Canon 580EX vs 550EX vs 430EX. Help!

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

02/26/2006 04:38:50 AM · #1

I have a Rebel XT and want to get a flash for itI'm undecided between these...
Canon 580EX $389 (-gc = $329)
Canon 430EX $264 (-gc = $205)
Canon 550EX $309
I also looked into the Sigma EF-500 DG Super but it would cost around the same as the 430EX with a gift card I have. I am leaning towards the 550EX since it's better than the 430EX but still has many of the same features (from what I've read so far) as the 580EX.

I've read that it's worth going from the 430EX to the 580X for $130 more since it makes a big difference in features ...
"While the choice between the 420EX (at $200) and the 580EX (at it's original $400) was fairly clear based on price, its not so clear between the 430EX ($250) and the 580EX ($380). The 580EX adds the ability to act as a wireless master, increased power, external power options, more custom functions and stroboscopic operation - for an extra $130."

Now, from what I've read so far, the difference is not so clear about going from the 550EX to the 580EX... "This was Canon's "top of the line" speedlite before the 580EX was introduced. It has most of the features of the 580EX, except for the color temperature and 'digital awareness' of the 580EX." Do these things really make a difference in real life? ETTL vs ETTL II? Is there anything my Rebel XT could benefit from using the newer 430EX or 580EX? Is the 550EX as good as the 580EX or is there something I am not aware of? Has anyone had any real-life experience with any of these and could compare them?

Thanks!

goc

Apple iPhone 4

02/26/2006 05:39:46 AM · #2

i would go for 430EX as an advanced amateur, and save some $ for lenses or something like that

just a tought, keywords are "advanced amateur" :-) LOL

peace,
goran

DanSig

02/26/2006 09:36:07 AM · #3

I have bot the 420EX and the 580EX and the difference is huge.. I never use the 420EX anymore unless I need a slave on very rare occations when I don't have access to studio lights..

go for the 580EX and if you do a lot of portraits then get the Gary Fong's Lightsphere :)

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

02/26/2006 11:13:52 AM · #4

I use the 430EX and I'm happy as can be with it. I figure, as far as being a "master" unit, there's no point in having a master unless you have a slave, right? So you're gonna need two anyway, when you get to that point, and the 430 will be a dandy slave to a 550 or 580.

The numbers are indicative of power, how far they "throw" a given amount of light; the 430 has same light throw at 43 meters as the 580 at 58 meters. They're also indicative of how fast they will eat up the batteries, and of longer charging times.

The 430EX, IMO, is ample power for the average amateur. I use it boucning off high celings for a soft look and it's been just fine for me. It recharges almost instataneously on fresh batteries, and is good for a TON of flashes between changes. It has a wide-angle screen built in which is very handy, it does all the modern things like zoom its coverage to match the focal length of the lens mounted, it communicates witht eh camera, it does all that good stuff at a very affordable price.

Unless you know for a fact you need the greater power of the 580, get the 430 and work your way up as needed as time goes by. Be aware that in most situations, the 580 will be throttling itself back from max power anyway.

Robt.

Prof_Fate

02/26/2006 11:44:53 AM · #5

The 420 and 550 are eTTL 1 units. The 430 and 580 are eTTL 2 units - eTTL 2 is a big improvement.

As an advanced amateur the 430 should be fine. If you have plans of one day shooting weddings or other flash intensive events then get the 580.

KiwiChris

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

02/26/2006 10:57:45 PM · #6

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

FYI, ETTL2 is a function of the body, not the flash.. ie: All EX (220, 380, 420, 430, 550,580) series flashes will work with full ETTL-2 metering (Assuming the lens sends distance info) on ETTL-2 bodies. (20D, 1DII, 1DsII, 1DIIN, 30D, 5D, 350D)

edit: The first ETTL-II body was the 1DII, and it came out before the release of the 580ex....

Cheers, Me.

Message edited by author 2006-02-26 23:01:18.

DrGee

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

03/09/2006 05:26:29 PM · #7

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

As an advanced amateur the 430 should be fine. If you have plans of one day shooting weddings or other flash intensive events then get the 580.

good point..

I finally ordered a 580EX. I was leaning towards the 550 but then I would be buying old, unsupported technology. After all, if they come up with a new product now or in the future it is more likely to work with the 580 than the 550 and the difference in price is not that much. Then I considered the 430 after reading so many great opinions about it but I do plan to photograph some events and weddings as a second photographer while I learn and hopefully do it myself after that and the 430 won't be enough.

Thank everyone for the advice.

sir_bazz

Pentax K-5

Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 AF

03/09/2006 06:39:51 PM · #8

Why do you want a flash ?

If it's mostly for portraits/studio type work then you can get a single mono and a reflector for not much more than a top of the line hotshoe flash.

You'll get much better performance out of a mono than a hotshoe flash and will still be able to use you onboard flash as a fill flash for outdoors if you want.

bazz.

