Non-Canon flashes

[jabel119]

Anybody here using a non-canon, e-ttl compatible flash? I'd like to know what you are using and what you like and dislike about it. I love my 540ez but there are situations where I just can't use it in manual mode. Thanks!

[lostdoggy]

Sigma 500dg Super. I works fine.

[Curtis N]

Yeah there are lots of Sigma Super users here. Also a few with the Promaster 7500DX. They all seem to work according to their specifications. You'll want to compare them carefully.

I believe the Promaster lacks high speed sync.

[JMHPhotography]

Sigma Super is a decent unit... but I've got a 580EX now because a couple things drove me nuts about the Sigma.

Battery door not very inspiring(popped open a few times on it's own during use)

FP(high speed sync) disables itself when automatically turns itself off when shutter falls below max sync speeds.

One thing that really drove me nuts is the fact that the swivel only went 180° in one direction. And the other only 90° I had to hold my camera shutter release DOWN in some cases to get the bounce I wanted. The 580EX goes 180° in both directions. :)

Things I like about the Sigma that the 580EX doesn't have... built in optical slave mode.

Things about the 580EX that the Sigma doesn't have:
One button tilt/swivel head
external battery connection
custom functions
auto adjust for crop camera's
more POWER! :)

[Pamela107]

I would like to use my Sunpak 422D, go to the link

www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=228311

where I have a post.

[Wilt]

Metz. Superbly dependable for consistency of Auto flash exposure, so has been the mainstay of thousands of professionals over the years. Custom interfaced to many many brands and models of cameras with the change of the 'personality' module and will support not only ETTL from Canon but also the other xTTL permutations of other brands as well as the ultrareliable TTL mode of countless film cameras. Manual exposure at 5 output levels.

[MagicallyDelicious]

Battery door not very inspiring(popped open a few times on it's own during use)



I find that too. Its not sprung open yet but i feel like im going to break it every time i try and open and close it¬!

[Redbird_xo]

Sigma DG Super also lacks a PC sync terminal. I have yet to locate some inexpensive radio trigger that will work with the Sigma in Manual Flash mode (as opposed to Normal Slave Flash mode, aka optical slave mode).

I chose Sigma for its many merits.

[Curtis N]

Sigma DG Super also lacks a PC sync terminal. I have yet to locate some inexpensive radio trigger that will work with the Sigma in Manual Flash mode (as opposed to Normal Slave Flash mode, aka optical slave mode).I don't think you'll find one. I even tried firing my Sigma Super with a PC cord - hotshoe adapter. It only works if you use the optical slave mode. You still can adjust the power just like manual mode, but you would need to tape over the sensor if you're concerned about it firing from other flash sources.

And just to clarify, the Canon Speedlites don't have PC cord terminals, either.

[JMHPhotography]

I have to add some more information to this thread. I've got the 580EX now... and I'm really thinking that the extra $150.00 over the cost of the Sigma is well worth it.

Build quality isn't even a fair comparison. I give the Sigma a gentle shake and can hear stuff rattling inside. Nothing crazy... but it's there. The Canon... I hear NOTHING. It feels heavier, but it isn't heavy. Just more solid and well built.

Ok... a few things that I was even surprised about.

Manual flash mode not only does the 1/128 to 1/1 range like the Sigma, but it also does it in 1/3 stop increments.

The AF assist beam from the Sigma is basically a small circle pattern made up of vertical lines. The Canon.. well it depends on the AF point chosen. If you pick the top center, center, or bottom center(held in landscape orientation) you get the vertical lines but they are much longer than the sigma. If you pick one of the other 6, you get a big box pattern. If you select alll 9, you get both and they criss cross. This is just AWESOME!!! On the flash flip bracket, I couldn't get AF lock in a dark reception hall with the camera in vertical position with the Sigma because the AF point used (center point) would not line up with the AF assist beam. This Canon flash will resolve that problem.

I really love the idea of external power and being able to charge the flash with both internal and external power... or just external power.

[Redbird_xo]

I don't think you'll find one. I even tried firing my Sigma Super with a PC cord - hotshoe adapter. It only works if you use the optical slave mode. You still can adjust the power just like manual mode, but you would need to tape over the sensor if you're concerned about it firing from other flash sources.

And just to clarify, the Canon Speedlites don't have PC cord terminals, either.

I hear you about the Sigma. Luckily though, I mainly shoot pictures indoor in homes or private rooms at restaurants with nobody else taking pictures with flash. Using Sigma in Normal Slave Flash mode is fine for now.

For some odd reason, I always thought that 580EX has a PC sync terminal. I'd better shut up when it comes to things that I don't own or haven't used. :confused:

[Nick_C]

Sounds like the 580 is quite a lot better than the Sigma, I havent had the battery door open on its own yet, but I do agree it feels a little sus!

I think the 580 is the ultimate flash to buy, but then again I would hope it would beat the Sigma considering its very close to twice the price.

I do love the looks of the 580, very classy!!

Nick :-)

[Statement]

I was thinking of getting the sigma but now everyone's making me think I should buy the 550.....Wallet=:(

[JMHPhotography]

I was thinking of getting the sigma but now everyone's making me think I should buy the 550.....Wallet=:(

If you aren't going to be flipping it on a flash bracket 150 times a night, don't do a whole lot of flash bracket photography in low light situations, and can deal with the FP flash issue.. I say get the Sigma. As far as being a great artificial light source, the Sigma Super is a very acceptable piece of gear. I only upgraded to the 580EX because I was annoyed at the FP flash sync issue and the battery door popped open a few times at a couple of weddings, and the AF assist beam was not large enough to help out in the low lighting of a reception hall, when the flash was flipped in portrait mode. To get around it, I'd hold the bracket with the flash in the normal position to lock focus.. then I'd flip it over to get the shot. Pain in the arse. But as a standard camera mounted flash in ETTL mode, it works just fine. It has good range and has lots of features that only the best flashes on the market have.

[jrjphoto]

I use a Nikon SB-28 which I have mounted on a swivel shoe mount clamp atop a 12' light stand. Attached to that, I have a Photoflex adjustable umbrella. I fire the strobe remotely using a pair of PocketWizards which hangs off the flash and is also attached to the stand via ball bungees.

The SB-28 is NOT attached to the camera in any way.

I'm not afraid of the two frying each other because all the paperwork I've read suggests that there would not be enough current to do any damage. Still, I'm not going to. Besides, I have a perfectly good 420EX which I can mount to my 20D's hot shoe any time I want.

And if I want a multi-light setup, I can mount the 420EX on another light stand with another swivel shoe mount clamp and fire it remotely with another PocketWizard attached to it using a PC male to hot shoe adapter cord (because Canon doesn't put PC Sync ports on its Speedlites anymore).

To frak with the light, I can use another umbrella or one of my DIY light modifiers.

Anyway, the off-camera flash thing is where it's at. However, the downsides are cost (PocketWizards are $187 a pop, and you'll need at least two) and you will not have the safety blanket of TTL which might be too much for a beginning photog.

The pros, however, are full portability, it's relatively cheap compared to pack and head systems, speedlites generally use AA batteries which you can get anywhere for cheap, and you get sweet pictures once you know what you're doing.

In fact, stop using TTL. Put the camera in Manual and leave it there. It's more rewarding when you're in charge, both of the technical and the artistic sides of photography.

Tell the camera to give you back the keys. It's time you started driving. :D

Wow, that turned into an OT rant real fast, didn't it? I must be hungry... :p