580ex, 430ex setup

[june_daley]

<p>Hi guys</p>

<p>Sorry if this has been asked before - I own a 430ex and looking to buy a 580ex. Can one of the flash units be used on camera to trigger the other flash placed externally? Or do I need to buy the ST-E2 to trigger the external flash?</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

[a._n.k.]

<p>The 580EX can trigger the 430EX. Not the other way around. And both the 430EX & 580EX can be triggered by a ST-E2 or another 580EX/EXII.</p>

[r_smith2]

<p>Before buying an ST-E2 buy a 550EX off ebay for about $200. As a master it gives you complete control of all 3 slave groups and the ability to also control your slaves in the wireless manual mode where as the ST-E2 can only control 2 groups and only via e-TTL. You also have a back up flash. </p>

[june_daley]

<p>Excellent, thanks Randall. Thanks A.N.K for the straightforward answer - I felt a bit silly asking but had to check!</p>

[a._n.k.]

<p>Good suggestion Randall. Hadn't thought about the 550EX. Though, I recently bought the 580EX (not the EXII) for about $275, and have seen them go for lower ($255), on Ebay.</p>

<p>If money is tight the 550EX is the way to go. However, the 580EX is slightly more power, faster recycling, and it's smaller. Also, has a simpler user interface (personal preference). It also has a wider wide diffuser, and an extra bounce card built in. And the AF assist light pattern that is more compatible with the newer camera bodies.</p>

[zigzag]

<p>You may find Chuck Gardner's excellent set of tutorials useful:<br>

http://super.nova.org/DPR/#Canon</p>

<p> </p>