430 ex, or 500 dg super

[Lemmonphotography]

hi, im gunna be buying a flash and i was wondering if the 430 ex or the sigma 500 dg super would be better? which one is more worth the $240?

thanks

[sh0ebox]

i found that the sigma actually goes for <$200... closer to $175, while the 430EX goes for ~$200 or a little higher.

i was trying to decide and ended up with the 430EX for the sake of having 100% full compatibility and better build quality

the sigma is nice if you need the extra power though

[Lemmonphotography]

did you get it onlin? and if you did what site?

[sh0ebox]

i bought my 430EX used from a POTN member here for $190 actually

i forgot to mention my prices were used... sorry! haha

[sh0ebox]

here are some new prices: $211 shipped for the sigma and $219 shipped for the 430EX at www.us1photo.com

[Riverlander]

I found it somewhat difficult to work out the Sigma models. I have "EF-500 DG ST EO-ETTL II" which I got VERY cheap (new $AU125). It is Canon dedicated and works a treat, but NOT a wireless model! :(

[Digitalwave]

i found that the sigma actually goes for <$200... closer to $175, while the 430EX goes for ~$200 or a little higher.

i was trying to decide and ended up with the 430EX for the sake of having 100% full compatibility and better build quality

the sigma is nice if you need the extra power though

Same here. The Sigma is somewhere between the 430EX and 550EX power wise, but I opted for the Canon over the Sigma just because of build quality and wanting go ensure 100% function and compatibility. I got a good deal on my used 430EX.

[photojournalista]

my test shots when i was buying. 430 vs 500DG super

http://photojournalista.blogspot.com/2007/02/430ex-vs-sigma-ef-500-dg-super.html

[Curtis N]

my test shots when i was buying. 430 vs 500DG super
http://photojournalista.blogspot.com/2007/02/430ex-vs-sigma-ef-500-dg-super.htmlI wouldn't put much stock in those "tests".

The shots with the the Sigma contained highly reflective surfaces, including the metal shelf frame near the left side. Reflections like these are the enigma of E-TTL flash and will invariably lead to underexposure and inconsistency. The shots with the 430EX contain no such reflections, so the exposure was better and more consistent.

Testing the consistency or exposure of any E-TTL flash unit is unlikely to yield useful results, since the E-TTL system itself is quite inconsistent, especially in Evaluative mode.

But if you want to try such tests anyway, then they must be conducted under controlled conditions, with a tripod to ensure the same composition for every shot. And it should go without saying that the composition should be the same for each unit tested.