Buying a Canon Speedlite 430 EX II - Advice Needed

[killswitch]

So the downside of 430 EX II is i wont be able to trigger it (when not mounted on the camera body) if used with a 7D, 5D right? In order to be able to trigger it externally, I will need an additional speedlite/device hooked with the 7d/5D body?

... you can use the built-in flash of any recent Canon camera (= not the 5d, it hasn't got a flash) to trigger the 430ex remotely by optical infrared connection. Esp. Outdoors the flash cannot be behind the camera, too far away or hidden behind objects and the sun mustn't shine too bright. The new radio tech of the 600rt solves theses limitations.

... you cannot use high speed sync with the 430ex as a remote flash and the built-in as a master. This means you are limited to 1/250s (7d, 60d) x-sync and cannot use the flashes for fill in sunlight with faster shutter speeds. Using a 580ex/600rt as a master solves this.

Aha! Got it! Thanks for clearing that out for me! Also, all this time for some odd reason I had in my head that the 7d didnt have a pop up flash. Clearly it has one.

If I use the 430 EX II as the master and use one from Yongnuo as a remote slave will be able to do a high speed sync? (Provided Yongnuo flash units support high speed sync configuration). Any particular model from Yongnuo you (or anyone) recommend that I can consider for such a setup? I hope I made sense. I am looking at these eneloops, they the right ones I need I am hoping?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/758664-REG/Sanyo_SEC_MQN064N_Eneloop_AA_NiMH_4_Pack.html

[Rienzphotoz]

Aha! Got it! Thanks for clearing that out for me! Also, all this time for some odd reason I had in my head that the 7d didnt have a pop up flash. Clearly it has one.

If I use the 430 EX II as the master and use one from Yongnuo as a remote slave will be able to do a high speed sync? (Provided Yongnuo flash units support high speed sync configuration). Any particular model from Yongnuo you (or anyone) recommend that I can consider for such a setup? I hope I made sense. I am looking at these eneloops, they the right ones I need I am hoping?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/758664-REG/Sanyo_SEC_MQN064N_Eneloop_AA_NiMH_4_Pack.html

No you will not be able to use 430 EX II as a master ... it can only be used as a slave.
Using or not using any Yongnuo trigger will not make 430 EX II to do high speed sync ... any such attempt will most likely burn out your flash rendering it useless.
Currently 580 & 600 are the only 2 Speedlites from Canon that can do hgh speed sync
Those eneloops ar plenty good for 430 EX II

[DB]

There are cheaper alternatives to the Canon flagship speedlites when it comes to the Master function, for instance the Nissin Di 866 mk II or the Meike MK-580 both have master trigger functionality. Personally, I trigger my Yongnuo flashguns with the Meike MK-580 and it works extremely well, especially for a flash with similar power output to the Canon 430 EX II (GN of 42 @ 105mm), plus it only cost €145 (about $170) and it is practically indistinguishable in appearance to the 580 EX II.

[7enderbender]

Aha! Got it! Thanks for clearing that out for me! Also, all this time for some odd reason I had in my head that the 7d didnt have a pop up flash. Clearly it has one.

If I use the 430 EX II as the master and use one from Yongnuo as a remote slave will be able to do a high speed sync? (Provided Yongnuo flash units support high speed sync configuration). Any particular model from Yongnuo you (or anyone) recommend that I can consider for such a setup? I hope I made sense. I am looking at these eneloops, they the right ones I need I am hoping?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/758664-REG/Sanyo_SEC_MQN064N_Eneloop_AA_NiMH_4_Pack.html

No you will not be able to use 430 EX II as a master ... it can only be used as a slave.
Using or not using any Yongnuo trigger will not make 430 EX II to do high speed sync ... any such attempt will most likely burn out your flash rendering it useless.
Currently 580 & 600 are the only 2 Speedlites from Canon that can do hgh speed sync
Those eneloops ar plenty good for 430 EX II

The 430EXII does Hi Speed sync also. It does not work as a master but with his 60D he doesn't need one right now. And the 430 can be on the receiving end wirelessly and still do Hi Speed Sync - either within the Canon system (optical trigger) or with third-party ETTL triggers such as the Phottix or Pocket Wizard solutions. But the latter seems overkill at the moment and only makes sense (if ever) once you add a bunch more flashes and start thinking in "groups" and such.

