430 or 430 II with 7D

JohnN

JohnN

Suspended / Banned
Messages
6,359
Name
John
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi,

I was all primed to pick up a 430EX II as suggested to me by forum members but people keep offering the MK1 version and I started wondering what would I be loosing by getting one of those instead as its a cheaper option.

My uses will be macro (bugs for the most part) and family shots - I would be tempted by HSS to help capture my daughter running about like a nutter, plus bugs can fair shift too!

Oh, I am a total noob when using flash so it need to "just work" :)

Cheers,

John
 
Aye, too much and the first place I started, that and youtube ;)

I'm after feedback from you guys though because I trust what you have to say, the random thoughts of google are not always so useful.

Thank you though, I do appreciate you helping though.
 
I don't know why you'd trust anyone on here more than reviews elsewhere. This place is just as random a collection of individuals as elsewhere on the net. The first few links tell you the differences - unfortunately, only you can determine if those differences are important to you...
 
The 430 II will allow you to change flash settings from the cameras LCD, a big plus point when you have cold fingers as the controls on the 430 series take a fair bit of pressing.
 
John if you can afford the extra cash for the EX11 I would point you in that direction over the standard EX

my reasoning is that the
EX11 has a metal foot rather than plastic
EX11 has a switch connector rather than the fiddly normal screw type
20% faster recycle time
the big one for me is the RF noise interference when using pocket wizards really affects the range quite badly I could get no more than 30ft with the original 430ex
now my 430EX11 gets about 300-400ft with no interference issues at all

the standard 430ex is a great flashgun but the issues with my pocket wizards made the decision to upgrade for me

I guess its all about how much cash you want to throw at it... also dont forget the Nissin 866 which is even more powerful than the 430ex11 and is really easy to use - it also has a brilliant full colour rear LCD panel and it sells for the same price as the 430ex2
 
Cheer Chris - I'm quite drawn to the Nissin 866 as it looks like a budget 580EX II, but I'm trying to find out if it will work with my 7D remote functionality, I've already found out it has HSS.

Its a bit more than I planned to pay at £177 (from China) or just under £200 in the UK.

I suppose I'm now asking is the 866 better than the 430EX II for use on the 7D?
 
arad85 said:
I don't know why you'd trust anyone on here more than reviews elsewhere. This place is just as random a collection of individuals as elsewhere on the net. The first few links tell you the differences - unfortunately, only you can determine if those differences are important to you...
Click to expand...

Not being funny but this is the second post I've come across of yours on this forum and all you seem to do is stir... Do you do anything else but cause agro?
 
Aye, try to figure out what I want - I don't mean to stir I just seem to put off pressing the button.

In my head (and with feedback from forums) Ive gone from the YongNuo YN-565EX (not yet out) to the 430 MK2, to MK1 to 580II and now the 866, but the more I read the more I find good and bad points, now just as I'm ready to buy an 866 I find theres a mark 2, for sale in some places but marked as coming soon on their site.

To sum up I'm currently between the 430EX II or the 866 (or version 2 if available)

By the way as I guess for you handle here you know a bit about them, is the MK2 actuall out for the Canon?

Anyway how is this causing agro?
 
Last edited:
JohnN said:
Aye, try to figure out what I want - I don't mean to stir I just seem to put off pressing the button.

By the way as I guess for you handle here you know a bit about them, is the MK2 actuall out for the Canon?

Anyway how is this causing agro?
Click to expand...

Sorry John was referring to arad not yourself. I have the mk2 not the mk1 and tbh don't know enough about the main differences to offer any good advice although the post above which shows the main differences point towards the mk2.
 
Oh, sorry and I just notissed your handle is TheNissanMan - not TheNissinMan!!! :D
 
Last edited:
JohnN said:
Cheer Chris - I'm quite drawn to the Nissin 866 as it looks like a budget 580EX II, but I'm trying to find out if it will work with my 7D remote functionality, I've already found out it has HSS.

Its a bit more than I planned to pay at £177 (from China) or just under £200 in the UK.

I suppose I'm now asking is the 866 better than the 430EX II for use on the 7D?
Click to expand...

