430 EX II

[keith_plechaty]

<p>Hi! I just purchased the 430 EX II. I know very little about flash photography and wanted to learn a little bit more. I'm a little concerned I might have made the wrong choice by not getting the 580 EX II. Right now, I'm just using the flash to take portraits of my new puppy. I anticipate using it occasionally on vacation when I go on cruises. Do you think I made the right choice? I felt the 580 was overkill since I probably wouldn't be using it a huge amount.<br>

Thanks!</p>

[gregf]

<p>It also depends on your body. A 580 can really change the way that a body feels, it's built like a tank. But you probably made the right choice, unless your need the high GN.</p>

[keith_plechaty]

<p>Sorry, I forgot to mention I have a EOS 30D. Quite old, but it still does everything I need it to do!</p>

[scott_ferris]

<p>Keith,</p>

<p>Relax, you got the right first flash, but <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/032171105X/ref=asc_df_032171105X1814514?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=032171105X">now get this book</a>. It is written for Canon Speedlites and you will learn everything in it, it really is the missing manual.</p>

[esfishdoc]

<p>I think you did fine! You have to start somewhere and you chose a good starting point. You can add later.... Learn to use now what you have and use it well. <br>

Directions to go? Learn to bounce flash..... learn to get it off the camera. One of the cheapest and easiest ways to get it off camera is to use one or two of these:<br>

<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/650555-REG/Zeikos_ZE_OCSCC_Off_Camera_Flash_Cord_for.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/650555-REG/Zeikos_ZE_OCSCC_Off_Camera_Flash_Cord_for.html</a><br>

There is a lot of good stuff here on this blog... Lighting 101 is worth a look... here...<br>

<a href="http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html">http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html</a><br>

Enjoy<br>

Richard</p>

 

[Robin Smith]

<p>You made the right choice. Why worry? The 580 is more expensive is heavier and offers very little extra for most occasional flash users.</p>

[paddler4]

<p>The 430 EXII is a very capable flash. if you are working within its range and don't need it to control other flashes, you are fine. It's what I use.</p>

<p>Another excellent book is <strong>http://tinyurl.com/cuz9owj</strong> It contains a lot of advanced ideas you may not want, but it is the most straightforward explanation of how ETTL flashes work, and how to use them, that I have seen.</p>

<p>My suggestion is that you start by learning to bounce flash and worry later about getting the flash off the camera. To get good results with bounce flash, consider two cheap additions. One is a sto-fen ominbounce diffuser, which will set you back about $15. The second is a bounce card, since the 430EX does not have one built in. I really like the standard-size Demb flip-it (google it), which will cost you about $30. Bounce will give you nice indirect lighting, and you can use the angle of the bounce to control whether a distant background (like a wall a fair distance away) is illuminated. The bounce card gives you a little bit of more direct light, to get a contrast where you want it and a little catch-light in the eyes.</p>

<p>I'm no expert with flash, but you will be amazed by what you can accomplish with just this much. I have a bracket to get the flash off the camera, but the fact is that I often don't bother with it.</p>

[steve_dunn2]

<p>The 430 is an excellent step up (way up!) from the pop-up flash, and I'd argue it meets the needs of the vast majority of photo hobbyists. I've only just now added a 580 to my collection, after having used the 420EX (two generations older than your new flash) for about 12 years and the 380EX (another generation older) prior to that.</p>

 

<p>Enjoy your new flash! As others have suggested, you have plenty of opportunities to learn new techniques and improve your photography with this flash unit. So quit worrying about whether you got the right flash and start using it :-)</p>