Hi guys, Been wanting to buy a flash unit but still considering alot of things. Saw a thread for canon flashes but not so much to read about. Hoping that you guys can shed light to my confusion right now.. :( anyway, these are the things I consider:

1. I am just starting out(less than a year of photography) with my 350D.
2. The Extra 7k difference(hidalgo).
3. Long and short term advantages/disadvanteges for both(upgrading issues i.e buy the 430 now and just upgrade to a newer model in the future or vise versa).
4. Functionality.
5. Sigma alternatives.
6. Lastly and sadly, still knows nothing or just a little about flash photography. hehe

Your comments and advices would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance:)

Flash units like lenses still follow the idiom "You get what you pay for".

For me, my route was #3 on your list (430EX first, upgraded to 580EX). It was a pricey experience, but the one I felt most at peace because I experienced the shortcomings of the 430EX personally.

The extra 7K pays for;
- more power (the biggest reason I upgraded)
- faster operation (using dials vs. cross keys) for pressure shots
- option for controlling other speedlites (not there yet personally).
- faster cycle time between flash fires
- built-in bounce card (I love it).

If you want the power, but not at the cost... the Sigma is a good value, but you need to be very handy and adept at changing power output (either on the flash itself or using flash exposure compensation) because the Canon units still interoperate better with it's own accessories.

Hi Dennis, i'm also new to this. I just bought a 430EX. I chose the 430EX over the 580EX for 3 reasons. First, is feature wise, I won't be using much of what the 580EX will offer since i'm still learning. Second is price. The difference is still big and you can use the extra money to buy something else. Lastly, by the time I will need a better flash if I decide to go to the next step in photography, that's the time i'll get the 580 or who knows, a new model will come out and I can use the 430EX as a slave. But that's just me. :)

Better wait for the experienced people to reply.

Oh there, Dave answered it.

And BTW, a flash vastly improves your capability to capture moments that otherwise would have forced you to put your camara away.

I'd rather you have a flash than NOT have one.

So nowadays, I always carry the flash even if I'm going out during daytime because there's so many shots that can be improved with a flash.

if you can't afford it, then the choice is easy, the 430ex is a great flash.
If you can afford it, the 580ex would put your mind to rest and you wont have to lust for more. Check if the 580ex has features you really really need, there are many i don't use, but nice to know they're there.
I started out wth the 420ex.

Recycling time, energy efficiency was important (since it was poor for the 420ex), but what made we choose the 580ex over the rest, sigma, metz and other 3rd parties was the very handy and useful pull out white card. For canon, it's not available anywhere else and you will keep looking for it because it brings great looking results.

So if you don't mind using higher iso's to compensate for power, and taping a business card to the back of your flash, the other flashes would do fine, especially the 430ex.

Hi Dave, Amiel, Enjoy! Thanks for the inputs. I think I will just forgo the 3rd party alternatives and would only boil down to the canon flashes. Might be getting he 580EX but still thinking though. Not in a hurry anyway and would still need to earn the extra cash. hehe

I'd rather you have a flash than NOT have one.

So nowadays, I always carry the flash even if I'm going out during daytime because there's so many shots that can be improved with a flash.

good point...:)

all the replies have been great. i was also one of the people who first bought a 430EX then added the 580EX to my arsenal. don't have a studio yet, so the two will suffice for a while. bought both of them w/ the OmniBounce. so great to see photos improved w/ the added lighting. now i'm going after that Gary Fong thing... :)

Have both, started with the 430EX but wasn't satisfied so I went with the 580EX and had no complaints ever since.

But what I find so disappointing is that it doesn't have a terminal for an external power source.

If you can't afford the 580EX go for the 550EX instead.

got the 430ex which is a good flash unit and recently bought the 580ex for more power and will use it for my 2nd body. mahal nga lang but its worth it...

so it does really make a big difference.. made up my mind.. saving up for the 580EX.. thanks for all of those who replied!

I first bought a 580ex flash for my 300d, when i bought my 30d, i got another 580ex for my 30d, what can i say, i just love the 580ex :Grin:

does the 580EX come with goodies like what the SB-800 has in it's package? :)

I was in the same position before. I went for the 430EX mainly because I was just starting to use flash in my photography. But now, come to think of it, I should have bought the 580EX back then...

