The Canon Speedlite 430 EX II is one of the best mid-size flash units for sports, portraits and weddings. It is distinguished by its power and ability to charge silently and almost instantly even with the most intensive use.
Features
The Canon 430 EX II, whose price dropped from $ 300 to $ 200 in 2015, is easy to use, has control buttons, a conveniently readable custom LCD display and a built-in infrared AF sensor. You can pay a lot more for the 600EX-RT, but in the end the buyer will get more weight, a much more complex display and an intricate menu structure.
The exposure of the 430EX II is controlled by a camera. Other flashes also provide a similar result, with the difference that not all of them have enough power to provide fairly fast shooting. The only reason you can justify your decision not to use the Canon 430 EX II is the size of the device.
Users note good flash output, ease of control, user-friendly screen, ultra-fast and silent operation, which allows you to take pictures almost continuously. At the same time, it lacks a built-in reflective card and does not have A mode for older cameras without TTL. Additional features include a downward-folding diffuser for 14-mm full-format lenses or 9-mm APS-C optics, a power switch, wireless control, and a small stand for mounting on a table.
Users confirm that the flash works on all Canon EOS series cameras, both digital and the very first cameras of the 1987 model.
When used with compatible devices, the 430EX II receives TTL or shutter speed, exposure compensation options, rear-curtain sync settings, and repeat commands.
Compatibility
The Canon Speedlite 430 EX II works great on 35mm cameras like the EOS 1V.
In the early full-length cameras of the 1980s, TTL, manual exposure, and rear-curtain sync work fine, but FEL and HSS were not yet invented, so these functions remain unused.
According to user reviews, even on the EOS 650, TTL shutter speed (through the lens), data transfer and a green light indicator do not cause problems. The display cheerfully displays the maximum distance from the flash when the camera automatically sets the aperture. Even with the camera turned off, the 430EX II automatically adjusts to the lens that is currently installed.
According to users, with cameras such as AE-1 or T90, it is better not to tempt fate. For these cameras, you can buy second-hand flash 25 years ago, which are better suited to them and much less cost.
Canon has never made clear which devices are Type A and which are B, or which measurement modes are 1, 2, or 3, so don't worry about that. On older 35mm Type B cameras, some functions will not work, such as FE Lock and high-speed sync. However, everything you need works fine on any EOS camera.
Charging
According to the owners, when the batteries are completely infected, the flash capacitor reload time is only 1.8 s. At 80% charge, the time increases to 2.4 s.
The capacitor charges quietly - the inverter operates at a supersonic frequency.
After about 90 seconds, the flash goes into standby mode and wakes up when you press the shutter button. The Pilot button is also able to activate it. If the wait lasted a long time, then charging takes up to 2.4 s.
Ergonomics
The power switch is perfect: one finger swipe and the flash can be turned on or off. The combination of the ready indicator and the test button is successful. An unlabeled green indicator of exposure readiness just below the pilot is too directional. It is poorly visible from the outside.
The Canon 430 EX II flash counts and the LCD displays the maximum shutter speed range TTL, up to 18 m.
It may be difficult to press the keys "+", "-" and SET.
Setting exposure compensation is accompanied by unnecessary complications. You need to press and hold the SET button, wait until the “+/-” icon starts flashing, and then press the left or right key to increase or decrease the shutter speed by a third step. It will be easier to do this on camera. Ideally, a wheel or rocker button is required to adjust flash exposure compensation.
The Canon 430 EX II manual zoom is also a clumsy puzzle. You have to press the button with the dual ZOOM function, but not hold it, as the wireless setup menu will be called up. After you press it correctly, the zoom icon will flash, and then you can use the “+” and “-” keys to change it. This is very inconvenient, because it is impossible to directly go from 24 mm or 105 mm to the opposite end - you have to go all the way back. The auto zoom setting is located below the 24 mm setting.
The battery cover and marking are excellent. It is easy to open and close, as well as see where you need to insert batteries even in the dark.
The buttons are not highlighted, but the labels are clear.
The customizable LCD is large, crisp and well-lit, but the only way to light it up is with the flash button. Turning on the camera backlight does not include flash lighting. And vice versa, and pressing LIGHT on the 430EX II does not turn on the backlight of the camera, as Nikon does.
The Canon Speedlite 430 EX II gives the owners the opportunity to independently install several user-defined functions, but they are all indicated by numbers and therefore pointless until an operating manual is at hand. All these settings can be made on the DSLR in an understandable language in the camera menu, but not in the case of a 35 mm SLR.
There is no difficulty with the mode selection button.
High-speed flash (HSS or FP) is easy to configure. You must press Bolt-H, wait for the icon to appear, and use the AV or TV camera modes. The maximum distance appears on the screen, which decreases significantly when choosing higher shutter speeds.
The green indicator under the red pilot will light if auto exposure is ok. Autofocus backlight consists of two emitters: one central, and the second for other areas.
Basic TTL shooting
Simply install the flash on the camera, turn the lock lever to the right, turn it on and start taking pictures.
The lever itself is also locked. To release it, you need to press the small button, which will allow you to move it and remove the flash from the sync contact.
“TTL” should appear on the top left of the Canon 430 EX II LCD. If not, press the Mode button until it appears.
Everything else is processed automatically. If the flash is too dark or bright, this can be changed by compensating the exposure of the camera, or by holding the SEL / SET button on the back of the device.
The maximum range will be displayed on the LCD screen. Optionally, you can select meters or feet via CFN flash or in the camera menu.
Exposure Compensation
Exposure compensation is best done through the camera. To configure it on the Canon 430 EX II, press and hold the SET button until the “+/-” icon appears, and press “+” or “-” to set the compensation value. Flash options take precedence over camera settings.
To lock the exposure, used, for example, if the subject is close and away, you must first place it in the center and press FEL to fix the shutter speed.
In manual flash mode, the correct distance calculated for specific ISO and aperture values is displayed on the LCD.
To check the 430EX II, the camera's exposure meter must be turned off. If it is on, nothing will happen when you press the Pilot button.
If the flash is used extensively, it can be deliberately slowed down to allow the 430EX II to cool. True, according to the reviews of the owners, they did not have such a need.
Custom functions are best set in the camera menu, where they are indicated not in numbers, but in a clear language. In addition, the Canon 430 EX II manual states that they are reset if there is no power for more than one minute. Users are advised to set the Fn2 value to 3 to turn off blinding flashes when you press the depth of field preview button on the camera.
Wireless control
According to users, it is better to use a professional studio strobe light source as a remote flash, rather than a Canon Speedlite 430 EX II, whose price does not greatly contribute to this application. Even if someone ever can figure out how it works, a small device will not be able to provide the necessary brightness. In addition, it will still need to be positioned in some way. For $ 400 you can buy a set of studio flashes with umbrellas and racks, which will be enough for portraiture.
If you want to tinker with the wireless settings, their parameters should be entered into the master flash on the camera, and all subordinates should be given to execute its commands. In addition, you can put any slave into manual control mode.
Recommendations
Owners recommend using the Canon Speedlite 430 EX II as an outdoor fill flash to reduce shadows in sports and portrait shooting. Some, however, prefer a smaller 220EX for this, but the model in question is larger, works a little faster and more powerful, which means longer work during the day, the need for which does not often arise.
In addition, users are advised to use Sanyo Eneloop batteries as batteries. They are able to maintain charge even with prolonged non-use.