canon speedlite 430ex mk1 vs mk2

fowler002

fowler002

fowler002

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23 Oct 2008
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I currently have the canon eos 300d, which I've had for just under 5yrs and until recently the only accesory being a spare battery, camera bag and 1gb cf card.

as you may have read in one of my other threads that I just recently got the battery grip and a 'new' lens(ef-s 10-22, before that only lens I had was the kit lens), looking at an external flash and been considering the speedlite 270ex(£120 from a well known high street camera shop, £149.99 everywhere else) and the 430ex mk1/mk2.

was considering the 270ex as its cheap, but then thought I'll go with the 430ex as its got more features. most of these features I'll more then not likey not use for awhile(till I get an understanding of how/where they'll be useful etc), but its prob better to have them available and not have to splash out more once I realise I need them.

today saw a refurbished(has a 1yr warranty unlike the used ones you see on ebay) mk1 on ebay go for £147(+ £2.95 delivery), th seller has a few more still up for sale. as thats same as/not much more than the 270ex I'm thinking of bidding on one of the remaining ones, so that's got me wondering if the additional features of the mk2 make it worth the extra over the mk1.
 
The Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash replaces the Canon 430EX Speedlite Flash, so let's start with a review of the upgrades. Enhancements include 20% faster and silent recycle time, a new metal mounting foot with redesigned connection pins, a new quick release and locking mechanism, manual mode settings in 1/3 stop increments and, when used with compatible EOS cameras, all Speedlite 430EX II settings can be controlled through the camera menu system
Click to expand...

go for mk 2
 
I've got a mk1 and cant really see any feature of the mk2 that would persuade me to spend the extra on it.
 
£300+ on the 580ex is a little too expensive for me :)

if I can get the refurb 430ex mk1 for £150 or under it'll be £50 or so cheaper than the mk2, could get a used mk2 for like £160-£170 but it wouldn't have the canon warranty. That's the reason I'm thinking about the mk1.

is there any news if/when a new 4x0 is out? the 270 came out recently so the 4x0 and 5x0 can't be far behind.
 
what am I missing, why are the prices for Canon flashes so much surley the lowest one £100 ish does the same thing as the £300 ? went to buy the other day then found out how much these things are :eek: nearly as much as my 1000 D with lens and mem
 
What are the main differences between the 430EX (either model) and the 420EX? I've seen the 420EX quite cheap, and for that reason alone it appeals to me!
 
Namistai said:
What are the main differences between the 430EX (either model) and the 420EX? I've seen the 420EX quite cheap, and for that reason alone it appeals to me!
Click to expand...

looking at this the 420 has a smaller guide number(but only just, and only equates to 1m les 42m(420)v43m(430)), much slower refresh rate(7.5sec vs 3.0/3.7(430mk2/mk1)) and less points on the af assist(7points(420) vs 9points(430)), also the 420 doesn't seem to have any custom functions. there's prob othere stuff as well but for that you'd have to read the reviews etc.

the real benefit of the mk2 I see is the ability of controling it through the camera settings instead of having to set the camera settings for the shot then flash settings on the flash uit, but then I don't think mine is supported(its a 5/6yr old model). by the time I get a job and have money to get a new camera I should be able to afford the 580 mk2.
 
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was planing not to but bought th 430ex mk refurn for £125(+£2.89 delivery), tried £115 but 3 bidders pushed it into the £120s.

good deal or not? well will find out what condition the flash is in when it arrives next week, have read both good and bad about the seller(type canon outlet into google or search for the canon outlet/canon_uk1 on the bay).

what situations would the 430ex be useful over the 300ds built in flash?
 
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well the 430ex(mk1) came like half hour ago, wasn't expecting it till at the earliest friday(only got the email today saying it had shipped).

haven't tried it out yet but looking at it I don't see any obvious signs of damage on it, comes in its original box with the black case and manuals.

going to try it with normal duracell batteries(just need to find 4 used ones, don't want to use new ones) to check it works, will get rechargeable batteries for it over the next few days.

is ~£128 a good deal on the 430ex?
 
how much would you have said would have been a 'deal'?
the mk2 is £200+, used you can get for under £200 but it doesn't come with the 1yr warranty.
 
the mk2 is a far better flash, completely silent recharge and the main thing is the new locking mechanism, my 430ex mk1 came to an untimely end due to the absolutely crap locking mech on it and it fell off a light stand despite being as tight as possible, no problems with the mk2 stuff
 
If it had been under a ton I'd have said it was a bargain.

Does it really matter, its not a bad price and its a good flash, use it and enjoy it :)

MB
 
I just had a little play with it, seems to be making a constant whining noise(is it supposed to do that).

need to get the instructions out and learn how to use it.
 
CIMG0655.jpg


only thing missing is the lens hood for the 10-22, got the uv filter fitted.
 
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