@jon
if you're referring to the fifth battery carrier on the SB800, and the stofen omnibounce. The answer is no, the 580ex doesn't come with them.

if i'm not mistaken, the 580ex only comes with a handy foot stand, manual and pouch.

go for the 580ex.. it's everything you'd want in a flash :Grin:


John

enjoy, not even a built in white card?

well the white card and the diffuser is built in already
it's the pull out type. Very handy since you always have both with you.
Not to mention you won't lose it.

great! i've decided. thanks guys!

reading this thread,, i'm still a little confused,, is the 550ex good enough? or should i get the 580ex,, how much is this being sold in hidalgo? ( if they still have it there since it's discontinued ),, thanks in advance :)

reading this thread,, i'm still a little confused,, is the 550ex good enough? or should i get the 580ex,, how much is this being sold in hidalgo? ( if they still have it there since it's discontinued ),, thanks in advance :)

Dave Deluria summarized the advantages very well.

Yes, the 550ex, now discontinued, is "good enough." But I'm glad i didn't get that. Between bodies, lenses, flashes, and other accessories, the flash is probably the one that you will be keeping a loooooooong time. And when you need it, you will see that a good one saves the day. So, get a good one.

The 580ex is much superior to the 550ex in many ways. Between the 550ex and 580ex, get the 580ex. That fast recycling time, energy efficient (more flash per batt) is worth it. Ergonomics and better control layout makes things easier too. The 580ex is not just a cosmetic rehash of the 550ex. It is really much better.

Dave Deluria summarized the advantages very well.

Yes, the 550ex, now discontinued, is "good enough." But I'm glad i didn't get that. Between bodies, lenses, flashes, and other accessories, the flash is probably the one that you will be keeping a loooooooong time. And when you need it, you will see that a good one saves the day. So, get a good one.

The 580ex is much superior to the 550ex in many ways. Between the 550ex and 580ex, get the 580ex. That fast recycling time, energy efficient (more flash per batt) is worth it. Ergonomics and better control layout makes things easier too. The 580ex is not just a cosmetic rehash of the 550ex. It is really much better.

tnx mel,, dave compared the 43ex and the 580ex,, was considering to buy the 550ex,, but you give me some good points to think about, anyways thanks

buy the 580 ex. it's a great investment.

580ex in hindalgo will range from 18000 to 18500 compared to 31000 in canon megamall and infomax

@ Darryl

Get the 580EX.. You will never doubt about it:)

bought the 580ex already:)

Darryl: Where and how much? Thanks bro

Darryl: Where and how much? Thanks bro

Php 18,000.00 from mayers,, i think it's a gray market though

Congrats :) Thanks for the price info.

580ex in hindalgo will range from 18000 to 18500 compared to 31000 in canon megamall and infomax


why the big discrepancy in price?

hi. Im a newbie here. I hust want to know how much is the SRP of 430EX and where we can purchase it. tnx..

my friend just got hers from henry's for 13.5K :D last week.

it's been some time since someone entered his/her reply here, so i'm curious if anyone knows the latest prices for both these speedlite models?

wala kasi akong nakita (except for the canon booth) nung pumunta ako sa photoworld, eh...grrr

19ooo At Hidalgo

the prices of 580ex at hidalgo is at Php 17500 to 19000. Just go there or call them to get the update price.

Be Pationate!

the prices of 580ex at hidalgo is at Php 17500 to 19000. Just go there or call them to get the update price.

Be Pationate!

whaat?! aly where did you see one for 17500?!!?

it's been some time since someone entered his/her reply here, so i'm curious if anyone knows the latest prices for both these speedlite models?

wala kasi akong nakita (except for the canon booth) nung pumunta ako sa photoworld, eh...grrr

19k in hidalgo it's a grey market though ( xerox copied manual, etc ) last 2 weeks i checked at canon megamall it still sells for 31k,, good luck with your purchase:D

this is for the 580ex :)

whaat?! aly where did you see one for 17500?!!?

I think the 17500 price was at Henry's but that was 2 or 3 weeks ago. Im not sure of the prices now.

be pationate!

Amazon has it at $372, w/ a $15 rebate.... I'm thinking about getting that one since I'm also headed there in a week's time anyway..

19k in hidalgo it's a grey market though ( xerox copied manual, etc ) last 2 weeks i checked at canon megamall it still sells for 31k,, good luck with your purchase:D

this is for the 580ex :)

So that explains why i have a weird manual. :( i got mine for 18K some 3 months.

