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iunknown · 11-24-2010, 05:03 PM

I am considering Sigma EF-530 DG SUPER flash for my K-5. Comments and feedback are greatly appreciated.

-iunknown

ozzi-paul · 11-24-2010, 08:26 PM

From what I have read, they are meant to be a good flash, but, the build quality is not great and the menu system is meant to be a bit strange or difficult to use. Probably wouldn't be a problem once you got the hang of it though. I thought about getting a Sigma flash myself but decided to go for the Metz 48 AF-1. That and the 58 have better build quality and I know the 48 is easy to use so the 58 should be to. Just going on what I have read so someone with a Sigma flash may know better.

buaobao · 11-25-2010, 12:10 AM

Originally posted by iunknown

How good is Sigma EF-530 DG SUPER Flash?

I'd been using EF-500 DG super for years. It's wireless never work on my k100d,k10d,k20d, but surprisingly it shines on K-7 and K-5 in all channel and battery compartment is much better than my pentax 360fgz. I used to cover the built in flash with opaque material so as not to get into the eyes of the person or direct light to subject and I happen to use EF-500 becoz of the swivel head where i can direct EF-500 sensor to my camera and rotate the flash-head to the subject. (matter of choice where you want light to focus the most)

Since EF-530 DG is a mark up from its predecessor, I guess i'll expect a more flash power.
Haven't read the spec'd yet if they added some, Example: USB for FW, External power source socket, extended selectable wireless channel. etc...

...buaobao

Eruditass · 11-25-2010, 01:37 AM

Depends on what you want and need. I actually preferred the Sigma's UI, since you don't have to do the whole two-button push thing like on the Metz 48, which you have to do a lot to change certain settings.

I've actually found that most/all of the features the 48 has, the Sigma is capable of, and then some (like stroboscopic mode, for example). One thing I definitely liked about the Metz 48 is that it didn't lock the flash head for tilt/swivel in both axis's like the Sigma, had a better af-assist beam, and I think it went down to a lower power level in manual.

Last edited by Eruditass; 11-25-2010 at 02:07 AM.

Manel Brand · 11-25-2010, 08:18 AM

Originally posted by buaobao

I'd been using EF-500 DG super for years. It's wireless never work on my k100d,k10d,k20d

My Sigma EF-530 DG SUPER works flawlessly in wireless mode with the K10; the user guide is very synthetic, but gives you the necessary guide lines to make it work.

Originally posted by iunknown

How good is Sigma EF-530 DG SUPER Flash?

I don't have a K-5, therefore I cannot testify if it works or not, but it should, according to buaobao.

If you are looking for an alternative to the much more expensive PENTAX AF 540FGZ, this is nothing but a bargain; it's powerful enough to use as bounce flash, offering a guide number of 61 which translates to 61/m (200/ft); construction (plastic) it's a bit on the cheap feel but strong enough; the battery compartment door is good and secure.

iunknown · 11-25-2010, 01:17 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. The reason for me to look for Sigma is because Metz 58 is almost twice the price of Sigma and if Sigma is powerful enough, I am happy for that.

Any comments of the comparison of Metz 58 and the Sigma?

-iunknown

VF-19 · 11-26-2010, 11:18 AM

I've got the Sigma 530 DG Super too, and it works really well with my K7. I was recently using it in manual mode off the camera (connected by a simple PC sync cord), and when it went into power saving mode, a simple push of the test button brought it back online, and I didn't have to reset the settings on the flash.

Like others have said, the menu is not straightforward, but it does work.

Manel Brand · 11-26-2010, 11:51 AM

Originally posted by VF-19

Like others have said, the menu is not straightforward, but it does work.

Sorry, I don't agree on that. Menu is quite simple and straightforward.

**Ahab** · 11-26-2010, 02:05 PM

I won't tell you what I read. I bought the Sigma because I felt it was the best bang for the buck for my use on the K20 and K7 so it probably will work on the K5 whenever I get to get one. I've used it for just over 6 months now with no regrets.

bobmaxja · 11-26-2010, 05:36 PM

I just ordered mine today

Eruditass · 11-27-2010, 03:10 PM

Just in case people didn't know, the Sigma EF-630 Super is out, with significant power increases, making it perhaps the strongest P-TTL flash(?)

flyer · 11-27-2010, 05:45 PM

I have two 530 and one 500, and they all work with the K10D, K20D and K7, so I don't see why it wouldn't work on a k5.

To Buaobao: your flash needs to be re-chipped. The Sigma 500 was NOT compatible with the K10/20d in wireless mode when it first came out on the market. Whenever somebody had wireless sync problem, they could send the flash back to Sigma to be re-chipped at no cost. I don't know if the offer still stand...

