| Customer Reviews Collected from usa.canon.com |
Canon - Speedlite 430 EX II External Flash
Average Customer Rating:
4.6
Rating breakdown 33 reviews
5 Stars
23
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
1
1 Star
0
87%of customers recommend this product.
(
26 out of
30)
Customer Reviews for Canon - Speedlite 430 EX II External Flash
Customer Rating
4
Good basic flash
on November 5, 2013
Posted by: Curt
from Northern Ca
Bought this as my first flash unit, not knowing a lot about flashes but knowing I probably wouldn't be happy with a generic off-brand unit.
For a first go-round, I've been pretty happy with this flash.
It does exactly as advertised and while the bigger ones may have more power and more features, I find this one gets everything done that I can reasonably expect.
It does exactly as advertised and while the bigger ones may have more power and more features, I find this one gets everything done that I can reasonably expect.
The controls, like most Canon controls, take a little time to learn. Once there though, it's pretty literal. Pretty much set it to ETTL and your camera will control it just fine.
I've started using it for High School Football games and this is where I immediately found it's shortcomings...
The unit just doesn't have quite enough power to be used at the distances I'm pushing it to. It also uses battery power at an exorbitant rate when pushed to it's maximum. I also found that it does not have provisions to use an external power supply which I find to be very disappointing. I'm forced to use batteries the entire time...
Another piece I find missing for the heavier use is the ability to run a sync cord. All functions must be done either through the hot shoe or wirelessly. If I want to move the flash off camera, even incrementally, it must be done wirelessly.
While the average person taking photos likely would not worry so much about what I cite as shortcomings, I wish I would have known ahead of time. Understandably, there is no list of what it doesn't have or do - one must compare and contrast ad nauseum in order to discover it all.
Again, over-all this is a great little flash. I've just worked into heavier needs and this one is going to demote to a slave function...
Pros: quiet, Superior build quality
Cons: Slow recycling time, no external power, no sync cable hookup
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
So happy I bought this product!
on November 28, 2011
Posted by: Camera Catie
from Lakeland, Fl
I was getting ready to give a very special party for a dear friend of mine which would be inside. I have the Canon EOS 60 d with the built-flash. After reading everything I could get my hands on along with talking to some 'real photographers', I knew I wanted this flash. While I am very new to all things Canon, I have to say I am very impressed with the pix I took recently with this flash. I can't believe the clear, clean and perfect pix it takes without washing my subject out. I take this flash wherever I go, just in case a photo opt comes along. I am very new to the Canon products, I am now a big fan. I love every pix I take.
Years of taking pixs, oh how I wish I had had a "real" camera and the right equipment, well I have it now and I
would never go back to the old point and shoot. You will
not be sorry you purchased this flash!
Years of taking pixs, oh how I wish I had had a "real" camera and the right equipment, well I have it now and I
would never go back to the old point and shoot. You will
not be sorry you purchased this flash!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
on March 4, 2011
Posted by: Preacher
from St Joseph, MO
Very happy with my flash. It is easy to use and works flawlessly with my Canon XTi.
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Cant believe I lived without it this long.
on September 8, 2012
Posted by: Slowpoke
from Republic Mo
This is way past simple in ETTL mode. Makes pictures perfect at even 1/30 sec at ISO 200 hand held to freeze action of water droplets. Rapid fire keeps up also. Have not tried other features yet but WOW.
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time, priced right
Cons: adjustment buttons hard for big hand people
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Decent flash at this price
on November 30, 2011
Posted by: lee
from Penang, MY
I use a Canon EOS 60D, I'm an enthusiast and part time wedding photographer. This is a decent flash at it's price. It also makes a really good slave flash, when I use the 580 EX II as my master. But, if you need a strong flash and a big softbox to fill, this flash dissapoints me. The power is not enough for a 80x80 softbox, around 5-10 metres away from the subject. I recommend the 580 EX II if you just want one flash to take with you. Otherwise, this flash is just good for a slave flash. I regret not getting two 580 EX IIs after getting this flash. But for an enthusiast and my budget, this flash is good enough for travelling (lightweight) and simple portraiture. This is not at all recommended for studio photography, as it's too weak. Other than the weather sealing, bad buttons( i love the dial on the 580 EX II ) and the weak power, I have nothing to complain about.
Pros: decent price, average build quality, accurate exposure, decent wireless range
Cons: weak flash power to fill big softbox, buttons too hard to press, no weather sealing
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Could Be A Good Flash
on January 29, 2011
Posted by: Roro
from Illinois
Have had this flash for few months now. It takes great pictures they come out wonderful when it works. I am unsure as to why, but there is a bad connection with the canon camera. Even when the flash is fully charged and ready it will not always flash. Ive read other reviews and talked to others with the same results. I also found the recycling time really slow nothing like asking everyone to wait while it charges after one picture with new batteries. Otherwise when it works the pictures come out great.
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality
Cons: Slow recycling time, does not always work with camera
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Love this Flash
on June 16, 2011
Posted by: Mom of three
from Oregon
Great flash. Very easy to use and pictures come out great.
Pros: Good Exposure performance, Fast recycling time
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
2
Not powerful enough for bounce flash.
on June 16, 2012
Posted by: WhiteFang
from Scarsdale NY
With my new 5D Mark III, I still have to go to ASA 800 or above to get acceptable bounce flash result in the 10 to 15 foot distance range. Controls are overly complex and except in direct flash with no defuser this flash is simply under powered. I will exchange for a more powerful flash from either Cannon or third party equipment.
Cons: no good for bounce flash
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com