Flash specas are confusing, as are definitions of words..

Chances are really good the non-Canon does not have all the features of the 430EX, expecially wireless capability if you get a second flash later on..

BAK..

Ok thanks. I'm not so much worried about specific features i'm obviously very new at this. I'm more concerned with refresh times. If the sunpak is going to refresh at a good rate, that will keep me happy. I just didnt want something that took so long that the flash wont be ready when I need to fire off that second shot fast...

If you fire the flash at full power, no matter which brand, it will take about 4 seconds to recycle unless you are using the external battery pack. The Canon 580EX II can use the external battery pack, and only $350 after the $50 instant rebate..

Http://www.amazon.com/...-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325Here is the battery pack, CP-E4:.

Http://www.amazon.com/...-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325You still need to let the flash take a break after 15 continuous shots.YongboPhoto Gallery: http://www.photo96.com/Blog: http://www.photo96.com/blog/index.php.

Image control:Zoom outZoom 100%Zoom inExpand AllOpen in new window..

Unfortunately I must agree with BAK  I tried going cheap (in my case dedicated Sigma) as did some friends and now a few years latter we own the Canon and Nikon versions..

The flash systems send and receive deal of information from and to the camera's, and it seems as though 3rd party manufacturers are not able to keep up with the advancement as well as they did with our film old cameras..

RegardsRay.

BAK wrote:.

Flash specas are confusing, as are definitions of words..

Chances are really good the non-Canon does not have all the featuresof the 430EX, expecially wireless capability if you get a secondflash later on..

BAK.

Http://www.pbase.com/ray645..

Speedster00 wrote:.

Is the canon430ex that much better than the Sunpak DF2800CBB?.

Hard to tell exactly what the specs of the Sunpak are, looks to be a model specific to Best Buy. However it appears to be the same as the PF30XC:.

Http://www.tocad.com/images/PF30X.pdf.

The Sunpak isn't even close to the 430EX. For instance, the Sunpak:.

- tilts, but does not swivel (bad for bounce in portrait orientation)- less output (gn 30, compared to 43 for the 430ex)- no zoom head.

- coverage set at same as 35mm lens (i.e. about 22mm on a rebel). 430EX covers as wide as 14mm.- two batteries instead of four, which explains the 10s recycle time- no support for wireless E-TTL.

A better comparison for the Sunpak would be to the 220EX. The Sunpak has a tilt head and a bit more power. The 220EX has wider coverage and faster recycling. Prices are similar..

BTW, price on a 430EX isn't $299, you can easily get it from reputable sources for under $250..

Seen in a fortune cookie:Fear is the darkroom where negatives are developed..

When I was buying mine, I was surprised how little price difference there was between the 430EX and genuinely similar alternatives. There are much cheaper units, but when you compare the specs they fall a long way short. So knowing that I would have to pay close to the price of the 430EX, I figured I might as well go for the best (and safest) option. I'm very pleased with it..

The next one will be more difficult, because the 430EX is a wireless slave only, so for a two-flash setup I will have to stump up for the 580EX (and for full compatibility with the 40D, a 580EX II which is even dearer)...

There's an intermediate option between new Canon flashes and 3rd party: Canon's 550EX. Canon no longer sells new 550EX's, but they're fairly plentiful on eBay. Just get one that hasn't been overused or abused..

The 550 has about the same power and nearly all the same features as a 580EX for less money. Like others, I would stay away from 3rd party - at some point or other you may run into a feature that doesn't work right..

The advantage of a 550 or 580 over a 430 is power. At some point you may want to use gels, like to balance the flash with tungsten light, or light modifiers like mini softboxes. Any of these will cut the light output by from 1/2 to 2 f-stops, quickly taking a 430 down to not much usable light..

Hope this helps, and welcome!.

Mike D.http://www.mikedphoto.smugmug.com..

Thanks for all your advise guys....I'll stick with the canon..