Canon Speedlite 430EX

mfwild13 · 23-09-2005, 00:04

In case anyone is interested these are now being shipped. Mine arrived from warehouseexpress on Tuesday.

I decided to go for a 430EX and then a ST-E2 at this stage rather than a 580 (or Sigma equivalent) to give me more flexibility.

Regards

Mark

***Steve*** · 23-09-2005, 10:53

Thanks for the heads up Mark.

milou · 23-09-2005, 14:52

Nice one - cheers

Canon have also advised that the 420ex £35 coupon can also be used with the 430ex.

http://www.canonextrapromotion.com/

mfwild13 · 28-10-2005, 23:04

For anyone that has bought one of these flash units, the STO-FEN Omni-Bounce is now available. The product code is OM-EW and it can be ordered direct for around $27 from STO-FEN or you can wait a few weeks for warehouseexpress to get them in at £15.95.

Bachs · 28-10-2005, 23:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfwild13

In case anyone is interested these are now being shipped. Mine arrived from warehouseexpress on Tuesday.

I decided to go for a 430EX and then a ST-E2 at this stage rather than a 580 (or Sigma equivalent) to give me more flexibility.

Regards

Mark

I picked up my 580EX today...a stonking piece of kit!
If it hadn't been bought for me by the company, I would have bought the 430EX.

***Steve*** · 29-10-2005, 10:28

I am seriously considering either the 580ex or the 430ex..most likely the 430 as funds are restricted currently and I have missed a few shots recently due to not having a flash

RobertP · 29-10-2005, 11:06

My xmas list has a flashgun on it. Been thinking it would be the 580.... now I'm starting to wonder if I really need the extra features.

Maybe a 420 at a good price would be more sensible

then there is brackets, diffusers, cords, wireless thingys........loads of things I probably don't need but have to find out about :eyesup:

29-10-2005, 12:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

I am seriously considering either the 580ex or the 430ex..most likely the 430 as funds are restricted currently and I have missed a few shots recently due to not having a flash

If you look just above the viewfinder to the left, and more towards the front of the camera, there's a little button

/runs

digitalfailure · 31-10-2005, 22:03

I'm a happy owner of a 430EX,

Far better value for money than the 580 I think. I'd consider it a no brainer if you're not likely to use it as a slave flash.

***Steve*** · 08-11-2005, 09:52

I have decided that the 430EX is going to be mine. It took me a while to decide between that and the 580EX but due to me needing a new monitor as well and the extra features of the 58EX not being so important to me, that made my mind up. All being well I will be collecting it from the shop on Thursday evening.

digitalfailure · 09-11-2005, 21:37

It's a great flash from what I can see of it...........who knows......i might even take it out of the box soon

***Steve*** · 09-11-2005, 22:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitalfailure

It's a great flash from what I can see of it...........who knows......i might even take it out of the box soon

There are a few reports of not all of the 9 AF assist points lighting up on the 20D when used with the 430EX. Some are reporting it lighting only 7 and others are reporting all nine functioning correctly once they have updated their 20D to the latest firmware.

I am curious if anyone here with a 20D and 430ex has noticed this, and if so what firmware you are on?

digitalfailure · 09-11-2005, 22:43

Steve

I'm not sure I'm following what your saying

I've just stuck the 430 on my 20D and tried a few things.

Flash turned ON, pressed the AF point select button and selected all points. They all illuminated.
Then went into a totally dark room and ½ pressed the shutter button.

The red focus assist LEDS on the flash did their stuff and AF points were selected. On several attempts I got them all to light up briefly as the camera beeped to confirm a focus lock. On other attemps only certain points lit, which is as I understand correct operation as the camera will select the points to give the best focus lock.

Would you like anything more specific?

As you know, I'm on the ORIGINAL firmaware still.
if it ain't broke and all that

***Steve*** · 09-11-2005, 23:02

No that's great

The complaints are that not all the focus point illuminate when used with 20D's without the latest firmware, and even then some people are still having troubles. It could just be user error on their part though.

As you know I am on an earlier firmware as well, so that is really good news to me.

Cheers for checking

digitalfailure · 09-11-2005, 23:36

Could it be an issue with certain lenses?

I only tried it with the 17-40L

and all seemed well, when time allows i'll try with the ef-s 60 and my 75-300is

***Steve*** · 10-11-2005, 08:45

Apparently it is camera and flash connected only and has no relation to the lens. I have only heard of a few isolated instances but with Canon releasing the last firmware specifically aimed at improving communication between the 20D and 430EX it seems to add weight to their complaints.