Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash for Canon Digital SLR Cameras Bulk Packaging (White Box, New)

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This 430EX II* transforms indoor photography. The ability to use a good flash like this was maybe the primary reason I wanted to switch to a DSLR, and it is well worth it. As you may have noticed, most photos taken with a direct flash just basically suck. When you bounce the flash, its a totally different story. The other great thing about it is the auto focus lamp. My camera (50D) doesnt have one, so it would strobe the built in flash to help focus in low light. This flash projects red crosshatch lights that dont seem very bright but let the camera focus about as quickly as it does in good lighting, and much quicker than with the built in flash. It can also be used as a fill flash but I really havent done much of that. Besides just great photos you can also play around with things like bouncing it off a very close wall or off the floor to get interesting lighting effects. I accidentally bounced it off a glass poster frame once and that gave a cool effect though not something you would want normall. Make sure you get a flash that can swivel on two axes (such as the 430) so you can point it in any direction you want. The next Canon flash down from this one doesnt do that. If you need to control slave flashes, go up to the 580 because the 430 wont do that. Otherwise I know of no reason to spend more money. I recommend buying new since flashes can be damaged if they overheat (due to being used too rapidly without time to cool down). It does have a shutdown feature to prevent such damage but I just wouldnt mess with it. * Amazon mixes reviews of the 430 and 580 together; Im reviewing the 430.

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I purchased this product as a gift for my wife who loves to take pictures of our 3 beautiful little girls. It sat in the box un-opened for about 6 months before I finally got it out, put it on our camera (Canon Rebel Xti) and took a few pictures with it for her. After showing her how simple it was to use and how much better picture quality turned out with using this flash, she does not take pictures without it. In fact, she rarely even takes it off the camera. Before I purchased this 430EX II, I did my research on several different models of flashes and compared all the features and specs. I had my decision narrowed down to this 430EX II and the 580EX II. I decided on the 430EX II because the cost was considerably cheaper than the 580 and it looked like it would do everything and more than we wanted to do with it. I would have given this 5 stars however when I purchased this flash, I expected the wireless flash would work off the camera and I could not get this feature to work. Turns out it didnt work because my camera (Canon Rebel Xti) did not support this feature with this flash. Video reviews of this feature working were with the Canon 7D and I assumed it would work with the Xti model as well. Overall, this is a great simple to use product and you wouldnt be disappointed.

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... but I will try. At first, I was a bit leary about the price. I mean, will this make me a better photographer? The answer is no. But, and a huge but, is that it will make your photographs better. Two hundred and fifty dollars better, only you can be the judge of that. The majority of my subjects are from the animal kingdom, and are for the most part uncooperative. ;) As the old adage goes, lighting is everything when it comes to a good picture. If detail is not a concern to you, then this is definitely more flash than you will ever need. Save your money and get something much cheaper or just use the built-in flash. If moving to that next level is of the most importance to you, then perhaps the price is not that important anymore. I have no regrets in paying the price for this flash as I DO want to go to the next level in photography. In the first hour of its arrival, I have tested it out on numerous subjects and am hugely satisfied with the results. The first result I noticed (besides the better lighting) was that details really come alive and become very sharp when you use more light. Again, lighting is the key to good photography. I cant wait until next spring when the hummingbirds return so I can get some really "better" pictures of them. Yes, using a flash outside does make a difference in colors and details.

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Im pretty happy with the flash. Pointing it at the ceiling inside makes it easy to get really good warm shots without a problem, day or night. I will add DO NOT BUY this from Five Star Camera. The one I received had been dropped, and the recessed cover was broken and missing. It was listed as used in "good condition". Missing pieces isnt close to good. But at least it was functional. Im satisfied with the features, although Id be more satisfied if it had come with the manual in ENGLISH and not Chinese. (The pitfalls of buying used) Im leaving 4 stars but as far as the flash goes I cant find a real reason to complain so far. But I cant say it leaped off the page amazing me, and I seldom leave five stars unless I truly love a product.

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I agonized whether to spend my money on this flash or a lower priced 3rd party (Sigma). Couldnt afford the 580 EX II. This is probably more flash than I need and the Sigma or other probably would have sufficed. But psychologically, I feel I have the best and will not be thinking I should have spend an extra $100 for the real deal. Easy to use... slid it on my new Canon T1i dSLR and started shooting. Refresh times between flash is fast. Flash is quiet... tooks some shots of a possum on the wall at night - so silent flash was good. TTL measures flash distance and exposure so shots are not overblown or under exposed. I havent fooled with manual settings or slave settings... but on automatic, Im impressed and glad I have the Canon 430 EX II - even if it is overpriced as its competitors claim. As an amateur photographer, I dont plan on buying another flash for quite awhile... I splurged on my camera and didnt want to skimp on something as important as the flash. This flash has a long range, so getting shots of the school stage, or across a large room - the 430 EX will do well. The Canon T1I is great with no flash, low light shots, and the on camera flash is not too bad for less than 6 shots. But, for even better shots indoors, I use the 430 EX II and bounce it off the ceiling - which helps minimize harsh shadows and produces a nice natural looking shot. Ive just scratched the surface and look forward to doing more with this flash. If you are on the fence, like I was... I would highly recommend this flash. I watched eBay for deals and looked at other websites that advertised low price then bait & switch ([...]). In the end, Amazon had best price, free shipping, no tax, and great reputation for returns...

