Flash

[arhuranna]

I have th Canon EOS Digital Rebel and I need to get a flash for it. How does the Sigma EF 500 Super DG compare with the 550 EX? I would also like to get a flash bracket and off camera cord. Any recomendations?

[scottbergerphoto]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=57917&highlight=sigma+Super
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=57056&highlight=sigma+Super
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=56323&highlight=sigma+Super
They are actually 3 different threads.
Scott

[Headcase650]

If you dont ever intend to use an external power pack for your flash then get the sigma. Thats basicaly its only lacking over the 550EX. For a flash bracket you will need the Canon off camera shoe cord 2 and the bracket, custome brackets and stroboframe are among the most popular, just make sure you get one that flips so the flash stays above the lense in portrate style shooting. I use a custome brackets Jr. with an antitwist plate for the flash. I have no complaints, it does what it is supose to do. I believe stroboframe has a new one that will fold down flat so it will fit in a camera bag. That would be a bonus over the solid ones that have to be carried by hand or strapped to the outside of the bag.

Adrian

[arhuranna]

Thanks for the help. What about off brand batteries for you camera? Is it better to stay with the canon brand or will an off brand work as well?
Mitch

[dsze]

Depends on who you ask... I say go for the off-brands, but not the super-cheapies. I've gotten lots of batteries for my 10D and rebel that are not Canon brand and they have been great. I had one fail on me the day of a wedding after about 6mos of use... but that was one out of the 5 or 6 that I've purchased. ...and I've gotten them all for about $8 each.

-daniel

[scottbergerphoto]

Power 2000 work very well and are rated at higher MaH.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=232733&is=REG
Scott

[Wavy C]

Just a little curious - can I use one sigma mounted on the camera to fire a second sigma as a slave (using the wireless system)? In other words, I've noticed some people mention that this flash can be used as a slave to the Canon 500ex but can it be used as a master (to fire another sigma) too?

Also, is it correct that the wireless system is needed as optical triggering won't work because a dedicated on-camera flash uses a pre-flash (which would trigger a slave flash too early).

A third question - I am interested in buying two flashes as a portable way to do indoor or low-light portraits. Say I had the two sigmas, can I put the on-camera master on a low setting (like 1/3 power, for example) and the slave on full power, held off to one side, as I like the idea of directional lighting? If this sort of setup is possible, is it then just a case of using the camera's TTL flash metering (on a 20D) to take care of exposure settings?

regards