Which flash to get? - AutoPhotog : Photo Enthusiasts/Pros Forum

**Vudoo4u2** · 10-22-2009, 05:28 AM

Speedlite 430 ex ii or the 580??

Ive been debating for a bit since I tend to take mostly landscape/scenic shots instead of portraits or indoors...but I think its dumb not to have a flash at all...I cant get away with it forever...

any pros/cons? should I spend the extra dough??

DarkMastyr · 10-22-2009, 10:28 AM

Flash is for pussies, kinda like nitro-meth.

scollins · 10-22-2009, 10:59 AM

You went top-line on your gear, I suggest you go top-line on your flash too. And a flash is still plenty useful for landscape shots, etc. But, if budget is a concern, then the 430 will get the job done (~$270 vs. ~$400.)

I've got the Nikon SB-600, which is very similar to the 430 in terms of features and power. I now want to add an SB-800 or SB-900 to the mix. So if you get the 580 instead of the 430, you'll probably never say "I shoulda....." later on down the line.

**UdubBadger** · 10-22-2009, 07:59 PM

NO... get the 580! Its worth it!

430 only works as a slave, with the 580 you can control other 580's and 430's... probably other types too I would assume but I don't know THAT much about flashes.

**Vudoo4u2** · 10-27-2009, 05:57 AM

hmm....if I get a 580, does that mean you will be my slave?

scollins · 11-02-2009, 01:17 AM

Canon offering rebates again! Save $50 on the 580 EXII

http://www.usa.canon.com/app/pdf/Pro...ect_102209.pdf

**UdubBadger** · 11-02-2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vudoo4u2

hmm....if I get a 580, does that mean you will be my slave?

ummmmm..... noooooooooo........

djdorifto · 11-04-2009, 12:08 AM

is it fine to get a used 580? How long do flashes last?

**UdubBadger** · 11-04-2009, 12:11 AM

a while I'm sure but I'm usually buying my used gear on amazon cuz they rate the condition

NYG8GT · 11-04-2009, 10:04 AM

I just picked up an SB600 for my D40, and I love it. I need to get a commander to use it off camera since the D40 cant act as a commander itself, but for on camera use, especially inside where I can bounce it off the ceiling, its awesome. Sooo much better than the on-board flash!

dizzy · 11-04-2009, 10:09 AM

430 is more that adaquid for most situations.

j.owen · 11-04-2009, 03:09 PM

430 is a great flash and usually there is a work around to the features of the 580. Ex, the slide out white card is great on a 580. But its nothing a index card or playing card can't do for a 430.

Like any technology, if you have the money, get the 580 as something better will come out soon and you may as well keep up with the curve. If your watching you budget, you'll probably be fine with the 430.

BMDubz · 11-10-2009, 02:00 AM

I have a 430EX II and it works great for me, picked it up for $190 "used" in brand new condition. The 580EX II is a beast tho and I would not mind having one.

**Vudoo4u2** · 11-11-2009, 05:28 AM

hmmm...on the prowl for used 580...

Black_Dog · 12-09-2009, 01:16 PM

I finally purchased a 430EX II about six months ago. I considered the 580EX, but have no regrets at all. The 580EX has a little more power, the flash head swivel has a slightly greater range of motion, can wirelessly control other Canon E-TTL flashes, but costs over $100 more. Since I have no other flashes to control, I don’t need that 580EX capability right now. So far I have not wanted for more power and the 430EX II flash head has great range of motion.

I’ll get a 580EX later when/if I ever decide I want to control multiple flashes using a Canon’s limited wireless triggering system (as apposed to PocketWizard or RadioPopper). Until then I’m more than pleased with the 430EX and I’ve used that extra $100+ to buy a backdrop and frame, and a 3 meter off-camera flash cord for studio work.

**Vudoo4u2** · 12-12-2009, 08:58 PM

girlfriend just got me a 580exii for hanukkah...me=lucky sob

woot!

scollins · 12-12-2009, 10:04 PM

Nice! Now let's see some flash photos.

