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04/19/2007 10:37:38 PM · #1 |
Sorry for asking so many questions about different things but as some know I am looking at purchasing some new equipment and trying to sort which items I should get.
I understand both of the above flashes are recommended (amazon). I have never had a flash (apart from what's on the camera) before so should I go for the 580 or the 430. I want to use it for bounce flashing etc. not necessarily direct.
Your thoughts much appreciated. |
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04/19/2007 10:43:03 PM · #2 |
The 580 can also function as a master (in a master/slave setup). Spend the money on the 580 if you think you'll want to expand in the future (off-camera flash can provide a more 3-D appearance than on-camera flash). Otherwise, the 430 is an excellent choice as either your primary flash or as a slave to the 580.
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04/19/2007 10:54:12 PM · #3 |
Hi dwterry
Does that mean I can use this flash off the camera as well (have touched on this discussion before). It will automatically go off when I shoot the camera? Whereas the 430ex will not. Is that correct?? (I mean without any cables attached).
Message edited by author 2007-04-19 22:54:41. |
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04/19/2007 10:58:25 PM · #4 |
Not exactly. The 580 can master other flashes. Meaning, you have the 580 on your camera and another flash, such as another 580, a 550, a 430, ect, somewhere else in the room. The 580 on the camera is set to master and the other flash is set to slave. There are various things that can be done in this setup.
I had a 230 with my Rebel and bought the 580 when I upgraded to the 20D. I highly, highly, highly, recomment that you get the 580. You will not be disappointed. |
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04/19/2007 11:13:30 PM · #5 |
Sorry about that. As Physics_Guru already answered, I was referring to using the 580 as a master and another flash as the slave for a more 3D like effect.
The thing is... if the flash is on-camera, you are basically going to "flatten" the features of your subject. It doesn't matter if you diffuse the light. If it's going straight at them, it's going to flatten their features.
Bouncing the light can work wonders. Especially bouncing off a wall (not the ceiling) so that you get pleasing side light. The head on the 580 not only moves up and down, but rotates 360 degrees, so it's easy to get the light to bounce in whatever direction you need. I believe the 430 will do the same.
This is an example of bouncing the 580 flash off of a side wall:
And these are all examples of using the 580 (on camera) to fire a 420 (off camera) flash:
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04/19/2007 11:17:30 PM · #6 |
I use the same set-up as David. A 580 to fire a 420. I wish Canon still had the 420, was about $100 less than the 430 but practically identicle in capability. If you ever want to use multiples, you'll need the 580 to be master, the 430 can't do that. But the 430 is great as a single flash and works great as a slave.
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04/20/2007 12:00:11 AM · #7 |
OK. I'll check these out more when I'm in the store but I think I will go with the 430ex at this time if it can be bounced of walls etc. If I find I want a slave flash later I will get the 580ex and then the 430ex can work as the slave.
I think I have that sorted then unless the 430ex doesn't move in the directions needed to do what I want, then it may be the 580ex.
Thanks all
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04/20/2007 12:02:38 AM · #8 |
The 550 or 580 can be a master flash to other 550/580/430/420 or the sigma EF500DG super. An ST-E2 can be as well if you ever need to get that fancy.
The best is probably the new 580EX2. It adds a few handy features like a plug port for hooking up a trigger (usually a pocket wizard, but a PC cord or sound trigger could also be used), it's better built, recharges 60% faster, is waterproof/resistant and has a sensor for an 'auto' mode like Metz flashes (great for weddings as eTTL/eTTL2 isn't so hot at weddings).
The 550 or 580 as well as the sigma (same power and features, 1/2 the price but not as ruggedly built) have an LCD screen on the back that is VERY helpful and useful and they have a full manual mode and exposure compensation. The 430 has a manual mode - full power or 1/16 nothing in between, no LCD and i don't think it has comp on it. It's also less powerful - you can turn down the 580 but you can't get more light out of a 430 once it's all the way up.
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04/20/2007 12:19:11 AM · #9 |
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04/20/2007 01:44:32 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
The 430 has a manual mode - full power or 1/16 nothing in between, no LCD and i don't think it has comp on it. |
You must be thinking of the older 420. I have a 430 sitting next to me and it has an LCD and the manual adjustment covers 1 - 1/64.
I have a 580 as well, but now I wish I would have purchased a ST-E2 and 2 430s to use off camera.
As for weddings, Denis Reggie uses canon E-TTL and he is pretty well known for his work.
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04/24/2007 07:47:10 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by dwterry:
Here are some recent examples of what I'm getting with the Canon 580EX in eTTL mode... none of these are edited:
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I dunno, it would appear that 66% of the time the flash is causing your horizon to tilt wildly... (Ducking stones) :)
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04/24/2007 09:15:54 AM · #12 |
Get the 580EX mark II, rather than the mark I model. The mark II has a much stronger battery door and also a PC socket which might come in useful if at some point you buy Pocket Wizard radio controls. The mark II is due out very soon.
Message edited by author 2007-04-24 09:18:47. |
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04/24/2007 09:50:49 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
The 430 has a manual mode - full power or 1/16 nothing in between, no LCD and i don't think it has comp on it. |
Wrong again. The 430EX has full manual control, from full power to 1/64 in 7 steps. It also has a rear LCD and on board exposure compensation.
I don't know where you're getting your information from, but you're being misinformed. |
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06/27/2007 02:26:00 AM · #14 |
Sorry to rehash an old discussion, but I'm curious about your opinions on pricing for the 580EX I, now that the II has been out for a bit.
There's an ebay auction (in my country) ending shortly for a slightly used 580EX I. Seller's starting price is roughly ~$282 - and there are no bidders yet. It looks like this would be an easy snag at the starting price.
I'm stupid not to buy it, right? Is that a good price? I've been researching on U.S. eBay, and most 580s seem to be going in the $300-350 range. I've also been scouring hi and low for 430s and 550s, but they're tough to find where I am.
I'm just wondering if any of you think I might find the 580 for less. Since I have friends and family who frequently travel back and forth to the U.S., I can easily have them buy it there. Prices for Canon/Nikon gear are generally less in the US.
(My original plan was to buy a flash in Tokyo when I was there a few weeks ago, but man, stuff is expensive there!) |
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06/27/2007 02:40:19 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by KiwiChris:
Originally posted by dwterry:
Here are some recent examples of what I'm getting with the Canon 580EX in eTTL mode... none of these are edited:
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I dunno, it would appear that 66% of the time the flash is causing your horizon to tilt wildly... (Ducking stones) :) |
LOL... If I can't hold a camera straight, I might as well rotate it enough that it looks like I did it on purpose!
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