Sigma 500DG Opinions - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

03/13/2007 10:18:24 AM · #1

Although I don't really need a flash right now I feel an urge to spend around 200USD on some equipment. Does anyone have any experience with this flash? I mention that I googled it and did my homework reading reviews but I want some feedback from DPC if possible.

Regards,

Tibi

AlexSaberi

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

03/13/2007 10:34:10 AM · #2

yes. I have owned this flash for quite a while now, and I have to say that it is on par with if not better than the canon 580. Half the price. All plus more functions. Not the best build, but i havent had any problems

Buy it

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

03/13/2007 10:43:36 AM · #3

Wouldnt say its better than the 580, but its definitely as good as the 550ex (which the Sigma is modelled on). The 580 wins hand down for power, recycle time, ease of use and build quality. I use the 580 for weddings and the `one button swivel` function is worth the extra money alone if you bounce the flash a lot e.g. at a wedding. (the Sigma requires pressing two buttons, one for tilting up/down, another for swivelling left/right), not to mention that colour temp etc is communicated to the camera a lot better. On the whole though, for the money, the sigma is a fantastic buy.

Also it can be used as a wireless master or slave and is fully compatible with the 550 or the 580, so if you plan on upgrading at a later date you can still use the sigma as a remote slave retaining full E-TTL functionality. NICE!!

Message edited by author 2007-03-13 10:44:52.

AlexSaberi

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

03/13/2007 11:00:00 AM · #4

well it is better considering the low price

pineapple

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

03/13/2007 11:03:10 AM · #5

The 580 version II about to be released has a much better door and weatherproof finish for use in light rain. Also has a much needed PC plug (for Pocket Wizard etc)

SamDoe1

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

03/13/2007 11:20:59 AM · #6

Originally posted by marksimms:

Also it can be used as a wireless master or slave and is fully compatible with the 550 or the 580, so if you plan on upgrading at a later date you can still use the sigma as a remote slave retaining full E-TTL functionality. NICE!!

It also has a built in optical slave trigger (can fire off of other flashes, similar to studio strobes) something none of the Canon flashes have. The build quality is worse than the 550EX and the 580EX, but unless you plan on abusing it, it won't matter. It's not like it's that bad. All in all, I see it as a great flash and works awesome.

pix-al

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

03/13/2007 11:24:12 AM · #7

Do you mean the base model or the "Super"?

I have the base model - the 500 DG and I wish I had bought the Super having learn't more about Flash photography.

Why? Purely because of the manual power controls.
Sometimes when I bounce the flash off the cieling, the TTL doesn't quite get it right, so I swith to manual, though with only being able to choose from full power or 1/16th power, I am limited.
The super allows you to choose from full power, 1/2 power, 1/4 power etc, right down to 1/32 power. Much better!

SamDoe1

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

03/13/2007 11:33:27 AM · #8

Originally posted by pix-al:

The super allows you to choose from full power, 1/2 power, 1/4 power etc, right down to 1/32 power. Much better!

I'm pretty sure it goes even lower than that. :) I believe you can get 1/64 if not 1/128 power. And also, the Super has an LCD screen where as the base model (ST) does not.

AlexSaberi

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

03/13/2007 11:41:24 AM · #9

yeah I mean the super. Â£150 here. and 1/128 I think

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

03/13/2007 11:46:05 AM · #10

Originally posted by pix-al:

Does the 350D had FEC (Flash exposure compensation) maybe you could throttle it back slighty (or boost it) through that? Should get you through until you get the Super or a Canon xxxEX. Not quite the same as full-manual control, but should be enough for +/- 2 ev corrections.

I know the 300D only had FEC using the hacked firmware, not sure about the 350D.. maybe someone can clarify?

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

03/13/2007 11:57:15 AM · #11

Originally posted by AlexSaberi:

well it is better considering the low price

Applying that logic you could say that the 30D, 350D or even 400D is better than the 5D if you base whats `better` on price alone, and the other cameras have built in flash as well.

The Sigma is a great flash, and for the price its a steal and I still use mine occasionally (especially as a slave), but compared to my 580 it really does pale into comparison. The 580mkII looks great, but until I get myself a 1D series camera the weather-proofing it has wouldnt really be worth the upgrade.

As to the optical slave function, I agree, if you have a 30D, 400D, 350D etc with built in flash then its a great way of having a remote firing facility, but owning a 5D (with no built in flash) the optical slave facility is of little value.. However, I purchased my Sigma when I was on a tighter budget and had the 300D, so the optical slave facility was actually an added bonus.

But yes, the much lower price is a no-brainer for some people, especially when you can buy 2 Sigmas for pretty much the same price as a single Canon unit.
...and in answer to the original question. Yes, the Sigma is a great flash unit with loads of functions and defintely worth the price..

Message edited by author 2007-03-13 12:10:00.

pineapple

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

03/13/2007 12:19:45 PM · #12

The PC socket in the 580 mk II is worth a heck of a lot in convenience. It saves you $45 instantly on not having to buy a Paramount cord for the PW. The mk II also has a heck of a better battery door set up. The version one is history.

pix-al

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

03/13/2007 12:36:48 PM · #13

Originally posted by marksimms:

Does the 350D had FEC (Flash exposure compensation) ?

It does, Yes, though the same result can be achieved by using the camera in manual and stopping down or up etc...
The problem comes when 1/16th power is not enough, so you crank it up to full power and stop down to avoid over exposure, unneccesarily using battery power in the flash and increasing your recycle times!

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

03/13/2007 11:27:09 PM · #14

Thank you guys. I made my mind. By the end of the month the Sigma500DG Super will be mine. Seems like a good match for my 350D and I don't do weedings LOL.

Thanks again.

kiwinick

Sony DSLR-A550

03/13/2007 11:41:33 PM · #15

there is also a sunpak model available same specs which is a good buy, the build quality and light fall off of the sunpak is superior to the Sigma

03/14/2007 02:03:52 AM · #16

Originally posted by kiwinick:

there is also a sunpak model available same specs which is a good buy, the build quality and light fall off of the sunpak is superior to the Sigma

Can you name the model please?

Thanks

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

03/31/2007 10:51:16 PM · #17

Originally posted by marksimms:

As to the optical slave function, I agree, if you have a 30D, 400D, 350D etc with built in flash then its a great way of having a remote firing facility,
...and in answer to the original question. Yes, the Sigma is a great flash unit with loads of functions and defintely worth the price..

This is great. I bought the flash and it's a different breed of an animal. I have to learn how to use it.
One nitpick is that I have to buy a camera grip cause the camera is really heavy now and not easy to balance it which gives me a heck of a handshake and blured pics.

Any advice for a begginer is more then welcome.

Thanks

Message edited by author 2007-03-31 22:51:49.

NstiG8tr

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

03/31/2007 11:11:00 PM · #18

Originally posted by Tiberius:

One nitpick is that I have to buy a camera grip cause the camera is really heavy now and not easy to balance it which gives me a heck of a handshake and blured pics.

Any advice for a begginer is more then welcome.

Thanks

Forget the grip. All you have to do is get a bigger camera LOL