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Really happy with this. Although it is three times more expensive than an aftermarket flash this one works the the menu inside my Cannon Rebel T5i. Works right out of the box and recycle times seem not to exist on a new set of batteries. I do casual photo shoots of Cosplayers that can last all day and often go into the night. They expect me to shoot them not matter what the lighting conditions. Flash is harsh and on the T5i reducing the intensity by 2 really made a big difference on the harsh shine i get off their costumes. I did not see that result with my T3i on the same settings so the T5i has superior programming for this flash. This works great as a bounce and the movable head makes a huge difference over the cheaper models. Just wish it was lighter. I use the Stofen and Fotodiox attachments with it without issue. Takes slightly more room than an 18-55 lens so it fits nicely in my small Case Logic CPL-106 DSLR Camera Shoulder Bag with my camera and 2 lens.

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Im miffed that I waited so long before buying a Canon dedicated flash unit. I am impressed by the quality of pictures Im getting bouncing it off a vaulted ceiling. It recharges quickly if the subject is relatively close. It is intuitive and although the manual doesnt offer much additional information, I didnt feel I needed it. I posted a couple photos of a couch on the Omni Bounce page that illustrates the great natural lighting I got when shooting upwards with the diffuser. My previous off-brand flash always gave me color cast "issues," but this flash seems true to the neutral coloration Im looking for. I dont want to "warm" the picture nor do I want to abnormally "brighten" the scene. This flash and diffuser give me that for the first time. The flash does feel heavy for a relatively small unit but how I love the auto internal flash zooming. The snap on shoe lock is very secure and being made out of metal makes for a more natural coupling. I do wish that I didnt have to push a button in on the right side of the flash in order to pivot or flip the head up to use in the bounce position. I have an old EOS flash sync cord that I used to use with my film EOS Elan, and it works beautifully with it on an off camera bracket.

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Having owned several of the 580EX & 580EXII big brother iterations of the Canon lineup for many years I was a little reluctant to try this baby flash. However, I am happy to report that it really gives up very little to its siblings. As nice as the new 600EX-RT maybe, I simply could not justify the expense especially since I have no use for the built in radio transmitter functions as I am already dedicated to other radio triggers. Canon really needs to re-think this situation and offer a more competitive large flash. I digress... so I gambled on the 430EXII mostly because I really wanted to stay with the trusted brand of the Canon products. It has performed flawlessly and frankly really enjoy the slightly smaller size in handling. All of my work is off camera flash and this blends in perfectly with my other flashes. The one pleasant surprise I have had is what a miser this thing is on batteries. I usually find that I get at least 50% more shots with this side by side with either of the 580s. So nice to have HSS, ETTL options and all the other Canon goodies bundled into this one great product. Hopefully it will demonstrate the same great durability that its big brothers have shown over many years of hard use.

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I was planning to use this together with my older 420EX in a wireless multi-flash setup. I just wanted another flash like my 420EX. However, Im so impressed with the upgrades that I may buy another 430EX II to replace my 420EX. The quick-twist show lock is great. (It was always so tedious to spin the shoe lock ring on the 420.) The single-button aim lock is brilliant (instead of separate pan and tilt buttons like on the 420.) Best of all is the built-in, flip-down diffuser. How did I ever live without that? I will say that the controls were vastly easier to use on the 420. This new model uses an LCD screen that looks fancy but is actually many times more difficult to decipher than simple LED lights. This new model has critical functions like the master/slave switch un-intuitively hidden as a button you have to press and hold (the same button does something different when you just press it quickly.) Who the hell designed THAT? But once you learn its idiotic quirks, its a powerful tool. While it could be much easier to use, I like it enough to consider buying another one just to replace my 420EX.

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Bought this for my wife as a gift after reading numerous reviews of it and several other options, and she couldnt be happier! My wife has a Canon Rebel T3i that I bought her for photographing our daughter rather than paying professional fees. She took a photography class at the community college and learned how to use all the cool features. The pictures always came out looking nice, but not pro quality. Being on a budget, I was going to buy her a cheap $40 flash from another brand. Reviews were mixed and several people had the thing stop working after a month. I believe in buying quality and not having to replace things. Then I was looking at the low end Canon ones. Reviews said they were nice, but eventually bought this flash for features, such as brighter flash and slave capabilities. After much debate, and reading that Canon recommends this flash for that camera, I ponied up the extra bucks. And.... This thing is awesome! Comparing photos with the cameras flash to this arent in the same ballpark. My wife is taking pro style photos from the first shot. The flash works wirelessly with the camera and doesnt require a PhD to operate. I would highly recommend this for owners of the Canon T3i and am very satisfied with the purchase.

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