The 866's HSS doesnt work in some modes according to some reviews I found as I was looking for a second flash. Might be worth checking out before buying if HSS is a selling point for you
 
I wonder if thats the same with v2 (which came out a couple of months ago it seems)
 
John
I was pretty much like you tooing and 'froing' between the various flashguns and in the end I bought the Nissin 866 after also owning the 580EX2 and the 430Ex
long story as to where my 580EX2 went but ended up left with my 430ex and I was always bitterly dissapointed using it with the P/wizards (range wise)
so in the end it had to go, and got a 430ex2 to use with the Nissin 866

the Nissin which is a really impressive flash and I was surprized at just how powerful it really is and it has everything that the Canon's do bar the camera LCD operation which I must admit I really do like operating the flash via the camera

having said that the Nissin's large colour screen is a joy to use - and like I said it is very easy to use
its a hard call as to which you should go for when they are very similar price bought new
only certain thing is you wont be dissapointed with either of the above mentioned
my 2p
Chris
 
Last edited:
I have the 580exII, the 430ex and the 866 and it's the 866 that gets grabbed first.

I love the subflash feature, the only HSS issue I've had with it has been in manual mode where it didn't work.......but I'm not sure if it was supposed to work anyway in that mode :shrug:
 
TheNissanMan said:
Not being funny but this is the second post I've come across of yours on this forum and all you seem to do is stir... Do you do anything else but cause agro?
Click to expand...
No, definitely not... Perhaps my state of mind at the time, but asking what the difference between the two is a simple "out there on the net" question. The above informative difference responses could have come from any number of google searches. It STILL comes down to what's important to the OP - my tradeoffs for flash (I wouldn't buy the 430 either I or II because it doesn't do 180 degrees in both directions for instance) are totally personal and different to the OPs..

Both flashes will "just work" but asking what the differences are is a very simple google. Whether any of those differences make any difference to the OP is totally up to the OP. Now, ask if any of the differences are useful or not and you have a different set of questions....
 
People telling other people on here to google really gets my back up tbh, we are a friendly photographic community where we help each other and learn from each other. If everyone used google for every single question we wouldn't have much of a community left.

Coming back to your point on the head rotation arad, what difference does it make which direction it rotates as long as it reaches the 180 position?
 
Actually I agree, but even though its the first place I looked I don't mind.
 
digitalfailure said:
People telling other people on here to google really gets my back up tbh, we are a friendly photographic community where we help each other and learn from each other. If everyone used google for every single question we wouldn't have much of a community left.

Coming back to your point on the head rotation arad, what difference does it make which direction it rotates as long as it reaches the 180 position?
Click to expand...

:plusone:
 
digitalfailure said:
People telling other people on here to google really gets my back up tbh, we are a friendly photographic community where we help each other and learn from each other. If everyone used google for every single question we wouldn't have much of a community left.
Click to expand...
Sorry, I don't agree... Whether this is a photography forum or one dedicated to rare snails in the Amazon, if you ask a question that is easily answered by google, then expect to be pointed that way. It's the questions that aren't easily answered by google that are worth the time and effort on forums... (i.e. instead of asking what the differences between 430 and 430 II, ask something like how much difference does on-camera control of the flash matter when you're using it in anger...)

digitalfailure said:
Coming back to your point on the head rotation arad, what difference does it make which direction it rotates as long as it reaches the 180 position?
Click to expand...
You need to think of the camera in portrait mode... The first thing most do with a better flash is start bouncing it. In landscape, you don't have any issues, you can bounce the flash whichever way you want with the 430 (within reason)... Once you move to portrait, the 90deg flash means you can't go beyond vertical with the flash head if you have the shutter button upwards. Given I like to bounce over my shoulder, that's a big problem for me. Whether it is for the OP is another point, but it isn't the question he asked....
 
Andy I think we're getting off topic here, but as I was the original target of the Google it suggestion I will point out that while Google is a great resource (not the best though now due to an excess of adverts but thats another discussion) Google can often be so overloaded with answers its like looking for a pin in a stack of needles! Only one doesn't have a prick at both ends ;)

BTW in response to your specific charge I did specify in the title "with 7D", I'm sorry if I didn't make it clear but it was implied that it wasn't just about the differences but how it plays specifically with the 7D.
 
Last edited:
John,

The thing I'd be MOST worried about is the rotation. Have a google ;) on bouncing flash, then think how you are likely to use it most. I ended up doing exactly that and bought a 580exII
 
Cheers Andy - in all the Google palarva I missed that, however using your google ;) I did find this as the first item when checking "Di866 portrait rotation":

One nice thing about the Di866: The head will rotate to the right when you want to bounce from the ceiling in portrait orientation. The SB800 does the same thing. However, when you want to go from bouncing from the ceiling to bouncing from the back wall, the head on the Di866 just has to be rotated 90 degrees more in the same direction. The SB800 had to be rotated the other way, 270 degrees because the portrait orientation ceiling bounce position hits the stop. That has always been an annoyance with the SB800. IMHO the Di866 does it right.
Click to expand...

