Hey all, does anybody have the 430ex ii flash? I bought one recently and it rarely flashes when I use it. It works the first few times and if I only use it every now and then, but when I shoot numerous shots in fairly quick succession I find that almost all of the time it doesn't flash.
Am I just not using it right? I have just put some brand new batteries in and it is still doing the same thing. It takes ages for the pilot light to come back on after a shot that does flash. I have the 450D if that helps in your answers.
It's frustrating because I bought an external flash because I thought the recycling times would be much better, but at this rate it's far worse than the built-in flash!
Hey.. a few thoughts.
Most flashes take a second or two to recharge I find, and the best way to combat that is to get a power pack if you plan to do lots of that kind of stuff. I never got one, but the few night jobs I had, I'd have the odd frame with no flash while its charging up. Was just something I lived with as I never got around to getting a power pack - I'd forget until stuck on a night shift again!
I've not used canon, but I wonder if setting flash to manual and dialing down the power should help with recharge time, plus a tip is to always use decent batteries, its not worth using cheap ones as the recycle time is appalling on those (but great price, lol).
and.. if you're getting a few good flashes and then none at all, then there may be something wrong with it..
@blightygal It takes longer and longer for it to recycle, I've just put new batteries in but they are cheap ones as they're the only ones in the house at the moment. I am wondering whether it's just the batteries and, as you say, their "appalling" recycle time...
I have the exact same setup as you do and I don't have any lag time in my flash. I can put it on continuous shooting and my flash fires right along with it.
Are you shooting with your flash in httl or manual?
Return the flash , i too have the same set up as u and karen and i never have lag ( only when batteries are getting low) . I dont know how to use my flash as yet , ive only taken it out of the box and put batteries in it lol works well
@chevymom@liipgloss Hey, I've tried both httl and manual, same problem with both. However I have reduced flash output to 1/16, 1/32, etc and that makes it a lot better. It flashes more often than not but still not all the time. I'm thinking it could be the cheapo batteries but I'm not sure... Do you both keep it on 1/1 for flash exposure?
I always use it on ETTL setting as it works off the lens or something like that and cos i dont know much about the settings , i should figure it out hey lol but go get urself some decent rechargeables ...i use 2700 MaH and i get alot out of them.
I remember you mentioning that you bought it online - maybe it's best to return it or ask the seller if he'd been having problems with it too? If he stated in the description that it was working well, then you should probably get your money back and look elsewhere before the return period has lapsed.
@indiannie_jones Hey annie, i ordered it online but picked it up instore. the retailer is reputable so if i continue to have problems then i will return it.
@pocketmouse I have a feeling it's a combination of using it on 1/1 flash power (max power) and crappy batteries, i will reduce output and get better batteries and let you know how it goes!
Cheap batteries will cause problems. Check the actual rating of the batteries - I use 2400s in my 580 EX and EX II flashes, and they work great. But they still have their limits!
With film we shot with a handheld Metz CL-45, connected to a big lump of battery on our belt. That could fire for a lot longer than a speedlight! But it's heavy and cumbersome. A battery pack, as has been suggested, will certainly help, but it also changes the way you shoot. I don't use them - I just carry multiple flashes and a belt-clip full of spare (rechargable and lithium) AA's.
Also, increasing your ISO will help dramatically. Going from 100 to 400 ISO will not only throw your light a lot further, but also increase your cycle times because your flash doesn't need to throw as much light. Look at the display on the back of your flash as you change ISO, and watch how the range increases. Granted my camera has better low-light capabilities, but I rarely shoot below ISO 800 at night, and usually more like 1600. I can get a whole wedding out of one set of batteries like that, though usually it requires one change towards the end (around the start of the reception, usually).
Also remember your 430 is working harder when it is trying to throw light at any distance, than say a 580. The 430 is a rough guide number (43), if you know about how those work. It's probably closer to 40 though.
@vikdaddy Oh, I see! That's different then - I would expect something from a store to perform better as I'd have more faith in them. Hope it works itself out! :)
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Most flashes take a second or two to recharge I find, and the best way to combat that is to get a power pack if you plan to do lots of that kind of stuff. I never got one, but the few night jobs I had, I'd have the odd frame with no flash while its charging up. Was just something I lived with as I never got around to getting a power pack - I'd forget until stuck on a night shift again!
I've not used canon, but I wonder if setting flash to manual and dialing down the power should help with recharge time, plus a tip is to always use decent batteries, its not worth using cheap ones as the recycle time is appalling on those (but great price, lol).
and.. if you're getting a few good flashes and then none at all, then there may be something wrong with it..
Are you shooting with your flash in httl or manual?
@pocketmouse I have a feeling it's a combination of using it on 1/1 flash power (max power) and crappy batteries, i will reduce output and get better batteries and let you know how it goes!
With film we shot with a handheld Metz CL-45, connected to a big lump of battery on our belt. That could fire for a lot longer than a speedlight! But it's heavy and cumbersome. A battery pack, as has been suggested, will certainly help, but it also changes the way you shoot. I don't use them - I just carry multiple flashes and a belt-clip full of spare (rechargable and lithium) AA's.
Also, increasing your ISO will help dramatically. Going from 100 to 400 ISO will not only throw your light a lot further, but also increase your cycle times because your flash doesn't need to throw as much light. Look at the display on the back of your flash as you change ISO, and watch how the range increases. Granted my camera has better low-light capabilities, but I rarely shoot below ISO 800 at night, and usually more like 1600. I can get a whole wedding out of one set of batteries like that, though usually it requires one change towards the end (around the start of the reception, usually).
Also remember your 430 is working harder when it is trying to throw light at any distance, than say a 580. The 430 is a rough guide number (43), if you know about how those work. It's probably closer to 40 though.