11-24-2010, 05:03 PM	#1
iunknown Inactive Account Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 94	How good is Sigma EF-530 DG SUPER Flash? I am considering Sigma EF-530 DG SUPER flash for my K-5. Comments and feedback are greatly appreciated. -iunknown

11-25-2010, 08:18 AM	#5
Manel Brand Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Porto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 853	Originally posted by buaobao I'd been using EF-500 DG super for years. It's wireless never work on my k100d,k10d,k20d My Sigma EF-530 DG SUPER works flawlessly in wireless mode with the K10; the user guide is very synthetic, but gives you the necessary guide lines to make it work. Originally posted by iunknown How good is Sigma EF-530 DG SUPER Flash? I don't have a K-5, therefore I cannot testify if it works or not, but it should, according to buaobao. If you are looking for an alternative to the much more expensive PENTAX AF 540FGZ, this is nothing but a bargain; it's powerful enough to use as bounce flash, offering a guide number of 61 which translates to 61/m (200/ft); construction (plastic) it's a bit on the cheap feel but strong enough; the battery compartment door is good and secure. Last edited by Manel Brand; 11-25-2010 at 08:25 AM. Reason: redundant

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11-24-2010, 08:26 PM	#2
ozzi-paul Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: N/E Victoria, Australia, on the mighty Murray River. Photos: Albums Posts: 141	From what I have read, they are meant to be a good flash, but, the build quality is not great and the menu system is meant to be a bit strange or difficult to use. Probably wouldn't be a problem once you got the hang of it though. I thought about getting a Sigma flash myself but decided to go for the Metz 48 AF-1. That and the 58 have better build quality and I know the 48 is easy to use so the 58 should be to. Just going on what I have read so someone with a Sigma flash may know better.

11-25-2010, 12:10 AM	#3
buaobao Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: des veoux rd west, kennedy town Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51	Originally posted by iunknown How good is Sigma EF-530 DG SUPER Flash? I'd been using EF-500 DG super for years. It's wireless never work on my k100d,k10d,k20d, but surprisingly it shines on K-7 and K-5 in all channel and battery compartment is much better than my pentax 360fgz. I used to cover the built in flash with opaque material so as not to get into the eyes of the person or direct light to subject and I happen to use EF-500 becoz of the swivel head where i can direct EF-500 sensor to my camera and rotate the flash-head to the subject. (matter of choice where you want light to focus the most) Since EF-530 DG is a mark up from its predecessor, I guess i'll expect a more flash power. Haven't read the spec'd yet if they added some, Example: USB for FW, External power source socket, extended selectable wireless channel. etc... ...buaobao

11-25-2010, 01:37 AM	#4
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Depends on what you want and need. I actually preferred the Sigma's UI, since you don't have to do the whole two-button push thing like on the Metz 48, which you have to do a lot to change certain settings. I've actually found that most/all of the features the 48 has, the Sigma is capable of, and then some (like stroboscopic mode, for example). One thing I definitely liked about the Metz 48 is that it didn't lock the flash head for tilt/swivel in both axis's like the Sigma, had a better af-assist beam, and I think it went down to a lower power level in manual. Last edited by Eruditass; 11-25-2010 at 02:07 AM.

11-25-2010, 01:17 PM	#6
iunknown Inactive Account Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 94 Original Poster	Thanks for the suggestions. The reason for me to look for Sigma is because Metz 58 is almost twice the price of Sigma and if Sigma is powerful enough, I am happy for that. Any comments of the comparison of Metz 58 and the Sigma? -iunknown

11-26-2010, 11:18 AM	#7
VF-19 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ottawa Posts: 364	I've got the Sigma 530 DG Super too, and it works really well with my K7. I was recently using it in manual mode off the camera (connected by a simple PC sync cord), and when it went into power saving mode, a simple push of the test button brought it back online, and I didn't have to reset the settings on the flash. Like others have said, the menu is not straightforward, but it does work.

11-26-2010, 11:51 AM	#8
Manel Brand Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Porto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 853	Originally posted by VF-19 Like others have said, the menu is not straightforward, but it does work. Sorry, I don't agree on that. Menu is quite simple and straightforward.

11-26-2010, 02:05 PM	#9
Ahab Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Arnold, Md. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 762	I won't tell you what I read. I bought the Sigma because I felt it was the best bang for the buck for my use on the K20 and K7 so it probably will work on the K5 whenever I get to get one. I've used it for just over 6 months now with no regrets.

11-26-2010, 05:36 PM	#10
bobmaxja Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Laval, Quebec Canada Posts: 2,171	I just ordered mine today

11-27-2010, 03:10 PM	#11
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Just in case people didn't know, the Sigma EF-630 Super is out, with significant power increases, making it perhaps the strongest P-TTL flash(?)

11-27-2010, 05:45 PM	#12
flyer Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ste-Anne des Plaines, Qc., Canada Posts: 2,013	I have two 530 and one 500, and they all work with the K10D, K20D and K7, so I don't see why it wouldn't work on a k5. To Buaobao: your flash needs to be re-chipped. The Sigma 500 was NOT compatible with the K10/20d in wireless mode when it first came out on the market. Whenever somebody had wireless sync problem, they could send the flash back to Sigma to be re-chipped at no cost. I don't know if the offer still stand...