Binoculars(35)
Calculators(11)
Camcorders(818)
Copiers & Fax(199)
EOS Cameras(5,507)
PowerShot Cameras(5,856)
Printers & Multifunction(5,051)
Scanners(485)
Shop Now At Canon
Shop Flashes or
Choose a Category
Top-Rated Products
Customer Reviews for Speedlite 430EX II
Speedlite 430EX II
Superior build quality, including a one-touch, quick-lock metal foot
Approx. 20% faster recycling time, compared to previous 430EX
Powerful Max Guide no. 43m (GN 141ft.)
Full flash control possible on camera menu, with compatible EOS DSLRs
Average Customer Rating:
(31 Reviews) 31
Rating Snapshot (31 reviews)
5 stars
22
4 stars
6
3 stars
2
2 stars
1
1 star
0
27 out of 31(87%)reviewers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Speedlite 430EX II
Review 1 for Speedlite 430EX II
Nickname: Still miss my Ftb
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
For the love of light
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:November 14, 2012
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, good bounce at close range
Cons: Slow recycling time, buttons a little hard to use.
I discovered years ago that in order to improve my pictures, artificial lighting was essential, Most shots do not turn out as you envision them without the proper lighting. You can achieve excellent lighting in a studio atmosphere but when taking shots on the fly indoors/outdoors the natural light in a scene doesn't always cut it. The 430 EX II is easy to use for a beginner and has the features someone with more experience would like. It has great bounce capabilities at shorter ranges and it is quiet. It doesn't flash multiple times like some units to set the exposure. I find those types extremely annoying. And if you ever want to upgrade your lighting system or use it in a studio it makes a great slave unit. Nice unit for the price.
20 of 20 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 2 for Speedlite 430EX II
Nickname: Slowpoke
Location: Republic Mo
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: No
Cant believe I lived without it this long.
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:September 8, 2012
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time, priced right
Cons: adjustment buttons hard for big hand people
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.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 3 for Speedlite 430EX II
Nickname: WhiteFang
Location: Scarsdale NY
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: Less than 1 year
Product replacement: No
Not powerful enough for bounce flash.
Overall Rating
Features
2
out of
5
Performance
1
out of
5
Price/Value
2
out of
5
Quality
2
out of
5
Satisfaction
1
out of
5
Date:June 16, 2012
Cons: no good for bounce flash
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.
6 of 30 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 4 for Speedlite 430EX II
Nickname: bigron452
Location: Hopewell Junction, NY
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: No
Easy to Use Flash
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:June 5, 2012
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time
Cons: pricey
I looked at several flash units before making my purchase. I got the T3i 3 months ago, and was looking for an external flash for pictures at night. I looked at the smaller units but wanted more range. I'm not a professional photographer, just a person who takes lots of pictures of my family and friends. This flash has good range, can be used as a slave and adds life to pictures. It was so easy to set up off the camera in remote fashion. I learned to use the remote funtion from the manual and it was really easy .. especially since it was the first time I've ever used more than one flash at once .. I can now zoom, it has a built in light diffuser, it turns to bounce light and will get you good pictures. For a starter like me, you can't go wrong. It's pricey, but I would recommend this flash.
39 of 39 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 5 for Speedlite 430EX II
Nickname: lee
Location: Penang, MY
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
Decent flash at this price
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
3
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:November 30, 2011
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 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.
26 of 31 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 6 for Speedlite 430EX II
Nickname: Camera Catie
Location: Lakeland, Fl
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
So happy I bought this product!
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:November 28, 2011
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!
15 of 17 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 7 for Speedlite 430EX II
Nickname: Michele
Location: Denver, CO
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
I Love This Flash!
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:October 4, 2011
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time, outstanding results
Cons: no battery level indicator
I consider myself a "natural light" photographer. I have always avoided flash photography because most of my photos turn out too bright with an unnatural look and feel to them. One of my friends has hired me to shoot her son's birthday party which will be in the evening in November. In Colorado, this translates to an indoor party. I was horrified, but accepted the job even though I knew I would have to swallow my pride and begin exploring flash photography. I attached the flash to my 7D and started shooting. The results are unbelievable! My photos turned out beautiful and I am now a flash convert! I am so excited to explore the 430EX II and I can tell you right now, I am going to have so much fun with this flash. I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone in the market for a high quality, sturdy and versatile flash.
