420 ex or sigma 500 DG super?

[Keiffer]

Guys, I would like to get a flash for my D60 and use it on camera. Which one am I better off going with? I will use it mainly outside as fill flash and for catch lights. Suggestions are desperately needed, Thanks

[m3elmo]

you have 1000 posts but you don't know about the lighting forum?

to answer your question, i'd go wtih the 500DG Super. It's not a canon but a tad more features

[Keiffer]

Thanks for the sarcasm M3, Yeah I do know about the lighting forum but I was bouncing back and forth and didn't realize where I was when I posted it, I figured a Mod would move it. Thanks for the answer though.

[woodb01]

Guys, I would like to get a flash for my D60 and use it on camera. Which one am I better off going with? I will use it mainly outside as fill flash and for catch lights. Suggestions are desperately needed, Thanks

I have the Sigma, you can find them now for around $170 (in the U.S.), and it's a really good flash.

Here is some review info on the Sigma flash from a shutterbug doing some camera testing:

http://www.shutterbug.net/test_reports/1101sb_sigma/

Accessory EF 500 Super Flash Unit

The latest of the high-end Sigma flash units, the EF 500 Super is among the most full featured of the affordable models made by independent manufacturers. This is a large but lightweight unit with full information LCD data panel, intended to compete with the camera maker’s flash units. Although I have used it only with the SA-9, it’s available for most brands of autofocus SLRs. Actual capabilities vary depending on the brand/model of the camera; Sigma particularly emphasizes increased compatibility with new high tech SLRs. Models intended for Nikon support the cameras’ 3D multi-sensor balanced fill flash function and the models for Canon support E-TTL pre-flash with the latest EOS cameras. For additional specifics on compatibility with your SLR visit www.sigma-photo.com (http://www.sigma-photo.com) or check with a Sigma dealer.

The EF 500 Super includes a motorized zoom head that adjusts automatically for focal lengths from 28-105mm. With its built-in wide angle adapter panel, it’s suitable for use with lenses as short as 17mm. Naturally, you’ll find tilt and swivel capability, including downward tilt for subjects that are very close to the camera. Familiar operating modes include TTL and fully Manual with full and reduced power settings. However, it also offers a multimode that generates up to 100 flashes during a single exposure at a frequency from 1-199Hz, for motion studies.

More importantly, perhaps, it will support high-speed flash sync with certain brands and models of cameras, including the SA series. This allows for off-camera flash without the hassle or expense of a connecting cord but at a top sync speed of only 1/60 sec. The remote EF 500 Super is triggered by the light from the built-in flash; thanks to TTL metering, no calculations are required for accurate exposure.

One or more remote EF 500 Super flash units can also be used in non-TTL slave flash mode with most cameras; the remote flash is triggered by any on-camera flash unit. This process is not as quick, simple, or quite as automatic but experienced photographers who read the instructions will have no difficulty producing advanced lighting effects.

In its FP Flash mode, the unit will allow for flash photography at sync speeds much higher than usual, with cameras that support this feature. However, you must then set both the camera and flash to the Manual mode. Then, you must make some calculations as to the correct aperture to set on the camera, guided by data on the LCD panel of the flash unit. This is all well explained in the instruction manual, but may be too complicated for many owners. Think of this as an advanced feature for use when you have time to experiment.

Other useful features (with many cameras) include second curtain sync (so light trails follow the subject instead of preceding it), redeye reduction mode (pre-flash), and modeling flash. The latter fires a burst at the touch of a button so you can preview the flash effect; because the burst is so short you won’t have much time to evaluate the lighting but with some experience, modeling flash can be useful. In my estimation, most photographers will find the flash exposure compensation control most valuable. This is great for reducing flash output on sunny days, for extremely subtle fill flash, even gentler than the camera provides in automatic fill flash. It’s also useful in strong backlighting; for example, set a +1 or +1.5 EV factor to help prevent underexposure with portrait subjects against an extremely bright background. For more advanced effects, set flash exposure compensation for the subject and ambient light exposure compensation (on the camera) to control background brightness.

Sigma also offers a more affordable flash unit, the EF 500 ST, with some of the same basic capabilities as the Super model. This is a less advanced model with the same Guide Number and zoom head, but without features such as multi-pulse, wireless, or high-speed sync. Contact Sigma or visit their web site for additional information. Both models set fairly long shutter speeds in Aperture Priority AE mode in low light, useful for slow-sync effects; switch to other modes for faster sync speeds to avoid image blur from camera or subject movement. In the camera’s Manual mode, you can set various combinations of aperture/shutter speed, guided by data provided in the camera’s viewfinder, warning of possible over or underexposure.

Evaluation:

The EF 500 Super includes the capabilities to satisfy the most advanced and experienced photographer, but it can also serve as a simple, TTL auto flash that provides pleasing results. A fully automatic high-speed sync mode would certainly make it more desirable, but this feature is not something that we use frequently in any event. Especially with the SA-9--and other brands of cameras with 1/180 sec or faster flash sync speed--there’s no major need for higher speeds.

While this model offers some advanced options, I suspect that most owners will use it in the standard TTL mode perhaps with some flash exposure compensation. But do try using it off-camera in wireless TTL remote mode. I found that it’s easy to get good exposures as long as the subject is within 16 ft of the flash unit. I often used this capability, generally holding the flash above and to the side of the subject, for a natural lighting effect. Indoors, hold the remote flash as high as possible in people photography; shadows will fall below the subjects and not on the wall behind them. This can significantly improve flash photographs.

Extensive testing of the many flash capabilities will be required but my preliminary conclusion is this: When used with a camera that supports all of its capabilities, the EF 500 Super offers a lot of user control over subject lighting. Granted, some of the many flash options are rather complicated, and call for a thorough reading of the instructions plus lots of practice. However, this unit can also be simple to use in TTL mode and provides predictable results automatically without any calculations or fussing.

[Pyromaniac]

I have the Sigma, you can find them now for around $170 (in the U.S.), and it's a really good flash.

Where can I find one for $170? I just did a yahoo search and cheapest I found was about $200.

[Keiffer]

Thanks Wood! Wow lots of info, and yes where for 170?

[tucked]

I got mine from 47 st photo, off ebay a few months ago... I believe I paid 179. Excellent transaction.

[goatee]

Otherwise have a think about a secondhand Metz 54 MZ-3 - stick it on Auto, and you have an awesome flash - it's not got a wireless link, so if you're thinking of going that way, you may not want it, but it has bags of power, a bounce and swivel head, an easy to use interface, a secondary reflector (think built in Lumiquest 80-20) and it's a gazillion times more reliable than ETTL. Can't recommend it enough :)

[Keiffer]

Thanks guys for the responses, You guys Rock! I will check 47st photo out and defintely look into Metz:-)

[Croasdail]

Also don't forget about sigma4less.com, they usually have good prices on these.

[alfa1six4]

Also check your local craigslist, I found mine there for $150.

[woodb01]

I just checked and EVERYBODY has raised the price on the Sigma flash! It's gone up between $25 - $50+ in a matter of a few weeks!

I'm actually a bit surprised. Looks like they're all around $200 now...

[woodb01]

Did run into this one here:

http://www.prestigecamera.com/product~id~cnef500ttlcn.htm

$179