So that explains why i have a weird manual. :( i got mine for 18K some 3 months.

yup the original manual might be in niponggo so they have to xerox an english version:)

so, i guess with that low a price for such a premium flash, store warranty lang yan, 'no?

i was originally considering getting a 580ex, but then a colleague of mine pointed out something that is making me change into getting "just" the 430ex.

since i intend to get myself a good telephoto lens (70-200 2.8), of what use would a 580ex flash be for me kung malalayo naman yung mga subjects ko (e.g. sports photography) na di naman maaabutan ng flash or if the situation prevents me from using one.

while one of the main advantages of having a 580ex is that pwede siyang maging master unit if i have a multi-flash set-up, i don't really see myself having a need for such a feature (at least) within the next 1-2 years.

if i can save on getting myself a 430ex, i end up having more savings to get myself a battery grip (#2 item on my list), and then the 70-200 lens (might just go with sigma for this one).

Are you sure the sub 20k models are gray units?

A Hidalgo retailer was offering me a 580ex for 19k local warranty.

SM and other commercial retailers usually are a 6-10k difference in price.

Are you sure the sub 20k models are gray units?

A Hidalgo retailer was offering me a 580ex for 19k local warranty.

SM and other commercial retailers usually are a 6-10k difference in price.

based on the xerox copied manual and the price difference from canon phils, yup..

i bought my 580ex at hidalgo last month. 19k store warrranty for 1 year. the others claimed theirs are local warranty and 18k only, but NO STOCK available:Angry: . hehe dapat pagka walang stock 15k lang hehe at comes with english manual nga pala...:D

True...the one I ordered from Amazon only comes to 17k.

Is it true that all 430EX are made in China while all 580EX are made in Japan?

I just ordered 580EX in Riyadh, KSA for SR1700 and will find it out whether it is made in Japan or China.

I just ordered 580EX in Riyadh, KSA for SR1700 and will find it out whether it is made in Japan or China.

It's a good buy Ernmitanyo, just bought mine from BHPhoto for $368. Slight difference of SR 30 in Riyadh. I'm sure it was manufactured in Japan. :)

It's a good buy Ernmitanyo, just bought mine from BHPhoto for $368. Slight difference of SR 30 in Riyadh. I'm sure it was manufactured in Japan. :)

Thanks Tet. I just received it this morning and yes it's made in Japan, the instruction manual is written in Japanese but I downloaded the English manual at Canon site.

It has a 1 year international warranty and the box includes the 580EX, case/bag and mini stand. Battery not included.

i have a 580ex very versatile and the flash range can take all kinds of situations.. the only difference i guess is the range and its tilt. 430 ex is a good flash. they say u may have many lenses, but u only have 1 flash.

I was in the market for a 430EX or 580EX and spoke to James Deakin for advice. He said he's been using the 430EX for a good while and finds no need for the 580EX. But then again, James is a car and sports photographer.

If you read this James, I know you do more than that, but that's primarily your bread and butter, n'est ce pas? :)

The 580EX is a great flash, but do you really need it? That's the question we should ask ourselves.

Me, I just had a buddy buy a 430EX from his suki in Hongkong for USD244 with International Warranty. I'm hoping there's a lot of freebies, too. :)

I have a 2nd hand 430EX. It's still pretty shiney...

I'd love to get my hands on a 580EX, just so I can slave the 430EX with the 580EX as master. Then, maybe an ST-E2, so I can eventually slave both flashes. :)

how much would an EXII cost nowadays?

vic,
23-24k in hidalgo, try in hk its around 20k

while on this topic on canon flash, what's d diff between 580EX and EX II?

580ex vs. 580exII........what's the difference?

580ex vs. 580exII........what's the difference?

faster recycling time, more power, weather sealed:)


edit: steel shoe instead of plastic.:)

thanks cris.....i'm using a 400D.....should i buy the 580ex?

rommel,

Both models are compatible with 400D, so it is up to your budget which one you can afford. But ofcourse if would be good if you have the 580exII to eliminate the "what if" in due course..... :)

Mga bro,

Yun benta ba sa hidalgo na 580 ex II na around 23-24K, local warranty ba yun o store warranty lang?

tnx

tophy,
thanks sa advice.....sabi ng iba......we can't use all the functions of the 580 EX II.....its compatible daw with the canon 1D mark III......?

rommel,
tophy just said to go for the 580EX II to eliminate the 'what if' scenarios in the future. of course it's compatible w/ the new 1D Mk III, as are w/ all the current EOS DSLR lineup.

angelo,
thanks for the advice.....ill go for the 580EX II.......raraket muna ako........thanks again...

580 na...in the end you'r egonna upgrade anyway...

