Sigma EF-430 Super for a 300d?

[AirBrontosaurus]

Since I only have the 300D (no E-TTL II), would the Sigma EF-430 Super work well for me? I like the Sigma ef-500 super, but it's really expensive and seems to have a lot of features that I don't think I'd use. I do some macro-esque work, but really I just need a flash to take pictures in less-than-ideal lighting (the built-in one sucks, obviously).

Does anyone have an links to reviews or any more information about the Sigma EF-430 Super? Thanks

[tim]

What's a Sigma EF-430? I've never heard of it. There's a Canon 430EX, and there's a Sigma 500 super dg (the sigma has a bunch of letters).

[cdifoto]

What's a Sigma EF-430? I've never heard of it. There's a Canon 430EX, and there's a Sigma 500 super dg (the sigma has a bunch of letters).

Sigma EF-430 Super (http://www.digitalfotoclub.com/sc/from-pricegrabber.asp?id=744352006&rf=pg&dfdate=03_03_2006)

[tim]

Interesting, I didn't even know it existed, I don't remember anyone mentioning before (though a search shows a bunch of results).

[cdifoto]

I didn't know it existed either...until this thread came up. heh.

[Headcase650]

Its not listed on the sigma website. It may be an old modle, the link provided above is for a dedicated minolta system and wouldnt work on a canon.

[cdifoto]

Its not listed on the sigma website. It may be an old modle, the link provided above is for a dedicated minolta system and wouldnt work on a canon.

Yeah it has to be an older discontinued model. That was the only retail link I could find regardless of the mount.

PS: Don't buy the one I linked to unless you're a traitor! :eek: :)

[AirBrontosaurus]

Haha! Me... a traitor? NEVER! I found a few for canon mounts.
Here is one from Adorama (http://%5Bhttp://www.adorama.com/US%20%20%20%20204078.html?searchinfo=ef-430&item_no=4)
And there are a few on e-bay right now ( here's one (http://%5Bhttp://cgi.ebay.com/SIGMA-EF-430-FLASH-CANON-EOS-20D-10D-NIKON-SPEEDLITE_W0QQitemZ7595289177QQcategoryZ48515QQssP ageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) for $50 shipped!)

I can't find any information on them either, and I'm sure they're heavily discontinued. Also, the only customer reviews I see are people who have camers like the Rebel G, Elan II and other FILM cameras. It claims it has E-TTL (which would be great for my 300D) but I don't know if it works on digital cameras. If it works, that would be awesome, but something tells me it only functions properly on film cameras. It's a shame too, because it has all the features I want and it's really cheap. oh well...

[cdifoto]

Try the eBay one. For 50 bucks you can't really go too wrong. Resell it if it doesn't work. I see the prongs and they look like the 4 E-TTL II prongs you need so it should work.

[AirBrontosaurus]

Well, I bit the bullet and ponied up the $50. I'll post back soon and tell you guys if it works or not. Thanks for the help.

[AirBrontosaurus]

Update: The flash works great! All the modes engage, and things like high-speed sync and multi-flash work well. The only real problem is that all my pictures are DRASTICALLY overexposed, and the camera makes aperture and shutterspeed calculations as though the flash wasn't there at all, although it does see and engage the flash at the right times (this might have to do with metering modes, or I might just need more practice). However, manual mode works fine, and I'm still experimenting with the different features.

In conclusion: Sigma EF-430 Super + Canon EOS 300D = Great lighting, just needs a little practice to get the right exposure.

[cdifoto]

Sounds like all is well as it should be. Read the EOS Flash Bible in my signature. It explains how flash metering works with Canon.