430 and 580 flash differences?

Glyn Morgan · Sep 25, 2006

Hi all,

I'm looking to get a external Canon flash for my 400. Can anyone give me a quick appraisal of the two units and tell me the "usable" differences between them please. I know they have differing power ratings but what other things does the 580 offer?

Thanks in advance.

GM

Lemming51 · Sep 25, 2006

Glyn Morgan said:
Hi all,

I'm looking to get a external Canon flash for my 400. Can anyone
give me a quick appraisal of the two units and tell me the "usable"
differences between them please. I know they have differing power
ratings but what other things does the 580 offer?

580 can act as the control unit in wireless multi-flash set up. 430 can only act as a slave.

580 can do stroboscopic flash. (different than FP high speed sycn flash which they both can do.)
580 has high voltage input for separate battery pack.
580 has more custom functions

JSug · Sep 25, 2006

Off the top of my head:

the 580 can act as a master unit, triggering other Canon speedlite flashes.
Faster recycle time.
Compatible with an external power-pack for even faster recycling and more shots.
stroboscopic mode (multiple light pulses on a single exposure)

--
Jordan

tribble222 · Sep 25, 2006

On either the 430 or the 580 can you set the flash duration manually? Say, to 1/10,000 s or shorter? Or do they both stay linked with the camera shutter speed?

Glyn Morgan · Sep 25, 2006

WOW thanks guys.

Anyone seen any really good prices on them?

Looks like the 580 may be the one to go for.

Cheers,

GM

Lemming51 · Sep 25, 2006

tribble222 said:
On either the 430 or the 580 can you set the flash duration
manually? Say, to 1/10,000 s or shorter? Or do they both stay
linked with the camera shutter speed?

430EX can be set for manual output of 1 (full), 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64.
580EX additionally adds 1/128 output setting.

Neither allows one to set the flash duration (as a fraction of a second) directly.

jrynash · Sep 26, 2006

I'm really not sure if the 430 has this or not, but I use the popup bounce white reflector and the popout wide angle flash diffuser all the time on my 580.

I'd take a look at the "specification" listings on the Canon site or a place like BHPhoto.

I love my 580.

Lemming51 · Sep 26, 2006

430EX also has the built-in wide diffuser for use with lenses down to 14mm (full frame) or 9mm (1.6x crop). It does not have the separate catch-light reflector that the 580EX has. However, I believe the wide panel can be used for this purpose, just as it is on the old 540EZ - just pull the wide diffuser out and not folded down.

jrynash said:
I'm really not sure if the 430 has this or not, but I use the popup
bounce white reflector and the popout wide angle flash diffuser all
the time on my 580.

I'd take a look at the "specification" listings on the Canon site
or a place like BHPhoto.

I love my 580.

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430 and 580 flash differences?

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