Did I read this wrong or does it work okay in portrait?

Oh and that well placed smiley above actually did make me laugh out loud!
 
Ah, I just realised you meant the 430EX II - thats another minus for the 430EX.

When I do shots of the family I do tend to switch to portrait from time to time, so that could be an issue.

I think it will be the Di866 for me by the look of it - now to find a MK II in the UK cheaply!
 
JohnN said:
Did I read this wrong or does it work okay in portrait?
Click to expand...
Sounds like it - but I've never used/held a Nissin... May be worth cross checking with a couple of reviews...

JohnN said:
Oh and that well placed smiley above actually did make me laugh out loud!
Click to expand...
I'm born to please ;)
 
arad85 said:
Sorry, I don't agree... Whether this is a photography forum or one dedicated to rare snails in the Amazon, if you ask a question that is easily answered by google, then expect to be pointed that way.
Click to expand...

Sorry Andy, it's I who have to disagree as I actually WANT as much traffic on here as possible. It might have something to do with TP being jointly owned by me though :shrug:

As an owner of both the nissin and canon flashes, I've still never had a problem shooting in portrait orientation with any of them and I do bounce over my shoulder and even use the camera mounted flash to fire other flashes using the wireless, it turns 90 degrees one way and 180 the other
 
LOL...

How do you manage over the shoulder bouncing with the camera in portrait mode Brian?
 
Well in the end I plumped for the Nissin Di866 MKII (found it on Amazon for £194) thanks Chris for the initial suggestion.
 
JohnN said:
Well in the end I plumped for the Nissin Di866 MKII (found it on Amazon for £194) thanks Chris for the initial suggestion.
Click to expand...

You have also got the new version - a lot of flash John well done mate now get out and enjoy it when it shows up, must add it also works well with Pocket Wizards

a tip for anyone using Nissin flashes with The mini and flex P/w's in the software when hooked upto the PC - their is a setting in there just for Nissin I spent a few hours head scratching at the time with some features disabled till I ticked the Nissin box
then all was well.

arad85 I would think that digitalfailure would use his Nissin to bounce it over his shoulder as it goes 180 degrees to the right unlike the 430 range which swivel 180 to the left so I guess he has all options covered owning both LOL
 
Buttkicker said:
arad85 I would think that digitalfailure would use his Nissin to bounce it over his shoulder as it goes 180 degrees to the right unlike the 430 range which swivel 180 to the left so I guess he has all options covered owning both LOL
Click to expand...
Aha!!!!!! That explains it. The over-shoulder was the reason I went 580 and not 430. I'm 95% convinced Canon do it that way to push sales of the bigger flash unit....
 
I do opt for the nissin over either of the Canon's as I always find the exposure more accurate. I find the 580 II has a tendency to go into search light mode :eek:

when I do use the 430 in portrait mode it's never been an issue to turn the camera shutter button down.......it's certainly not a 100 quids worth of an issue :D

I also find the use of a rogue flash bender or the honl bounce cards to be godsend with the 430 as it amplifies the power and allows you to focus it where you want it (ideal to prevent colour casts )
 
digitalfailure said:
when I do use the 430 in portrait mode it's never been an issue to turn the camera shutter button down.......it's certainly not a 100 quids worth of an issue :D
Click to expand...
I find that so uncomfortable and not natural - let alone doesn't support the camera/lens as well.




That and the fact the 5D is gripped ;) :D
 
Mine is too :D

Getting the shot is more important to me than being comfy for a second or two
 
digitalfailure said:
Getting the shot is more important to me than being comfy for a second or two
Click to expand...
Given the overall cost of the gear I have, spending the £100 was more important to me as it would have annoyed me EVERY time I used it. :D
 
Buttkicker said:
You should of saved the hundred quid and bought a Nissin then:lol:
Click to expand...
But then it wouldn't say Canon on it... and if it doesn't say Canon, it can't be as good!! :D
 
Not wishing to hi jack this thread, but I am thinking of an extra flash, particularly now Jessops have teamed up with Tesco vouchers. I have a 430EX already, I dont think they sell Nissin, so it may need to be a 430EXII.

I have used my 430EX off camera and at the time I bought the off camera kit to allow for two flashes. Would I be able to use either flash on camera on one off with the 430EX and 430EXII or even both off camera? Or do I need to look at a different flash?

I have a 7D and possibly a 5D on the way.
 
Hijack away, I'm good now I'm getting the Nissin Di866 MkII so I'm done with it, although it has been more entertaining than I had expected :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top