Canon's best-selling speedlite flash is the 430EX, successor to the popular Speedlite 420EX. Canon has incorporated several improvements in the Speedlite 430EX to enhance the overall quality of photos taken with a flash. First, the 430EX has a noticeably faster recycling time than its predecessor, and a larger guide number (43 m/ISO 100 at 105mm). The device is also more responsive with automatic selection of white-balance settings and auto-adjustment of the zoom flash to match the size of the camera's sensor. The Canon 430EX's ultra-bright, two-LED focus assist-beam is also compatible with all EOS AF systems up to 9-point AF.

Flash coverage by the 430EX is very good. The speedlite's flash head zoom has a 24mm to 105mm range with an extension to 14mm if the integrated diffusion panel is used. The 430EX can actually detect the model of camera it is attached to, allowing it to narrow the angle of coverage for cameras with less than full-frame sensors, such as the EOS 20D. This helps to focus light toward the center and increase the effective flash range.


The 430EX Speedlite is also relatively easy to work with. A LCD panel on the back clearly displays important modes and settings. A single release button allows you to control bounce head angle and positioning of the flash head. In 5 settings you can move the flash head from 0 to 90 degrees, left from 0 to 180 degrees in 7 settings, and right from 0 to 90 degrees in 4 settings.

Key Features

• Automatic selection of camera white-balance settings and auto-adjustment of zoom flash position to match camera's sensor size
• Flash head zoom covers the range 24mm to 105mm; integrated diffusion panel allows extends coverage to 14mm
• Compatible with distance-linked E-TTL II system; supports other EOS cameras that do not support E-TTL II, when required
• Flash head moves up from 0 to 90 degrees, left from 0 to 180 degrees, and right from 0 to 90 degrees

Specifications

• Type: Mode: E-TTL II, E-TTL, TTL
• Compatible Cameras: All Canon EOS cameras; PowerShot Pro1, G6, G5, G3 and G2
• Guide Number: 141 ft./43m (at ISO 100); flash head at 105mm zoom setting
• Flash Coverage: Fixed condenser lens with inner zoom: (1) Auto Zoom, (2) Manual Zoom, (3) Wide Panel
• Zoom positions: 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm, 80mm, 105mm; Indicated by numerals on the LCD's focal length display
• Image Size Zoom Control: With cameras compatible with auto zoom, it zooms automatically to match the camera's image size
• Number of Flashes: Approx. 200 to 1,400, with AA-size Alkaline Batteries manufactured within the last three months or AA-size Ni-MH fully charged batteries.
• Recycling Time: Approx. 0.1 to 3.7 seconds (AA-size Alkaline Batteries)/0.1 to 2 seconds (AA-size Ni-MH batteries)
• Flash Range: At ISO 100, with EF 50mm f/1.4
• For normal flash: Approx. 2.3-79.7 ft./0.7-24.3m
• For high sync speed (EF flash): Approx. 2.3-39.4 ft./0.7-12m
• AF Assist Beam: Built-in; covers all focus points in EOS cameras up to 9 AF points
• Effective range:
• At center: Approx. 2.3-32.8 ft./0.7-10m
• Periphery: Approx. 2.3-16.4 ft./0.7-5m (in total darkness)
• Custom Functions: Six user-selectable Custom Functions built-in; set on Speedlite's LCD panel
• Power Source: Four AA-size Alkaline Batteries (6V); Four AA-size Ni-MH (4.8V)
• Dimensions: 2.8 x 4.8 x 4.0 in./72 x 122 x 101mm
• Weight: 11.6 oz./330g (without batteries)