Sigma EF 500 DG Super AF Flash for Canon

[ROY]

Anyone tried and tested this flashon the 20D ? Is it value for money compared to the EX?. Costs around £120.

[Bruce Watson]

This is a very regular question.........

Yes, it works fine with 10, 20 and 300D DSLR's; I can state that from personal experience.

[Illegally_Alive]

I have this flash and I LOVE it! It has done everything I've wanted it to and more. One of the best features is that it can slave optically, so you can trigger it with the on camera flash. It's been great at keeping up w/ burst mode when the flash is set to manual and 1/16 (maybe 1/8) power or less. My only complaint is that there's no way to hook up an external power supply to it, but I remember reading somewhere about making a homemade battery pack.

I also really like the fact that you can get two for the price of one 580ex- and they basically do the all the same things. It'll also slave via IR so you can control ex series flashes (or so I've read) as well.

[lkorell]

I've used the flash and own one. It is now my backup. The 580EX is a much better unit and is more efficient with the 20D. Either will work but the 580 is a better unit. You may want to use an external battery pack at some point. You can't with the Sigma. Also, it is not as efficient with battery life as is the 580EX. I have needed two sets of batteries for the Sigma at a wedding, where I only needed one with the Canon. I know that's not a really important difference, but it is a feature comparison.

[robertwgross]

I have this flash and I LOVE it! It has done everything I've wanted it to and more. One of the best features is that it can slave optically, so you can trigger it with the on camera flash.

Have you used it this way?

Does it trigger from the on camera pre-flash pop, or the main flash pop?

---Bob Gross---

[Reminisce]

I am an owner of this flash and use it regularly in most of my work and growing experience. Its an absolutely fantastic flash. Its more in comparison to the 550EX, in which it can do everything that flash can do, minus a couple guide no., plus the optical slave ability (which I have yet to use yet but am comfortable knowing I can). The material is a little more flimsy than the EX series, but then you're only needed to worry about that if you're a photojournalist, because I've dropped mine hard once or twice and its still going strong.

Battery life has been great for with 4 NiMH 2400mAh Energizer batteries, but then I've never done an all day wedding. For what I do, which is purely casual, its worked wonders and been a tool for me learning more and faster about lighting. The price should not decieve you, its an excellent ETTL camera and only behind the more professional flashes like the 580EX and Metz, etc by a reasonable margin. If you're looking for a great flash to learn and grow with, pick this up.

[Illegally_Alive]

Bob- It'll trigger after any (and every) flash pop.

-B

[robertwgross]

Bob- It'll trigger after any (and every) flash pop.

OK, if that is the case, then does it mimic the master's pre-flash pop and do its own pre-flash pop?

I would hate to think that it would release the whole pop when it sees the pre-flash pop only.

---Bob Gross---

[Mark_48]

Is there any compatibility between the Canon EX series and the Sigma so far as Master/Slave operation. I have a 420EX and have been considering a 550EX to use as a master with the 420EX as a slave. If the Sigma can do this it would be a considerable savings. It sounds as if I could go the other way around as well, since its been mentioned the Sigma can slave optically.

[golden-balls]

Try http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/normal_search_result.php?PHPSESSID=&keywords=sigma+flash+&x=8&y=11

£101

[CyberDyneSystems]

My understanding of the Sigma flashes is that they are compatible with the wireless system that the 550, 420 and 580 EX speedlights use,. and that is how they function as "slave" units,.. either with other Sigma flashes or the compatible Canon units,.

I did not understand them to function as "optical slaves" using a pre-flash...

[Illegally_Alive]

OK, if that is the case, then does it mimic the master's pre-flash pop and do its own pre-flash pop?

I would hate to think that it would release the whole pop when it sees the pre-flash pop only.

---Bob Gross---

To be honest I've only had it set to manual and less than 1/4 power so I'm not sure. I'll go check it tonight or tomorrow with full power and let you know.

-Ben

[Illegally_Alive]

Ok here's the deal. Yes it fires the whole thing on the pre-flash pop... so that sucks. But if you use FEC then you fire it once and you're set. (I guess... I don't use it too much) Also if the power is 1/2 or less then I noticed no problem (though technically it's still firing on the pre-flash pop) but the shot still comes out.
This isn't really a big deal for me because I never use the flash on full power when it's a slave.
Hope that helps,

-Ben

[OviV]

I have 2 of these and I like them alot. When you use it as an optical slave it is not "smart" enough to ignore the pre-flash. Unless you have it on a low power setting it will not recycle fast enough to fire on the main flash. It works very well as an ETTL master/slave and I have used my 2 flashes this way.

[robertwgross]

Yes it fires the whole thing on the pre-flash pop... so that sucks.

I had a feeling that might be the case, at least for the optically triggered mode.

---Bob Gross---