As far as third party brands go I personally would only consider the Metz solutions as they are well build and match the features of the Canon system (with one or two bonus features actually but nothing earth shattering). I like Metz and have used them for my film system. For my EOS system I decided to stick to the 580 and 430. No complaints really for what they're supposed to do. For the current Metz you want to check out the 58 AF-2. Ever so slightly cheaper as the 580EXII. Can't speak to Nissin and Yongnuo.

[Marsu42]

The 430EXII does Hi Speed sync also. It does not work as a master but with his 60D he doesn't need one right now. And the 430 can be on the receiving end wirelessly and still do Hi Speed Sync - either within the Canon system (optical trigger) or with third-party ETTL triggers such as the Phottix or Pocket Wizard solutions.

Omg people, are you trying to confuse the poor op on purpose :-p ? Since I have a 60d, 600rt and 430ex2 let me state this:

The 430ex2 does remote hss, but *not* with the pop-up flash of the camera as a master, you need a "real" 580ex-type master for this. That's why I won't miss the pop-up flash not that much once I get around to buy a 5d. The 430ex2 of course does hss when mounted on the hotshoe, but as explained above cannot control other flashes thanks to Canon marketing.

[DianeK]

Omg people, are you trying to confuse the poor op on purpose :-p ? Since I have a 60d, 600rt and 430ex2 let me state this:

The 430ex2 does remote hss, but *not* with the pop-up flash of the camera as a master, you need a "real" 580ex-type master for this. That's why I won't miss the pop-up flash not that much once I get around to buy a 5d. The 430ex2 of course does hss when mounted on the hotshoe, but as explained above cannot control other flashes thanks to Canon marketing.

Thank you for that definitive and succinct explanation.  I was starting to get a bit confused myself  !

Now, would you care to weigh in with your wisdom on another thread I started?: http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=9133.0
Diane

[7enderbender]

The 430EXII does Hi Speed sync also. It does not work as a master but with his 60D he doesn't need one right now. And the 430 can be on the receiving end wirelessly and still do Hi Speed Sync - either within the Canon system (optical trigger) or with third-party ETTL triggers such as the Phottix or Pocket Wizard solutions.

Omg people, are you trying to confuse the poor op on purpose :-p ? Since I have a 60d, 600rt and 430ex2 let me state this:

The 430ex2 does remote hss, but *not* with the pop-up flash of the camera as a master, you need a "real" 580ex-type master for this. That's why I won't miss the pop-up flash not that much once I get around to buy a 5d. The 430ex2 of course does hss when mounted on the hotshoe, but as explained above cannot control other flashes thanks to Canon marketing.

Oopsies. I had no idea. Sorry about that.

[KKCFamilyman]

I can only say that when I had my 60d I tried the 270 ex ii,320 ex then the 430 ex before I was happy with the results. If you want off camera flash then get the 600 and wait for canon to refresh the rest of the line for slaves or get experience with. The 430 first and sell it when those come available.

[killswitch]

The 430EXII does Hi Speed sync also. It does not work as a master but with his 60D he doesn't need one right now. And the 430 can be on the receiving end wirelessly and still do Hi Speed Sync - either within the Canon system (optical trigger) or with third-party ETTL triggers such as the Phottix or Pocket Wizard solutions.

Omg people, are you trying to confuse the poor op on purpose :-p ? Since I have a 60d, 600rt and 430ex2 let me state this:

The 430ex2 does remote hss, but *not* with the pop-up flash of the camera as a master, you need a "real" 580ex-type master for this. That's why I won't miss the pop-up flash not that much once I get around to buy a 5d. The 430ex2 of course does hss when mounted on the hotshoe, but as explained above cannot control other flashes thanks to Canon marketing.

Thank you so much for clearing that out for me as that was one my main concerns. So I am current fixed on the 430 EX II for now (buying a used one for $230, seemed like a pretty sweet deal), and like many suggested, I will probably switch to 600 RT when I feel I have a good grip on flash photography.