Canon Speedlite 430 II

[wukenne]

Hi Guys,

I am looking to pick this up for $ 289.99 + tax = $ 330'ish. Reading reviews, it seems to be a pretty good flash for beginner/intermediate user. I'm looking to improve my photos and expand my limitations over the standard flash on my Rebel XSI. I'm wondering if this is a good price for the functions compared to 3rd party-type flashes since I don't know much about them. I don't want to spend more for the higher end 580 model as I don't think I'm quite ready for that one yet. Any comments or suggestions?

[cuecas_red]

http://www.photoprice.ca/product/02660

not sure if you will get it for that price in CDN$ but USD$ you might be able to find it. looking at newegg.com they have it for $279 US

[j0nny]

To be blunt, its a very good price for a good flash for intermediate/beginners.

[Astin]

not sure if you will get it for that price in CDN$ but USD$ you might be able to find it. looking at newegg.com they have it for $279 US

It's $299 at Black's right now, at least it was on Tuesday at the Yonge/Dundas store. Not online though.

$309.99 at Aden, $310 at DC

$399.99 at Bestbuy. So there's some price beating possibility there.

[jl2008]

Yes, it is a very good flash and leaps & bounds over the built-in flash in a DSLR. The manuals control on the 430EXii are very useful. There's an instant rebate still in effect until the end of the month (IIRC, $30 for this model). The price you quoted is great.

The simple fact that you can point it upwards and use a piece of white paper to diffuse it forward (use a rubber string) will improve your flash photos immediately - try it when you get and you'll see the difference.

What's important now if you get it is to study how to use it - as usual, the flash manual doesn't teach when to use certain functions and how, just how to operate the flash.

At some point you may want to move it off-camera, but Canon's off-camera cord is a rip-off, you spend less money on a wireless transmitter from eBay (there are plenty of discussions on this on dpreview.com and elsewhere so I won't repeat them).

[sfu_engineer]

The Canon 430EXii is a decent flash. It's a lot smaller and more portable compared to it's bigger brother the 580EXii. I would stay away from the Third-Party flashes though as they probably don't have the TTL/communications protocols down 100%. I think for normal users you won't miss the 580EXii. As a more advanced user I miss the build quality, weatherproofing, better buttons, wireless master, and easier to tilt/turn flash head.

[wukenne]

The Canon 430EXii is a decent flash. It's a lot smaller and more portable compared to it's bigger brother the 580EXii. I would stay away from the Third-Party flashes though as they probably don't have the TTL/communications protocols down 100%. I think for normal users you won't miss the 580EXii. As a more advanced user I miss the build quality, weatherproofing, better buttons, wireless master, and easier to tilt/turn flash head.

Thanks for the info guys. I decided to pick it up and played around with it a bit this afternoon...man, what was money ever well spent. It's great! Thanks for the help everyone!

[VMalska]

Thanks for the info guys. I decided to pick it up and played around with it a bit this afternoon...man, what was money ever well spent. It's great! Thanks for the help everyone!

Hope your batteries and battery compartment on your flash don't smell burned^^.

[cuecas_red]

The Canon 430EXii is a decent flash. It's a lot smaller and more portable compared to it's bigger brother the 580EXii. I would stay away from the Third-Party flashes though as they probably don't have the TTL/communications protocols down 100%. I think for normal users you won't miss the 580EXii. As a more advanced user I miss the build quality, weatherproofing, better buttons, wireless master, and easier to tilt/turn flash head.
I think I read somewhere that the 580 also refreshes in a 1-2 seconds while the 430 is 5 to 6 seconds and I think that would make a big difference to most pros, especially wedding photographers

[zoomzoom]

I think I read somewhere that the 580 also refreshes in a 1-2 seconds while the 430 is 5 to 6 seconds and I think that would make a big difference to most pros, especially wedding photographers


I've used both and they appeared to refresh at the same rate.... they almost have to as you can use the 580 to control the 430 and have them both fire at the same time.

[sfu_engineer]

I think I read somewhere that the 580 also refreshes in a 1-2 seconds while the 430 is 5 to 6 seconds and I think that would make a big difference to most pros, especially wedding photographers

I actually find the 430 refreshes faster than the 580. But that is because it outputs less power compared to the 580.

[neltron3030]

I am going to check out the Blacks at Yonge/Dundas and see if they have it for $299.99. If they do, I'll ask if they would meet the BB price match at $290. Will keep you all posted.

[neltron3030]

Of all the years I've lived in Toronto, I've never set foot inside the Blacks at Yonge/Dundas. Wow!

I got really amazing service there tonight. The 430EX II went off sale, but the sales person gave me the previous sale price ($299.99), which was great. She was also very knowledgeable about the new 7D, which I had some questions about. Overall, I'd probably go back again if I needed things retail!