DrGee

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

03/10/2006 11:07:31 AM · #9

Originally posted by sir_bazz:

I never considered/knew about that option.. and wouldn't I need a flash for something like a wedding reception or would that work? (couldn't find it on b&h, newbie here) In a couple of months I will also want to buy some lights for portraits, etc, depending on how expensive they are. thanks

AlexSaberi

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

03/10/2006 11:14:49 AM · #10

the sigma is better than the 430 by a long way. And is the same if not better than the 580. Just not built as well

Prof_Fate

03/10/2006 12:11:05 PM · #11

Originally posted by KiwiChris:

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
The 420 and 550 are eTTL 1 units. The 430 and 580 are eTTL 2 units - eTTL 2 is a big improvement.

As an advanced amateur the 430 should be fine. If you have plans of one day shooting weddings or other flash intensive events then get the 580.

FYI, ETTL2 is a function of the body, not the flash.. ie: All EX (220, 380, 420, 430, 550,580) series flashes will work with full ETTL-2 metering (Assuming the lens sends distance info) on ETTL-2 bodies. (20D, 1DII, 1DsII, 1DIIN, 30D, 5D, 350D)

edit: The first ETTL-II body was the 1DII, and it came out before the release of the 580ex....

Cheers, Me.

Not totally true. The body is part one, the flash DOES most certainly matter.
the 550 is ettl/a-ttl only
teh 580 is ettl-2

canon's info on these units:
550EX
580EX

notonline

09/18/2006 03:01:54 PM · #12

Wow a thread I searched for and actually found. Thanks to the OP and other posters for all the answers in this thread.

Mr_Pants

SiPix Blink

09/18/2006 03:19:46 PM · #13

Originally posted by alexsaberi:

the sigma is better than the 430 by a long way. And is the same if not better than the 580. Just not built as well

The problem that the Sigma had as far as I was concerned was that the FP mode was automatically cancelled when the shutter speed fell below 1/200, whereas with the Canon flashes, once engaged, FP mode stays engaged. Useful for fill flash on days when sun is bright and shadows deep. That said, it's not exactly the end of the world.

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

09/18/2006 03:39:52 PM · #14

Originally posted by alexsaberi:

the sigma is better than the 430 by a long way. And is the same if not better than the 580. Just not built as well

Does the Sigma "play" in the Canon wireless world?

In other words, I have a 580, a 550 and a 420. I use all three. I'll put the 580 on camera and use it as both a fill and as a master for the other two flashes.

Can the Sigma participate in that game? Or is it a stand-alone flash? (to me, it would make a huge difference in whether I would want to buy the Sigma or not)

SamDoe1

09/18/2006 04:49:51 PM · #15

The Sigma flash, although it has its problems, is better than the 550EX as far as features go in my opinion. It has the ability to fire other flashes wirelessly (not sure if it can fire canon flashes wireless though), and it has an optical trigger (the canons do not). It is E-TTL II compatible and is just about half the price of the 580EX and just as powerful (maybe more powerful?). When I buy my first dSLR kit in the next month or month and a half, you can bet the Sigma EF500 DG Super will be on the list.

Message edited by author 2006-09-19 14:27:45.

notonline

09/19/2006 12:27:58 PM · #16

Originally posted by SamDoe1:

The Sigma flash, although it has its problems, is better than the 580EX as far as features go in my opinion.

As an opinion its is yours but I just looked into it and the 580 is better then the sigma. Perhaps you mean the 550???

BrennanOB

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

09/19/2006 12:40:05 PM · #17

Originally posted by dwterry:

Ya it does. How Sigma avoids copyright infrigment is beyond me but they do a pretty thorough job reverse engineering the Canon line. Since I could get one 550 or two 500DGs I went Sigma. The two worst aspects of the Sigma have been noted in the tread, its lower quality build, and the stupid resetting of the settings after each flash in some modes( grrrrr), That said, they do a great job imitating the features of the Canon line. I would assume that they will come up with a 580 analog pretty soon.

SamDoe1

09/19/2006 02:27:31 PM · #18

Originally posted by notonline:

Originally posted by SamDoe1:
The Sigma flash, although it has its problems, is better than the 580EX as far as features go in my opinion.

As an opinion its is yours but I just looked into it and the 580 is better then the sigma. Perhaps you mean the 550???

Yeah, sorry, that is what I meant. Can the Sigma trigger the Canon flashes with wireless? It's in that way that the Sigma is better than the 550EX, it can act as a wireless master or slave and can be triggered optically with your on board flash. The 550EX can only be used as a wireless slave. And the Sigma is cheaper, although with a lower build quality.

Message edited by author 2006-09-19 14:37:50.

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

09/19/2006 03:12:06 PM · #19

Originally posted by SamDoe1:

[The 550EX can only be used as a wireless slave.

The 550EX does both master and slave, same as the 580EX. The 420/430 are the ones that can only be slaves (not masters).

mffnqueen

Canon EOS-1D Mark IIn

09/19/2006 03:13:18 PM · #20

I've used all three and I much prefer the 550. The controls are just easier and simpler.

SamDoe1