Sigma EF-500 DG Super under exposing

konazz · 04-24-2011, 08:03 PM

Hey guys,

I bought a EF-500 DG Super off the forums a few months back for my K200D. Pretty much the flash is useless, as every photo w/ the flash is completely under exposed. I've tried EVERYTHING - different modes, power settings, etc. and nothing.

Anyway, would this be because of an update for K200Ds?

I read here that updates to flashes are required...

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-camera-field-accessories/129070-si...er-update.html

Do you think they would do them for free in Australia still?

hawk1500 · 04-24-2011, 10:03 PM

that's weird, I have the same flash and have used it on various Pentax cameras (K-7, K-5, K-x, K-r, K200d) and it has worked ok. Flash compensation? Does it work as a slave (wireless flash controlled from the K200d)?

**Ash** · 04-24-2011, 10:26 PM

The 'hardware' update for this flash is only for wireless mode.
If you know about it/use it then you should test to see if the flash works wirelessly. If not, and you're sure of it, then you should call your local CRK repair centre for advice. They should still be able to update the flash for you.

As for your problem, what lens are you using? I'm interested to know whether the flash is firing at all. If it is, is it discharging completely (full-power flash) and still giving black results? If not, post some examples here with EXIF data intact. Suggest you open the aperture to something like f/5.6 in Av mode, add FEC +1.0 and shoot in P-TTL mode

konazz · 04-25-2011, 01:17 AM

The lenses are DA 18-55 AL II and FA 50 f/1.4

Have tried different apertures, FEC, EV, modes.

I will do some test shots shortly and a youtube video so you can see what I'm doing wrong.

The flash is DEFINITELY firing. I'm pretty sure it works in wireless mode, as I was able to get some exposures out from that.... but that may be just the on-board providing fill in light, not the Sigma 500.

It seems like its a sync issue, with the camera opening the shutter too early. Also, i'm using ISO 100 and 200.

**Ash** · 04-25-2011, 01:43 AM

You should know whether your flash works wirelessly or not by removing the pop-up flash from contributing to the wireless flash exposure in one of the custom menu options.

If you're indoors, use an ISO like 400-1600, and post some examples.

konazz · 04-25-2011, 04:17 AM

Ok... tried wireless. Doesn't seem to work at all. Can't fire it with either the pop-up flash as master or controller.

It will only fire if as a slave fired by the pop-up flash, not using the wireless mode.

Here are some pictures I took with my FA 50 f/1.4 in AV mode @ f/5. FEV is +1

No flash @ ISO400

Pop up flash

EF-500 DG Super in auto mode (flash) and AV mode f/5 @ ISO400

as above, but ISO800

as above, but ISO1600

above, but ISO1600 and EV +1

konazz · 04-25-2011, 04:25 AM

Also

these are the settings i've got on the camera and flash

**Ash** · 04-25-2011, 05:14 AM - **1 Like**

Flash is not synchronising with the camera.
There should be nothing else to the setup than to point and shoot in P-TTL mode.
Try cleaning the contacts on the hotshoe of both the flash and the camera.
If that's no good, you'll need to have the flash and camera looked at by your local repair guy, unless others can shed any more light on the issue.

konazz · 04-25-2011, 06:55 AM

Yeah... tried cleaning the contacts... no luck.

Just went onto OCAU hoping to find someone with a Pentax DSLR in Canberra, so I can try the flash on another camera.

Thanks for your help Ash... but I've read a lot more on the forums and it seems that the K100D (similar to K200D?) has had lots of issues with the EF 500 DG. Gonna send it to Sigma and see what they say... also get a quote on how much to replace the battery door (can't find any links on the forums).

bdery · 04-27-2011, 04:30 AM

Is the flash firing at all? I agree that it looks like it's not firing. If yuo press the Test button, does it discharge? Does the red AF light turns on when you half-press the shutter? Does this also happen when you put the flash on manual mode?

**Ash** · 04-27-2011, 07:30 AM

Had no problems with it myself on the *ist D, K10D, K20D, K-x and now with the K-5.

konazz · 09-05-2011, 11:37 PM - **1 Like**

Just thought I'd update this thread.

Tried it on a K10D and K7 - neither worked. Tried my K200D w/ a Metz 57 which worked perfectly.

One of the internal circuitry boards was fried - CR Kennedys replaced it: free of charge

(flash wasn't under warranty!). So big +1 to CR Kennedys (they also replaced a BG-3 grip, although that was under warranty!)

**ManuH** · 09-06-2011, 06:06 AM

Originally posted by konazz

Just thought I'd update this thread.

Tried it on a K10D and K7 - neither worked. Tried my K200D w/ a Metz 57 which worked perfectly.

One of the internal circuitry boards was fried - CR Kennedys replaced it: free of charge

(flash wasn't under warranty!). So big +1 to CR Kennedys (they also replaced a BG-3 grip, although that was under warranty!)

Thank you for the update, always appreciated when someone gives the conclusion to an issue.

I had the EF-500 DG super and gave it to my father-in-law who is using a K10D. It was not working on his camera. But It was Ok on the K20D except for wireless flash. Had to send it to Sigma (Gentec in Canada) and they repaired it. I don't know what was the compatibility issue but now it's working even in wireless.

