Sigma EF 530 DG Super question

[koffiejunkie]

bwana, you mentioned you trigger your Sigma flash with the 400D's pop-up flash.

I read on Sigma's website (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/flashes/flashes_flashes_details.asp?id=3263&navigator=1):

"The Sigma, Konica-Minolta/Sony, Nikon (D80, D70, D70s, D200 only), Pentax *istD, cameras’ built-in flash can be used for triggering the EF-530 DG SUPER, located away from the camera."

but:

"The models for Sigma (SD10), Canon, Pentax D-SLRs, and Nikon (D50, D40, D40x, D2 Series and F6) can utilize an EF-530 DG Super mounted on the camera hotshoe for triggering single or multiple EF-530 DG Super units located away from the camera."

Any idea why this model cannot be triggered with the Canon's pop-up flash?

[bwana]

I'm not sure what it is referring to there but if you look further down it says it can be when used as a slave
Slave Flash

The Designated Slave function allows you use of two or more EF-530 DG SUPER flash units and also flashguns can fire together by using the channel settings. Since the EF-530 DG SUPER is equipped with this function, it can be used with all camera models. It is also possible to use the camera’s built-in flash or another flash unit in Normal Slave mode (Flash Exposure must be adjusted manually).I cant wait to get my hands on another couple 500/530 DG Super's, some stands and some umbrellas for the little studio I'm putting together.

[koffiejunkie]

I did see that - a bit confusing - but I'm not planning to buy two of them :) Anyway, I don't see myself playing with off-camera flash just yet. I was hoping to get one today, but it looks like all the stores that have this one for reasonable price is closed today.

[bwana]

I did see that - a bit confusing - but I'm not planning to buy two of them :) Anyway, I don't see myself playing with off-camera flash just yet. I was hoping to get one today, but it looks like all the stores that have this one for reasonable price is closed today.It can be fun. I was using it the other night - long exposures, with gaffer tape over the dialed down, onboard flash.

[koffiejunkie]

The only reason I'm really getting one is because we're heading off on a group visit to Paris, and I have been asked to do a group photo by the Eiffel tower. I know the pop-up flash isn't going to cut it. Might as well get used to using it too.

[Wynsam]

Does this flash do wireless high shutter speed flash synchronization?

[bwana]

Does this flash do wireless high shutter speed flash synchronization?The EF-500 DG SUPER does (if I'm reading the paperwork correctly) so I presume the newer 530 version does too.

[koffiejunkie]

What sort of speed are we talking about? 1/250?

[bwana]

What sort of speed are we talking about? 1/250?Wireless? My manual doesnt say.

[koffiejunkie]

How do you know it's high speed then? ;)

I'm surprised how little information is available on this. All I could find was this (http://www.microglobe.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?pName=sigma-ef530-dg-super-flashgun-for-nikon-ittl-ii-digital-slr):


The flash power level of EF-530 DG SUPER is able to be set from full to 1/128 for Sigma and Canon mounts, and full to 1/64 for Sony, Nikon, and Pentax mounts.

I'm not sure what "full" refers to here though.

[bwana]

How do you know it's high speed then? ;)

I'm surprised how little information is available on this. All I could find was this (http://www.microglobe.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?pName=sigma-ef530-dg-super-flashgun-for-nikon-ittl-ii-digital-slr):



I'm not sure what "full" refers to here though.I think the "flash power" is mainly used when you're in manual mode - the power level on the 500 ranges from 1/1 (full) to 1/128.

[Wynsam]

High speed -- say 1/1000th or 1/2000th.

Ability to this wirelessly/unmounted is the key. Most decent flashes can do high speed synch. Not all can do it unmounted.

[bwana]

High speed -- say 1/1000th or 1/2000th.

Ability to this wirelessly/unmounted is the key. Most decent flashes can do high speed synch. Not all can do it unmounted.Well as soon as I pick up a second one I'll be sure to let you know. :)

[Wynsam]

You can test it with only one unit. Take the flash off the camera and see if it will trigger and/or correctly expose with a shutter speed of more than the cameras normal synch speed.

[bwana]

You can test it with only one unit. Take the flash off the camera and see if it will trigger and/or correctly expose with a shutter speed of more than the cameras normal synch speed.It needs a second flash mounted on the camera to trigger the remote one.

[Wynsam]

So the on-board camera cant trigger the Sigma?

[bwana]

So the on-board camera cant trigger the Sigma?It can but not with the same degree of control.

You have to set the remote manually whereas if you use a second sigma (or iirc Canon) flash it appears that it offers complete control.

[koffiejunkie]

Ha! So I got the Sigma on Thursday, along with four fresh rechargeables. Charged them over-night so before we left on Friday I really had no time to play with it. So when the big moment came I was rather surprised the the flash wouldn't fire in M mode with shutter speed of 4 seconds. Not sure why, and I had a very limited time period (while the lights on the Eiffel were blinking). So I had to use the pop-up flash after all, which kinda changed things. But since I was using the Simga 10-20mm I could move everyone real close, and it worked out fine.

Guess I need to go read the manual now...

[bwana]

lol - some things arent intuitive - that flash could be one of them. ;)

RTM :p

[koffiejunkie]

Tell you what, after this weekend, I'm pretty sure I'll drop the money on the 17-55 f/2.8. The 24-105 is fantastic, but it's just too slow for happy snapping at night. I wish they would release it in a f/2.8 version though - would be awesome!

[bwana]

Tell you what, after this weekend, I'm pretty sure I'll drop the money on the 17-55 f/2.8. The 24-105 is fantastic, but it's just too slow for happy snapping at night. I wish they would release it in a f/2.8 version though - would be awesome!If you've got no intention of going full frame I would in a heartbeat. As you might recall I was torn between that and the 16-35 f/2.8.

[koffiejunkie]

Well, you know my position on that. Selling the 40D with that lens would be easy. If there's a full frame lens in the same focal range (preferably more, really, but 17-55 would suffice) I would seriously look at it. The Sigma 24-60 f/2.8 EX DG is the closest thing I can find, but at only £199 I'd like to test it thoroughly before buying.