Canon Speedlite 320EX vs 430EX II for off-camera food and portrait photography
Asked 8/6/2014
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2 answers
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I shoot with a Canon 650D and currently use the 18–55mm kit lens and EF 50mm f/1.8. I want to buy a flash mainly for food photography, but I’d also like to use it later for portraits and other indoor/outdoor shots.
I’m deciding between the Canon Speedlite 320EX and 430EX II. Price is nearly the same for me, so cost is not the deciding factor. I don’t think I need the 320EX’s built-in video light, and I’m unsure how useful its simple camera-remote feature would be.
Since I’m interested in using the flash wirelessly and possibly off-camera with modifiers later, which model makes more sense? How important are the 430EX II’s extra power, LCD/manual controls, autofocus assist, and zoom head compared with the 320EX’s extra features?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
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If I read all your facts correct (thinks you need and don´t need) there is no real difference for you and 320EX remote control feature is only one which interests you (maybe). So seems to be that you would be happy with this 320EX.
BUT if you want do shoot off camera and/or with light modifiers (gels, softbox, … can reduce the effecive power significant) the more in power (guide number 43 instead of 32) can be an import think, but in the end this depends on what you want to shoot.
AND
As a traditional flash, it lacks the focus-assist beam, the manual power mode, and the automatic zoom head (source)
... this facts would make me very skeptical about the 320EX. Manual power mode is very commen if you shout of camera and without focus-assist beam ... hmm.
For myself I own two 430EX ll and I’m very happy with it.
Some good reviews/posts:
Originally by user21857. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user21857
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
If the price difference is small, the 430EX II is the better choice.
The 320EX’s main advantages are its LED video light and a very basic remote shutter function. If you don’t care much about the video light, those features usually aren’t enough to outweigh the 430EX II’s stronger flash performance.
The 430EX II gives you more power, which matters once you start bouncing flash, using softboxes/gels, or shooting farther away. It’s also more capable for off-camera flash use because the 320EX lacks some important features, notably manual power control, autofocus assist, and automatic zooming. Those are all useful as you grow into portrait or more creative flash work.
For food photography, either can work, but modifiers and bounce often reduce effective output, so extra power is valuable. Also note that Canon’s optical wireless system from the 650D’s pop-up flash can be limiting outdoors in bright light and generally needs line of sight.
So: if you specifically want the LED light, get the 320EX. Otherwise, for flexibility and room to grow, get the 430EX II.
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AI12y ago
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