girl at the photo store said sigma flashes don't work well on canon dSLRs

[willg]

is she just full of it or what? i was thinking either the sigma 500 super or the 420ex and it looks like the super has more features for about the same price but if it doesn't work well on my 300d i don't want to get it. any input?

[David1943]

The Sigma is more for the money by some way and I've never read or heard about anybody experiencing trouble with using one on a Canan DSLR.

However, it will be interesting to hear from anybody who has got one.

Happy snapping, David :)

[willg]

i tried out the 420ex and it was cool..ive never used an external flash before and i liked how it adjusted itsself to my settings...i would probably use it in full manual mode because you can just pick both settings and the flash takes care of it...it was great. but i can see myself wanting to adjust the flash +or- a stop sometimes in weird situations and i don't think the 420 and 300d could help me there

[condyk]

Check out fredmiranda.com ... Sigma 550 scores 9.2/10 from 11 user reviewers and Canon 420 scores 8.6/10 from 11 users reviewers. The Canon 550 scores 8.2 from 19 user reviewers. Sounds like they're all pretty similar in satisfaction terms. I'll leave you to judge pricing :lol: Sigma does pretty well for a Flash that doesn't work on a Canon. You'd have to judge build quality in hand yourself.

Maybe next time ask her what the margins are on different brands she sells and what her commission is, if any. In retail, these kinds of issues are important when judging the degree to which we accept advice and information. Of couse, there are also many ignorant people around ;) I always do my own research. Spend some time on Google and you'll find info and reviews on each of these. I did and just need to decide if I should spend twice the amount on the 580 Canon or opt for the Sigma Super.

[photoshooter]

i own a sigma 500 and use it on my d60 no promblems what so ever if you dont need the different swivals forget the super just get the reg saves you abunch of money and sigma told me thats the differents its the same power and everything i just ordered a new 1 119.00 off of ebay and yes ive bought every bit of my camera stuff from there and not 1 complaint

[willg]

hows 47th street photo? are they good becuase they have the super for a decent price

[erdavis]

47th Street is great! My Sigma Super arrived in 3 days.

[willg]

47th Street is great! My Sigma Super arrived in 3 days.
just what i wanted to hear....im going to go with that sigma then

[Jwreich]

I ordered my Sigma from 47th St. Photo on eBay and it was a great experience. BTW, my sigma works great with my XT.

[sykocus]

I ordered my Sigma from 47th St. Photo on eBay and it was a great experience. BTW, my sigma works great with my XT.

same goes for me.

[willg]

same goes for me now too :)...i used a coupon and saved $18 too..the coupons are good for another couple days:
Until July 15, 2005, you can get 10% off any purchase (excluding shipping charges and Max. discount of $25.) on an eBay.ca or eBay.com purchase going through PayPal using coupon code: CATLSP051025

Here’s the procedure: Find an item on eBay that accepts PayPal as a payment method (look for the PayPal logo). Buy the item and pay with PayPal. Enter the coupon redemption code when paying at PayPal.

Here are some additional active eBay/Paypal coupons, but no word on when they expire:

* $10 off $50 - CATLSP051050
* $5 off $50 - CATLSP050550
* $15 off $100 - CATLSP051500

It has also been reported that you can use each discount code only once, and you cannot ‘stack’ coupons.

[lostdoggy]

I have the DRebel and the Sigma EF500 DG Super and haven't had any problem wth it. Here is a link for sigma4less they have it for $199:

http://www.sigma4less.com/sess/utn;jsessionid=1542d3feeb5aa81/shopdata/0030_Flashes/0385_Shoe+Mount+Flashes/product_details.shopscript?article=0070_Sigma%2BEl ectronic%2BFlash%2BEF%2B500%2BDG%2BSuper%2Bfor%2BC anon%2BAF%2B%3D28SGEF500SUCA%3D29

[willg]

I have the DRebel and the Sigma EF500 DG Super and haven't had any problem wth it. Here is a link for sigma4less they have it for $199:

http://www.sigma4less.com/sess/utn;jsessionid=1542d3feeb5aa81/shopdata/0030_Flashes/0385_Shoe+Mount+Flashes/product_details.shopscript?article=0070_Sigma%2BEl ectronic%2BFlash%2BEF%2B500%2BDG%2BSuper%2Bfor%2BC anon%2BAF%2B%3D28SGEF500SUCA%3D29

cool..good to hear..i just ordered one from 47th street photo on ebay for a total with shipping of $172 (see post above about coupon)

[DavidEB]

Sigma 500 super works well for me, both as only flash and as part of multi-flash setup (wireless).

DONT get the sigma 500 non-super. Unlike the 420EX it can't be used as a slave in a multi-flash setup, so if you later decide to expand your horizons you've wasted some money (same comment I believe applies to canon 220EX).

Between the sigma super and the canon 420EX the differences are subtle (as your first external flash). The sigma can be a wireless master if you buy a second flash later but the 420EX can be a wireless slave (eg, buy a wireless master later). The few advantages the sigma 500 super gives you in stand-alone use over the 420EX are full manual operation, FEC, manual optical slave, and slightly higher guide number.

[chillpons]

I ordered my Sigma from 47th St. Photo on eBay and it was a great experience. BTW, my sigma works great with my XT.

Hi Jwreich,

Does the Sigma500 DG super gives you E-TTL II option too with XT ?

[lostdoggy]

Hi Jwreich,

Does the Sigma500 DG super gives you E-TTL II option too with XT ?

The ETTL change to ETTL is a change to how the camera measure exposure so it has no change to the flash, so any ETTL flash will function on ETTL II capable Camera. Put it another way ETTL II is an improvement on the Camera not the Flash.

[chillpons]

The ETTL change to ETTL is a change to how the camera measure exposure so it has no change to the flash, so any ETTL flash will function on ETTL II capable Camera. Put it another way ETTL II is an improvement on the Camera not the Flash.

Maybe i did not frame my question right. Does the Sigma DG super able to sense the ETTL II metering by XT and set the flash ratio accordingly ?

[scottbergerphoto]

Earlier Sigma models did not function well in wireless modes on Canon digital cameras. That is a fact, and may have caused the response you got from the sales person. The 500DG Super is supposed to work fine.