Just do it. The 430EXII flash is the second best thing I ever attached to my Canon DSLR. I'm a bit sorry I waited all this time to get one.
I have never been a fan of flash photography, and I peg that squarely on the shoulder of on-camera flash units. Sure, they are great when there is no other light, and one just HAS to have that picture..... but it will be poorly exposed, and flat as a pancake. I always prided myself on having a steady hand, and shooting sans-flash until lack of light made it ludicrous.
Well.... after watching a pro work a wedding with a shoe mounted flash, I was ready to give it a shot. Enter the 430EXII.
In the last week I have been bouncing flash off everything I can, experimenting. Several hundred photos later, I'll say this... the flash unit will go with me everyplace the camera does now.
The quality on this unit is good. The metal shoe is solid, the battery door is not mickey mouse, and overall heft gives a feel of confidence in durability.
The controls are as complicated as they need to be for the features offered. While there is a learning curve to use everything there, there is also the easy option of sliding it into the camera shoe and simply turning it on. For 90% of the casual photographers out there nothing else needs to be done. The flash, coupled with an EOS camera, is almost idiot proof. Turn on the flash, turn on the camera, and shoot.
The flash head swivels in two planes, making bounce flash a treat. Suddenly flash photos are coming to life for me, with depth, color, and eye pleasing qualities. Exactly opposite of what the built in flash usually offers.
As for rapidness of recharge, it easily keeps up with the camera's top shooting speed. In fact, I can manually trigger full power blasts as fast as I can push the test button, appearing like a strobe light to anyone watching.
The pre-focus light works well, although only at shorter ranges. Across a room, no problem. Across the street in the dark? Forget it. At that point, switch to manual focus and shoot. The flash will keep up with your best effort.
For the $260 I paid, with two day shipping..... I call this the best purchase I have made since I got the camera itself. Along with the L lenses I have, this flash will one day move to a more advanced camera body, and I won't consider myself under equipped at all.
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This Item  Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash for Canon Digital SLR Cameras Bulk Packaging (White Box, New) | Recommendations  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $129.99 | $69.99 | $89.99 | $65.00 | $129.00 | $229.00 |
| Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Friday, Nov 8 | Get it as soon as Friday, Nov 8 | Get it as soon as Thursday, Nov 14 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Nov 12 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Nov 12 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Sold By | Ace Photo | iphotoxx | Digital Goja | LETWING | FotoPal | HolaFoto |
| mounting type | camera mount | Hot Shoe Mount | Hot Shoe Mount | Hot Shoe Mount | Hot Shoe Mount | Hot Shoe Mount |
| compatible mountings | Canon EF | Studio Monolight | Canon | Canon | Canon | Canon |
| mounting type | camera mount | Hot Shoe Mount | Hot Shoe Mount | Hot Shoe Mount | Hot Shoe Mount | Hot Shoe Mount |
| battery quantity | 4 aaa, 4 aa, 1 lithium ion, 1 product specific | 4 aa | — | — | — | 1 lithium ion |
From the manufacturer
Benefits
- E-TTL II Flash metering
- Guide Number of 43*
- 24-105mm zoom head with 14mm diffuser
- Metal hot-shoe foot
- Fast and silent recycling
- AF Assist beam
- 180 degree swivel head
- Wireless slave flash ability
Take a look at a more detailed look into the Canon Speedlite 430EX II
Speedlite 430EX II
A powerful and versatile flash, the Speedlite 430EX II will expand your shooting options with a Guide Number of 43, wireless slave flash ability, nine custom functions and a 24-105mm zoom head.
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Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash for Canon Digital SLR
Zariyat Mannan
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A must for photographers. What you need to know.
VOLT FITNESS
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Canon 430EX II Speedlite Flash Product Review
Edward Payero
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2010
Product Packaging: Bulk PackagingVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Cliente de Amazon
Excelente producto, entrega súper rápida
Reviewed in Mexico on October 11, 2016Product Packaging: Bulk PackagingVerified Purchase
Meeta
So far so good
Reviewed in India on December 25, 2015Product Packaging: Bulk PackagingVerified Purchase
OG-BD-WPG
Excellent flash for the price.
Reviewed in Canada on August 16, 2012Product Packaging: Bulk PackagingVerified Purchase
Federico Piña Acosta
el producto es excelente, al igual que el embalaje para la transportación, lo que fallo un poco fue la fecha de entrega.
Reviewed in Mexico on August 5, 2015Product Packaging: Bulk PackagingVerified Purchase