Get the 580 II na. It's better to have features you don't use often than to need a feature you don't have. ;)

580 exII, so that you wont look back and asking yourself "i should have get the better one".

im using it now and it works brilliant.

cheers!

francis, randy, brian, and to everybody,

i'll listen to your advice......i'm getting the 580EX II soon........hope we can have an eb......para nagkita kita tayo.......so that i can ask some tips too.......thanks again....:)

guys, i just purchased my 580ex-ll, and i am very excited to received my package today and it cost me 22,500

id be happy na with the 430ex. bad trip i cant even find a 2nd hand one.

good luck on your purchasing of 580ex2 rommel, look for the english manual (mine is photocopy) if youre purchasing a grey or store warranty item. the orig is in japanese manual.


cheers!

bryan,
thanks,....ill let you guys know if i got na the 580EXII.......

@bryan, ive got na my 580ex-ll with english & japanese manual. is it possible to give some advices what are the good flash setting to sart with? specially in lighted area and dark area? and please include the suggested angles as well....

i try reading the manula but its too technical i am afraid to try any settings as of the moment, this will help also with rommel when he hav na the 580ex....

guys, i just purchased my 580ex-ll, and i am very excited to received my package today and it cost me 22,500


Wow! Good for you! The 580EXII is weather sealed. That'll come in handy for off-camera flash shots under a drizzle (if you've got a ST-E2). All we need now is a weather sealed camera... The coming 40D kaya?

guys hoping also that some expert share their tricks in using the 580ex2 to give more life in photoshooting

roland, i used ETTL settings for the flash on my 580 ex2, mostly i bounce the flash with a bounce card.

hmm i asked a friend to get me a 580EX II in HK. Its a little over 20K only. I dont know how its different from the 580EX other than the weather sealed buttons and metal hot shoe

ricky advised me to invest on a 580ex2 so i guess thats what ill do. apparently, 430ex doesnt have manual mode? ETTL lang daw?

ricky advised me to invest on a 580ex2 so i guess thats what ill do. apparently, 430ex doesnt have manual mode? ETTL lang daw?

As I am planning to get a flash soon, I have been reading up and saw a review on amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-430EX-Speedlite-Flash-Cameras/dp/B000AO3L84/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-1099339-4417752?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1185279211&sr=8-1

The user says it does have a manual setting?

Guys, any updates on the price of 580ex2, 580ex and 430ex? If i buy it abroad and it has a USA warranty, will Canon Philippines honor it?

ricky advised me to invest on a 580ex2 so i guess thats what ill do. apparently, 430ex doesnt have manual mode? ETTL lang daw?

You can set the 430EX to manual mode.

I got my 580EX II for 21K in Watson's exactly a week ago. If I were you, I'd save up a couple more day's spare money and buy it because it's worth every peso, Dennis. :)

I got my 580EX II also its good!!! I use it as a master for my 580 EX version I naman :D

congrats albert on your 580ex2 and 5d. i envy you! ehhehe

Posting again: 580EX II in Canon DZone is 24.5k for 6 months, 0% interest. I'm buying my gear there.

Henry's in Hidalgo is selling the 580 EX II for 20,500 right now. Very tempting :Grin:

got mine from dzone trino last friday for 23,500

^was it 23,500? i though they are selling it for 24.5k.

Anyway, can flash be tested also the same as lenses?

Anyway, can flash be tested also the same as lenses?

I guess so. That is, if you bring batteries along with you.:D

how is it at hidalgo? you go around and ask prices?

what's the difference between the ex and exII? looks the same to me hehe. (in pictures)

how is it at hidalgo? you go around and ask prices?

what's the difference between the ex and exII? looks the same to me hehe. (in pictures)

Some differences that comes to mind:

Metal mount (for the II, compared to plastic mount on the I).
Built in PC connection.
Weather sealing.

how is it at hidalgo? you go around and ask prices?

what's the difference between the ex and exII? looks the same to me hehe. (in pictures)

Yup you go around and ask for prices (make sure they have stock first! you don't want to be wasting time trying to get a bargain if they don't have stock :D)

Here's a link to help you see the difference between the 580ex and 580ex II

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-580EX-II-Speedlite-Flash-Review.aspx

@ mark. hey thanks! great site they have there.

^was it 23,500? i though they are selling it for 24.5k.

Anyway, can flash be tested also the same as lenses?

24,500 pag tru credit card, pag cash 23,500

yup they let me test it.

Hi guys, Been wanting to buy a flash unit but still considering alot of things. Saw a thread for canon flashes but not so much to read about. Hoping that you guys can shed light to my confusion right now.. :( anyway, these are the things I consider:

1. I am just starting out(less than a year of photography) with my 350D.
2. The Extra 7k difference(hidalgo).
3. Long and short term advantages/disadvanteges for both(upgrading issues i.e buy the 430 now and just upgrade to a newer model in the future or vise versa).
4. Functionality.
5. Sigma alternatives.
6. Lastly and sadly, still knows nothing or just a little about flash photography. hehe

Your comments and advices would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance:)

Best advice, go for that 430EX flash. Why?, two reasons; you are on the learning process and I believe you would not much use it. Can also save some stuff to buy. Cheers.

