Canon 430EX Speedlite Flash for Canon Pro1, Pro 90, G Series and all EOS SLR Cameras

I love the pivot and twist. Every position option is available. The recharge rate is excellent too.

I really do love this speedlight - the one thing lacking is the manual. I'm just having a really hard time getting used to the controls on the light and I'm sure it's not the light itself - it's my lack of understanding! I'm going to have to find another instruction manual to help me, but for the few images I've captured where I haven't completely messed up, the speedlight has done wonders for me :)

A perfect marriage for my Canon EOS 20D. It has never failed me yet and the recycle time is quick enough for my daily use and my speedy grandsons.

Bigger is not always better. The more you pay for a piece of camera equipment does not necessarily mean you will get more out of it than a less expensive alternative. These are two axioms that I wish I could learn someday, but I guess some lessons have to be learned the hard way.

The 580ex II is a great flash, don't get me wrong. It's a 5 star flash--if it is what you need. I bought it thinking it was what I needed but as it turns out it is too big and too powerful for me. It is extremely large, powerful, and top-heavy. I sold it back on the used market and picked up a 430ex from Amazon which comes in at almost half the price. The 430ex is also around half the weight/size but still packs a good 60-80% wallup of the 580ex II. For me, this has been ideal. The 430ex provides enough flash but not too bright, and it isn't top-heavy or attention-grabbing like the gigantic 580ex II.

If you are going to be photographing celebrities, people who are far away from your camera, or other situations which call for a very powerful flash then the 580ex II is the flash for you. If you are looking for more of a wedding or cocktail party flash, then I believe the 430ex is the flash. It is hard to tell from the pictures just how different the sizes of the two flashes are, so I didn't know the 430ex was such an ideal size compared to the 580ex II.

While I can't say anything bad about the 580ex II flash, just take another hard look at the 430ex unless you know you need some serious flash-power.

It's a pretty powerful flash. The wireless feature is something that may be useful for advanced photographers, as well as the built in wide angle flash attachment. I'm not advance yet, but if you are getting a flash, you minus well not cheap out and just get a good one that will last you and get good results.

I have not used this very much yet to play around with the settings so take my comments with a grain of salt.