[Tobers]

Just received one for my birthday from my very understanding wife. Well, I bought it (from Kerso) and she wrapped it.

I've just about finished reading the slightly obtuse manual. Impressed so far. And I thought flashes just went **flash**. Beautiful build quality is the first thing you notice - it is really solid and nicely put together.

The buttons & screen on the back are fairly self explanatory, but there are many more functions than I had assumed there would be. Luckily there is an automatic mode - slap it on a 30D and it just sorts itself out. I love the way it zooms as you zoom the lens as well.

Features like strobe and 2nd curtain sync look like they will come in handy as well when I decide to get a bit more creative. I used 2nd curtain sync on my competition shot and managed to freeze the subjects hands very nicely - more exploration of this feature required I think.

I'm not sure I'll get into Strobist territory yet, but I do have some portraits of the sprogs to do for Xmas cards so will definitely be using it then.

[blackstone]

Happy belated birthday Tobers. I always enjoy reading your posts as a I have the same camera and the 430EX. Long way to go before I can get the full potential but always keen to learn from others on the board.

[Gordon @ Convergent AV]

mmmm new flash.....I can see the light. heheheh will need to test out it's capabilities somehow....

[scharf_10]

I'm planning on buying this closer to Christmas time. I'm expecting it to be some work to actually make the most of it, but i'm quite excited about trying it out as i've never used an external flash before.

Scharf.

[Radiohead]

It's a superb flash - and hugely powerful

Bounced in Av mode:

Bounced in manual:

Direct with diffuser in manual:

[iGiDK]

Originally Posted by Radiohead

It's a superb flash - and hugely powerful

Agreed, really pleased with mine - glad I chose it over the 430

[Tobers]

I think buying from Kerso gives you a similarish price as a 430 from Jessops. My 580 was £239 plus £10 postage. Jessops is £199 for the 430. Worth the extra IMHO if you already have the budget for the 430.

[salubrious_k]

I bought my 430EX from onestop-digital, great service and they've got excellent prices, sounds like the same as Kerso... £146 for the 430EX and £249 for the 580EX (including postage and duty)

Originally Posted by iGiDK

Agreed, really pleased with mine - glad I chose it over the 430

I've borrowed and/or hired the 580EX to do a number of weddings before getting my 430EX, and so far I don't see that much difference between the 430EX and 580EX.

I think the only things are:
- Once or twice I've wanted to use that little inbuilt diffuser card
- I much prefer the dial for changing flash exposure, but now I have my 5D it's much easier to do it on the camera
- Occasionally I find myself wanting to turn the flash more than 90° to the right which you can't do on the 430EX for some reason

I haven't yet been in a situation where I've required more flash power than the 430EX can output, but then I guess that that is going to happen one time or another. Has this happened to anyone on these forums? Where the power of the 430EX wasn't good enough?

[scharf_10]

Radiohead - Those 2nd and 3rd shots are two of my favourites from your website - I was going to try and comment in your website opinions thread, but I didn't bother attempting to explain. It looks really good what the flash is able to do, I'll need a little bit more experience though before I start working with manual more often and enabling myself to get results like those above

Scharf.

[pablodablo]

would you mind saying how much you paid tobers?

[deekc]

Originally Posted by Tobers

I think buying from Kerso gives you a similarish price as a 430 from Jessops. My 580 was £239 plus £10 postage. Jessops is £199 for the 430. Worth the extra IMHO if you already have the budget for the 430.

Don't forget the current Canon rebate on the 580EXII (£35) which would bring Kerso's price down even further.

[hot-fuzz]

Originally Posted by pablodablo

would you mind saying how much you paid tobers?

Originally Posted by Tobers

I think buying from Kerso gives you a similarish price as a 430 from Jessops. My 580 was £239 plus £10 postage. Jessops is £199 for the 430. Worth the extra IMHO if you already have the budget for the 430.

[appledell]

Just received my 580 from Kerso - brilliant price and service.

I have just been filling out the forms for the cashback and noticed that the warranty booklet with the serial number on it is different to the number on the box?

As far as I can tell, the unit has not been taken out of the box before receipt. Will I still get the cashback?

Thanks

[Tobers]

I'm sure it'll be OK. Just send it in and see what happens. Take photocopies of the receipt, barcode and application form just in case.