Canon 550ex -vs- Sigma 500 Super DG

[C.S.I.]

Hi,


Anyone have experiences with both flashes? Im down to these two.....is the Canon worth the $100 more than the Sigma.....Ive read that the Canon is more powerful, but not by much; and that the build on both is poor (plastic, flimsy).

--Side bar--

I really cant afford this (food for thought when I can) .... but.....the 580ex--I know it kicks serious butt in the technical department, but how is ITS build (against the before mentioned).


Regards,
Bill

[robertwgross]

Ive read that the Canon is more powerful, but not by much; and that the build on both is poor (plastic, flimsy).


The Canon 550EX has a guide number of 55. Do you need more than that?

Also, what's wrong with a flash unit being constructed out of plastic?

---Bob Gross---

[tim]

The 550EX seems fine to me. The only thing that seems like it could break after a while are the turning/rotating parts. If you forget to push the button sometimes it turns anyway.

[timmyquest]

and that the build on both is poor (plastic, flimsy).


Let me start out by saying i go to the gym at least...well, 3 times a month lately.

My point is i'm not a teeny guy (not big by any stretch), and when i have to mount that 550 on my 1D, and i've already got a 200mm lens on there...shooting portrait is a nightmere on my forearm and wrists.

If the 550 was made out of metal, sheesh...i couldnt take it.

[primoz]

I have my own Sigma on my 1v and 3, and I have 550ex and Sigma on work 1d and 1dmkII. There's not so much difference between those two but there are few pluses and minuses for each of those two flashes.
Sigma charges about 20 to 30% faster then Canon (with 580 this is suppose to be different, but I'm still waiting to get 580), which is quite important for me, since I'm shooting sport. But on other side Sigma doesn't have plug for external batteries and with Quantum I can get 550ex to charge helluwa lot faster then any Sigma. Only other thing (except plug for external batteries) which bothers me with Sigma is that FP mode turns off automatically when time goes under x-synch. With Canon FP mode stays on all the time. It depends on your stile of shoting but for me it's not really big deal since I'm shoting in manual. Other things which might be important for someone are that Sigma's af assyst light supports only center AF point while 550ex supports all 45 af points. But on other side, you can use Sigma as optical or wireless slave while Canon can be only wireless slave.
And yes both flashes are made like **** (580 is suppose to be better in this too). When you hold EOS 1 in your hand it's made like tank, while holding 550ex or 500super in your hand it makes you wonder how fast it will break. But on other side it still didn't break for me (if I don't count endless number of hotshoes which I broke on both flashes), even if I'm not really gentle with them :)

[C.S.I.]

THANK TOU PRIMOZ....


Thats the kind of answer I was looking for thank you.....

No, I dont expect lens' to be constructed out of platinum or concrete, I realize that plastic is how they are all made (although carbon fiber would be cool :) jk).....I have heard much discussion regarding how "flimsy" these things are, and was inquiring (in regards to build) which one is sturdier.........SHEESH.


Regards,
Bill

[jay24k]

Gym 3 times a month eh? You must be big from lack of working out :) ;)

[Cordell]

I think they are pretty much equal. Priomz summed it up. However, I was told that you can still get an external battery pack for the Sigma which uses something tat goes into the battery compartment.

I have used both and ended up buying two Sigmas because they can work wireless or optically for slave use.

I'm not worried about the build quality because I think it's enough not to be concerned with.

[robertwgross]

No, I dont expect lens' to be constructed out of platinum or concrete, I realize that plastic is how they are all made (although carbon fiber would be cool :) jk).....I have heard much discussion regarding how "flimsy" these things are, and was inquiring (in regards to build) which one is sturdier.........SHEESH.


All along, I thought we were discussing flash units, not lenses.

---Bob Gross---

[C.S.I.]

All along, I thought we were discussing flash units, not lenses.

---Bob Gross---






ARRRRGH...............I MEANT FLASH......comon man......why you breakin my stones?

[tim]

why you breakin my stones?

Boredom perhaps? ;)

[Reminisce]

I went and bought the Sigma myself, because when its all said and done, they both work functionally the same with a few quirks here and there for both. In the end, with me being an entry level portrait photographer, the Sigma price was worth it for me. Besides, when I get heavy into portrait/glamour/etc, I'll have an Alien Bees setup anyway :), the flash is for everything else.

[Bruce Watson]

I have two Sigma 500's and use the wireless multiple flash feature often.

Recently added the Sigma macro ring flash to my collection and although I bought it mainly for the designed purpose, it is capable of triggering the other two units, so I will experiment with 3 flash set ups.

Quality is okay, certainly relative to price when you factor in how much more the Canon products cost. Results are great.

Either will do the job, but I don't believe that there is a functional or signifcant build difference, and unless you plan to add external battery power, the Sigma is fine.

[Vita Rara]

I've been thinking about getting a flash for my 300D. I uderstand that you can do flash compensation with a 550EX on a 300D. Can I also use flash compensation with the Sigma unit?

Thanks,

Mark

[Cordell]

I've been thinking about getting a flash for my 300D. I uderstand that you can do flash compensation with a 550EX on a 300D. Can I also use flash compensation with the Sigma unit?

Thanks,

Mark

Yes you can Mark. No difference between the Canon and Sigma in this respect.

[Cadwell]

A friend of mine has the Sigma. I must say that I was impressed by it. It has most of the functionality of my 580EX. It also ran as a wireless slave and wireless master with my 580EX seamlessly.

[Vita Rara]

Yes you can Mark. No difference between the Canon and Sigma in this respect.

Thanks a lot. I think I'll add it to my B&H wish list.

[Nightcrawler]

Do any of the Sigma flashes do E-TTL II?

[Cadwell]

Do any of the Sigma flashes do E-TTL II?

That's a very good question. There's a "new" version of the Sigma 500 Super DG out, but I've not been able to find any details about what has been added.

EDIT: I've just checked Sigma USAs web site and they claim it supports E-TTL II.

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/html/flashes.htm

[Persian-Rice]

So is the Sigma is that good??

I need to buy a couple flashes, and for that price compared to the 550, you cant go wrong, can you?
I have a hard time spending more money then I have to on things I don't use all that much......