45 of 45 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 8 for Speedlite 430EX II
Nickname: Greengecko
Location: Ashburn, VA
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: No
Overall a great flash, with minor cons
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:September 15, 2011
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time
Cons: buttons recessed to deep, battery level indicator, no catchlight card
This flash performs extremely well, recycles fast and lasts for hundreds of shots on good rechargeable batteries (those nice white ones). E-TTL works very well and usually exposes adequately, though I often have to compensate +1 or +2 when using bounce in larger spaces. I'm sure others have commented on the wide diffuser, which works nicely. Make sure you READ THE MANUAL, because there are features you will miss otherwise. The only obvious flaw on this flash is the center "Set" button, which is not so user-friendly because it is too recessed and hard to press if you have large hands. I often have to use a fingernail to get it to work. An easy solution would be to just make it bigger. One features they should have added, given its price tag, is a BATTERY INDICATOR.
26 of 27 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 9 for Speedlite 430EX II
Nickname: bacakdin1
Location: Alexandria, LA
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: Yes
great flash
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:June 24, 2011
Pros: Good Exposure performance, Fast recycling time
great flash for the price. With a D60 it has wireless sync built in and can use it off camera. This flash is very cool, I was able to fire off 6 to 7 shots with the flash firing each time. Used it to capture running water at 1/8000
21 of 25 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 10 for Speedlite 430EX II
Nickname: Mom of three
Location: Oregon
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Casual User
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
Love this Flash
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:June 16, 2011
Pros: Good Exposure performance, Fast recycling time
Great flash. Very easy to use and pictures come out great.
6 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 11 for Speedlite 430EX II
Nickname: thunderdog2367
Location: Youngstown , ohio
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Sports
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: Yes
Canon : the name says it all
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:June 15, 2011
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time, easy to mount and dismount
I was looking for a serious external flash for my camera. I had a cheap version of the 430 ex which had trouble communicating with my camera and had to almost allways be put into manual to get results. Finally put together the money and got this unit. The build is solid as a rock and the performance is top notch. The instructions could have had a bit more information and tips but playing with this and learning what it can do is turning out to be half the fun. In short, you want Canon performance and quality buy the real deal.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 12 for Speedlite 430EX II
Nickname: JIN
Location: new york, Brooklyn
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Portraits
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
Nice speedlite
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:March 29, 2011
Pros: Good Exposure performance, Fast recycling time
very nice speedlite, no complain. but this speedlite can upgrade to weather sealing like the 580 ex ii.
it is very good as a slave flash too.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 13 for Speedlite 430EX II
Nickname: Big Juicy
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Portraits
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
Very decent flash; thumbs up!
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:March 20, 2011
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time, rotating head
Cons: slightly heavy
Just bought this a couple of weeks ago and love it. Did quite a bit of research and ended up with this one and glad I did. Love the rotating head which offers tons of flexibility and the ability to capture shots with very soft light/exposure. Also happy with the ability to adjust the flash output based on needs. Fires very quietly and recharges quickly so you can still burst of you need to. Had read that it was too feature laden and it is but if you read the manual, you can learn how to operate it. Only beef would be the fact that it's a little heavy; may need a monopod/tripod for longer shoots. Buy a diffuser at the same time; you'll need it. Great first flash!
12 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 14 for Speedlite 430EX II
Nickname: MikeBinDG
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: No
Good but maybe big for a G camera
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
2
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
3
out of
5
Date:March 11, 2011
Pros: Superior build quality, Fast recycling time
Cons: maybe too large for a g series camera, high original price
Bought mine from Penn Camera in VA for my Canon G7.
Liked the output and communication for exposure with my G.
Did test shots in the store and that was the deal clincher.
Liked the output and communication for exposure with my G.
Did test shots in the store and that was the deal clincher.
Does a great job but almost is too tall and heavy to use on a G series camera.
So I use a 3rd party hot-shoe to flash cable and a great Manfrotto L-bracket for "my rig".
So I use a 3rd party hot-shoe to flash cable and a great Manfrotto L-bracket for "my rig".
Am looking to buy a used G10 or new G12 - I'll be able to use this tool with that camera, too!
