I'm wanting to get a couple flashes for my 40D, but I'm unclear on a few issues.
I basically want to use the flashes off-camera for the most part, so I really would like to use a wireless trigger with them. My choices, of course, are between the 430 EX II and the 580 EX II.
Most important to me is, would I be able to use the 430's with a wireless trigger? If not, then my decision naturally would be the 580's.
What are the major advantages of the 580's over the 430's other than light output?
Also, what exactly is TTL? I know it stands for Through The Lens or something like that, but what the heck does that mean? Does the camera meter exactly how much flash is needed or something? If so, there would be a way to set it to manual right?
I guess my last question would be, what kind of adapter would I need to tripod mount them? Is that even possible?
Sorry for the ignorant questions, but B&H and Adorama's sites' specs aren't clear enough for me...
You should be able to trigger the 430's with the 580's, or with a wireless remote that Canon also sells. It is not real cheap, I think in the $225-$250 range, but someone can correct me on that. You cannot trigger the 580's with the 430's.
I know on the 580's, you can operate completely on manual settings, overriding anyting the camera tells it to do. I don't believe that you have the same level of control on the 430's as you do with the 580's. This may or may not be an issue for you.
TTL is through the lens. In short (and I mean really short), the camera meters the scene the same way it meters the scene without flash, except it tosses in a flash burst as well. If you want the camera metere to do the work for setting the flash exposure, this is a good thing. Both flashes also allows for partial manual override, for things like flash exposure compensation (fill flash),
For tripod mounting, this is going to depend on exactly what you plan to do. To simple set it up on a tripod, there is a foot adaptor that comes with the flash that has a standard screw hole on it. Depending on the system, that hole can be directly screwed into the tripod or have a quickrelease plate screwed into it. Anything more than that, such as softboxes, lies outside my knowledge.
A question for you: what are you planning to do with the flashes? That help us with advice and there may be other solutions available as well.
Thanks so much Dan, this is extremely helpful!
Basically, I really just want to use the flash to add a little something to my wildlife portraits without giving the image the whole "deer in the headlights" look. I would also like to use it on certain landscape situations that seem like they can be enhanced with just a little more light in certain areas (which is why I would like to tripod mount them and also be able to trigger them with the remote).
I pretty much want to be able to get a little more creative with lighting while shooting wildlife (that aren't too bothered with me getting up close) in their natural habitats.
Thanks again! Based on this I guess I'm gonna just go ahead and go with a 580's, which was my first choice. I just wanted to know if it was worth saving a few bucks first.
If you are trying to get wildlife with your flash you will need to get the 580 EX II. It is more powerful than the 430 and can shoot fully manual or ETTL which is much more accurate than the older TTL. Since wildlife and birds will most likely be far enough away for you to use a 300mm lens or more you should consider a better beamer. This enhances the distance your flash reaches and concentrates the light into a narrower beam for the tele lens.
My typical settings to start (then modified based on histogram) are setting the camera on Av with EV at about - 2/3 and the flash set for EV - 1 2/3. BTW, I use a 40D and a 1D MK2. I have an older 550 EX flash as well and I use the 580 EX II to trigger the 550. Just set one to master and the other to slave.
Thanks Ed,
I just ordered one of the 580's for now because I was dying to get my hands on a lightning trigger for the summer storms. But I do plan to get another 580 EX II as well. I plan to also get a better beamer, but chances are it will often stay in the bag. I seem to be able to get pretty close to wildlife (except some birds, but I'm not a big birder) and I plan to shoot alot of bounce flash or set something up, off camera, with the right opportunities (like otters I hope).
Well, Thank you gentlemen... Your replies were truly helpful!
WHOA! I'm not a member anymore?.. I didn't even get a heads up!
Discussion
4 repliesI basically want to use the flashes off-camera for the most part, so I really would like to use a wireless trigger with them. My choices, of course, are between the 430 EX II and the 580 EX II.
Most important to me is, would I be able to use the 430's with a wireless trigger? If not, then my decision naturally would be the 580's.
What are the major advantages of the 580's over the 430's other than light output?
Also, what exactly is TTL? I know it stands for Through The Lens or something like that, but what the heck does that mean? Does the camera meter exactly how much flash is needed or something? If so, there would be a way to set it to manual right?
I guess my last question would be, what kind of adapter would I need to tripod mount them? Is that even possible?
Sorry for the ignorant questions, but B&H and Adorama's sites' specs aren't clear enough for me...
Thank you guys for your time
Rick
I know on the 580's, you can operate completely on manual settings, overriding anyting the camera tells it to do. I don't believe that you have the same level of control on the 430's as you do with the 580's. This may or may not be an issue for you.
TTL is through the lens. In short (and I mean really short), the camera meters the scene the same way it meters the scene without flash, except it tosses in a flash burst as well. If you want the camera metere to do the work for setting the flash exposure, this is a good thing. Both flashes also allows for partial manual override, for things like flash exposure compensation (fill flash),
For tripod mounting, this is going to depend on exactly what you plan to do. To simple set it up on a tripod, there is a foot adaptor that comes with the flash that has a standard screw hole on it. Depending on the system, that hole can be directly screwed into the tripod or have a quickrelease plate screwed into it. Anything more than that, such as softboxes, lies outside my knowledge.
A question for you: what are you planning to do with the flashes? That help us with advice and there may be other solutions available as well.
Basically, I really just want to use the flash to add a little something to my wildlife portraits without giving the image the whole "deer in the headlights" look. I would also like to use it on certain landscape situations that seem like they can be enhanced with just a little more light in certain areas (which is why I would like to tripod mount them and also be able to trigger them with the remote).
I pretty much want to be able to get a little more creative with lighting while shooting wildlife (that aren't too bothered with me getting up close) in their natural habitats.
Thanks again! Based on this I guess I'm gonna just go ahead and go with a 580's, which was my first choice. I just wanted to know if it was worth saving a few bucks first.
My typical settings to start (then modified based on histogram) are setting the camera on Av with EV at about - 2/3 and the flash set for EV - 1 2/3. BTW, I use a 40D and a 1D MK2. I have an older 550 EX flash as well and I use the 580 EX II to trigger the 550. Just set one to master and the other to slave.
I hope this helps.
I just ordered one of the 580's for now because I was dying to get my hands on a lightning trigger for the summer storms. But I do plan to get another 580 EX II as well. I plan to also get a better beamer, but chances are it will often stay in the bag. I seem to be able to get pretty close to wildlife (except some birds, but I'm not a big birder) and I plan to shoot alot of bounce flash or set something up, off camera, with the right opportunities (like otters I hope).
Well, Thank you gentlemen... Your replies were truly helpful!
WHOA! I'm not a member anymore?.. I didn't even get a heads up!