Jeffrey

If you're going for a 430 ex, Sir Rob recommended to me the Sigam 500 DG Super to compare with the 430 ex aswell.

Here's the thread in that discussion as well..

http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/showthread.php?t=7277

thanks so much for the info's. now i knwo what to buy for the flash. since im still on the learning process of photgraphy.

:)

If I had the dough, I could have gone for the 580.

i (m also a newbie) bought my 580ex-2 (22,500) 4 months ago, so far i am very happy witht he results, so go for 580ex-2

@roland
where did you buy yours? i'm saving up to buy that blasted external flash!Ü

Hi to all,

Does anybody know the official " with local warranty" price of the 580ex2 these days?

Is it still around 29K or has it come down a bit?

Thanks.

wala na raw stock ng 430ex and 580ex sa henry's and avenue.580exII available at 23k.

im leaning towards the 580ex but they ran out of stock.

it's impossible to find a 580ex II or 430ex here at my area (alabang). good luck if even i find a 2nd hand one. it just makes me wonder why flashguns are very scarce. i'm also not planning to go to hidalgo. i won't mind the 1k-2k price difference.

@ Randy

Not sure if this will be of any help, but if you can manage to travel North, D-Zone Trinoma still have a couple of the 580 ex's available for 24.5k. Just called about an hour ago to confirm. Also, they told me you can purchase the flash unit on 6 mos 0% terms.

personally id go for the 580 and skip the long route of upgrading in the future... if my funds were not enough... i'll wait and save up for it... in the long run it would be cheaper...

Hi to all,

Does anybody know the official " with local warranty" price of the 580ex2 these days?

Is it still around 29K or has it come down a bit?

Thanks.

i inquired at avenue,its around 23k now.

24k cash at dzone MOA, got 1 last night, with free pillow. you can also test all the lenses at thier big booth at MOA.

If I buy a flash abroad (say Amazon for example) and have it shipped here, will the warranty be honored here in the Phils?

@ Chuck

In my experience canon phils has never honored items bought outside the phils even if it is covered by canon international warranty. I wonder why?

@ Chuck

In my experience canon phils has never honored items bought outside the phils even if it is covered by canon international warranty. I wonder why?

Really??? Because from what I heard, they honor warranties of lenses bought abroad but not of camera bodies. That's why I was asking if Canon Phils honors warranty for flash units bought abroad (since I am thinking of ordering a 580II from Amazon).

Really??? Because from what I heard, they honor warranties of lenses bought abroad but not of camera bodies. That's why I was asking if Canon Phils honors warranty for flash units bought abroad (since I am thinking of ordering a 580II from Amazon).

Chuck,

That's what I know, too. Can't remember what D-zone branch I was in, but I asked them about international warranties and they said the Canon Phils does recognize the international warranties on lenses.

Can't say the same for bodies, though.

You can try giving their service center a call to check on the warranty for speedlites. Think the number's 8849000.

Hi,

does anyone know the price of 580EX II at dzone and hidalgo? thanks!

Dzone - roughly 24K
Hidalgo - no idea... :)

JT - last PWA sabi 18500???

Dzone - roughly 24K
Hidalgo - no idea... :)

JT - last PWA sabi 18500???

tnx mikie! :)

In Hidalgo, the cheapest 580 EX II that I saw was worth 19000. In Amazon, you can get it at the least 14k but not greater than 16k. But according to Ann (Francisco), they don't honor the warranty of the other stuff except for lenses bought outside the country. I think that goes against to the warranty note indicated in the package that Canon Philippines is one of the authorized service centers for Canon products in APAC.

By the way, I got my 580EX II from Amazon, got it only for around 14.4k.

By the way, I got my 580EX II from Amazon, got it only for around 14.4k.

Hi Pat is that including the shipping fee? Thanks :)

are the canon flashes bought from JT comes with the canon warranty? or only the store warranty?

Hi Pat is that including the shipping fee? Thanks :)

I got it with free shipping but in the US. It's just that I'm lucky that almost every month, our company sends people to the US and I just have my items delivered to their hotel. The 14.4k is based on my first purchase, sold it at higher price (and someone took the bait) and the second one is at 349US$ @ 40.80, cheaper at 14239.20.