what does those numbers mean??

[edmontonguy]

I have a canon 430 flash and it has 35mm, 50mm, 105mm. What do those numbers mean.

[Marko]

Those numbers should correspond to the focal length of the lens you are using.

[edmontonguy]

Those numbers should correspond to the focal length of the lens you are using.
Thats all it means....Haha

Thats what I thought

[kat]

So do you go up for in between numbers or lower? After three months someone is still waiting on duracell to pay for her flash and haven't been able to play! I like your question

[scorpio_e]

The Canon Speedlite 220EX Flash is the least expensive of the Canon Speedlites and has fewest features.The 220EX has no provision for wireless operation.This is important since on-camera flash provides unnatural head-on lighting.There is an AF assist beam which is projected when the light is too low for normal AF operation.

You could use wireless triggers in manual mode. Of course, you would also loose focus assist.

[opener]

I'm not 100% knowledgable on the Canon series but usually the different focal numbers ( ie. 35mm, 50mm, 105mm ) are a two fold measure.

#1 As Marko stated, to coincide with your lenses.
#2 You can 'zoom' your flash. Simply, you can shoot your flash beyond what you need. When you need light and you aren't able to get closer.

For example: You're outside shooting birds in the woods on a cloudy day. You can zoom your flash to the farthest setting which will project your flash further out. This gives you that extra reach of light without you having to actually get closer, and most likely scaring the bird and losing yoru shot. A lot of pro bird shooters build homemade 'snoots' out of a cereal box and have their flashes set to the furthest setting.

That's how these guys are getting perfect exposure @ 500mm+ first thing in the A.M.

Also, for portrait shooters: Don your lens hood and 'un-zoom' the flash. Say you're using a 50mm lens, set your flash to 35mm and BAM! you have instant natural vignetting.