Good LCD dsiplay, Good recycle times, easy to set/change functions. 17mm zoom difuser

Must push an unlock button to use swivel and bounce flash.

I purchased this flash and am using it with a Pentax ZX-7. Good value and features when compared to comparable Pentax units.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Pentax AF-280T

Cheap, duplicates most of the functions and most of the power of the 550EX at half the price FOR EOS FILM CAMERAS ONLY.

Doesn''t work with G2: may not work with D30, I haven''t tried it (don''t have a D30) but I would bet that it doesn''t. Build quality is not a weakness. Seems solid. No plug for external power pack.

WARNING: NOT a full 550EX clone for Canon Digital cameras. At least in the case of the unit I got, this flash DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY with the new Canon G2 digital P&S camera. The 550EX works just fine with the G2''s E-TTL so the Sigma should too, but it doesn''t. This Sigma flash has a lot going for it, but the reverse engineering didn''t take the digital Canons into account. As far as I can tell, it works fine with Canon E-TTL film cameras (EOS 3, EOS 1V), including as a wireless master or slave. But put a 550EX on a Canon G2 digital and you get a perfect flash picture. Put the Sigma unit on the same camera, and the flash fires, but it''s either too early or too late because you get a totally underexposed, totally unusable shot as if there were no flash burst at all. There may be some workaround that I haven''t discovered yet, but that doesn''t matter: the Canon flash works as expected. Bottom line: this unit is a good value if you''re using it with a film camera, but don''t buy it for use with a G2, buy the 420EX instead.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

550EX, 420EX, Metz 54MZ-3

Strong Guide Number. Functions in the manual seem impressive (if they would have worked). Affordable for my rookie needs.

Software bug. Kind of new on the market, so you should probably wait a few, until the bugs are worked out, kind of like the first car model year.

Was looking for a new flash to go with my Nikon N65, because the built in one was kind of weak. Narrowed my selections down to Sigma EF-430 ST. Checked Sigmas web site which had some newer versions EF-500, so I bit. Bought a unit (EF-500 Super) from B&H photo (good customer service). Mounted it on the camera and...no TTL functionality. Not even 'talking' to the camera...No exchange of: ISO Speed, Aperture info, *Auto Zoom, Red eye pre-flash....nothing. Sent it back to B&H for exchange. Got the second unit, mounted it.....nothing! Same problems as the first!

Sent an E-mail to Sigma, who acknowledged a "software bug", and suggested warranty repair. Called them directly to determine what the fix addressed, but they could only confirm the fix as being applicable to the *Auto Zoom function. (No mention of my other problems as being addressed).

So....Back to B&H it goes.

Currently awaiting receipt of the EF-430ST (can't afford the Super), my first choice anyway......

My rating is based on 70% potential, 30% actual experience. In other words "It coulda' been a contender"

Customer Service

Willing, but lack of complete info.

Similar Products Used:

Vivitar 2800 "old school/old faithful" vanilla flash.

All the function as 550EX (if the can working well).

Totally uncompatible with my EOS-3.

All you want in this flash. Same as 550EX and just 2/3 price. But cannot working well with my EOS-3. Over 1 stop want use E-TTL. Cannot set FP mode. Use with my camera's Av mode, the shutter speed stay on 1/8000. 5 mins later, all the system (including camera body) mulfunction! May be some damage to my camera. Sigma good-bye. I am not rich enough to buy cheap thing.

Customer Service

No need to try.

Similar Products Used:

380EX
540EZ

Tons of features:
Full ETTL compatibility with the Canon Elan 7E
Complete manual control
Can be used as a slave (both radio and optical)
Illuminated LCD with all the information you need (including coupling range)
Very easy to dial exeposure compensation (much more convenient than dialing it on the body)
Downward tilt (for close macros)
Built in diffusing screen for 17 deg. coverage
Supports FP flash, FE lock and rear sync (again can be dialed on the flash - very easy)
Value per price
According to Sigma this flash is also fully compatible the Canon G1 and the D30 digital cameras (Haven't tried it on them)

This is a big flash, it is bulkier than the 430EZ I owned
The tilting mechanism could have been better (you have to press a button to tilt unlike other flashes, but you'll get used to it)

This is one terrific flash. Using the ETTL metering photos turned out perfectly exposed. Off center subjects did not create problems when I used one of the off center focusing points, or the FE lock. I got some beautiful Macro photos of babies' faces. Dialing exposure compensation, and other settings is a snap on this flash and much more convenient than doing it on the camera itself. Also used it as an optical flash (using the built in flash as a trigger) with great results. All in all I highly recommend this flash. It delivers the features of the speedlite 550ex at the price of the 420ex!!

Customer Service

Sigma's customer service are wonderfull. I have emailed them a few times with questions on the flash and they answered knowledgeably within 2-3 days.

Similar Products Used:

Canon Speedlite 430EZ

Full Canon 550EX Clone!!!

Complete E-TTL Support with Canon "Type-A" cameras.

Complete WIRELESS E-TTL support as both a MASTER and a SLAVE.

Nearly as powerful as the 550EX...

AF Assist works well on D30.

Bright, clean, powerful light!

Nearly all the power of the 550EX for the price of a 420EX.

GN of 50, Canon 550EX has a GN of 55.

None...

Consumer Build, Canon 550EX has a slightly sturdier build.

Invaluable for multi-light wireless E-TTL photography. Can be EASILY be used for Studio work with several others in wireless E-TTL mode into Umbrella's, Softboxes, Softlighters (Combo Umbrella/Softbox) what have you to fully control light. Three or four Sigma EF 500 Super flashes, 3 or 4 lightstands and umbrellas with a background and stand will give you the ability to quickly and easily setup a complete portable Studio!

Anyone from a casual single flash user to Pro's looking for inexpensive reliable extra wireless E-TTL light should buy this flash.

Customer Service

None needed...

Similar Products Used:

Canon 550EX
Canon 420EX
Canon ST-E2

Good functionality.
It works fine with my Rebel 2000 and 28-135 IS.
I'm really happy. This flash help me get photos looks like real proffesional on various light conditions.

None.

In few words great product.

Customer Service

Not yet.

Similar Products Used:

None

The price: cheaper than the Canon 380EX (here in S'pore).
Accurate TTL exposure.
Built-in diffuser to accommodate 17mm lens.
Can be used as SLAVE/MASTER flash.
Comes with a stand that allows it to be placed on a tripod.
Many other wonderful features!

Built-quality is not as good as Nikon or Canon flash.
The titlt and pan head must be activated with locking buttons: annoying if you are in a hurry.

Great value! The EF-430ST is junk, but the EF-500 Super is fantastic!

Customer Service

Never used it

Similar Products Used:

Metz AF40, Sigma EF-430ST