04-24-2011, 08:03 PM	#1
konazz Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 31	Sigma EF-500 DG Super under exposing Hey guys, I bought a EF-500 DG Super off the forums a few months back for my K200D. Pretty much the flash is useless, as every photo w/ the flash is completely under exposed. I've tried EVERYTHING - different modes, power settings, etc. and nothing. Anyway, would this be because of an update for K200Ds? I read here that updates to flashes are required... https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-camera-field-accessories/129070-si...er-update.html Do you think they would do them for free in Australia still?

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04-24-2011, 10:03 PM	#2
hawk1500 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 270	that's weird, I have the same flash and have used it on various Pentax cameras (K-7, K-5, K-x, K-r, K200d) and it has worked ok. Flash compensation? Does it work as a slave (wireless flash controlled from the K200d)?

04-24-2011, 10:26 PM	#3
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	The 'hardware' update for this flash is only for wireless mode. If you know about it/use it then you should test to see if the flash works wirelessly. If not, and you're sure of it, then you should call your local CRK repair centre for advice. They should still be able to update the flash for you. As for your problem, what lens are you using? I'm interested to know whether the flash is firing at all. If it is, is it discharging completely (full-power flash) and still giving black results? If not, post some examples here with EXIF data intact. Suggest you open the aperture to something like f/5.6 in Av mode, add FEC +1.0 and shoot in P-TTL mode

04-25-2011, 01:17 AM	#4
konazz Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 31 Original Poster	The lenses are DA 18-55 AL II and FA 50 f/1.4 Have tried different apertures, FEC, EV, modes. I will do some test shots shortly and a youtube video so you can see what I'm doing wrong. The flash is DEFINITELY firing. I'm pretty sure it works in wireless mode, as I was able to get some exposures out from that.... but that may be just the on-board providing fill in light, not the Sigma 500. It seems like its a sync issue, with the camera opening the shutter too early. Also, i'm using ISO 100 and 200.

04-25-2011, 01:43 AM	#5
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	You should know whether your flash works wirelessly or not by removing the pop-up flash from contributing to the wireless flash exposure in one of the custom menu options. If you're indoors, use an ISO like 400-1600, and post some examples.

04-25-2011, 04:17 AM	#6
konazz Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 31 Original Poster	Ok... tried wireless. Doesn't seem to work at all. Can't fire it with either the pop-up flash as master or controller. It will only fire if as a slave fired by the pop-up flash, not using the wireless mode. Here are some pictures I took with my FA 50 f/1.4 in AV mode @ f/5. FEV is +1 No flash @ ISO400 Pop up flash EF-500 DG Super in auto mode (flash) and AV mode f/5 @ ISO400 as above, but ISO800 as above, but ISO1600 above, but ISO1600 and EV +1

04-25-2011, 04:25 AM	#7
konazz Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 31 Original Poster	Also these are the settings i've got on the camera and flash

04-25-2011, 05:14 AM - 1 Like	#8
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Flash is not synchronising with the camera. There should be nothing else to the setup than to point and shoot in P-TTL mode. Try cleaning the contacts on the hotshoe of both the flash and the camera. If that's no good, you'll need to have the flash and camera looked at by your local repair guy, unless others can shed any more light on the issue.

04-25-2011, 06:55 AM	#9
konazz Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 31 Original Poster	Yeah... tried cleaning the contacts... no luck. Just went onto OCAU hoping to find someone with a Pentax DSLR in Canberra, so I can try the flash on another camera. Thanks for your help Ash... but I've read a lot more on the forums and it seems that the K100D (similar to K200D?) has had lots of issues with the EF 500 DG. Gonna send it to Sigma and see what they say... also get a quote on how much to replace the battery door (can't find any links on the forums).

04-27-2011, 04:30 AM	#10
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Is the flash firing at all? I agree that it looks like it's not firing. If yuo press the Test button, does it discharge? Does the red AF light turns on when you half-press the shutter? Does this also happen when you put the flash on manual mode?

04-27-2011, 07:30 AM	#11
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Had no problems with it myself on the *ist D, K10D, K20D, K-x and now with the K-5.

09-05-2011, 11:37 PM - 1 Like	#12
konazz Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 31 Original Poster	Just thought I'd update this thread. Tried it on a K10D and K7 - neither worked. Tried my K200D w/ a Metz 57 which worked perfectly. One of the internal circuitry boards was fried - CR Kennedys replaced it: free of charge (flash wasn't under warranty!). So big +1 to CR Kennedys (they also replaced a BG-3 grip, although that was under warranty!)

09-06-2011, 06:06 AM	#13
ManuH Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,249	Originally posted by konazz Just thought I'd update this thread. Tried it on a K10D and K7 - neither worked. Tried my K200D w/ a Metz 57 which worked perfectly. One of the internal circuitry boards was fried - CR Kennedys replaced it: free of charge (flash wasn't under warranty!). So big +1 to CR Kennedys (they also replaced a BG-3 grip, although that was under warranty!) Thank you for the update, always appreciated when someone gives the conclusion to an issue. I had the EF-500 DG super and gave it to my father-in-law who is using a K10D. It was not working on his camera. But It was Ok on the K20D except for wireless flash. Had to send it to Sigma (Gentec in Canada) and they repaired it. I don't know what was the compatibility issue but now it's working even in wireless.