not contribute to the exposure. When you set up the flash settings in your camera you can choose for off camera only, or off camera with pop up flash. If you choose off camera only, the popup will just pulse a split second before the shutter opens to signal the 430. But that pulse has no impact on your exposure. I was worried about the line of sight thing, but so far haven't had any troubles with my 60D. Out of superstition I like to swivel it around so the censor is pointed in the direction of the camera...don't know if I have to or not but it seems to work when I do so I figure why not. It's my first off camera flash, but I'm lovin' it!

 

[PhillOS]

I just purchaced this flash.. and im loving it so far! GET IT!

No, you need the flash from your camera to fire the 430EX. You can get or build something to redirect the on camera flash so that it doesn't add a great deal to the exposure, yet it will still trip the off camera flash.

UR RONG! .. the on-camera flash will flash and trigger the external.. but it will not contribute to the exposure!

Well, no I am not actually. I stated that you DO need the on camera flash to trigger the 430EX. However, after posting I decided to look up some specifics on the functions of the wireless flash control. And I've found that you can have it set to either contribute to the flash exposure, or not. So you don't necessarily need to redirect the flash.

Yeah i looked it up as well.. i bid thou my deepest apologies.. for saying UR RONG!

 

[theericky]

I have rebel t3i and 430 ex. I can tell you this; it work great indoor. Because you will have flash bouncing off the wall which will still trigger the 430 flash. The only thing you need to be aware of is whether to use on camera flash which I meant wireless plus pop up flash or turn off pop up flash but still use pop up to trigger 430 flash.

The rest of forum is sound advice.