430EX II, or 580EX?

chris321

chris321

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I know this must be asked a lot, but please bear with me! With lens prices skyrocketing, I can't afford a new lens, so I'm going to get a flash instead. I've been looking at these two, and can't decide between the newer, but lower spec-ed model, and the older top of the range one!

It would be my first flashgun, would the 580EX be overkill? I know the main advantage would be that the 580 can be used as a master, but I won't be getting another flash for quite some time, so although expandability would be nice, it's not particularly relevant.

Would I be right in assuming the recycle time on the 430EX II will be quicker? I know the 580EX will be slower than the 580EX II (which I really can't afford), but how do times across the range vary?

Sorry for all the questions, I've been reading around on flashes, and I'm just getting more and more confused!

Chris
 
I can't really help with comparing the two. I did however get the older 580EX as my first flash gun...it is that good it still is my only flash gun (well, the only one I use on the camera...the others are cheaper strobist stuff). I don't feel the need to upgrade to the newer model :)
 
I've got a 430exII as my first flash and i'm happy with it. Made my onboard flash just look totally rubbish

But as i get more into off camera flash there will probably be a point where i want to buy a 530ex as well . If you want to use more than one flash the 530 will act as the master flash and can trigger up to 4 (i think) slave 430's wirelessly.

Theres probably some cheaper alternatives out there for the above senario but I'm pretty new to off camera flash so can't advise you of those.

Anna
 
Thanks for the replies guys! I still can't decide, they both seem to be good flashes! Has anyone owned both and can compare? I'd really appreciate it!

Chris
 
I've got the 580EX MkI and it's a cracking flash. Good and bad bits. Good is the power, power in a flash is measured as "guide number" and is usually in feet at a certain ISO and lens range. The 580EX is quite a bit more powerful. Go and check the specs on that.

The one disadvantage of the 580EX Mk1 is that it does not have a PC port so if you want to trigger it off camera you need to use a cord or a hotshoe trigger. The good news is that they can be modified by adding a PC port quite easily (I've done mine and it's pretty cool!)

They can also overheat if you use an external battery and fire quickly over time. The newer MKII has an overheat protection circuit.

I've had mine nearly two years, hammer the hell out of it, dropped it at a wedding and would not part with it.

Hope that helps. :)
 
You can always dial some power down on a flashgun, but you can't add power it don't got!
 
Personally, I can't see anything in the 430 II that would make me choose it over the old 580. When it comes to flash there will always be a day when you get or lose the shot based solely on how much power you have.

It has just about all the features that you could likely ever want and for a few quid, you can sit it on a little hotshoe cube with a PC socket to fire it off camera.
 
Damn, beaten by the more succinct wisdom of CT again. :lol:
 
I went to see Stevie Wonder at the NEC one time, and we were right at the back of the huge hall. I was quite amused by people all around me firing away at Stevie with little compact camera flashes, which would probably reach about 3 or 4 rows in front of them!

Using a top end gun with a high guide number on manual full power, shooting wide open, they just might have managed to reach Stevie on the stage.
 
I have this same dilemma, I want to experiment with off camera flash. I've got a 430EXmk1 and its brilliant. Its my first gun and its so much better the the onboard, can bounce it off stuff, dial it down, fires fast for burst shots etc...

Was looking at the 580EXII for more power, faster recharge & ability to control my 430EX.

Any thoughts ?
 
The slightly more radical option is a used 550EX. Although it is less stylish than the 580, it is still an excellent gun and they are cheap now. I use two and would think about getting some more at times.
 
kiteninja said:
I have this same dilemma, I want to experiment with off camera flash. I've got a 430EXmk1 and its brilliant. Its my first gun and its so much better the the onboard, can bounce it off stuff, dial it down, fires fast for burst shots etc...

Was looking at the 580EXII for more power, faster recharge & ability to control my 430EX.

Any thoughts ?
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Seems like a no brainer really with the added flexibility you'll get. There's nowt wrong with the 430, it's a great gun, but I'd always advise anyone forking out in the first instance to get the gun with most power if possible.
 
CT said:
Seems like a no brainer really with the added flexibility you'll get. There's nowt wrong with the 430, it's a great gun, but I'd always advise anyone forking out in the first instance to get the gun with most power if possible.
Click to expand...

So grab a 580EXII, now to find one for less then £400 :O

Just dumped some funds from paypal from sales of old kites :) so should help.
 
I bought a 580EXII from Kerso recently, I would definitely be emailing him before buying elsewhere if its a 580EXII you've set your heart on.
 
I bought a 580EXII from Kerso Mid Jan for £285 inc delivery. As Hyster suggests I would contact him as soon as.
 
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