Canon (Sigma) Flash Help

swintonphotoswintonphoto Registered Users Posts: 1,664 Major grins
edited February 2, 2011 in Accessories
I am looking to get a Sigma flash for my Canon 5Dmk2. I am looking at the following 4 flashes and need some help deciding which will be best. I seem to remember Ziggy having some experience with Sigma flashes. I have been borrowing a Canon flash from my brother for several months since switching to Canon from Olympus. I have been very pleased with the Canon flash, but I am looking for something that may be a little less expensive than the Canon offerings (since I already spent a small fortune on my 5Dmk2, lenses, accessories, etc). I have heard the Sigma flashes are the next best thing for ETTL functionality. Here are the Sigma flashes I am looking at:

EF-530 DG ST
EF-530 DG Super
EF610 DG ST
EF610 DG Super

It will be used for on-location portraits, weddings, etc.

Thoughts?
Jonathan
http://www.jonathanswinton.com
http://www.swintoncounseling.com

Comments

  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited January 10, 2011
    That is correct....Ziggy is the Sigma Flash Master......wow had no clue that sigma brought new flashes...so from you list I am only familiar with te 530 series and would recommend the 530 DG Super.......it was like a flagship......so i would presume the 610DG super to be even closer to OEM flashes than the 530DG Super was and it was darned close....I just did not like it having to be re-synced if the set up too a bit to long as far it was concerned...so I returned my Sigma 530DG Super's and went for SB 900's for me.
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited January 10, 2011
    I don't recommend the "ST" versions because they lack wireless capability as well as reduced manual power options. Think of the "ST" as in "STripped" functionality.

    The Sigma EF 610 series are brand new and I didn't realize they were in stock and shipping. (Indeed it looks like some of the dedicated versions, Pentax, Sony and Sigma?, are not in stock yet. They are also new enough that I don't see any reviews.) They appear very similar to the Sigma EF 530 series but a little more costly and a little more power.

    The Sigma EF 530 DG Super are what I recommend since they have very similar functionality to the Canon 580EX flash. The cost is more similar to the next level down in the manufacturer flashes. This functionality and feature set is what makes the Sigma flashes a pretty good value. I have 4 - Sigma 5xx DG Super series flashes and 1 - Canon 580EX.

    The Sigma user interface is a bit different from the camera manufacturer interfaces but I do not find it to be a problem.

    The Sigma flashes do not allow an external high-voltage power supply for faster recycling, but again, I don't have problems with that for most wedding/event photography. I tend to use studio strobes for the formals.

    Adorama and B&H carry the flash:

    http://www.adorama.com/SG530EOS.html

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/515353-REG/Sigma_169_101_EF_530_DG_Super_Flash.html
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • swintonphotoswintonphoto Registered Users Posts: 1,664 Major grins
    edited January 10, 2011
    Thanks for the feedback guys. Just what I needed.
    Jonathan
    http://www.jonathanswinton.com
    http://www.swintoncounseling.com
  • swintonphotoswintonphoto Registered Users Posts: 1,664 Major grins
    edited January 23, 2011
    I received the EF-530 DG Super ETTL-II flash and it works beautifully. The ETTL seems to be as good as the Canon thus far. Thank you for the recommendations. And I actually think the controls are in some ways easier to use than the Canon flashes.thumb.gif
    Jonathan
    http://www.jonathanswinton.com
    http://www.swintoncounseling.com
  • GC5GC5 Registered Users Posts: 25 Big grins
    edited January 31, 2011
    I'd heard that the 530 wasn't fully compatible with the 5d2. Not true?

    It otherwise appears to be quite a bargain at current prices...
    [URL]http://[/URL]www.gc5photography.com
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited January 31, 2011
    GC5 wrote: »
    I'd heard that the 530 wasn't fully compatible with the 5d2. Not true?

    It otherwise appears to be quite a bargain at current prices...

    I use a pair of Sigma EF 530 DG Super flashes with my Canon 5D MKII all the time:

    1125881067_EWAVE-O.jpg

    The older Sigma EF 500 DG Super does not work with the newer Canon cameras unless you send the flash back to Sigma for free service. (Canon changed the polarity of a couple of connections and the 500 DG Super just needs to have a couple wires changed to be compatible with the newer Canon cameras.)
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • JohnRogJohnRog Registered Users Posts: 173 Major grins
    edited February 2, 2011
    Just an FYI... I have the 500 super and when I sent it in to get it upgraded to work with my 7d, they charged me $50.00... still worth it though if you already have one...

    Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited February 2, 2011
    JohnRog wrote: »
    Just an FYI... I have the 500 super and when I sent it in to get it upgraded to work with my 7d, they charged me $50.00... still worth it though if you already have one...

    Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk

    The service should have been free.

    http://www.sigmaphoto.com/techupdates/notice-to-customers-using-sigmas-eo-ettl-ii-type-flashguns
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
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