Discuss the Canon 430EX II Speedlite Flash Review - tell us what you think of the Canon 430EX II Speedlite Flash.
i think...i need one quick.
thank you Brian for another great review
Very nice flash in a smaller package than the 580EX II. Not sure why Canon choose not to enable this as a master strobe in their wireless system, it would be nice to have a smaller strobe on camera for this task especially when you want minimal flash output from the camera position. The foot on this strobe is the most solid system I have seen to date while maintaining compatibility.....nice job Canon. I'd have to agree with Bryan that the extra $$$$ for the 580EX II is well worth it despite the bigger size.
I have been an available light shooter forever, and I struggle to understand the mechanics of strobism. (That is the term, right?) Not the concepts - I understand how light works - but the methods. I need a brief primer on how to use the darn thing. I own this flash and I have struggled to get even the most basic results out of it. The curve is steep, even for a dedicated learner like me.
Bryan, you hint at the methods you use, but a novice with strobes, even a motivated one, can get frustrated trying to figure out exactly how to achieve those ends. Or at least I do. Might you post a step by step 101/primer?
Quote from the review:
On the front, each of these flashes (and the flash transmitter) has a red window - this is the source of the AF assist light. A light from this window will intermittently flash while setup in slave/remote mode. The darker window on the 430EX II and 580EX II is the remove/slave receiver. Do not block this area when using the flash as a remote. The 580EX II adds a PC Synch input port (as mentioned above) to the red window.
...uhhh, if you mean physique, then that is a no, what you see in front is the external automatic flash exposure sensor http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=946&fromTips=1, the PC Sync input port is behind the bottom rubber flap on the side
...but if you mean that the 580exII adds a PC Sync input port to the 'red window system', then that is a yes
...€0.02...
Kindest regards!
Max@Home
I chase light: I have been an available light shooter forever, and I struggle to understand the mechanics of strobism. (That is the term, right?) Not the concepts - I understand how light works - but the methods. I need a brief primer on how to use the darn thing. I own this flash and I have struggled to get even the most basic results out of it. The curve is steep, even for a dedicated learner like me. Bryan, you hint at the methods you use, but a novice with strobes, even a motivated one, can get frustrated trying to figure out exactly how to achieve those ends. Or at least I do. Might you post a step by step 101/primer?
..useful information here:
http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=1866
Speaking of flashes, has anyone tried one of these?
If so, how does is handle "red-eye?"
http://www.expoimaging.net/product-detail.php?cat_id=8&product_id=15&keywords=Ray_Flash:_The_Ring_Flash_Adapter
A common point that I often make when choosing between the 430 and 580 series is bounce rotation: AFAIK the 430s rotate 180 degrees left and 90 degrees right (i.e. not a full circle). The 580s rotate 180 degrees left and 180 degrees right. For those who shoot a lot of portrait-oriented (vertical) shots of subjects shorter than you, this can limit your bounce aiming. Does it matter much? Nope.
Long story short, don't expect great results with green-box (full auto), P or M exposure modes, and/or with manual flash power levels. Let E-TTL2 do its magic for a while, and try doing so in Av where you can choose the depth-of-field for your desired result. Choose your aperture first based on your own sense of DoF or some test shots, then tweak ISO to get a reasonable shutter speed (you want at least 1/effective-focal-length if possible, or 8/EFL if you have an IS lens and your subject can hold still). Flash will illuminate your subject, but ambient will illuminate your background.
Wow! What a fantastic review.
Simply another fantastic review! Thanks again, Bryan!
I own a 430EX II at this moment. I think it is worth it to upgrade to a 580EX II sometime in the future after I "upgrade" myself with bouncing and other flash techniques... I think just the more convenient control and the extra flexibility of rotation is worth the extra $ to get a 580EX II; I'm having trouble using the recessed buttons too, and my hands and fingers are among the smallest...
Max - You are correct. My brain must have skipped a track on that one. :)
I Chase Light - That is an article I would like to do some day. I'll put it on the todo list.
Thanks for the kind words everyone. Hopefully you found the review useful.
I agree that the head rotation on the 430ex II is a problem when shooting in portrait position. If this is necessary in the design of the unit, why can't Canon have it the other way around - 180 clockwise and 90 anticlockwise.
I am waiting for a plastic box diffuser in the mail, as we speak, to substitute for bounce flash. In the meanwhile I have cut up a white plastic bottle (bathroom cleaner) to about 3" square with an extra little bit on the bottom. I attach it to the 430 with the head at 75degrees vertical with a rubber band around the little bit on the bottom. It looks a little daggy, but it gives beautiful results.
In essence I have a detachable 3" square diffuser, bigger and better than the retractable one on the 580.