580EX II Speedlite New Features
Both the 580EX II and 430EXII speedlite flashes from Canon are excellent pieces of equipment. The 580EX II flash has greater bounce capabilities, can give more overall light, and be used as a master flash. It's also larger, heavier, and of course more expensive. If you can afford the extra $100 that you will put out for the 580EX II, I recommend that over the 430EX II.
It is a more versatile flash that can be used for countless more purposes than the 430. Think of the Canon 430EXII as a Cadillac and the 580EX II as a Mercedes. Both are high grade, finely tooled machines, but one has more 'flash' than the other.
There are subtle differences between the Canon 580EX II and the older 580EX too. The 580EX II recycles approximately 20% faster than the 580EX. What is more noticeable to me is the lack of sound during the recharging phase. I actually count on hearing the whine of the flash as it charges. I can tell without looking that the flash is at full power. I also know hen the batteries are nearing the end of their charge.
However, noiseless charging in not a negative. The fact that the flash doesn't make a noise will cause many photographers to cheer. If you photograph animals the flash noise can be a real distraction to cats and dogs. Birds and other wildlife will hear it and take off. So for most photographers the noiseless recharge will be a big improvement.
The light output of the 580EX II is greater than the 430EX II, but both have the same width/height of flash coverage. In both cases, with the 10-22mm at the wider end of it's zoom range, you will likely want to bounce the flash off the ceiling or use a diffuser (e.g. Sto-Fen Omni bounce). The other advantage of the 580EX II is it's ability to wirelessly control other flashes; the 430EX II can be controlled (slave), but cannot control (master).
The Canon Speedlite 580EX II flash is built for the rough life. It has a more-rugged build quality with a metal foot being one of the most noticeable changes. But the good news/bad news is that the metal foot is attached to a plastic mount inside the flash.
This is not so great as it will still be the part that breaks. The flip side is that it is a positive improvement that it won't take your entire camera out of commission, just the flash. I'll get around having a broken flash, but having a broken camera puts me out of business. The metal foot will certainly hold up better to repeated mounting and dismounting.
Another great update for the 580EX II speedlite is that this is Canon's first weather-resistant flash. Sports and photojournalists demand protection from the elements. Dust and water resistance is a feature that is going to be well received by these photographers.
Why use an external flash?,
External flashes such as the Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash are one of the most popular accessories among Digital SLR owners. Why? The answer may be obvious to owners of camera bodies without a built-in flash, but not so clear to those using bodies with a built-in flash.The 580EX II flash's feature tilt and swivel heads allows them to redirect the light toward a larger white (or other similarly-neutral-colored) reflective surface such as a ceiling, wall, piece of white foamcore, commercial reflector. Thus, the main light becomes the wide reflecting surface and the broad light source creates a much softer, less flat and far more pleasing image. The swivel and tilt features allow the Canon Speedlite 580EX II flash to be aimed as desired.
If you are ready to buy Canon's most powerful and most-capable flash, the Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash is it.
