Canon 430 Flash or Sigma 530 Super??????

[Ralph III]

First, Hello to Everyone:)

Can I get a little more input on deciding which flash to purchase as above default thread leaves one unit out?

That thread recommends Canon 580 ex which is too expensive and probably more than I need. Followed by the 550ex also expensive, then the Canon 430 ex.

It also recommends the Sigma 500 DG Super but denotes one conflict in a certain flash mode. The thread however makes no mention of the Sigma 530 DG Super. Is this a new and better unit?

A) I am trying to decide between the Canon 430 ex and the Sigma 530 DG Super. The 430 ex is listed as not being a master unit but only a slave unit? Does this mean it cannot activate other flashes? If so how would one overcome that?

B) I prefer to stick with the Canon brand unless the Sigma 530 Super is much superior to the Canon 430 ex? I know the Sigma 500 is comparable to the Canon 550 ex with the Sigma's being remote masters? Did the Sigma 530 overcome the one issue of the Sigma 500 when used with Canon camera's?

I am an amateur and take a lot of outdoor shots which the flash is used as fill. However, I have taken weddings and many portrait shots of family but using my old 35mm Minolta Maxxum and 2800 flash.

I have switched to the Canon 30D digital and want to begin getting some accessories for it. 3) Lastly, should I use a diffuser or bounce
card? In what situation is one preferred over the other and what type diffusser would you recommend?

Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks, Ralph

[borism]

I dont own a sigma 530 super but when I was researching for a flash took a look at this unit.
As far as I understand the 530DG super can act as a master maintaining ETTL ala 580 or 550 EX.
The 430 can't
This feature will be useful if you own already a wireless slave canon flash (430 etc) or if you are planning to get more flashes in the future to go off camera.
You can always go the radio trigger way (this defeats the ETTL function of your flashes) or add a Canons ST-E2 wireless transmitter and mantain ETTL to any 430 slave flash, at the cost of shorter reach of you wireless distance as the unit sensor should be facing the light transmiter to be 100% reliable.
I copied this from the Sigma site

The models for Sigma (SD10), Canon, Pentax D-SLRs, and Nikon (D50, D40, D40x, D2 Series and F6) can utilize an EF-530 DG Super mounted on the camera hotshoe for triggering single or multiple EF-530 DG Super units located away from the camera.

Take a look at Amazon reviews
http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-EF-530-DG-EO-ETTL-Electronic/product-reviews/B000V7TJHC/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_helpful?ie=UTF8&coliid=&showViewpoints=1&colid=&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

I ended up stiking with Canon and the 580EXII but this looks to be a good value to who wants to consider a master ETTL flash at a lower price.

As for bounce, everything you do to create a more flatering light (Bounce, Bounce cards, Modifiers like umbrellas and sofboxes to use off camera) will benefit the quality of your light and allow you to control the light.
Everything has its right place and use.
Experiment as much as you can.
You will find a world of options and alternatives that will blow your mind and open your creativity.
I hope this helps
cheers

[40Dude6aedyk]

I have a Sigma EF530 DG Super. It's a great speedlite and works in my hands exactly as advertised and I have no "issues" with using it on my 40D when I tested it. What issue were you writing about with the 550?

I also have a Canon 580EXII. I do not have a Canon 430EXII. I decided to buy the Sigma over the 430EXII because the Sigma has more output, more features, an internal optical trigger, and can be used a Canon master -- all for a lower price than the Canon 430EXII. The Sigma controls have to be set with buttons on the Sigma (unless you are using it in slave mode, then the master will set it). One cannot use your camera body's flash control menu like you can with the Canon EX II speedlites.

But to be frank, I use the SIgma as my 2nd flash off-camera, since my 580EXII is a better flash.