430ex vs 580ex?

[ssschen]

Guys

I am new to this forum and there seems to be many knowledgeable photographers here.

I bought my first DSLR last year during the overseas trip. It is a Canon 400D with a Sigma 10-20mm lens. This was my main lens during the trip but I had a lot of problems with the built-in flash getting blocked by the front of the lens I think limiting coverage from 17mm onwards only.

I am thinking of buying a flash to overcome this problem. I don't think I can afford a 580ex as I am really an amateur/hobbyist photographer. A couple of questions:

Is the flash coverage of the 430ex enough for the Sigma UW lens?

What are the main differences betweem the two flashes?

[Dr Jan Itor]

The 430 is such a great flash that I couldn't justify the extra expense of the 580. Sure the 580 has it's uses for good photographers, but is overkill for an average photographer like me.

[adam]

From here http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Revi ... eview.aspx

I read "While both flashes feature a pull-out/flip down wide angle diffuser to cover lenses out to 14mm (FOVCF equivalent), the 580EX includes a white plastic pull-out catchlight reflector panel in addition. " So I think they would both be just as wide? Can anyone confirm?

[ssschen]

From here http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Revi ... eview.aspx

I read "While both flashes feature a pull-out/flip down wide angle diffuser to cover lenses out to 14mm (FOVCF equivalent), the 580EX includes a white plastic pull-out catchlight reflector panel in addition. " So I think they would both be just as wide? Can anyone confirm?

adam

Sounds like I will need to have the diffuser panel down all the time when I have the Sigma 10-20mm lens on. Since this flash has coverage from 14mm FF onwards, I guess I am fine since 10mm on my 1.6x cropped body is really 16mm in FF, is my deduction correct?

Thanks for the link to the review. Very interesting read. I have to say I am quite confused with some of the terminology such as EV1 etc. FEC is the flash equivalent of bracketing without flash? I am attending a short photo course at Tafe Wattle Grove at the moment. I guess I better ask the instructor, though he is probably getting to the flash topic soon I hope. There are more review links towards the bottom of the page too and the "Peter Kun Frary" link has good information on the 430ex as well.

[DaveB]

Sounds like I will need to have the diffuser panel down all the time when I have the Sigma 10-20mm lens on. Since this flash has coverage from 14mm FF onwards, I guess I am fine since 10mm on my 1.6x cropped body is really 16mm in FF, is my deduction correct?

Yes, it sounds like you've got the basics.

The 430EX's zoom goes down to 24mm (on your 400D that would be a 15mm lens). With the flip-out diffuser ("14mm" coverage) that's wide enough for a 9mm lens on the 400D. So you could use the diffuser all the time, although if your lens is zoomed to something 15mm or longer you'll be wasting flash power compared to operating without the diffuser.

I have to say I am quite confused with some of the terminology such as EV1 etc. FEC is the flash equivalent of bracketing without flash?

You should probably check out this link:
http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/

[mattyjacobs]

For what it's worth, I got a 430ex for my birthday and I'm loving it.

I realise there's no context to that statement ... but yeah, I'm happy with it.

[Wocka]

I just bought the 580ex and have only used it a handful of times.

I was in the same situation, but like everything else in life. Buy the best you can afford cause you know your gonna want the better model in 6 months.

Depending on how urgently you need the flash it might be an option to wait for the new 580ex II and then buy the 580ex as it will be getting cheaper with it's replacement just announced.

I have already noticed a nice $$$ drop ( approx $30 ) in the past 3 months of the 580ex on Ebay.

Cheers

[ssschen]

I just bought the 580ex and have only used it a handful of times.

I was in the same situation, but like everything else in life. Buy the best you can afford cause you know your gonna want the better model in 6 months.

Depending on how urgently you need the flash it might be an option to wait for the new 580ex II and then buy the 580ex as it will be getting cheaper with it's replacement just announced.

I have already noticed a nice $$$ drop ( approx $30 ) in the past 3 months of the 580ex on Ebay.

Cheers

I know what you are saying but there is a $200 difference between the two flashes I believe? If money is not a matter, I would not hesitate to buy the best but I am afraid that is not the case. I bought a 540EZ many years ago, ever since the young ones have arrived, that has been sitting in the closet doing nothing for the last 3 years I reckon.

Anyone knows how much a 540EZ is worth. I am thinking of selling it to fund the purchase of this 430EX flash. Also what sort of prices should I be looking at for a 430EX and 580EX. Is the 580EX II already released?

Another question, I hope there is no 430EX II coming out? I hate to buy this flash, then the week afterwards the new release comes out when I should have waited etc.

Thanks.

[hart]

I just bought the 580ex and have only used it a handful of times.

Ditto - I'm learning more and more about flash every time - I'm kinda glad I went for the top of the range (even at the higher cost) because I know that any failure to secure a good shot is now my problem, something I can improve on, rather than a fault of my equipment

Canon (Three Fiddy D) 350D

Finally, someone else who gets that reference - I no longer feel alone!

You gave that monster three fiddy? I told you not to give that monster three fiddy!

[Sheila Smart]

I am also debating the 430 vs 580. When I had my Canon 20D, the only time I used the flash was for fill lighting. Now I have a 5D (and no built in flash) I am looking at buying a speedlite. There are a couple of 430s on EBay which look interesting - hovering around the $200 mark. I was in Foto Riesel during the week and the guy behind the counter quoted me $850 for the new 580 II. And 10% off for duty free (I'm going OS in July). I asked about the old 580 and he said that they didn't have any and is probably not available. The last time I was in Discount Digital Photographics in North Sydney, they had an original 580 for $580.00 and that's the cheapest I have seen it.

I don't think I will go for the new one and it looks like a used 430 will suit my needs ...for someone who rarely uses one!

Cheers
Sheila

[Nathan Rodger]

Street price on the 580EX II is not going to be in the $800's..... It's going to be around the same - if within $100 of the 580EX. In fact I've been given indication that it is going to be the same price as the I...

Now 430EX vs 580EX? Get an ST-E2 and a 430EX, and a Stofen. MUCH better flexibility and the allowance of learning off camera flash at the same time! Strobist.com

Cheers, Nathan.

[ssschen]

Street price on the 580EX II is not going to be in the $800's..... It's going to be around the same - if within $100 of the 580EX. In fact I've been given indication that it is going to be the same price as the I...

Now 430EX vs 580EX? Get an ST-E2 and a 430EX, and a Stofen. MUCH better flexibility and the allowance of learning off camera flash at the same time! Strobist.com

Cheers, Nathan.

I recently bought an used Tamron 17-50 lens from someone in Japan. Out of curiosity, I asked him about prices of the speedlite flashes in Japan as a speedlite flash is most likely my next purchase item. The price difference he quoted me for the 580ex and 580ex II is only A$70. This may be useful as a reference for someone interested in price difference of the 580EX II over the 580EX.

Cheers.

[harry03199]

Hi, just shot a wedding tonight, and the 430ex cound not keep up with the camera, (Canon 350D) in some series of shots the flash only fired 1 out of 3 shots. So I'll be upgrading to the 580ex II as soon as i can. ( then the camera.... )

Also went thru 2 sets of batteries (941 shots in 5 hours)

never ending hobby.......

Harry

[adam]

but does not the 430EX have a faster recycling time than the 580EX (and 580EX II (which has a 20% faster recycling time than the 580EX))? And also more flashes per charge? (but the flashes from the 580EX, really power!). ( http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/speedlite/index.html )

[Nathan Rodger]

More flashes - at lower power... you buy the 580EX for the power... so thats average flashes for the power... Your call...