I don't have enough true experience with the 430s to know - I have four 580IIs and rented three 430s for holiday studio work, but the 430s were background flashes and everything was ETTL. That said, since the 580s are stronger, I'd suspect that a 580 could fire at 1/3-2/3 stop less power (relative to full) and that would lead to a faster recycle.


I will say that a 580 with an external battery pack is mighty impressive. One of the places where it can really show is as an on-camera flash, even if it isn't contributing to the lighting. Sending the trigger signals are quite a drain on the battery - having the battery pack changes the way things work something fierce. I'm expecting my second CP-E4 from B&H on Tuesday!