Canon Speedlight 430 EX III-RT The best on camera flash for Canon. A review after many assignments

I have been using the Canon 430 EX III RT Speedlight flashgun for a while and have shot many successful professional photography assignments with it. In this video I share my thoughts about whether this is the best flash for canon cameras and how it stacks up against the other options from brands such as Godox. I have been using the flashgun with the Canon R5 Mirrorless camera and the 5d mark IV DSLR full frame camera. All opinions are my own based on my own experience. Feel free to comment or ask questions. Thanks for watching!

RR

[anthonyde]

Great video thank you. The orange filter is not to warm up the scene it is to bring down the color temperature From 5, 500Which would be just flash down to around 3, 000 to match ambient light inside a room or something on that respect.

[SDNPHOTOS]

This answered all my questions about the flash that a lot of other people took almost an hour with information overload explaining in confusing manners. Thank you.

[GB-AK]

On my R5 I set my DOF button to open the flash menu, I can then easily change the flash settings (like high speed sync) via the screen instead of the small flash menu.

[garrywatters]

I use mine for HSS when doing bird photography in M mode to act as a fill light and also to either dim or remove any background. It separates the bird from the background as well if used in AV mode.

[corgis]

Hey Roy! I bought a speedlite from Canon based on your review. Thanks for putting me on the right path - have a lovely weekend!

[jondemetrius]

just purchased Speedlite EL-5 for my r6 mk2. i some situation with real estate shoots, there isn't enough light even on sunny days.

[Twobarpsi]

I just bought a used 430EX-II. I didn't need the wireless functionality of the RT. Got for $60 used from MPB!! I paid more for the Eneloop (8) batteries than the flash. It works FLAWLESSLY with my 5D MKII and 250D. There's just something magical about Canon products. They just work!

[bryanbaskett]

Another excellent review Roy! I picked the 430 EX III-RT used on a Good will auction site for $50 U.S.. Was like brand new. Excellent flash! Shot a High School sports banquet recently one set of batteries. Totally agree on the blinding bright red light on the back, and the Off/Lock/On switch. Overall excellent flash!

[robertlawrence]

It's a great little flash and it works well. The remote control (radio) applications are incredible although I do find a lot of that quite complex for my simple brain.

[mikebandana]

Part of the solution sounds good, so i found a used one for 100 Euros. Its really nice. Good thing is also that the Mk-III has RT, so it can be used as Master.

[pembridgehouse]

Thanks. I have a more basic 430Ex model but it is a;ll you say this one is. Very reliable.

[adrianlynch]

Nice to have you back making videos Roy on YouTubes smallest photography channel 🙂. I can't really bring anything to the party on this. I have a 430 EX II which I don't think I have had a problem with but I am only a hobbist.

[AndySnap]

I'm a bit late catching this, but you're spot on, the 430 is a really good flashgun, while the Godox are great too, but not quite 'there' compared to the Canon. I've got 7 Godox flashguns, mostly bought secondhand so really cheap, and they make for very good & useful off camera flash units, but can go weird with exposure on-camera. I've got 2 430ii, both recently died after a very long hard life, but replacing them will only cost about £60-70 secondhand, so that's the way to go for me over buying the 430iii RT. Fingers crossed, my R5 hotshoes are still good after repairs on both bodies...

[kunstfuhrer]

Nice to see you, thanks for the review 🎉

[jaydmhearne]

Roy?! Where are you?! We want Roy! Hope you’re doing ok! Would be great to see a video soon! I was a canon man all my life…thinking of experimenting with Sony for a while now though. Feels like I’m going through a breakup mentally. 14 bit colour depth and custom camera luts importable directly to the camera…Any thoughts? Are Canon behind the 🎱 on this? Thanks

[kokliangchew]

Just by coincidence, I just bought a used Canon 430 EX III Speedlite n near mint condition. Less than half the price of a brand new one. I actually prefered Godox flashes due to their price and rechargeable batteries. However, my Canon R8 does not function fully or is fully compatible with current Godox flashes. Canon pulling its old closed system trick again. The 430 EX III was one of Canon's recommended flash which was fully compatible, think was something to do with the extra central pin in the hot shoe of the new R cameras.

[mikegregory]

I like these small units. The 600’s are too big for on camera. In your experience with the R5 is TTL trustworthy enough to not bother with manual mode? Thanks.

[sohalgagan]

Great video.. does this work well with canon r50? Kindly reply.. TIA

[kinsersprint]

Why is 430 the best ? I have Canon 600 Ext RT mk 2 flash I was told it's top of the line? I also have Canon El 100 Speedlite Flash and I really like it !

[willdorak]

Yeah, if you are in the middle of a crowd during an event it's hard to carry a lighting system around. A speedlite is the only option.