Power Output 430 EX II vs SB-24

[bhursey]

My mom just gave me 200$ for my birthday. So b and h has the 430 EXII on sale for 250$.... The thing is I really want a 580EX II. Right now I use a SB-24 as my on camera flash in auto throister mode. It actualy works great. I want to have the ir sensor help. What im worried about is that the 430 EXt II will have less poer than the sb-24. Any one know which flash is more powerfull?

I can save the 200$ and save up of the next year or so and get a 580 EX II

[OsmosisStudios]

The SB-24 has a GN of 36m
The 430EXii has a GN of 43m.

Depending on how each is calculated, that can mean alot, but generally that would mean the 430 is more powerful.

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

The SB-24 has a GN of 36m
The 430EXii has a GN of 43m.

Depending on how each is calculated, that can mean a lot, but generally that would mean the 430 is more powerful.

i think where im confused is sb24 is measured at 85mm and 430 EX II 105mm.

Im thinking of just getting it over with and put the money twards a 580 EX II..... I am going to shooner or later shoot a wedding again.

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by bhursey

i think where im confused is sb24 is measured at 85mm and 430 EX II 105mm.

Im thinking of just getting it over with and put the money twards a 580 EX II..... I am going to shooner or later shoot a wedding again.

You know, if you were just getting a flash for on camera/on camera bracket work (like for weddings and other fast moving events), I'd say the 430 would be good to go...but knowing how much you enjoy off camera, you will want the 580 because the extra power will be just the ticket when shooting into a softbox or umbrella. [imho of your priorities!! grin!]

[FirstLight]

I'll just say that if it were me, I would go with the 580 - save your money. I already had a Sunpak 383 Super, and a 580 EX. When I bought my second body, I wanted something that would work with TTL if I needed it on-camera. I went the cheap route and bout the 430... I wish I hadn't. Yes it is less powerful than the 580, but on manual mode it is WAY less adjustable.

At this point, I wish I had just bought another Sunpak... seriously.

On a side note, anyone want to buy a slightly used 430 EX (not the II)? lol

[k9mom]

Originally Posted by bhursey

i think where im confused is sb24 is measured at 85mm and 430 EX II 105mm.

Im thinking of just getting it over with and put the money twards a 580 EX II..... I am going to shooner or later shoot a wedding again.

You can't compare the two at 105mm as the SB-24 does not zoom that high, so you have to compare them at 85mm, the max zoom for the SB-24. So, at 85mm the respective GNs are:

SB-24: 36m (118ft) @ ISO100, 85mm
430EX II: 40m (131ft) @ ISO100m 85mm

Source: http://www.night-ray.com/PhotoCheatSheet.pdf

[k9mom]

P.S., regarding whether to buy the 430EX II now or save to get the 580EX II later...save to get the 580EX II (I wish I had done that, but I was given a 430EX II for my bday, so I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth).

If you just want the ability to control other off-camera flashes with your SB-24, a cheap, temporary solution is to buy a couple inexpensive flashes on ebay which have an optical sensor capability. The SB-26 has an optical sensor but even on ebay, they will set you back $100 or more. I found three Promaster FTD7000m flashes on ebay, all for under $20 each, and all in new or near new condition. They have a GN nearly that of the 430EX II (138ft vs 143ft @ ISO100, 105mm), five functionality modes including full manual, and respectable recycle time, angle of coverage and slightly broader bounce angle of +90 / -7 vertical than the 430EX II is +90/0.

The downside of using optical sensors for slave units is the limitation of your slaves needing to be in line of sight of your master and they can't be too far apart...

I've ordered a cybersync tx/rx for my 430EX II to control it off camera and plan to use the Promasters as optical slaves until I can upgrade to a better system.

[bhursey]

I think I am going to save for the 580ex II.... My wife and I were talking about it and she does not want me to do what I did last year. I bought a vivitar DF400mz for on camera. It turns out it is not powerful enough for me. So I stopped using it. I now just use it for an optical slave that triggers when I trigger my sb-24 with my cactus v4.

Off camera is an after thought however zona5101 knows me well..... I am a big strobist guy and having more power for a key light will be nice if I do off camera.

[bhursey]

Opened some more birthday cards. 70 more $ to go.... I am definitly gonna get the 580 EX II by the end of the month.

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by bhursey

Opened some more birthday cards. 70 more $ to go.... I am definitly gonna get the 580 EX II by the end of the month.

and Christmas is just around the corner!! Cool that will be fun to get a new flash. I hope it all work out!