The Canon EX 430 looks to be a well equipt flash, but the 580 EX seems to be Canon's flag ship

Do you think the extra features of the 580 are worth having for the additional cost compared to the 430 EX

Thanks

Do you need strobothingy flash? Do you need sophisticated manual control? do you need wireless ETTL? do you need to switch to TTL only on a film camera? those are basically the advantages features wise of the 580ex, my answer to all those questions is a resounding NO!

But let's cut to the chase: DO YOU NEED THE EXTRA POWER? that is the only 'real' difference (accepting wireless, maybe), especially as the 430ex is far more advanced than it's predecessor. I shoot exclusively with some type of diffusion or for outdoor fill and the 430 just doesn't cut it powerwise.

Yes. For me the question has been the comparison of the 550EX and the 580EX.

I have kept my pair of 550EX flashes because I have seen little benefit in switching. Not enough to be worth the difference I would pay from selling used and buying new.

Cheers,

Mitch

For bridal pics I use a 550ex and two 430s. They work extremely well together, highlighter, fill-light, whatever. The 550ex on-camera and bounced off-ceiling controls the other two. You get studio-like control and FEL gives you good metering. For multi-flash setups I believe you need either a 550ex or a 580ex.

Thanks for the replies, I suppose its best to get most power and then step it back as required, rather than not having enough

ALWAYS with flash!

Cheers,

Mitch