Canon Speedlite 430 EX II is one of thethe best flash of medium size for shooting sports, portraits and weddings. It differs in power and ability silently and almost instantly to be charged even with the most intensive use.
Flash Canon 430 EX II, the price of which droppedfrom $ 300 to $ 200 in 2015, is easy to use, has control buttons, a user-friendly LCD display and a built-in infrared autofocus sensor. You can pay a lot more for 600EX-RT, but in the end, the buyer will get more weight, a much more complicated display and a confusing menu structure.
Exposure 430EX II is controlled by the camera.Other flashes also provide a similar result, with the difference that not all of them have sufficient power to provide a fairly fast survey. The only reason you can justify your decision not to use the Canon 430 EX II is the size of the device.
Users note a good flash output,easy control, convenient screen, super-fast and quiet operation, which allows you to take pictures almost continuously. At the same time, it does not have a built-in reflective map and there is no A mode for old cameras without TTL. Among the additional features, we can note a flip down diffuser for 14-mm full-length lenses or 9-mm APS-C optics, a power switch, wireless control, and a small stand for installation on the table.
Users confirm that the flash works on all Canon EOS cameras both digital and on the very first cameras of the 1987 model.
When used with compatible devices, the 430EX II receives TTL or shutter speed, exposure compensation settings, rear-curtain sync settings and repeat commands.
The Canon Speedlite 430 EX II flash works well on 35mm cameras, such as the EOS 1V.
On the early full-format cameras of the 1980sTTL years, manual exposure and rear curtain synchronization work fine, but FEL and HSS were not invented then, so these functions remain unused.
According to user feedback, even on the EOS 650TTL exposure (via the lens), data transmission and a green light indicator do not cause problems. The display briskly displays the maximum distance from the flash when the camera automatically sets the aperture. Even when the camera is off, the 430EX II automatically adjusts to the lens that is currently installed.
According to users, with such cameras,as AE-1 or T90, it is better not to tempt fate. For these cameras, you can buy second-hand flashes 25 years ago, which are better suited to them and much less worth it.
Canon never explained whatit is the devices that belong to type A, and which ones to B, or in which the measurement modes 1, 2 or 3 are used, so do not worry about it. On older 35 mm 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.
According to the owners, with fully contaminated batteries, the time to recharge the flash capacitor is only 1.8 seconds. At 80% charge time increases to 2.4 s.
The capacitor is charged quietly - the inverter operates at supersonic frequency.
Approximately 90 seconds later, the flash goes into the modestandby and wakes up when you press the shutter button. The Pilot button is also capable of activating it. If the wait lasted a long time, then it takes up to 2.4 seconds to charge.
The power switch is ideal:one finger movement and flash can be turned on or off. The combination of the ready indicator and the test button is good. The unmarked green ready-for-exposure indicator just below the pilot is too directional. It is poorly visible from the outside.
The Canon 430 EX II calculates the flash, and the LCD displays the maximum TTL holding range, up to 18 m.
There may be difficulties with pressing the "+", "-" and SET.
Setting exposure compensation is accompanied byunnecessary complications. You must press and hold the SET button, wait until the "+/-" icon flashes, and then press the left or right key to increase or decrease the shutter speed by one third. It will be easier to do this on the camera. Ideally, adjusting exposure compensation on the flash requires a wheel or a rocker-type button.
The manual zoom Canon 430 EX II - also a clumsy riddle.You have to press the button with the double function ZOOM, but do not hold it, as the wireless setup menu will be called up. If you press the zoom button correctly, the zoom icon starts flashing, and then you can use the "+" and "-" keys to change it. This is very inconvenient, because it is impossible to go directly 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.
Battery compartment cover and marking are excellent. It is easy to open and close, and also to see where to insert batteries even in the dark.
Buttons are not illuminated, but the inscriptions are clear.
Customizable LCD display large, clear and goodLighted, but the only way to highlight it is the button on the flash. Turning on the camera's backlight does not turn on the flashlight. And vice versa, and pressing LIGHT on the 430EX II does not turn on the camera's backlight, as implemented by Nikon.
The Canon Speedlite 430 EX II givesPossibility for the owners to install several user functions independently, but all of them are marked with numbers and therefore are meaningless until an operation manual is at hand. All these settings can be made on the DSLR in plain language in the camera menu, but not in the case of a 35 mm SLR.
With the mode selection button, no complications arise.
High Speed Flash (HSS or FP) set upeasily. It is necessary to press Bolt-H, wait for the icon to appear and use the AV or TV modes of the camera. The maximum distance appears on the screen, which decreases significantly when higher shutter speeds are selected.
The green indicator under the red pilot lights up if the auto exposure is OK. AF-assist illumination consists of two emitters: one central, and the second for other zones.
Simply put the flash on the camera, turn the lock lever to the right, turn it on and start taking pictures.
The lever itself is also blocked. 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.
The top left of the Canon 430 EX II LCD should display "TTL". If not, press the Mode button until it appears.
All the rest is processed automatically.If the flash is too dark or bright, it can be changed by compensating the camera's exposure, or by holding down the SEL / SET button on the back of the unit.
Maximum range will be displayed on the LCD screen. If desired, you can select meters or feet through the CFN flash or in the camera menu.
Exposure compensation is best done throughcamera. 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. The flash settings take precedence over the camera settings.
To lock the exposure used,for example, in case the object is close and in the side, it is necessary to 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 the Pilot button is pressed.
When the flash is used intensively, the charging time can be deliberately slowed down so that the 430EX II can cool. However, according to the owners, they did not have such need.
Custom functions are bestset in the camera's menu, where they are not marked with numbers, but in plain language. In addition, the Canon 430 EX II instruction 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 disable blinding flashes when the depth-of-field preview button is pressed on the camera.
According to users, as remoteflashes it is better to use a professional studio stroboscopic light source, and not the Canon Speedlite 430 EX II, the price of which does not contribute much to such use. Even if someone ever can figure out how this works, a small device will not be able to provide the necessary brightness. In addition, it will still be necessary to position it in some way. For $ 400, you can buy a set of studio flashes with umbrellas and racks, which will be enough for portrait shooting.
Wishing to tinker with wireless settings,their parameters should be entered in the master flash on the camera, and all subordinates - to execute its commands. In addition, you can transfer any slave to manual control mode.
Owners recommend using CanonSpeedlite 430 EX II as a fill flash outdoors to reduce shadows in sports and portraits. Some, however, prefer a smaller 220EX for this, but the model in question is larger, works a little faster and more powerful, which means a longer work day, the need for which does not occur often.
In addition, users are advised to use Sanyo's Eneloop rechargeable batteries as batteries. They are able to maintain a charge even with prolonged non-use.
