Which 2nd Flash? 430EX II or 600EX-RT

Manfr3d

Hi,

I am looking to add a new flash to my 580EX II, either as new primary or as a secondary flash (on 5d2
and 500d). I want to keep it all Canon so that the differences in menu structure and settings are minimal.

Which one do you recommend?

Canon 430EX II - as a secondary or backup flash (and as a light primary for travel)

or

Canon 600EX-RT - as the new primary (zooms from 20mm to 200mm, has gels)

?

I don't care for the build in radio thing yet (doing it strobist style right now) and I don't need
the stroboscope mode the 430 is lacking. Any recommendations?

Thanks!

ziggy53

Since you want to stay with Canon and you want to retain a similar user interface, I can recommend a second 580EX II. The Canon store has a refurbished unit for $399USD:

http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_269453_-1

The advantage is that it would be an identical flash so there's nothing new to learn. It can be either master or slave to your existing 580EX II. It has a very strong AF assist light. It has a much better GN and the same cycle times (compared to the 430EX). It has full 360 degree swivel, compared to the 270 degree swivel on the 430EX. (The 360 degree swivel is extremely important in a master/slave situation when you need to turn the slave flash body towards the master for wireless distance outdoors or in a dark-walled room.)

In short it is both redundant to and augmenting to the flash that you already have and love.

Manfr3d

Thanks Ziggy, I appreciate the little reality check.
No full swivel definitely rules the 430 out (even if I don't do master/slave IR triggering).
But I am also of turned off by this analysis of the 580EX II design flaw: via http://www.robgalbraith.com.