Sigma 500 DG Super Question

Ok, I can't come up with the cash for the Canon 580ex and have been trying for the last year. So, I'm thinking I'll get a Sigma 500 DG Super. It looks like it's as close as I'll get to the 580 flash on a budget. But, will I be able to use the second curtain sync option if the flash is being used on a 300D? That's a big one for me... I think it will work fine but I haven't been able to find any info saying it will work or won't work etc.

I'm also seeing so many model numbers for the Super I'm not sure which one I want to order. Which number is everyone using?

And on a side note, have you guys seen how many posts we have here for Sigma's? Yikes... There's way too many to read!

Jon.

Yes it has second curtain sync. Mine is marked EF-500 DG Super [EO]-ETTL

You'll need to set 2nd curtain on the flash. It won't work if you set it on the camera.

Sigma makes several models for DIFFERENT brands of cameras. Buy whichever one you like, but I'm pretty sure the one made for Canon will work better with your 300D.

Thanks guys. I just wanted to make sure there was one model of the super for the Canon's in case I was missing something. I guess I should have also asked where's the best place buy one. Normally I get everything from B&H but Sigma4less seems considerably cheaper. Are they a good dealer to buy from?

Thanks again, Jon.

I've bought three times from Sigma4less. No problems and I would buy from them again.

I have two EF-500 Super's and they're a really good alternative to the 580EX

I have had great luck with the EF-500 that i have, even better when combined with a Lumiquest 80/20. It followed me from my old ELAN 7 to the 5D, and Its a good alternative to the Canon variety (only missing ETTL2 if im correct)

E-TTL2 is a camera function, not a flash function. Any flash unit designed for E-TTL, including all of the Canon EX flash units and the Sigma EF-500 DG ST and Super, will work fine with E-TTL2.

thats funny.. when i wrote the E-TTL2 thing, i for some reason was thinking about the flash unit i had before the EF-500 (an old Quantaray model).
thanks for catching my freudian slip

In addition to what Curtis said, EF-500 DG Super EO-ETTL and EF-500 DG Super EO-ETTL II are essentially the same flash. I have both and don't notice any difference in terms of function and performance.

I'm curious about the 2nd curtain sync on the 300D. I thought the camera needs to trigger the flash for 2nd curtain sync.

I stopped by two camera shops today to check pricing and the best one on the super was $240.00 plus tax. One guy suggested I change to Nikon but if I didn't want to jump ship on Canon just yet I should buy the 580. The other shop told me I should save the money and get the super.

Jon.

I received my Sigma 500 Super yesterday, it is a fine flash unit, and the FP mode for flash with shutter speeds faster than normal works unbelievably well.

Not wishing to hijack this thread but...

It is annoying, as others have reported on this forum that when the shutter speed drops to or below its normal flash sync speed, the FP turns off on the sigma.
Am I correct in thinking that the 580 does not turn this function off, and will automatically revert back to FP when the shutter goes above its normal sync speed again?

Apart from this small inconvenience, the flash is well worth the money and can be obtained at half the price of the 580 in the UK

Thanks for the reply Steve.

Is the FP being off/not working with lower shutter speeds going to be a real problem? I think I read a few of the posts where this came up but I'm not sure which ones they were now.

Jon.

its not needed at lower shutter speed, its just that to reactivate FP and get your camera to accept a faster speed than its normal sync speed you have to turn the flash off and on again.