speedlite 430ex II or 580ex II???

[dishingthedivine]

Ah, this way or that. I'm not sure. Both flashes are rated highly. Obviously the 580 is rated better than the 430 because it's more expensive and does cooler things. I'm a beginner to DSLR but am driven to be able to take great photographs. I've signed up for multiple classes, shoot daily, get feedback often from this website and am voraciously absorbing all that I can. I have no desire to be a pro - just a regular ol' girl who takes stunning photos as a hobby. All that said, from those who have had the 430exII and/or the 580 exII, what do you recommend? I was leaning toward the 430 for the cost and size, but then I read so much about the 580 that I wonder if I'll regret it...

Thanks for any feedback you have!
-Paula

[inkista]

Get the 580 if you can afford it. For on-camera work and bouncing, It's worth the extra cash just to have the additional power and the 360° swivel. Here's what Neil van Niekirk (planetneil) has to say:

http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/f...hich-flashgun/

The 580EX and 580EXII both swivel 180° to the left and right.
The 430EX and 430EXII both swivel 180° to the left, and 90° to the right.

You're eliminating 25% of your bounce direction choices right there.

[amellor]

Get the 580 - I have one of each and the 580 is awesome. The 430 isn't bad, but the 580 is way better.

[sybren]

430EX-II is great, but especially when you'll start using things like umbrellas, soft boxes, etc. you'll love the extra power the 580EX-II will crank out.

Be sure to get the mark 2 and not the mark 1, as the mark 1 lacks wireless manual control, and you really want manual control ;-)

[Bluenoser]

I was in the same dilemma when getting ready to purchase a speedlight. I went with the 430EX II and have no regrets. Like you, photography is just a hobby for me. The 430 works fine for me, taking images of my granddaughters, one of whom is 2 and can't sit still for a second like most youngsters that age. The difference in price was big for me.

[PhotoNewt]

Originally Posted by inkista

Get the 580 if you can afford it. For on-camera work and bouncing, It's worth the extra cash just to have the additional power and the 360° swivel. Here's what Neil van Niekirk (planetneil) has to say:

http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/f...hich-flashgun/

The 580EX and 580EXII both swivel 180° to the left and right.
The 430EX and 430EXII both swivel 180° to the left, and 90° to the right.

You're eliminating 25% of your bounce direction choices right there.

Originally Posted by amellor

Get the 580 - I have one of each and the 580 is awesome. The 430 isn't bad, but the 580 is way better.

Originally Posted by sybren

430EX-II is great, but especially when you'll start using things like umbrellas, soft boxes, etc. you'll love the extra power the 580EX-II will crank out.

Be sure to get the mark 2 and not the mark 1, as the mark 1 lacks wireless manual control, and you really want manual control ;-)

Ditto. The 430EX II is a capable unit, but the 580EX-II has more power and some (useful) features not found on the 430. In addition to the full swiveling head, the 580 has a built-in white bounce card useful to get catch lights on your subjects when bouncing the flash (when shooting people, you always want to bounce the flash if possible to obtain softer more flattering illumination). Also the 580's controls are somewhat easier to operate than the 430EX. The 530EX also has weather sealing which allows the unit to operate on harsher environmental conditions if you eventually get lens/body with similar protection.

The 580 has a built-in PC socket that is useful if you want to trigger the flash off-camera for better results. Also has an IR port that allows the flash to act as a wireless master unit when combined with other 580's or 430's for off-camera multiple flash photography (such as used in professional portrait work).

Believe me, when you start using and reading about flash photography you will want to start using it off camera and that is when the 580 power and extra features really come in handy.

If you end up choosing the 430EX II, rest assured is a high quality and very capable flash unit on it's own right. You won't be wrong with either one.