Batteries Included: 0 Battery Description: 4 Alkaline AA or NiMH Binding: Electronics Brand: Sigma EAN: 0085126919511 Label: SIGMA Manufacturer: SIGMA Model: F10927 Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: SIGMA Studio: SIGMA
Editorial Reviews:
Electronic Flash EF-500 DG SUPER is designed to work with both AF 35mm SLR and Digital SLR cameras of popular manufacturers, for advanced flash photography. It has a maximum guide number of 165 in feet or 50 in meter at 105mm focal length (ISO 100). The projection angle of the flashlight is set automatically to match the lens' focal length ranging from 28mm wide-angle to 105mm medium-telephoto. It also incorporates a built-in diffuser that expands the angle of illumination down to that of 17mm lens.For bounce flash it can be tilted 90? upwards and 7? downward for close-ups. Also it can be swiveled 180? to the left and 90? to the right. It incorporates "modeling flash" mode to provide proper light distribution to check the shadow of the subject. The multi pulse flash features enable reduced power setting from 1/4 to 1/128 in 6 steps and the pulse frequency of the flash can be set from 1Hz to 199Hz. EF-500 DG SUPER incorporates wireless TTL flash photography, slave flash photography, and FP flash photography (synchronized with high shutter speeds). In addition, manual flash also can be set at 8 output power levels. The covering focal length of the flashlight can be seen on the LCD panel, and a flash ready signal can be seen in the viewfinder. The EF-500 DG SUPER also incorporates auto power off system.For a complete compatibility list please refer to the original manufacturer's web site.
Reviews :
Evaluation:
Conclusion: Average Flash. ETTL II (Supposedly)
Review: Admission: Did not buy from Amazon.
This flash came in a standard E500 ETTL box with stickers with "II" appended. The flash inside was labelled correctly. Not such great finish on the plastic and the buttons.
Slightly slow flash (zoom) - slows down the camera too. Noisy. Sticks out way above the camera (which is a good thing) for redeye / shadowing elimination. Havn't used the bounce yet to determine close shots - passport/portrait style.
Main issue is that I bought this for $200 to compensate for the nearly useless built in flash on the Canon 20D (a $1450 camera no less). But the flash is weak in ETTL (II) mode. Works great at say 5 feet (35mm equivalent setting w/ISO 100/200/400 modes) after that distance it fails to illuminate anything just like the built in.
I did get around it by moving it into manual (zoom button) and setting the flash say a 105 mm at a 60-70mm zoom setting of the camera. But then have to step through it for every shot as the immediate previous settings are lost after exposure.
I did like the battery consumption (or economy) - used not so fully charged Ni-MH batteries (was exited to try it on receipt) - shot about 100 shots and the batteries seem to hold very well - speaks for the flash or the Radioshack rechargeables - I don't know. The flash recharges are fast too.
So I have $1600 of equipment and still can't use it indoors. Great!.
