Second flash to 580EXII

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RSMarco

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Hi all,
I'm thinking of a second flash to partner my 580 EXII and was wondering if I should go with a 430 EXII of a 580EXII. The purpose of the second flash is for rear light etc.

Cheers,
Mark
 
Get another 580ex2 if you can afford it, no contest you will gain far more versatility.
 
In what way?
 
More power, a swivel head that goes all the way round in either direction, manual zoom, a greater degree of power control, faster recycle times
 
I would get a 430EX II and an ST-E2, or two 430EX II's .... which you can just about get for the price of one 580EX

Some of the benefits quoted by Al Brum above I don't think are correct, you can certainly do manual zoom on the 430EX II from what I recall and I don't think the recycle times for a given flash output are different either. http://www.digitalrev.com/article/canon-flash-comparison-speedlite-580/NzcxNA_A_A

ST-E2 is one of Canons most under appreciated pieces of kit and would allow you to get both flashes off camera and still give you AF assist on the camera and allow you to fire both your flashes remotely.
 
Cheers for the feedback guy's. Just to add, I have the Pixel King trigger / receiver for the 580 II so I would be intending on purchasing another receiver. The 430 II would be used as a partner to the 580 II.

Mark
 
Wedding-Photos said:
I would get a 430EX II and an ST-E2, or two 430EX II's .... which you can just about get for the price of one 580EX

Some of the benefits quoted by Al Brum above I don't think are correct, you can certainly do manual zoom on the 430EX II from what I recall and I don't think the recycle times for a given flash output are different either. http://www.digitalrev.com/article/canon-flash-comparison-speedlite-580/NzcxNA_A_A

ST-E2 is one of Canons most under appreciated pieces of kit and would allow you to get both flashes off camera and still give you AF assist on the camera and allow you to fire both your flashes remotely.
Click to expand...

fair point about zoom and recycle times, but from my own experience I would never use an ST-E2 again, in fact I just gave mine away! A 580EX2 as master is massively more useful, even better is the radio trigger option and the OP has that covered. Personally I hate faffing about trying to ensure that the sensor can see the master and more often than not I want the flash behind me or inside a softbox.
 
Probablly 430 then Mark, Especially with the wireless triggers. They are more reliable in bright sunshine than any IR trigger. If your work is just indoors, then the IR route is also very useable if line of sight is good or you have good reflection for the IR signal.
 
Cheers all for your input..!
 
Al Brum said:
fair point about zoom and recycle times, but from my own experience I would never use an ST-E2 again, in fact I just gave mine away! A 580EX2 as master is massively more useful, even better is the radio trigger option and the OP has that covered. Personally I hate faffing about trying to ensure that the sensor can see the master and more often than not I want the flash behind me or inside a softbox.
Click to expand...

Each to their own of course, I have PocketWizard radio triggers but still use my ST-E2 at every single wedding I shoot.

During morning prep I have it on my camera when I am shooting natural light as it really helps to nail focus when subjects are backlit, same for any shots in church or dark places where you don't want to use flash, its quicker using an ST-E2 than going into the flash settings to switch the flash off, lighter on the camera and zero chance of accidentally triggering a flash in church.

For my Photo Booth the ST-E2 is what I use for every one of them, its very reliable at triggering the lights in that situation and the focus assist is essential as I am usually shooting in very low light or even complete darkness.

My radio triggers get used in bright conditions when I don't need focus assist or if I need a shutter speed faster than 200th of a sec or I don't have line of sight to my flash...... otherwise the ST-E2 is great for most other situations.
 
Do you know it never occurred to me to use it purely for af assist! Oh well, every day's a school day!
 
From another angle. Buy a second 580EXii. Just makes life easier having one interface (ie. menus, buttons, etc).

Cheers.

Dav
 
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