430ex or 420ex

Eric&Susan

With the arrival of the twins just around the corner I'm thinking of picking up a flash for my 300d.

I want to get either the 420 or the 430.

With the 430 and the TTL II will the 300d support this or will the TTL of the 420 work better with the 300d?

Since the 300d doesn't have FEC will installing the hack make the 430 the better choice?

With the 430 having manual control would this be a better choice to grow into compared to the 420?



I'm a complete nOOb at flash photography any help would be greatly appreciated.

The only reasons I'm thinking of the 420/430 are because they are in my price range and they are canon. Nothing against other brands just want to stick with the canon.

Thankful for the help,

Eric

DavidTO

Hey, Eric.

I moved your post to Accessories.

Anyone know if there's a hack for the 20D to allow FEC with the 420EX?

kdog

Eric,

I really don't know the flash answer. But as a father of 4 year old twin girls, I just wanted to say congratulations. Twins are a blast. While they can be a bit overwhelming at first, they actually become less work than a single child over time. This is because they play together constantly which really takes the load of the parents. You don't need to be their sole source of entertainment. And of course they will provide endless photo-ops, as you can well imagine.

I have a 20D, and haven't yet picked up a flash myself. Just one thing to keep in mind if you don't already know -- apparently you shouldn't point a flash at a newborn's eyes. So there's no rush to pick one up. Also, if your kids associate picture taking with getting flashed, they will soon become camera shy. Who can blame them. Instead you might consider picking up a fast lens so that you can take pictures in low light. I have the 50 1.4 which works well for this. The 50 1.8 gets rave reviews as well, and is dirt cheap.

PM me if you want to talk twins some time. My wife and I can probably give you lots of advice if you're interested.

-joel

(obligatory twin photo follows)

erich6

I have the 420 and I like it. However, I wish I had more direct manual controls. The 430 appears to bridge the gap between the 420 and the 500 series at a reasonable price. If I were starting from scratch I would go with the 430.

Erich

Eric&Susan

Thanks for the tips everyone I have decided to get the 430ex.

Joel-

Thanks for the offer I might take you up on that. Cute little girls. My mom and aunt are twins also and they have so much advice already. Our boys, Brayton & Brandon, are due in 8 weeks. I figure if I get the flash now by the time their 2 years old I will know how to use it

Eric

ian408

True story.

A friend of mine and I are out playing golf. Both T-shots shank off to the left.
They couldn't have been more similar The little old ladies behind us look
over and say "you must be twins". To which I reply yes. Now they really look
confused. The truth is I have a twin sister and he has a twin brother....I guess
you had to be there

Just don't dress the boys the same and you'll be fine

And congrats!

Ian