Sigma EF-500 vs 430EX

Hi, I searched for this topic but did not find anyone comparing these two flashes. I've got a 20D and really need a flash. I don't have the bucks for the 580, so am looking for a way to do it more on the cheap.

For about the same price I can get the Sigma or the new 430EX. I know the power of the Sigma is more than the 430, but the Canon is probably built better and may be more compatible. If you had the choice, which one would you get?

The 500 Super or the 500? I think the main issues are build quality, future camera compatability (500 works fine at the moment), and power (though there's not a huge power difference). I would get the Canon unit myself, for the assurance it will work with all future Canon cameras.

I meant the Super. I am leaning toward the 430. I am thinking the difference in power might be made up for in build quality and peace of mind. Do you think the 430 will be quite capable of taking your average indoor family shots? Does it fit on the same bracket as the 580? Does the bracket significantly reduce harsh shadows?

I don't know much about flash because I'm normally more into distant wildlife shooting, but I just got a 430EX and I used to have a 500 DG Super. I can't really comment on performance other than both did what I wanted given my limited needs. Both are well build. The Canon is perhaps an extra 10% worth of build quality but it costs more than 10% the difference in price. It also has a nicer carry case but the Sigma's was perfectly functional too. To me it's a fit for purpose issue. The Sigma is fit for purpose and so is the Canon. Any extra if just fluff to me. I would therefore buy on price. I bought the Canon because with a deep retail discount plus £35 Rebate the Canon was only a little more expensive than the Sigma. But I do know the Sigma has some great reviews and I fancy you'll be happy with either if you're clear what you want one for. BTW, I only sold the Sigma because I never used it. I bought the Canon this time because I'm trying to get into shorter length work.

Sigma advantages: higher GN, can fire as manual-mode optical slave. Can function as master in a multi-flash setup (you can get a 2-flash set for less than the price of one of the canon EX-5xx)

Canon advantages: build, automatic compensation for camera's crop factor, canon.

the build of the sigma isn't bad, by the way. it just isn't the canon.

Not knowing too much about flashes, this seems like a big deal. So the Sigma doesn't compensate for 1.6X crop factor? Does the Sigma assume a close to a "full-sized" digital sensor? If so, how does that affect performance?

You can be assured with the Sigma that there won't be any flash falloff due to slight zooming errors, for one thing. You don't get any more control, really. Once the head's zoomed out to 105 mm equiv., that's it.

let me jump in on this.

now lets talk real function. cuz im leaning torwards the 500 DG super also.

E-TTL II..

the 430 has it.. the 420 doesn't. now the 500DG super claims to also support this TTL II. so clip for clip, 4 pound for pound.. they're the same flash setups. is this E-TTL II over rated? i was under the impression it takes funtion of the flash to gain focus and learn heat temps to adjust on the exposure.

im leaning over on the 500 DG super since its alot cheaper. i dont' have to be a canon whore.. besides my wallet can't keep up.

ETTLII is a fuction of the camera not the Flash.

the price difference btwn the canon and Sigma is almost $80

askohen -- until the most recent crop of canon flashes, they didn't compensate for the 1.6 factor either (pardon the pun). It's not a big deal to me as my best flash photos are all taken with some kind of diffuser or bounce anyways.

I have the Sigma 500 Super and it works fine with my 20D. With about +2/3 FEC, the pics came out nice.

I just recently picked up the 500DG Super after trying to compare with the 430 and 580. In the end, I decided that the 500 was built well enough not to pose any durability issues and was very comparable to the 580 for a lot less money.

I'm happy so far with the choice - but I never did try a 580 or the 430.

I just purchased a Sigma Super 500 Flash and it does not work. The flash occassionally flashes in auto mode but will not flash at all if in Aperature and Shutter Priority. I checked to make sure the connectors are lined up properly and they are. I'm attempting to use this on a Canon Rebel XT.

Can anyone offer up any advice. I was planning to take this with me on my trip tomorrow. Any help is appreciated.

Please send your comments to www.lmtayl2@yahoo.com

If it doesn't work on your camera see if you can try it on another camera, if it doesn't work return it. This is why you don't buy gear at the last minute - things like this happen quite often.

I bought the Sigma EF-500 DG Super to use on my 350D.

I am really REALLY dissatisfied with it. I come from an SLR background with thyristor controlled electronic flash unit - never an incorrect exposure!

The DG Super has a low GN, only boosted by its featured zoom mechanism which narrows the beam, inflating its guide values. I have tested it for hours in Manual Mode at 1/200th indoors. I cannot get a reasonable exposure without lifting FCE by 2 stops and minimum 200 ASA. I can bounce off a low white scelling at around F11 with these settings - total flash to subject distance no more than 18 feet (6 metres).

Unexplicably, at 200th shutter speed, 50 Hz room tungsten bulb light-casts on walls are invisible, whether correctly or underexposed. Only with shutter at 1/30th can the natural lighting effects be seen on walls. At 200th the wall is just mono color and looks most unnatural.

Oh dear, Xmas coming up and it is so wrong?