Sigma EF-500 vs 430EX

Barry,

You aren't the first person to be disappointed with Canon's E-TTL and E-TTL II flash metering. There are many threads here on the topic, and many people use auto-thyristor type flash units on their modern digital cameras.

But it's a problem with the camera's flash metering system, not your Sigma flash unit. You would get the same results with any of Canon's Speedlites or the built-in flash.

I wouldn't necessarily say that it's a "problem" with the camera. That's just the way ETTL works in evaluative mode, just like that's the way the camera works for ambient lighting in evaluative mode. There are all sorts of calculation going on behind the covers in the camera when metering for ambient or flash in evaluative mode. That's one of the main reasons some photographers do not like evaluative metering mode, whether it be for flash or ambient light, because they really can't predict sometimes what the camera is going to do.

If one wants the predictability of auto thyristor flashes, then one should set the camera to average flash metering mode. There is no complex algorithm used in this mode -- just straight averaging of all the metering sensors, just like what the auto thyristor flash does. And the ambient light metering equivalient would be the center-weighted average metering mode.

Out of curiosity, do the Canon models of flashes offer more manual options than the Sigma? Would it be better for someone who wants to grow into his flash to get the Canon vs Sigma, or does it not matter in this regard?

Yeah, what he said. My camera's flash metering is on average and I see no trouble at all with my Sigma.

The sigma 500DG super offers all the same control as the 550EX or the 580EX the only thing it doesnt do is figure in the crop factor. The control layout for the sigma is compleatly different than the canons but if you read the manual and learn the controls it isnt a issue.

One thing the sigma does that none of the canon flashes do is act as an optical slave with nothing else needed, no sensor, pocket wizard or anything else to buy.

By the way I have both the 550EX and the 500DG super. They are both excelent flashes with equal features, they are just layed out different and the sigma costs nearly half the price.

What does that mean it doesn't figure the crop factor? Are we talking about the fact that when I zoom in and out with my 28-105mm zoom on my 20D, and the Sigma follows 28 for 28 105 for 105 and everything in between?

If that's the case then I say, so what? If I'm at 50mm with my 28-105mm, the focal length is still 50mm. And the angle of view is still of a 50mm lens, it's just that the outer edge of the picture gets cropped out in camera because it spills out over the edge of the sensor... creating an illusion of a narrower FOV.

Well, the 580EX and 430EX will zoom to just cover a 50 on whatever sensor your (reporting, so far 1Ds II, 5D, 1D II, 20D and 350D) camera is using, so you'll get a little more "bang for your buck" using an APS-C with the new Canon flashes than on one that says "50 is 50; I'm going to cover FF".

My Sigma is junk in my opinion. I like the results when it works but who wants a flash that isnt reliable. Just got back from our very reputable photo store. I searched out one of the guys who I have been dealing with for years. He said he heres stories and sees compatability problems every day with after market flash's on newer Nikons and Canons. To demonstrate he put my flash on a older film camera and it flashed every single time. We put it back on mine and it only worked intermitently. We then put a 580ex on my 20d and I shot off probably 50 shots w/o a problem. Also tried the 430 with the same results.

I've not had a single problem with reliability with my Sigma. On either my 20D or my Rebel T2 it fires reliably and predictably. It sounds like your guy just exploited a known compatibility issue. I have fired hundreds of shots on my 20D without a single issue. Now I would see validity in your guy's test if he tested the Sigma on the 20D as well as the 580 and 430. But your saying he tested the Sigma on an older film camera which you will probably never use anyway so who really cares if it works on it? Then he tested the 580 and 430 on your 20D. Of course it's going to work... and the Sigma will work just fine on the 20D as well.

I also have the Sigma Super 500 ETTL-II and no problems to date. It was a no brainer for me, I could have gotten a Canon 580, but the price difference was alot better for the Sigma.

I also am looking to get one of these. Does anyone else have anything negative about the Sigma?

Ok, I went for the Canon 430EX. I don't know "that much" about flash photography, but I work in a newsroom. I spoke with Knight-Ridder's head photographer who is out in the field all day and shoots exclusively Canon. I was 1/2 surprised by his answer to my question. He said that I should go for the Canon 430Ex over the higher powered Sigma or the Canon 580Ex. He said that he doesn't even shoot with a 580EX, and that it is over-kill. This is coming from a guy who gets all his equipment free from Canon, so he could shoot with anything. He said the guide # on the 430EX is plenty, and he mostly shoots with the 420. Granted that he is mostly not taking "high-art" pictures, but still his livelihood depends on getting the shot and getting it quickly. That helped make the decision for me. The rest of the photostaff here agreed with his assesement. None of them shoot with the 580, and all of them advised against getting the off-brand. The 430 is not that much more than the Sigma, so I went with the Canon.

Two Sigma 500 Supers owned and used for two years, completely happy with them.

I also have the Sigma macro ring flash and have used all 3 together for wireless flash.

My only comment is that the user manual is not easy to understand, but I figured all the features out by playing with them until I got it worked out.

Interesting. I too am in the market for a flash. I want either the 430ex or the 580ex.

I will let you all know what I think of the 430 when I get it and get a chance to play.