Sigma EF 610 DG flash anyone?

Tanglefoot47 · 1st of April 2011 (Fri)

Thinking of getting a flash I never use one so I did not want to spend the money on the Canon flash. So I would like to know what people think of this Sigma flash for $165? Anyone have a suggestion?

Mike

Tanglefoot47 · 1st of April 2011 (Fri)

Just ordered one so I guess that settles this post LOL

kyleo92 · 1st of April 2011 (Fri)

No experience with the new 610, but I have an earlier Sigma flash (the one the 610 replaced) and it works just fine...

I've been thinking about getting the 610 though...

Tanglefoot47 · 1st of April 2011 (Fri)

The 610 looks very promising and I hear it does better than the 430EX guess I will find out soon enough

elogical · 1st of April 2011 (Fri)

cool, let us know what you think once you get it. I was looking hard at the Sigma flashes but couldn't bring myself to try one without much feedback on them out there...

lannes · 1st of April 2011 (Fri)

Which model did you go for the ST or the Super ?

Just noticed the recycling speed is a bit slower than the Canon flashes.

Tanglefoot47 · 2nd of April 2011 (Sat)

Quote:

Originally Posted by lannes

Which model did you go for the ST or the Super ?

Just noticed the recycling speed is a bit slower than the Canon flashes.

I got the ST I didn't want to spend more than the $165 and yes I notice the recycle time was a little slower but it will be ok with me I don't plan on using it that much.

mhrok · 2nd of April 2011 (Sat)

I have the DG Super.. the ST lacks what Sigma calls "creative" functions, like manual control, strobe flash, etc. That was a deal breaker for me, since I wanted to go into off-camera flash, with option of using TTL if I need to.

There is an issue though.. both DG ST and Super don't work on RF triggers, apart from the super expensive TTL PocketWizards. The reason for this is that the center pin is not actually used to trigger the flash.. instead, proprietary TTL signals do the job.

However, what I just wrote is not actually true. While Sigma reps would tell you that there is no way to do it, there actually is (at least with my DG Super copy): cycle through modes and get to Manual slave. In this mode you can choose all settings manually, and for some weird reason the flash will trigger from a center pin signal.

In TTL mode flash works fine.. People complained about the earlier EF-530 that it provided inconsistent results, not the case here. Works like expected, as long as you know how to use a flash (I didn't when I bought it).

VanillaEps · 4th of April 2011 (Mon)

I used mine for the first time yesterday. The recycle time was not a factor as I was not shooting any consecutive shots. For the most part, the flash worked fine. However, since I don't really know how to use it, the results were not stellar. I have several shots with hotspots and inconsistent lighting because I just didn't know where to point, bounce, etc. I found that I got exceptional results using the flash with Manual mode.

VanillaEps · 21st of April 2011 (Thu)

I realized recently that I had used the wrong mode on the flash during my first run with the new flash. Having fully read the manual and understood the different modes and how it affects the flash output, my second run with the flash was far more successful.

CaryM · 4th of December 2011 (Sun)

@mhrok: love this flash, but was frustrated to find that it won't work off-camera with a trigger. However, i'm gonna try what you suggested when i get home. If it works, i'm building a shrine in your honour.

awbentley · 17th of January 2012 (Tue)

Has anybody who owns the Sigma EF 610 DG (that is to say-- the version that's not the "super") found a way to make it work with triggers or use it off-camera in any way?

I was looking into buying either cowboy studio triggers or the cactus v4s until I did some research and read that there's a possibility my flash won't work off-camera... and I find that kind of hard to believe. I recall reading somewhere that the flash doesn't work with TTL cables either and I'm just wondering if anybody found a way to use it off-camera.

If I could get some input, I'd appreciate it! Thanks

mhrok · 23rd of January 2012 (Mon)

Quote:

Originally Posted by awbentley

Has anybody who owns the Sigma EF 610 DG (that is to say-- the version that's not the "super") found a way to make it work with triggers or use it off-camera in any way?

From what I understand, since it has no ability to set power manually at all (i.e., no physical buttons), then there will be no mode that would work for you. I.e., there is fundamentally no way to go around it.

KhaledA · 23rd of January 2012 (Mon)

I used to own the 500 one, never had any problems with it, so I'm guessing the 610 should do just fine.

jakefreese · 27th of April 2012 (Fri)

Hmmm glad I found this I was. My vivitar 383 hv are not working work radio triggers they fall asleep after thirty seconds. So they need to go. These looked promising, but now that I see this there not going to work either. Pcb needs to come up with a speed light that is ettl and works with the cyber commander

1st of April 2011 (Fri)	#1
Tanglefoot47 Goldmember Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Tulalip WA about 40 miles north of Seattle Posts: 2,311	Sigma EF 610 DG flash anyone? Thinking of getting a flash I never use one so I did not want to spend the money on the Canon flash. So I would like to know what people think of this Sigma flash for $165? Anyone have a suggestion? Mike

1st of April 2011 (Fri)	#2
Tanglefoot47 Goldmember Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Tulalip WA about 40 miles north of Seattle Posts: 2,311	Re: Sigma EF 610 DG flash anyone? Just ordered one so I guess that settles this post LOL

1st of April 2011 (Fri)	#3
kyleo92 Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 54 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Sigma EF 610 DG flash anyone? No experience with the new 610, but I have an earlier Sigma flash (the one the 610 replaced) and it works just fine... I've been thinking about getting the 610 though... __________________ Equipment: Canon 7D — Canon 20D — Canon EOS 1000D/Rebel XS — Canon EF 70-200 f2.8L — Canon EF 85mm F1.8 — Canon EF-S 18-55 F3.5-5.6 IS USM — Canon EF 75-300 f4-5.6 III USM — Sigma EF-530 DG ST Flash — Manfrotto Magic Arms — Misc. gear for remote camera.

