As Aufsteckblitz eg on a Canon EOS 600D is the 430EX II, to the extent that the EOS 600D is at all possible, ideal for snapshots in low light, indoors or as a fill-in flash outdoors, in these situations, working camera and dedicated flash well together. That was also one of the reasons which led me to buy.
Now do not want to make any all day just snapshots, but might also set a few times Topics in peace as much as possible in scene. That is then usually: take flash of the camera, set up a tripod and set the camera and flash to "M". And since then drops to know that the concept of the 430EX II Canon is very "self" and that the 430EX II, at least in the 'Canon-universe "still belongs despite its price for entry-level.
As example would be the matter of the "Wireless Mode": Since Canon has cooked his very own thing and that is only compatible to another Canon system flashguns goes without saying, but also the technical implementation itself is questionable, the system. Although "wireless", but there is no "spark", ie the Wireless Mode abeitet about flashes of light and infrared. In order for the wireless mode, for example, is working on an EOS 600D has the built-in flash or an optional plugged master-capable Canon System flash (the 430EX II itself is not master capable), to be activated, which one does not really want to have forever, because which can in extreme cases lead to the fact that you unintentionally the flash of the master flash unit has with on the recording, though this may only happen very rarely, but would not have to be. For me it's like, as much as possible to work not one thing nor the beginning with smaller setups or under studio conditions and, sooner or later you find yourself in a situation where we still "real" radio trigger required (eg Pocket Wizard or as a cheap solution, the new E-TTL capable of Yongnuo).
My compliments to the programmers who knitted the Canon "Light" Wireless System, but in my opinion Canon would have done better to bring your own E-TTL wireless modules on the market, in the more expensive system-flashes would have this course also can integrate the same.
And that I do not understand: The 430EX II can be controlled in wireless mode via light flashes from the camera, so has definitely a "photocell", but features do not have a classical "Optical Slave Mode", (ie, can be not set up so that it automatically mitblitzt if a different flash will fire).
It is these little things on the 430EX II, then let the average income always say, "Oh, but at this price because you would have at least"
The feel of the control keys, for example: In order to ever do something, you have to press so hard that you could wish for almost back the flash intensity could not quite as fine grade!
Then even the operating philosophy of the 430EX II or its key assignment, you can argue about it, but that's not intuitive, eg compared to the keypad of purely manual and non-E-TTL capable Yongnuo 560 II.
The flash foot-quick lock: If indeed faster but is used to and then sit but not as strong as with a knurled screw. (Well, yeah, this is certainly not about the price, it was just simply something again brisk new present).
Ok, with a jack, or at least a PC sync socket on the 430EX II is now probably really could not count, but would have been nice, but what is missing is definitely a battery / battery charge indicator!
These are now all no knock-out criteria for the 430EX II, but it shows where the Canon
430EX II positioned, namely a pure system accessories for Canon EOS cameras and not as a universal flash for experimenters.
Now to what I spontaneously well find the 430EX II:
Fine grading of the flash intensity possible.
Loads quickly.
No whistles loading.
Has its own AF illuminator.
Simple HSS mode.
Can be as compact flash on the camera (here EOS 600D) use as simple as the fixed built-in flash or replace it completely, prima if you want to worry about anything.
Conclusion:
As a pure fully integrated compact flash, or if you already want to specify only a single flash of a current Canon EOS camera, I find the 430EX II prima! Where you then have a little come to ponder if you look at the facilities and especially the prices of the E-TTL (II) compatible flash alternatives look example of Metz, are really so much worse? If so, then the 430EX II would actually deserves 5 stars.
I am just of the opinion that single flash alone can be boring very quickly and given the purchase price of the 430EX II, the integrated wireless solution from Canon can be proprietary and homespun me.
Well, who neatly made money with photography which is anyway not care, then a box buys halt full of 430EX II and another full of Pocket Wizards, then also no longer has anything to complain about!
From my very good 3 star for the Canon Speedlite 430EX II, (I'll keep it of course!).