430EX, 550EX or 580EX?

[996GT2]

I'm looking for a second flash to use both for TTL and off-camera duty. So it must have manual power settings and be compatible with E-TTL II.

Both the 430EX and 550EX can be had for around $200. The 430EX offers faster recycling and one-button tilt/swivel, which the 550EX lacks. The 430EX will also automatically zoom in more to adjust for the 1.6x crop on my 40D (up to its 105mm max zoom).

However, the 550EX is a full stop more powerful and can act as a commander if I get another TTL flash later on. The 550EX uses an older AF light design, so it only works with 5 of the AF points on my 40D.

The 580EX is of course the best in terms of features and performance, but it's also more expensive at around $300.

Which one would you guys pick?

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

What flash do you currently use?

 

[996GT2]

I'm E-TTL-less at the moment. Currently have a 430EZ for off-camera use. I have had a 380EX, 420EX, and 430EX in the past, but I'm wondering if I should step up to the 550 or 580 instead of getting a 430.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

I'm E-TTL-less at the moment. Currently have a 430EZ for off-camera use. I have had a 380EX, 420EX, and 430EX in the past, but I'm wondering if I should step up to the 550 or 580 instead of getting a 430.

In that case, I'd go for the 580, especially if it's only ~ $300. There's going to be times when you'll want to carry only one flash, and you'll want power.

 

[angry hampster]

The 580 is worth it over the 550. Much better build and more user-friendly design. Save up a little extra.

 

[randomlinh]

580EX or EXII? The EXII for $300 would be a definite bargain. The first version, I thought, wasn't all that much better, except some tweaks to support APS-C better. *edit* ok, had a few more things: http://photonotes.org/cgi-bin/flash...on550ex&flash2=canon580ex&flash3=canon580exii

Personally, I'd do 2x550EX's, which is what I did =) But I haven't really learned to use TTL to it's abilities and prefer having a backup. And it was when the first 580EX was over $400.

 

[996GT2]

580EX or EXII? The EXII for $300 would be a definite bargain. The first version, I thought, wasn't all that much better, except some tweaks to support APS-C better. *edit* ok, had a few more things: http://photonotes.org/cgi-bin/flash...on550ex&flash2=canon580ex&flash3=canon580exii

Personally, I'd do 2x550EX's, which is what I did =) But I haven't really learned to use TTL to it's abilities and prefer having a backup. And it was when the first 580EX was over $400.

I thought it was rather that the 580EX I was a big improvement over the 550EX, but that the 580 EX II didn't offer a lot more over the 580 EX I?

The 580EX offers things over the 550 like compatibility with all 9 AF points on the 40D, one-button swivel/tilt, control wheel for easier navigation, 180 degree rotation left and right, etc. The 580 EX II only adds weather sealing (which is irrelevant since my 40D isn't fully sealed) and a few other trivial features like a metal foot.

 

[randomlinh]

I thought it was rather that the 580EX I was a big improvement over the 550EX, but that the 580 EX II didn't offer a lot more over the 580 EX I?

The 580EX offers things over the 550 like compatibility with all 9 AF points on the 40D, one-button swivel/tilt, control wheel for easier navigation, 180 degree rotation left and right, etc. The 580 EX II only adds weather sealing (which is irrelevant since my 40D isn't fully sealed) and a few other trivial features like a metal foot.

hrm, I thought they added the 9pt coverage in the II. Guess not. I've read comments on the II actually being faster with recycling as well. But that sync port and metal foot are not entirely trivial. I would like to not have to use a hotshoe adapter so I can use my cybersyncs =) But I'd rather everyone drop the pc sync port in favor of 1/8" jack dammit.

I'd say swivel/tilt/rotation are trivial, heh. Though, thinking about it, the 550EX is getting pretty old. I'm not sure of how much it'd cost to change the bulb if it went out.

 

[996GT2]

Picked up a 580EX today off FM for $280. Thanks guys.

Regarding the PC Port, I'm currently using RF602 hot-shoe radio triggers, but I did do some research and found that it was relatively easy to add a PC port onto a 580 EX I.