Wirless help with Sigma super DG

[Henry Low]

Hi guys,

I have two sigma super dgs. and want to use it in wireless. I dont full understand the ratio thing. there are three options... 1:1, 12 and 123. What does that mean?

Also, when I have a master and a slave on ETTL< do they both work together to create a correct exposer?

Need quick help, got major photoshoot tonight!

Thanks,
Henry

[DavidEB]

1:1 is the main setting you will adjust. It's the ratio between flash in group 1 (master) and flash in group 2 (slave). when 1:1 is showing, you press "SET" and then +/- to change ratio. 1:2 means 1 stop more light put out by slave 2:1 means 1 stop more light by master. when you get the ratio you want, press SET again.

12 and 123 are used for setups with more than 2 flashes, where you have flashes in group 1, group 2 and group 3. I don't have this many flashes so am not entirely sure how it works but you basically cycle to 12 and press SET, then +/- to change the ratio between groups 1 and 2, then SET again and cylce around to 123, then SET and +/- to change ratio of the (1and2) flashes to the group 3 flash.

when you have a master and a slave, and are in ETTL (this flash can also be set up to work in manual, you don't want that) they both work together, and if you've set up right, you get the correct flash exposure. If it's off, use FEC (flash exposure compensation) to adjust the amount of flash overall. FEC is easiest to set on-camera (unless you have a d-rebel without hack, in which case you cant) but you can also set it in the flash unit itself. If you set FEC on camera, it persists, if on the flash it reverts to FEC=0 when you turn the flash off. be careful with that difference.

The Sigma 500 Super is complex. Basically it helps to realize that the menus are completely hierarchical. SET takes you down a level, and if you're at the bottom level or at the end of a line of choices, SET takes you back up a level. the manual is near-useless.

also, this is basic - be sure the master is on the camera shoe, and the slave is off camera


good luck.

[Henry Low]

uda man!

Thanks.
Henry

[cal300D]

Hi to everyone who reads this. I’m new and this is my first post.



DavidEB



From the way I understand what you have said, If I have 2 flashes (on camera, master, and off camera slave) I need to set the slave to group 2 and set the master to 12 – 1:1 or what ever ratio. This does work with both the master set on or off. I'm kind of confused when you explain changing the ratio 1:1. The only time I can change the ratio is if I'm in the 12 or 123 options.




My question is if I have the slave set to group 1, the master set to r 1:1 and the master set to off, why is the picture extremely under exposed? If I have the same settings and use the FEL option, the picture is exposed properly.



Also if I have the slave set to group 1 and the mater set to 12 – 1:1 the photo is under exposed. It seems if I have the slave set to group 1, the photos are under exposed.



I currently have 2 of these Sigma flashes and would like to get 2 more so I can have three off camera flashes with three different ratios. How can I have three different ratios when group 1 seems to get under exposed?



My theory is that the group 1 slave underexposed problem will be solved when second and or third off camera slave is contributing to the overall flash since group 2 and 3 are ratios based on group 1 (I think). This is just my guess, I certainly don’t know.



Thanks

cal