Canon Speedlite 430EX II vs. Canon Speedlite 270EX I wanted the 270 because it was cheep, but soon realized that the flash itself didn't have a screen or any controls at all. I wanted something that would be an improvement to the pop-up flash on my t1i, so i looked at the 430. I'm not sure if it's better than the 270 to be worth the extra cost, which is why i am starting this discussion. also, i want to use these flashes for some macro photography with an extender cord thing and a soft box diffuser, so i would need some manual control and low flash intensity.I would also like some other recommendations, if you have any. Canon Speedlite 430EX II vs. Canon Speedlite 270EX I wanted the 270 because it was cheep, but soon realized that the flash itself didn't have a screen or any controls at all. I wanted something... » Read More Canon Speedlite 430EX II vs. Canon Speedlite 270EX I wanted the 270 because it was cheep, but soon realized that the flash itself didn't have a screen or any controls at all. I wanted something that would be an improvement to the pop-up flash on my t1i, so i looked at the 430. I'm not sure if it's better than the 270 to be worth the extra cost, which is why i am starting this discussion. also, i want to use these flashes for some macro photography with an extender cord thing and a soft box diffuser, so i would need some manual control and low flash intensity.I would also like some other recommendations, if you have any. « Show Less
1395296
The biggest thing for a flash is being able to bounce the light. The 430 can do this, the 270 can't. The 430 is the lowest external flash you should go...don't go lower or you will soon find yourself regretting it.
1395297
The 270 can bounce but does not rotate, as has been said, so the indirect lighting options are more limited.
1395298
I currently have both the 430 ex II and 270 ex , I am thinking hard about returning the 430 ex II. In P , AV, or manual mode the only real difference I see is the range, the 430 is about 16 feet better. And the 270 does bounce it does not rotate.
1607578
I have a 430EX II Canon flash and it works fine! Granted, I'm not using the two cold shoe mounts it comes with because my "Aputure 2.4 Ghz Trigmaster" has a shoe mount attached to it and the bottom screws into place of where the shoe mounts would be. So whether you're using the shoe mounts or just the screws under the shoe mounts to attached a flash or a wireless adapter. I promise you it will work with this product. I highly recommend. Your flash will sit on the Softbox as shown in the picture if not using another add on.
385557
Thanks, Cary. You've convinced me, and I now own a 580EXII. Perhaps I will get the smaller 430 as a second flash, if it can pick up the wireless signal from the 580EXII ?
82242
I'm not sure what your flash needs are but it sounds like you use flash pretty often so a decent one might be a good idea.I recently replaced a Sigma 500 Super that I appear to have worn out with a a 430EX II. Nice flash - good feature set, powerful enough for all but the largest venues, not too big, recharged VERY fast and silently and tilts AND swivels so you can always use ceiling bounce no matter what orientation you're shooting in plus, if you ever upgrade to a 580EX, you can use the 480EX as an ETTL slave. AND, starting April 3rd, Canon will be offering the following INSTANT rebates:SPEEDLITE 580EX II - $50SPEEDLITE 430EX II - $30SPEEDLITE 220EX - $30That will put the 430EX II around $240 or $250. I'm not sure what your flash needs are but it sounds like you use flash pretty often so a decent one might be a good idea.I recently replaced a Sigma 500 Super that I appear to have worn out with a a 430EX II. Nice flash - good feature set, powerful enough for all but the largest venues, not too big, recharged VERY fast and silently and tilts AND swivels so you can always use ceiling bounce no matter what orientation you're shooting in plus, if you ever upgrade to a 580EX, you can use the 480EX as an ETTL slave. AND, starting April 3rd, Canon will be offering the following... » Read More I'm not sure what your flash needs are but it sounds like you use flash pretty often so a decent one might be a good idea.I recently replaced a Sigma 500 Super that I appear to have worn out with a a 430EX II. Nice flash - good feature set, powerful enough for all but the largest venues, not too big, recharged VERY fast and silently and tilts AND swivels so you can always use ceiling bounce no matter what orientation you're shooting in plus, if you ever upgrade to a 580EX, you can use the 480EX as an ETTL slave. AND, starting April 3rd, Canon will be offering the following INSTANT rebates:SPEEDLITE 580EX II - $50SPEEDLITE 430EX II - $30SPEEDLITE 220EX - $30That will put the 430EX II around $240 or $250. « Show Less
1504352
I assume it is cheaper to manufacture touch screen controls than "hard" controls. I bough the Nikon to take on trips as it is smaller than my Canon A710 which is too large for a pocket. The Canon has "hard" controls, but one of them has now failed and I can no longer switch from flash to no flash. But, I get around this by putting my finger over the flash opening. Not great, but it works. I don't know your age, but I do fondly remember my Kodak Brownie.