10-22-2009, 05:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
Vudoo4u2 Night Sh1ft Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chicago Shoots With: 5D MKII Flickr: AutoPhotog Posts: 509	Which flash to get? Speedlite 430 ex ii or the 580?? Ive been debating for a bit since I tend to take mostly landscape/scenic shots instead of portraits or indoors...but I think its dumb not to have a flash at all...I cant get away with it forever... any pros/cons? should I spend the extra dough?? __________________ A turbo: exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens and you go faster. Canon 24-70 F2.8 L : Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS/L : Canon 5D Mark II : B+W Filters : Photo Whore

10-22-2009, 10:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
scollins PhotoFreak Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Renton Shoots With: Nikon D300 Flickr: scollins1868 Posts: 140	You went top-line on your gear, I suggest you go top-line on your flash too. And a flash is still plenty useful for landscape shots, etc. But, if budget is a concern, then the 430 will get the job done (~$270 vs. ~$400.) I've got the Nikon SB-600, which is very similar to the 430 in terms of features and power. I now want to add an SB-800 or SB-900 to the mix. So if you get the 580 instead of the 430, you'll probably never say "I shoulda....." later on down the line. __________________ Scott C. Renton WA Nikon D300 w/MBD-10 \| Nikkor 17-35 f2.8 \| Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 VR I \| Nikkor 50mm f1.8 \| Nikon SB-600 \| B+W Filters \| Tenba Shootout Medium Backpack \| Tenba Shootout Medium Sling \| Vanguard Alta Pro 284CT tripod \| Manfrotto 488RC2 Ballhead \| ProMaster Monopod NS \| Manfrotto 234RC Monopod head

10-22-2009, 07:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
UdubBadger PostWhoringMod Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: From Chicago, missing Madison, WI Shoots With: Canon Flickr: AltOnePhoto Posts: 964	NO... get the 580! Its worth it! 430 only works as a slave, with the 580 you can control other 580's and 430's... probably other types too I would assume but I don't know THAT much about flashes. __________________ Apple/BMW/Canon snob

10-27-2009, 05:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
Vudoo4u2 Night Sh1ft Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chicago Shoots With: 5D MKII Flickr: AutoPhotog Posts: 509	hmm....if I get a 580, does that mean you will be my slave? __________________ A turbo: exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens and you go faster. Canon 24-70 F2.8 L : Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS/L : Canon 5D Mark II : B+W Filters : Photo Whore

11-02-2009, 01:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
scollins PhotoFreak Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Renton Shoots With: Nikon D300 Flickr: scollins1868 Posts: 140	Canon offering rebates again! Save $50 on the 580 EXII http://www.usa.canon.com/app/pdf/Pro...ect_102209.pdf __________________ Scott C. Renton WA Nikon D300 w/MBD-10 \| Nikkor 17-35 f2.8 \| Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 VR I \| Nikkor 50mm f1.8 \| Nikon SB-600 \| B+W Filters \| Tenba Shootout Medium Backpack \| Tenba Shootout Medium Sling \| Vanguard Alta Pro 284CT tripod \| Manfrotto 488RC2 Ballhead \| ProMaster Monopod NS \| Manfrotto 234RC Monopod head

10-22-2009, 10:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
DarkMastyr PhotoFreak Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: bankrupt state of CA Shoots With: your mom Posts: 104	Flash is for pussies, kinda like nitro-meth.

11-04-2009, 12:08 AM	#8 (permalink)
djdorifto PhotoFreak Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Palm Bay, Fl Shoots With: Canon 40D Flickr: djdorifto Posts: 195	is it fine to get a used 580? How long do flashes last? __________________ -Steven MY00 Honda S2000 SS - Daily Driver Canon 40D - Canon 28-135, Canon 50mm, and Sigma 10-20 WA Lenses

11-04-2009, 12:11 AM	#9 (permalink)
UdubBadger PostWhoringMod Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: From Chicago, missing Madison, WI Shoots With: Canon Flickr: AltOnePhoto Posts: 964	a while I'm sure but I'm usually buying my used gear on amazon cuz they rate the condition __________________ Apple/BMW/Canon snob

11-04-2009, 10:04 AM	#10 (permalink)
NYG8GT PhotoGeek Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 48	I just picked up an SB600 for my D40, and I love it. I need to get a commander to use it off camera since the D40 cant act as a commander itself, but for on camera use, especially inside where I can bounce it off the ceiling, its awesome. Sooo much better than the on-board flash!