1st of April 2011 (Fri)	#4
Tanglefoot47 Goldmember Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Tulalip WA about 40 miles north of Seattle Posts: 2,311	Re: Sigma EF 610 DG flash anyone? The 610 looks very promising and I hear it does better than the 430EX guess I will find out soon enough

1st of April 2011 (Fri)	#5
elogical Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: St Paul, Minnesota Posts: 1,213 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Sigma EF 610 DG flash anyone? cool, let us know what you think once you get it. I was looking hard at the Sigma flashes but couldn't bring myself to try one without much feedback on them out there... __________________ Gear

1st of April 2011 (Fri)	#6
lannes Goldmember Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 4,374	Re: Sigma EF 610 DG flash anyone? Which model did you go for the ST or the Super ? Just noticed the recycling speed is a bit slower than the Canon flashes. __________________ 1Dx, 1DM4, 5DM2, 7D, EOS-M, 8-15L, 17-40L, 24 TSE II, 24-105L, 50L, 85L II, 100L, 135L, 200L f/2.8, 300L f/4, 70-200L II, 70-300L, 400Lf/5.6 Last edited by lannes : 1st of April 2011 (Fri) at 22:38.

2nd of April 2011 (Sat)	#8
mhrok Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 59	Re: Sigma EF 610 DG flash anyone? I have the DG Super.. the ST lacks what Sigma calls "creative" functions, like manual control, strobe flash, etc. That was a deal breaker for me, since I wanted to go into off-camera flash, with option of using TTL if I need to. There is an issue though.. both DG ST and Super don't work on RF triggers, apart from the super expensive TTL PocketWizards. The reason for this is that the center pin is not actually used to trigger the flash.. instead, proprietary TTL signals do the job. However, what I just wrote is not actually true. While Sigma reps would tell you that there is no way to do it, there actually is (at least with my DG Super copy): cycle through modes and get to Manual slave. In this mode you can choose all settings manually, and for some weird reason the flash will trigger from a center pin signal. In TTL mode flash works fine.. People complained about the earlier EF-530 that it provided inconsistent results, not the case here. Works like expected, as long as you know how to use a flash (I didn't when I bought it).

4th of April 2011 (Mon)	#9
VanillaEps Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 63	Re: Sigma EF 610 DG flash anyone? I used mine for the first time yesterday. The recycle time was not a factor as I was not shooting any consecutive shots. For the most part, the flash worked fine. However, since I don't really know how to use it, the results were not stellar. I have several shots with hotspots and inconsistent lighting because I just didn't know where to point, bounce, etc. I found that I got exceptional results using the flash with Manual mode.

21st of April 2011 (Thu)	#10
VanillaEps Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 63	Re: Sigma EF 610 DG flash anyone? I realized recently that I had used the wrong mode on the flash during my first run with the new flash. Having fully read the manual and understood the different modes and how it affects the flash output, my second run with the flash was far more successful.

4th of December 2011 (Sun)	#11
CaryM Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 2	Re: Sigma EF 610 DG flash anyone? @mhrok: love this flash, but was frustrated to find that it won't work off-camera with a trigger. However, i'm gonna try what you suggested when i get home. If it works, i'm building a shrine in your honour.

17th of January 2012 (Tue)	#12
awbentley Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1	Re: Sigma EF 610 DG flash anyone? Has anybody who owns the Sigma EF 610 DG (that is to say-- the version that's not the "super") found a way to make it work with triggers or use it off-camera in any way? I was looking into buying either cowboy studio triggers or the cactus v4s until I did some research and read that there's a possibility my flash won't work off-camera... and I find that kind of hard to believe. I recall reading somewhere that the flash doesn't work with TTL cables either and I'm just wondering if anybody found a way to use it off-camera. If I could get some input, I'd appreciate it! Thanks

23rd of January 2012 (Mon)	#14
KhaledA Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 186	Re: Sigma EF 610 DG flash anyone? I used to own the 500 one, never had any problems with it, so I'm guessing the 610 should do just fine.

27th of April 2012 (Fri)	#15
jakefreese Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: TEXAS Posts: 488 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Sigma EF 610 DG flash anyone? Hmmm glad I found this I was. My vivitar 383 hv are not working work radio triggers they fall asleep after thirty seconds. So they need to go. These looked promising, but now that I see this there not going to work either. Pcb needs to come up with a speed light that is ettl and works with the cyber commander __________________ 7D, 70-200L 2.8 IS II, Sigma 17-70, 85 1.4, 30 1.4 and too much other random stuff Flickr 500PX

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