Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flashgun

Comments about Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flashgun:

Linked with a 600D this flash is brilliant straight out of the box. It produced quality photo's, using bounce, that did not look as though they were shot with a flash indoors, and that was from the off. As soon as it was used off camera (triggered by the camera) brilliant results were produced with only minor tweaking of the flash compensation. The buttons can be fiddly at first, but once you get used to them they are not a real problem (and I have no figernails to talk about). Overall this flash is so well linked to the 600D that it is difficult to imagine a better flash. Perhaps this is because the wireless is built into the camera and extra hardware is not needed.

Comments about Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flashgun:

For enhancing portrait photography
Improves indoor event photography

Comments about Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flashgun:

I use this for creating unusual lighting effects by using off-camera.

Comments about Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flashgun:

Got this for my assistant and he loves it. No problems to date.

Comments about Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flashgun:

If you're tired of portraits of eyelids, or headlamp-eyes on animals, this is the perfect solution.

The head can be rotated to the side as well as through the preset angles, so it still works in portrait format shots.

It has quite a cryptic control panel but once you get over the learning curve, it offers finger tip control of all settings, including focal length which is a great feature.

As a test shot, I took a close-up of the cat, and for the first time she has clear eyes in a flash-lit shot.

If you do a lot of portrait work, this is perfect and also for fast action where the light makes all the difference in the detail.

Comments about Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flashgun:

I used this speedlite to shoot bridal preparation and also some 1-on-1 portrait photography in an outdoor setting. The flash is very powerful for these uses and I needed to dial it down constantly. This is a good thing though - indicating good power and flexibility for a range of uses. It lights the subject beautifully when used with a diffuser.

Comments about Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flashgun:

Yet another fantastic Canon product for not only a casual photographer like myself, but no doubt also a pro.

Quality construction with many settings to chose from.

Easy to use, and loving every minute of it.

Comments about Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flashgun:

I brought this to replace my Metz flashgun that had stopped working just after a year. No support from Metz so I thought I would try the Canon. Although a bit more expensive than the Metz it's we worth the money Has metal hotshoe with quick release, much quicker

Comments about Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flashgun:

Only had it today and already fantastic results on camera LCD and better on PC. My opening few shots were massivly improved. Its a powerful unit so as expected gives harsh light if using direct flash. I am awaiting a diffuser to test more but my first few shots using bounce flash worked fantastic. Best results came when bouncing behind and up at 45degree making a very naturally lit shot. 360 degree allows for pretty much any positioning. Great fill flash just watch background exposure as ETTL exposes for the foreground subjects. Bigger apperture or slower shutter to lighten BG but might struggle to hand hold if levels are too dull. Silent operation is good but I kind of miss the noise so I know its working. Better for others though. My old 430EZ none ETTL version used to recycle much faster in burst mode. Didnt have to reach full recharge and would do a sequence of low power bursts but this 430EX II seems to require longer to recycle and wont fire until light goes red. Maybe I am doing something wrong. I got fully charged 2500MH AA batteries in as well.

Overall worth 5 stars but I gave 4 because of the slow recycle time I appologise if this is down to user error.

Comments about Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flashgun:

Got two of these. Have used them on camera (50D), off-camera with a cable and off-camera with radio triggers. They are perfect - and for the price they are better than perfect.