430 v 580

Scarecrow

Scarecrow

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Derek
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Need to add a flash to my gear, but struggling with choice. Be nice to go with Canon as I then know it will be fully compatible with my cameras, but is the 580 really worth £319? It's a lot of money for something that, frankly, I won't actually use that often.

As far as I know, the only difference between the 430 and 580 is that the 580 is more powerful, or is there something else I am not aware of that would make the 580 a better buy, especially as the 430 can be had for £100 less?
 
The 580 is more powerful, and has the ability to act as a wireless master to off camera slaves such as another 580 or 430.

I have one of each and got the 580 first. It is also built slightly tougher, weather sealed and all that. The one thing I would say is once you have one you may find you use it more than you thought...

Final question really is what do you think you will be using the flash for?

Don't forget to budget for some rechargable batteries and charger if you don't have them already. Try Kerso for a price on both!
 
If you not going to use it very often I would strongly urge you to look away from the genuine Canon products and got for a second hand third party model like those from Sigma. you will get an awful lot more for less money and you won't feel so ad if it gets left in the bag for extended periods.
 
Most indoor flash work I do is pre-planned and I use studio type equipment. I just think I have space in my kit bag for an accessory flash for those occasions when out and about and fill flash would be useful. I already have a set of wireless flash triggers, so don't need that function from a 580.

Maybe I'll give it a couple of months and wait 'til I have a a bit of dosh lying around and not earmarked for something else.
 
There are quite a lot of relatively small differences between the 430EXII and 580EXII, but the main ones are power and the master facility on the 580. It also has a built in bounce card.

If you want to try remote slave flash with another gun, the master bit is obviously very important, but otherwise you'll never need it and the 430 is much better value. Pop a Stofen on it and you have a very handy tool :thumbs:
 
One thing that I found differs is that the 430EX II does not support an external battery whereas the 580EX II does. If your going to do a lot of flash photography indoor or out then swapping batteries can be a good excuse for a break but also can cause you to miss some shots never to be repeated. Nothing worse than to hit the shutter button only for the world to go blank for a few seconds, followed by a few minutes scratching ones head working out its time to change the batteries. I do hate it when I start to sweat as I get down to the last set of batteries with the local garage (with stock of AA,'s) 10 minutes away.

Just wish I'd gone 580EX II, now I got to fork out for 580EX II anyway. Still I can use the 430Ex II as a slave to add a bit more interest to the shots.... Lifes not all doom and gloom.
 
I have both and for general stuff, prefer the 430EXII oddly enough. It's got plenty of power for most situations but for weddings, the 580EXII really comes into its own.

I'd also suggest taking a look at the Metz AF-48... It's a bit cheaper than the 430EXII and a very good unit. It also works as an E-TTL slave as well. :)

Si
 
I like my 430 EX II as it's a little smaller than the 580, it's plenty powerful enough, and it's plenty quick enough at recharging ready for the next shot. i always keep a spare set of rechargeable batteries with me, but have yet had to use them. a quality bit of kit!:thumbs:
 
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