Sigma 50mm f2.8 EX DG Macro Lens + EM 140 DG Macro Flash

Hi all,

I'm planning on buying the Sigma 50mm f2.8 EX DG Macro Lens soon, and I'm wondering if Sigma's EM 140 DG Macro Flash would be a good partner for it. I haven't bought an external flash before, and to be quite honest I have very little knowledge about them, but I'm wondering, would this Sigma EM 140 DG Macro Flash only be compatible for use with sigma lenses? Or for example, would I be able to use the Canon Flash MR14EX with a Sigma lens?

What I'm simply asking is:

1. Would a macro flash be necessary/useful for me in combination with the Sigma 50mm f2.8 EX DG Macro Lens?

2. Would a Canon macro flash be compatible with a Sigma lens, and vise versa?

3. What are the differences between Sigma's EM 140 DG Macro Flash and Canon's Flash MR14EX, and therefore which is 'best'?

Thank you for any help!

Anyone?

Can only answer some questions - use of sigma or canon flashes on a particular lens is only determined by the availability of adapters in the correct filter size for the lens.
There has been some problems using sigma flashes with some of the newer canon bodies but assume that has been sorted now.

Main problem with these type of macro flashes is the rather too even lighting unless you use ratio control and the difficulty in diffusing them easily.
Brian v.

I want one of these too. Would one be better off using a Speedlite off camera and diffusing it?

Are these really that bad? I have seen some good results with them, but LordV is the macro man!

Anyone know what the best lighting for macro is?