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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> sigma flash - canon flash - NEED HELP SOON.
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Showing posts 1 - 9 of 9, (reverse)
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 12/20/2008 10:18:01 AM · #1
Hi there I was hoping to get some advices from you guys this weekend.

The thing is I am about to buy my first Flash for my Canon 400D camera. What I have been told to look at 430 EX II from canon or Sigma EF 530 DG Super. Does anyone have either of these? Can some one tell me witch one is better and witch one i should choose. It would be awesome if some one could tell me since i was hoping to buy one after 3 hours from now :P
 12/20/2008 10:24:20 AM · #2
Do a comparison of features. Which features do you need? Which ones can you live without?
 12/20/2008 10:27:31 AM · #3
I have two of the Sigmas, but have never used any other flash to have a comparison to judge by. The Sigmas work fine for me, but I usually use them off-camera and with manual settings.
 12/20/2008 10:50:58 AM · #4
the sigma will be more powerful - so if you need more light overall you've got it, but if you need less it can reccle to the next flash faster as it won't be working at max capacity.

I had a sigma and now have canon and metz flashes. The only one that really impresses me is the 580ex2 - the newest most expensive of the bunch (of course).

Unless you know you plan to get a 580 in the future to utilize the wirelss eTTL multiflash capability then I'd get the Sigma. The 430 cannot act as a master in the wireless setup so you'll need a 550 or 580 to do this. The sigma (at least the model before the 530) wasn't all that great as a satelite flash (which is why I sold mine). I was perfectly fins as the main, on-camera flash.
 12/20/2008 11:45:29 AM · #5
I have a 580EX II and the Sigma 530 DG Super. The Sigma has a built-in optical slave which means it will trigger when it sees another flash. If you're planning to use the strobes off-camera, a la Strobist (first in!), then you'll want to consider the Sigma...the 430 EX (I or II) requires additional hotshoes, etc. If you're just planning to use the flash on your camera, the 430 is probably a good choice, as it has more fine-tuned output control than the Sigma, but I believe the Sigma is about $70-80 cheaper than the 430 EX II.

edit: Sorry, that's not very helpful. Here's my advice: get the 580EX II. It costs a lot more than the other two, but you'll eventually wish you had.

Message edited by author 2008-12-20 11:48:35.
 12/20/2008 11:56:49 AM · #6
Thank you all.

Thanks Davi_C best advice i have gotten so far:D

I just love how helpful every one is on this Forum thank you so much.
 12/20/2008 12:23:15 PM · #7
You can buy a Canon 430EX then if you ever want to go to off camera you can either buy some Cactus triggers($40-ish) or a Canon ST-E2($200) or even later buy a 580EX and use them both.

I would suggest a Canon 430EX then progress from there.

Message edited by author 2008-12-20 12:24:42.
 12/20/2008 12:38:36 PM · #8
Are there real functional differences between the 580 EX and the 580 EX II? I've heard things about battery doors, and a faster cycle time on the EX II, but wonder if there are other big improvements?
 12/20/2008 02:23:38 PM · #9
Originally posted by ambaker:
Are there real functional differences between the 580 EX and the 580 EX II? I've heard things about battery doors, and a faster cycle time on the EX II, but wonder if there are other big improvements?


I used a 580EX for a year and a half. One thing that alot of folks complained about were the battery door, and the recycle times. I didnt have an issue with either. Although the new design is much better and faster recycle times. Alot of people are complaining about the loss of the Slave/Master switch and having to go through a series of button pushes to get that done. I dont use it much if any so its not an issue for me. The new foot while being metal and more robust does seem to have more issues with connections with certain cameras then others. The new flash has PC sync ports where the older ones didnt. This for me is a huge plus, no needed for hotshoe adapters or modifications to use remote triggers. So its a good and a bad thing depending on who you ask. For me I sold my original 580 after having a version II with it for a while and bought a second one.

Matt

Message edited by author 2008-12-20 14:24:28.
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