2214819
If your built-in flash is popping up, then you can use your speedlite flash externally, off the camera. Most digital cameras will have settings in which you select how you want to use your flash, such as if you want to use a remote flash - read thru your owner's manual to get the exact info for your camera. What kind of camera do you have? I bought this speedlite for my Pentax and it works great - I like to use it remotely, off the camera, with a diffuser.
135638
I have seen similar flash units with the GODOX brand on them that come with a softbox attachment.. while these flashes are good for the money the mountings to the stand are not that tough so they need to be mounted with care and not overloaded.. the 250w head seem a lot more substantial and can also be found with softboxes if you search
2162687
I have a Canon speedlite 430EX and it fits very snug and perfectly. It's flexible and seems as though it would fit several models. Although, honestly I haven't tried it, so take that into account. I never have issues with it falling off, if anything, it's heavy with my flash and will tilt forward sometimes.
2117559
The built in flash is okay for occasional use. If you plan to do a lot of indoor flash photography, you may want to get an external flash. I have a GX1 and have not bothered to buy one but I don't shoot a lot indoors and when I do it tends to be table-top photography of small items and I use separate lighting system for that. There are several relatively inexpensive external flash units for GX1 that get pretty good reviews if you choose to buy one. Hope this helps you out.
1270417
Shutter was silent and flash is barely noticeable at dawn and dusk and shows no flash in pitch black or daylight. Two cameras in a row had a 30 sec runaway trigger and I got tired of it! I highly recommend a Moultrie M-880 w/ lithium batteries. Read the reviews on it and see what you think.
2243886
Google is the avenue. Did google to look for a reasonably price flash nearly close to NikonSB900 Flash in performance and I found Meike's. Hence Google can take to also for Instruction Manuals for Meike 900 Flash. Hope this helps you.
1246426
I would tend to recommend not relying on the internal flash for this kind of thing but instead to consider an external flash like the Canon Speedlite 430EX II. In poor light, the internal flash uses bright pulses of light to provide enough light for the focusing system to work properly but these light pulses can be extremely distracting for your subject. The external flash uses a much less intrusive red focusing beam. Light from the 430EX can also be bounced from a white wall or ceiling in order to create a much softer and much more flattering quality of light. Also, the 430EX recharges much faster for the next shot, has greater range and doesn't eat up your camera's batteries.
997582
Harvey: sorry I'm slow--been out of town that past 6 days. My G15 small guide book shows on p. 31 the following: High power flash HF-DC2 Speedlite 600EX-RT, 600EX, 580EX II, 430EX-II, 320EX, 270EX II. It also shows a complex-looking Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX I'm sure these are Canon products. I've been quite happy with the camera's on-board flash. Cheers, George
1879028
Not quite sure of your question on "better", but I will try to answer. This is not a high end DSLR, but it holds its own in action shooting with excellent clarity. As for limited/low light shooting, I was amazed in what it does without the flash. I have been using a Sony compact disc camera with optional with a fish eye lens for several years taking low light pictures . I most often had to use some form of lighting to get a good shot. The fish eye lens interfered with the flash causing major shadowing. The SZ+31, under the same limited light, gives excellent wide angle pictures WITHOUT a flash and little need to touch-up. We also have a mid-level Canon DSLR that was supposed to replace the Sony. The SZ-31 actually has more features with less bulk and is very user friendly. We are using the SZ-31 infinitely more than the other two. Here is the best clue: My wife does not take well to ANY gadget---until we bought the SZ-31. She loves this thing and so do I.
1001019
Thanks NutMac. I just got the Canon XSi so I'm guessing that would control this flash (being very new itself). The one thing I didn't consider before was that the price of this new 430EX II will be at list price for a while, making it a lot more expensive that the current model! That will put it out of my price range, so I guess I'm sticking with the older technology for now! Thanks again,Stew
1530822
I don't miss the IS. Uses are pretty much any time you have to slow shutter speed to the point that camera shake is evident. I shoot portraits without IS and I'm very happy. Maybe I have a steady hand but more likely I have adequate settings and lighting. If you don't do any flash photography, or plan to shoot frequently in mostly dimly lit areas, perhaps you will need the IS. Personally, I'm glad I saved the money. I know nothing of the 2x extenders.
1979126
I would definitely not get this. The light output will be similar to your built-in flash, but without the biggest benefits of having a hot shoe flash, like being able to change the angle of the flash.Save up and get the Canon Speedlite 430EX II. The only reason I got the 90ex is because it is tiny and can be carried in a pocket easily in case the need arises to use on my 5d Mark iii which does not have a built in flash.