Canon Speedlite 430 EX II

The Canon Speedlite 430 EX II represents Canon's newest foray into the world of the midrange intelligent flash market. The unit boasts a number of new or upgraded features over its predecessor, the 430 EX. The unit also features a new single touch locking and quick release mechanism to ensure reliable communication with the camera and 20% shorter recycle times over that of the 430 EX and a silent recycle process.

This is a powerful unit, having a guide number which is 141ft./43m at ISO 100. It covers a zoom range of 24-105 mm. The head can be rotated from 0 to 90 degrees, left 0 to 180 degrees, and right 0 to 90 degrees. Full flash unit control by the camera menu is available when used with the Powershot G digital series cameras and Canon EOS film. There is an LCD status display on the back of the unit, which provides the user with feedback on all of the settings being used.

The 430EX II is an excellent value with its middle of the road price range for an intelligent flash. Its price is at or near that of most of its competition; however it offers some very exclusive features. The recycle times of the flash are very quick while it has excellent battery life. The flash features between 200 and 1400 flashes using 4 NIMH or AA alkaline batteries with a full charge. Of course the wide difference in numbers is a result of use of the zoom range.

In Speedlight 430 EX II Comparisons to the older predecessor the 430 EX, the EX II receives high marks in the feature category. The recycle times are excellent and the recycle process is silent which permits unobtrusive use. The locking mechanism has a new single touch quick release feature which helps to ensure that communication is not interrupted and the flash will stay attached to the camera. The unit also features a built in AF assist beam that is compatible with all 9 focus points when used with EOS cameras. The range for normal flash of 2.3 to 79.9ft. at EF 50mm f 1.4

430 EX II Canon Flash Specifications

• Easy to read LCD information panel
• E-TTL II for EF series lenses or Canon EOS cameras
• Settable flash controls through compatible cameras
• 90 degree flash head tilt and swivel for bounce flash
• Built-in wide-angle pull-down diffuser panel (covers focal lengths down to 14mm on a full-frame camera

430 EX II Speedlite Consumer Complaints and User Reviews

"…Since getting this flash and taking around 10,000 pictures with it I can honestly say it's been the single best investment I've made towards improving my photography to date. The uses for a flash are endless. Even outdoors you'll start seeing shadows you never noticed before that you'd like to lighten up with a flash…" - Canon Man - Portion of Actual User Review From Amazon.com

"…The ability to bounce the flash off of medium height white ceilings gives you great looking photos to the point where I now prefer using my flash instead of relying on high ISOs, fast lenses and low aperature numbers. Although flash photography is a tricky subject, the casual shooter can leave this flash in automatic mode and get wonderfully exposed photos. However, in my opinion, the BEST PART of this external flash is that it enables you to focus MUCH faster than the built in flash and this is reason alone to pick up the Speedlite 430EX II…" - Neil - Portion of Actual User Review From Amazon.com

"Gives nice nite photographs but battery life is not that great. May be I need to use brand name batteries or keep backup batteries…" - Rohan Patel - Portion of Actual User Review From Amazon.com