New Flash Questions

[Panama]

I've been playing around with photography for awhile now...can't say that I'm learning it as fast as I would like because I don't have much time to just play...which makes me nuts, but right now, that is how it is. Anyway, I do read a lot of the photography books out there these days and it seems like an external flash is a good way to go. I'm wondering if the 430ex is a flash? Would this be a good place to start? I just mostly take family pictures, pictures around the house, a few pictures outside here and there...but for now that is basically what I'm doing. What do you guys think? I have a Canon 30D. Will the 430ex work with my camera? Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

[Doug Pardee]

Yes, the 430EX is a good flash and it will work just fine with your 30D.

The big advantage of using an external flash is being able to bounce the light instead of aiming it directly at your subject. Bounced flash gives a much nice look to flash photos.

[inkista]

The 430EX is a discontinued flash that has since been replaced by the 430EXII. All the EX speedlight units are compatible with your 30D, but you'll probably want to get either a 430EX/430EXII, or 580EX/580EXII.

The biggest difference between the 430EX and 430EXII is that with newer camera bodies, you can control the MkII versions from the back of the camera. With a 30D, this doesn't really matter.

A 580EX/580EXII, however, is larger, more expensive, more powerful, and has a lot more features that can make it more useful for both on- and off-camera use.

My basic advice boils down to two things. Firstly, if you are not comfortable shooting in full Manual mode, and swapping stops among iso, aperture, and shutter speed for exposure, I'd recommend not getting a flash until you are. Because all flash does is add power and distance, and additional interactive restraints among the exposure settings. If you can't juggle three balls, chances are good you won't be able to juggle five.

Secondly, if you can afford the larger flash, get it. If you cannot, the lower-end flash will still be useful, but most people will, if they get good at flash photography, eventually end up getting the larger unit. For on-camera flash work, particularly, the extra power, and the ability to swivel 360° is a non-trivial advantage.

And if you plan on doing off-camera flash, you may not want a Canon speedlight EX unit at all.

[RustySterling]

First of all, I agree with everything Inkista had to say.

I live by a motto, "Buy once, cry once." That means buy the best upfront so that you are not spending money on something that doesn't meet your needs and forces you to spend more money to get what you should have in the first place.

The 430EX II is a fine unit. I bought it first. Then I found that I really needed what the 580EX II had to offer and ultimately bought it. The fortunate thing is that I still can use both. So keep that in mind if you decide to get the 430 first. However, I would suggest getting the 580 first and expanding after that. The 580 gives you plenty of flash power, but also control over other Canon speedlight units you might purchase in the future.

Just something to keep in mind. Currently I have to two 580s and one 430 (plus and ST-E2 controller) and I'm amazed at the level of control I have. And that doesn't even take into consideration my PocketWizards. (I know, I'm a nut case and total gear head.)

But look at The Strobist and you will find a wealth of information on using flash -- particularly off-camera flash.

[Quo Fan]

I have both the 580EX and the 430EX and the 580 spends more time on my camera than the 430. I bought the 430 to use as a slave for when I'm doing mountain bike action photography. The 580 can be set as Master or Slave for off-camera flash, the 430 can only be used as a slave for off-camera.

I bought the 580 first, then I bought the 430.

[Panama]

Thanks for all your help...this place is the best! P.S. where and why did my post get moved to? Hope I didn't do something wrong.