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.

[BobBell1000]

I just read the old note from 7enderbender about using METZ 45 hammerhead flashguns on Canon Digital Cameras.
I agree 100% with his comments. Nice to see facts, not myths.

He/she quite correctly puts to bed all these stupid myths about "Frying" your DSLR.
If the Canon has a PC socket on the side then it is designed for a trigger voltage of 250V.
I have several METZ 45 CT flashguns and the highest trigger voltage on any of them was 25V.

I have a couple of very old, early and awful electronic flashguns with a trigger voltages of about 315V.
As an experiment I connected them to two old canon film camera and an early digital, all of which, according to Canon must not have more than 5 V on the hot shoe. No explosions, no fry-ups, nothing, just normal correctly times flashes. A trial of 300 firings resulted in no change.

In the old days of bulb flashes, the capacitor in the flashgun was connected to the bulb via the PC socket and there was a high current (probably at about 20V) and that would erode the camera contacts after time.

Electronic flashguns usually have a resistor in the trigger circuit (it only has to create a small discharge in the Xenon arc tube to create some electrons to initiate the main discharge.

Would I put my old 300V ringflash directly onto the hot shoe of my Canon 5D MKiii (rated at 250V)? No! Not when I can either use a radio receiver/transmitter to avoid connection or (as I have done) make a tiny optoisolator
circuit and fit it inside. I bought 10 optoisolators and 10 Triacs for less than £15. The circuit board measures about 0.9 in by 1 in and takes its power from the flashgun battery.

For those "nasty" flashguns (like old old studio flashguns) where I don't know what they are and have to connect directly by PC sync cable, I made a simple version of the circuit with a CR2032 battery (which is open circuit until the camera fires) and put it in a small box with a male and female PC lead.

I hope this:
a) makes it clear that 7enderbender was correct.
b) the reality is very different from the myth.

[old-pr-pix]

I didn't see anyone mention the Canon 90EX.  Although it is way overpriced from Canon, there have been several "white box" sellers offering it for around $60.  This little flash was designed for the EOS M, but does have master capability.  It basically replaces the pop-up flash that is on the 60D.  It seems to work great with a 5DII, can't confirm on a 5DIII though.

Look for a sale of refurbished units on the Canon site.  430EXII can usually be found for ~$200 refurb. with a one year warranty.  I've got two, both work great.  Eneloop's are great... Costco sells them in package with charger for reasonable price.

Everyone laughs, but I still like the Gary Fong Lightsphere diffuser.  Second choice is the LumiQuest Pocket Bouncer.

Going with off-camera flash you need to worry about how to hold the flash.  The little stands that come with the flash only work sometimes.  Get a proper light stand is the way to go. 

Soon you will be like the rest of us with a closet full of all this stuff!

[wjauch]

I just read the old note from 7enderbender about using METZ 45 hammerhead flashguns on Canon Digital Cameras.
I agree 100% with his comments. Nice to see facts, not myths.

He/she quite correctly puts to bed all these stupid myths about "Frying" your DSLR.
If the Canon has a PC socket on the side then it is designed for a trigger voltage of 250V.
I have several METZ 45 CT flashguns and the highest trigger voltage on any of them was 25V.

I have a couple of very old, early and awful electronic flashguns with a trigger voltages of about 315V.
As an experiment I connected them to two old canon film camera and an early digital, all of which, according to Canon must not have more than 5 V on the hot shoe. No explosions, no fry-ups, nothing, just normal correctly times flashes. A trial of 300 firings resulted in no change.

In the old days of bulb flashes, the capacitor in the flashgun was connected to the bulb via the PC socket and there was a high current (probably at about 20V) and that would erode the camera contacts after time.

Electronic flashguns usually have a resistor in the trigger circuit (it only has to create a small discharge in the Xenon arc tube to create some electrons to initiate the main discharge.

Would I put my old 300V ringflash directly onto the hot shoe of my Canon 5D MKiii (rated at 250V)? No! Not when I can either use a radio receiver/transmitter to avoid connection or (as I have done) make a tiny optoisolator
circuit and fit it inside. I bought 10 optoisolators and 10 Triacs for less than £15. The circuit board measures about 0.9 in by 1 in and takes its power from the flashgun battery.

For those "nasty" flashguns (like old old studio flashguns) where I don't know what they are and have to connect directly by PC sync cable, I made a simple version of the circuit with a CR2032 battery (which is open circuit until the camera fires) and put it in a small box with a male and female PC lead.

I hope this:
a) makes it clear that 7enderbender was correct.
b) the reality is very different from the myth.

I have an old Metz 45 CT-1, purchased when I was in Germany 30+ years ago. I have measured mine, the voltage is about 220v. These old high voltage Metz flashes exist, the voltage circuit was changed in later serial numbers.  Needless to say it has only ever been on my Canon 6d using a wein safesync or remote trigger

[archiea]

any thoughts on Lenmar AA batteries.. they seem to be predominate here in LA.

[twagn]

I didn't see anyone mention the Canon 90EX.  Although it is way overpriced from Canon, there have been several "white box" sellers offering it for around $60. 

If just starting out and on a budget.... B&H has refurb 320EX's for $129 US and as mentioned the 90EX is a nice trigger and close fill flash for Canon full frame at $60 US (white box). So...a bit over $300 US and you have a multi flash (2) setup with trigger. Might want to experiment with flash, off camera flash, multi flash, ETTL, manual, triggers before diving in head first and spending a lot of money. Double triple the recommendation on eneloops

[Drum]

I know the OP seems set upon the 430EX and It's a good choice, When I had the same situation I chose to go with two Yongnuo 565's for less than the price of the one 430EX. There is more power with the yongnuo (same power /flash rating as the 580EX) Having compared the yongnuo's with a Canon 430 I found the build quality (doors and hinges and buttons) very similar. I still have them 2 years later and use them on a very regular basis- in fact I added the Yongnuo 568EXii to act as the master flash on the set of now 3. My point is that the OP could get 2 flashes for the price of even a second hand Canon 430EX, and 2 flashes would give him so much more versatility than a single 430EX. OK there is a downside they may not be as popular on the resale market as the OEM but a speedlite is not a thing I personally would buy second hand.