The Canon Speedlite 430EX II is similar to its predecessor the 430EX pictured here.
The Canon Speedlite 430EX II is the successor to the Canon Speedlite 430EX. The most significant improvements include a 20 percent faster and quieter recycling time, and a new mounting foot with an easier to use release and locking mechanism. The flash unit looks similar to the previous model, with the only real visible difference being the aforementioned mounting foot. The flash is designed to work with all of Canon's digital single lens reflex (DSLRs) in either Canon's E-TTL (electronic through the lens) metering system or in manual mode.
Instructions
1. Turn the Canon Speedlite 430EX II and your Canon DSLR off, slide the Speedlite onto the camera's hot shoe, and lock it into place by sliding the locking level to the right.
2. Turn the camera and flash unit on. Press the "Mode" button on the back of the flash until the letters "E-TTL" appear in the upper left corner of the flash's LCD (liquid crystal display) screen. Set the camera exposure mode dial to "Tv" for shutter priority and set the shutter speed at 1/125th of second. The flash will work in any of the exposure mode settings, other than the "Flash Off" setting. While the flash will sync with the camera's shutter at speeds up to 1/250th of second, 1/125 is a good speed and won't exhaust the flash's batteries as quickly.
3. Press the button on the side of flash head and tilt the flash head toward the ceiling. This is called bounce flash, and it produces a more natural light. If you are shooting with the camera in a vertical position, you can also swivel the flash head so it points toward the ceiling to accomplish the same results.
4. Hold the camera to your eye, look through the viewfinder, and press the shutter release half way to activate the camera's metering and auto-focusing systems. You will see a small lightning bolt in the bottom of the viewfinder. This is the flash indicator light letting you know the flash is ready to be used.
5. Press the shutter release the rest of the way to take the picture.
Tags: Canon Speedlite, Canon Speedlite 430EX, flash head, exposure mode, flash unit
