Canon Speedlite 430EX Flash - Excellent Flash... Worth Every Penny...
Written: Dec 20 '07 (Updated Mar 29 '09)
Product Rating:
Pros: Build Quality; Works Well; Easy to Use; LCD Settings
Cons: Plastic Shoe, Not Weather-Resistant
The Bottom Line: Even though the Canon Speedlite 430EX is not built like the flagship 580EX II, it still provides excellent professional features at an affordable price.
soupcraze's Full Review: Canon Speedlite 430EX TTL Flash
I am still relatively new to the SLR scene. I have used "Point and Shoot" cameras for many years. One of the major drawbacks to this was having the red eye effect. This was almost entirely eliminated by switching to my Canon Digital Rebel XTi and I have had better indoor image quality with the external flash. However, I did have many users telling me about having better photographic quality, especially with indoor photography by using an external flash. I was amazed to see how expensive they were. I was loaned a Canon Speedlite 430EX to see if I liked it. Therefore I do not own one, but have used the flash at numerous indoor events where flash photography was necessary.
-PRICE-
*The Canon Speedlite 430EX costs around $230+ online. For most non-professional users, the power supplied by the flash is more than enough. The flash is also better than the generic flashes that can be purchased on eBay that are less than $100 since not only does it provide more power, but it also provides an LCD screen in the back that allows for many settings to be adjusted. I did not actually tinker with the settings, since I do not know all of the flash attributes, but this will definitely suffice many semi-professional users that would need such settings.
The Canon Speedlite 430EX actually costs around the same price as the Sigma EF-530DG Super. I believe though that the compatibility between the Canon Speedlite 430EX and a Canon EF lens would probably make the lens more worthwhile over the Sigma EF-530DG Super. If I am not mistaken, the Sigma flash has nearly as much power as the flagship and far more expensive Canon Speedlite 580EX II. However, I am assuming that this flash is geared towards amateur users like me that are using better equipment than that of the "consumer SLR" market, but not quite as expensive as that of true professional equipment. For semi-professional users, the Canon Speedlite 430EX makes an excellent choice.
-BUILD QUALITY-
*Canon does generally make high quality products. The Canon Speedlite 430EX is no exception. It is a very solid flash, and am sure that it would last longer than a cheap generic flash purchased on eBay. The only thing I wish the Canon Speedlite 430EX had was a metal shoe mount, like the upscale Canon Speedlite 580EX II. I am always very scared when I add or remove the flash. Nonetheless, with careful placement, this should be no problem. The Canon Speedlite 580EX II is also supposed to be weather-resistant, but then again, that flash is in a completely different class.
-FEATURES-
*The Canon Speedlite 430EX has an LCD display on the rear. Many of the functions can be accessed from there, and many of the attributes can be changed. As I am still an amateur, I do not know of the importance of the features. Nonetheless, even without accessing the features, the image quality was already significantly better by using the Canon Speedlite 430EX instead of the built-in flash. The Canon Speedlite 430EX can also be used as a slave unit since it can be used with the wireless E-TTL system. This lens would definitely make an efficient and inexpensive slave unit.
The flash also runs on four AA batteries, either alkaline of NiMH. I used rechargable NiMH batteries since this proves to be a more inexpensive option.
This is also a swivel-and-tilt flash, where you are able to move the flash head around. This gives quite a bit of versatility to the user. This also makes the flash a bit larger than most of the generic flashes that do not swivel. Also, if you are using a EF zoom lens, the Canon Speedlite 430EX has compatibility with the lens so that it can adjust the zoom on the flash and emit more efficient flash illumination. This will give overall better looking images, and is a feature that sets it above the more powerful Sigma EF-530DG Super Flash.
-IMAGE QUALITY-
*I used the Canon Speedlite 430EX with only Canon EF lenses. I first used the flash with my now gone Canon EF 28-105mm f3.5-4.5 USM II lens. I also used it with my present Canon EF 28-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM lens. With both of the lenses, I received better image quality when shooting indoor photos. This is especially important to me since I often go to parties and social occasions at restaurants and clubs, where the lighting is usually poor. Without doubt, the Canon Speedlite 430EX far exceeds the power of the external flash that comes built-in on the Rebel. I also used to be plagued by tremendous levels of red eye when using my "Point and Shoot," but with the flash, there is no occurrence in any photos that I have taken. Even in lighted conditions, I used the flash with it pointed straight up. The recycling time was quick for me, since I typically take photos sporadically. The recycling time should be efficient for most users. The flash bounce still generated improved quality images. Overall, I have noticed dramatically improved results by using the Canon Speedlite 430EX instead of the external flash alone. Without a doubt, I was extremely satisfied with the improved image quality and the flash is worth every penny.
-CONCLUSION-
*The Canon Speedlite 430EX proved to be a more effective flash than the flash already built-in on the Rebel. I had significantly better results with the automatic settings. If I were to purchase this flash and were a more proficient photographer, I would take advantage of the advanced features that the flash offers. Speaking of advanced features, the Canon Speedlite 430EX allows you to have professional quality results at an affordable price. It is also easy to use for an amateur photographer, and still achieve superior quality results. Even though I am an amateur, I think that I will probably purchase the flagship Canon 580EX II because that flash does have better durability. Even though the Canon Speedlite 430EX is a very solid flash, the Canon Speedlite 580EX II has a metal shoe as well as being weather-resistant. So if you are looking for a flash that will put up with hell, you should look into the flagship model. If you are looking for more power but can't afford the flagship, you should consider the Sigma EF-530DG Super. Even though though that flash is more powerful, Canon's build quality appears to be more solid and the compatibility with the camera and lens makes the lens more efficient. After all, image quality is the most important aspect of photography, right? For those on a budget that need nearly professional power, the Canon Speedlite 430EX will not fail to deliver.
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