7 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 15 for Speedlite 430EX II
Nickname: Preacher
Location: St Joseph, MO
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: No
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:March 4, 2011
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time
Very happy with my flash. It is easy to use and works flawlessly with my Canon XTi.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 16 for Speedlite 430EX II
Nickname: Anonymous
Location: Northern lower Michigan
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Portraits
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
Great flash - suspect mount
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:February 8, 2011
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time
Cons: unreliable mount lock
I purchased a Rebel T2i and Speedlite 430 EX II last year. The flash is powerful and easy to use - the bounce flash feature is very flexible and produces outstanding, soft illumination. My one complaint is that the flash does not stay locked into the camera shoe securely - there is a slight amount of fore-aft free play in the mount when "locked". The locking pin on the flash goes into a chamfered hole in the camera's hot shoe, and I believe that the locking pin may be too short and is riding up the tapered surface of the chamfer, allowing the flash to move rearward. I have had several instances where it had backed out slightly, which resulted in highly overexposed images due to contact misalignment and resulting interrupted communication between the camera and flash. I thought that the metal mounting components on both the flash and camera were supposed to be an improvement, but I NEVER had this happen with my old EOS Elan and Speedlite 430 EZ with its plastic mount and wheel lock.
17 of 18 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 17 for Speedlite 430EX II
Nickname: RDRA
Location: Queens, NY
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Mostly used for: Portraits
Canon Enthusiast: Less than 1 year
Product replacement: No
Off the camera at last
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:February 2, 2011
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time
Want portable lighting that doesn't cause your subject to look washed out? Then start off here. The fact you will be able to rotate the head will be a major improvement over any P&S flash you may have used. It also recycles quick so if you set your camera to continuous fire, the flash will keep up. Fiddling around with ETTL and Manual Modes will also help you grasp lighting and how you can use it to help your images and enhance other lighting, especially if indoors. It is strong, however, so your subjects will have shiny spots of light mostly in the forehead and nose. You may want to use the rotatable head or put the power down when using it or buy a diffuser. Although the light source is bigger, it is not a giant softbox so don't expect everything to be right the first time. Experiment like mad.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 18 for Speedlite 430EX II
Nickname: Roro
Location: Illinois
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: No
Could Be A Good Flash
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
3
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:January 29, 2011
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality
Cons: Slow recycling time, does not always work with camera
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.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 19 for Speedlite 430EX II
Nickname: Anonymous
Location: San Diego
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
When will Canon finaly..
Overall Rating
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
3
out of
5
Price/Value
2
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
2
out of
5
Date:December 11, 2010
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality
Cons: Slow recycling time
All the flashes work well but when will Canon develope a product thats truely intergrated?
I want a flash that can be powered from the camera grip.
I don't think thats too much to ask for considering the technicle capabilities of Canon. Or is there someting else I need to buy?
I want a flash that can be powered from the camera grip.
I don't think thats too much to ask for considering the technicle capabilities of Canon. Or is there someting else I need to buy?
5 of 30 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 20 for Speedlite 430EX II
Nickname: Madeline
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Rotation Problem
Overall Rating
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
3
out of
5
Date:November 29, 2010
Pros: good besides the one con
Cons: rotation problem
For an $100 difference, it's so worth getting the 550. If it weren't for one particular problem (which I explain below), I'd say just get the 430 (unless you need to be in massive rooms and need the full power of the 550). Anyway, because of the problem, I absolutely recommend getting the 550.
The entire purpose of having an external flash is to have the control to bounce it diagonally backwards at the white walls and ceilings so that you get a diffused light coming from that desired diagonal angle. But the 430 doesn't go backwards to the right, it only goes backwards to the left! You have to either rotate it straight back or to the right. Neither of which are useful for creating that desired modeling along the face. Straight back gives you head-on lighting and to the right doesn't really reach the subject if you're not right up against it. And if it does reach the subject, then you're getting very intense side-lighting, which is a very specific effect that shouldn't be the only option.
In addition to the backwards to the right problem, there's more about the rotation problem--there are not many options as to where to point it, just a few, and that feels so limiting when trying to shoot an event and bounce the flash at the correct spot--whereas the 550 has many nuanced options.
I regret not getting the 550.
The entire purpose of having an external flash is to have the control to bounce it diagonally backwards at the white walls and ceilings so that you get a diffused light coming from that desired diagonal angle. But the 430 doesn't go backwards to the right, it only goes backwards to the left! You have to either rotate it straight back or to the right. Neither of which are useful for creating that desired modeling along the face. Straight back gives you head-on lighting and to the right doesn't really reach the subject if you're not right up against it. And if it does reach the subject, then you're getting very intense side-lighting, which is a very specific effect that shouldn't be the only option.
In addition to the backwards to the right problem, there's more about the rotation problem--there are not many options as to where to point it, just a few, and that feels so limiting when trying to shoot an event and bounce the flash at the correct spot--whereas the 550 has many nuanced options.
I regret not getting the 550.
49 of 52 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