11-04-2009, 10:09 AM	#11 (permalink)
dizzy PhotoN00B Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Northern Va. Shoots With: Canon Flickr: zippychance Posts: 26	430 is more that adaquid for most situations.

11-04-2009, 03:09 PM	#12 (permalink)
j.owen PhotoN00B Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Philadelphia Shoots With: Canon Flickr: j.owen.smith Posts: 17	430 is a great flash and usually there is a work around to the features of the 580. Ex, the slide out white card is great on a 580. But its nothing a index card or playing card can't do for a 430. Like any technology, if you have the money, get the 580 as something better will come out soon and you may as well keep up with the curve. If your watching you budget, you'll probably be fine with the 430.

11-10-2009, 02:00 AM	#13 (permalink)
BMDubz PhotoFreak Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Shoots With: Canon 40D Flickr: ShiftY PhotographY Posts: 131	I have a 430EX II and it works great for me, picked it up for $190 "used" in brand new condition. The 580EX II is a beast tho and I would not mind having one.

11-11-2009, 05:28 AM	#14 (permalink)
Vudoo4u2 Night Sh1ft Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chicago Shoots With: 5D MKII Flickr: AutoPhotog Posts: 509	hmmm...on the prowl for used 580... __________________ A turbo: exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens and you go faster. Canon 24-70 F2.8 L : Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS/L : Canon 5D Mark II : B+W Filters : Photo Whore

12-09-2009, 01:16 PM	#15 (permalink)
Black_Dog PhotoN00B Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6	I finally purchased a 430EX II about six months ago. I considered the 580EX, but have no regrets at all. The 580EX has a little more power, the flash head swivel has a slightly greater range of motion, can wirelessly control other Canon E-TTL flashes, but costs over $100 more. Since I have no other flashes to control, I don’t need that 580EX capability right now. So far I have not wanted for more power and the 430EX II flash head has great range of motion. I’ll get a 580EX later when/if I ever decide I want to control multiple flashes using a Canon’s limited wireless triggering system (as apposed to PocketWizard or RadioPopper). Until then I’m more than pleased with the 430EX and I’ve used that extra $100+ to buy a backdrop and frame, and a 3 meter off-camera flash cord for studio work. Last edited by Black_Dog; 12-09-2009 at 01:30 PM. Reason: Edited for clarity

12-12-2009, 08:58 PM	#16 (permalink)
Vudoo4u2 Night Sh1ft Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chicago Shoots With: 5D MKII Flickr: AutoPhotog Posts: 509	girlfriend just got me a 580exii for hanukkah...me=lucky sob woot! __________________ A turbo: exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens and you go faster. Canon 24-70 F2.8 L : Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS/L : Canon 5D Mark II : B+W Filters : Photo Whore

12-12-2009, 10:04 PM	#17 (permalink)
scollins PhotoFreak Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Renton Shoots With: Nikon D300 Flickr: scollins1868 Posts: 140	Nice! Now let's see some flash photos. __________________ Scott C. Renton WA Nikon D300 w/MBD-10 \| Nikkor 17-35 f2.8 \| Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 VR I \| Nikkor 50mm f1.8 \| Nikon SB-600 \| B+W Filters \| Tenba Shootout Medium Backpack \| Tenba Shootout Medium Sling \| Vanguard Alta Pro 284CT tripod \| Manfrotto 488RC2 Ballhead \| ProMaster Monopod NS \| Manfrotto 234RC Monopod head

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