Some questions about Sigma EF-530 Super flash

Idanz0r · 11-26-2008, 04:43 AM

hello,

i'm about to buy the Sigma EF-530 Super flash, and i'm pretty pensive, so i wanna ask you, professionals, some questions

first of all, i'm new to DSLR world, and i own K200D for 2 months now. I mostly photo portraits and views, so i wanna buy my first flash.
there are several thing which i need from my flash: 1) wireless function 2) swivel head(both sides), 3) not too expensive

so my friend recommended to me the sigma flash. so here are the questions:

1) does the EF-530 fits my requirements ? does he have a good ratio of price/value?
2) does the flash has a good exposure accuracy?
3) do you have other recommendations?

Thank you a lot in advance,

Idan

Prognathous · 11-26-2008, 05:01 AM

Unfortunately I don’t have the Sigma so I can’t answer your questions, but I’m curious about your wireless flash requirement. What kind of lighting to you expect to get with a single wireless flash? I just don’t see much benefit in a wireless set up that doesn’t include at least two flash units. After all, you can use the bounce head to direct a single light source (on-camera flash) to virtually any spot in the room (I’m assuming you’re going to use the flash mostly indoors).

Needless to say, if you plan to purchase additional flash units later on, then having a wireless option in every one of them can be very useful.

Prog.

flyer · 11-26-2008, 05:38 AM

The Sigma will fulfill all yoour needs. You can use it in wireless mode with the on board flash or another Sigma unit, and it has the bounce and swivel you need. Exposure accuracy is piloted by the camera meter, so it is on par with the Pentax units. When used in bounce mode, I find that I get better results with the wide angle panel in the "on" position.

mattdm · 11-26-2008, 05:49 AM

Originally Posted by Idanz0r

hello,

i'm about to buy the Sigma EF-530 Super flash, and i'm pretty pensive, so i wanna ask you, professionals, some questions
first of all, i'm new to DSLR world, and i own K200D for 2 months now. I mostly photo portraits and views, so i wanna buy my first flash.
there are several thing which i need from my flash: 1) wireless function 2) swivel head(both sides), 3) not too expensive

so my friend recommended to me the sigma flash. so here are the questions:

1) does the EF-530 fits my requirements ? does he have a good ratio of price/value?
2) does the flash has a good exposure accuracy?
3) do you have other recommendations?

Thank you a lot in advance,

My flash guide should help with some of these questions:

Pentax P-TTL Hot Shoe Flash Comparison - a knol by Matthew Miller

It's getting a little long; I plan to split it into several articles soon. In short, the EF-530DG Super definitely fits all three of your criteria.

I'd also recommend looking into the Metz 48 AF-1, which I personally chose over the Sigma Super after trying both.

Also, if you intend to use the flash mostly in wireless mode, the Pentax AF360FGZ's lack of swivel becomes less important.

Originally Posted by Prognathous

Unfortunately I don’t have the Sigma so I can’t answer your questions, but I’m curious about your wireless flash requirement. What kind of lighting to you expect to get with a single wireless flash? I just don’t see much benefit in a wireless set up that doesn’t include at least two flash units. After all, you can use the bounce head to direct a single light source (on-camera flash) to virtually any spot in the room (I’m assuming you’re going to use the flash mostly indoors).

It's much, much more flexible. You can have your lighting how you want it and move around without having to re-adjust the tilt and swivel of the flash, and you can bounce from areas you can't get a good angle to from where you happen to be standing.

Additionally, with the K10D on (including K200D), you can use the built-in flash in combination with a wireless P-TTL slave if you want. (And this is where I ran into a problem Sigma tech support couldn't help me with — the camera's built-in low-light autofocus strobe effect kept triggering the slave prematurely. Metz and Pentax flashes don't have this problem.

Idanz0r · 11-26-2008, 06:32 AM

thank you both flyer and mattdm.

mattdm - i'm amazed by your comparison, it answers every little question of mine(and it's so well organized!)

unfortunately, there is no importer of metz flashes in my country:\ so i have option between AF540 and EF530 Super, and due to the fact that i don't have spare 150$, i'll buy the EF530 Super. Thank you all!!

*ivoire* · 11-26-2008, 10:58 AM

Mattdm, thats impressive work on the flash info. very informative. I was getting ready to order the metz 48 af-1 when i noticed the site said it is ttl. Is the 48 af-1 for pentax a ttl or p-ttl flash?

mattdm · 11-26-2008, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by ivoire

Mattdm, thats impressive work on the flash info. very informative. I was getting ready to order the metz 48 af-1 when i noticed the site said it is ttl. Is the 48 af-1 for pentax a ttl or p-ttl flash?

Everything is P-TTL, including the 48 AF-1. Did I accidentally say just TTL somewhere?

*ivoire* · 11-26-2008, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by mattdm

Everything is P-TTL, including the 48 AF-1. Did I accidentally say just TTL somewhere?

You are on target in your write-up, but the site i was ordering from said ttl. made me nervous. this looks like it is a better flash with 99% of the pentax 540 capabilities. based on your info and recommendation (you bought one) i'm going for it.

Idanz0r · 11-27-2008, 10:20 AM

one last question

does anyone know a good camera/flashes store in Canada?

BrianK · 11-27-2008, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by Idanz0r

one last question

does anyone know a good camera/flashes store in Canada?

I don't know where you are in Canada but I just came back from Broadway Camera in Richmond, BC with the 530 Super flash.

Just did a couple of tests in the house and it seems to work very well. Much more power than the Pentax 360.

They have good prices for a brick and mortar store and they have most items in stock for all brands. A huge selection of lenses, as my charge card knows only too well.

It looks like the Sigma EF 530 Super is going to be a nice addition to my equipment. Unlike the Pentax flash, the Sigma also comes with an off camera stand/tripod mount.

mattdm · 11-27-2008, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by BrianK

Just did a couple of tests in the house and it seems to work very well. Much more power than the Pentax 360.

Yes, about twice the power.

It looks like the Sigma EF 530 Super is going to be a nice addition to my equipment. Unlike the Pentax flash, the Sigma also comes with an off camera stand/tripod mount.

Yeah, oddly Pentax, Metz, and Promaster only include those with their more expensive models. I'm less annoyed about it since I've discovered the Nikon AS-19 Speedlight Stand for $8.

flyer · 11-27-2008, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by Idanz0r

one last question

does anyone know a good camera/flashes store in Canada?

Canada is huge. I can give you at least five in Montréal's area, but it won't do you any good if you live in Cold Lake, Alta.

Idanz0r · 11-28-2008, 03:58 AM

i'm searching for recommanded shops at Canada, no matter where because it will be shipped to my place at Vancouver. A shop with reliability and good prices will be great. Thank you again.

flyer · 11-28-2008, 05:03 PM

Try "Prodigital 2000".
They generally have very good prices, and they deal exclusively with internet order.

Idanz0r · 11-30-2008, 01:42 PM

as i see it's a ebay site, i prefer to buy from a "physical" store which has more reliability, any similar offers?

thank you again flyer

btw - how is http://www.thecamerastore.com/?

it's looks nice