Sigma EF-530 ST DG HELP!!!
 

Any views on this flash?... I really need a good gun for my D200... and the Nikon's are just way too out of my price range and I have read I could use this with my D200... can anyone advise me further please : D

Huge thanks - Jim :)

No experience of that one Jim, so I am relying on Sigma UK info.

" NA-iTTL Nikon ELECTRONIC FLASH EF-530 DG ST
It is compatible with new i-TTL system ( your D200 ). TTL Auto varies depending on the lenses in use, but it works on all cameras. It is possible to use Manual Flash as well. Available with cameras providing Red-eye reduction control only. Manual flash mode with two levels: Full power and 1/16 power. Auto Power-Off function shuts off 80sec. after use. "

It really depend on what you want now, and thinking towards the future what you might want. Manual operation having only full or 1/16 power is something to think about, as in my mind it is crippled in that department.

Perhaps you should be looking for a used SB-600. What sort of budget are you considering.

Don

Thanks for all the info Don : )

I relatively new to flash but growing increasingly aware that it's a important skill to master... so your advice is really vital and appreciated... budget... as cheap as I can find anything!!!

Huge thanks,

Jim

Jim,

Once you start playing with flash two things will become important to you.

1) Ability to operate the main flash off the camera. For that you will be looking at a remote lead like a used SC-17 or SC-28.
2) At least 4 manual flash settings, but the more the merrier.

I have the SB-600 manual somewhere on my machine so I will look at that to see what it offers.

Anything METZ gets my vote as its a second to a camera brand job. So I will search the Metz site.

Some sort of £££ would be seriously helpful in searching the used market. One thing you need to be aware of in the used market is TRIGGER VOLTAGE. Some of the older kit will crucify the electronics in your camera.

Don

Jim,

A quick check on the SB-600 shows in manual mode the choices are :-
1/1 full power, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64 with - 1/3 power increments for each of those from 1/2 to 1/32.

So the Sigma has a choice of two manual settings, and the SB-600 a total of 17 settings.

Don

Jim, I used to have the EF-500 DG ST model, which is the slightly earlier model. It is identical except for it having slightly lower power Guide Number 50 instead of the 530's Guide Number 53.

The problem with the ST models is the lack of manual power level adjustments. As Don has said in post #2, the only manual power adjustments are full power or 1/16th power. I used to find full power often too much, and 1/16th power too little. You can work around the issue in a variety of different ways, especially if you use the flash off-camera. But, and it's a big BUT, knowing the kind of social documentary work you do, I don't think this is the gun for you; it simply hasn't got the manual adjustability you'll need.

You can use it on-camera and use the flash compensation feature in your camera's settings, this will give the flexibility you need, but I think you'll soon get frustrated with this flash. It's cheap and cheerful, with limited settings. A good gun for a beginner to get them going into the world of flash, but in reality, you'll soon grow out of it. The build quality is nothing to write home about either - adequate, but doesn't inspire confidence.

Options to look at would be the Sigma EF-530 DG Super, a bit more cash at £200 instead of the ST at £120, but has a lot more extra features. My recommendation would be the Metz 48AF-1 at £175. I have the 58AF-1 and can highly, highly recommend that, but accept that it's probably beyond your budget. The 48 is the lower power version, has all the adjustability of the 58 (full power to 1/256th power in lots of very small increments) and doesn't have the secondary fill-in lamp of the 58, otherwise has all the features you need.

Get the Metz 48, the extra £55 over the cheap Sigma is money well spent. You'd get frustrated by the cheap Sigma very quickly.

Duncan

Another option would be the Nissin:
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/prod...px?sku=1026074

Have no experience of this, but it looks a good spec for the money, and has 6 levels of manual power adjustment.

Just got off the Metz site Duncan, and you beat me to it. :D :D :D

Don

So many thanks for all the help - its exactly why I joined this site - to learn from my betters!!! Hmmm lot for me to think about... and I'd never heard of Metz before!?

Don, Gabby (Dad) says hello... hope to be able to make it out and over to you soon mate!... oh, and Dad just picked up a Yashica Dental Eye camera 2... must get him to show you... fixed lens with a built in ring flash... really neat camera : )

Many thanks again,

Jim

Oh and Don... this one Mecablitz 58 AF-1 digital does look worth saving for!!! - off to Ebay now hehe

OUCH!... just saw how much they are new!!!... {even from Hong Kong I'd have to sell a well used kidney to get it hehe...} I'll be looking for a used one... : )

Jim,

the 58AF-1 hasn't been out for very long, so you'll be lucky to find a used one. The 48 is even newer and was brought out to cater for exactly the market you seem to be in.

Did say the 58 was probably beyond your budget. ;)

Ooooo thanks : ) Thats a little less painful...

Jim,

Unfortunately for you Nikon changed their flash system from DTTL ( very clever ) to iTTL ( near foolproof ) in the interval between the D100 and D200. That means that flashguns compatable with iTTL are all fairly recent.

When you start using flash other than the pop-up, you really need the foolproof option that iTTL will give you. Probably an important feature for your style anyway.
Once you get going you will get more creative with your lighting, and that is where a good selection of manual power settings becomes important.

So whatever kit you buy consider it as a long term purchase. Better to save up and get a unit that will satisy you for years, than get something you will quickly outgrow. If you have to sell an under featured unit once you grow out of it you will loose £££.

As I mentioned Metz is a known top brand and I would happily recommend it to anyone. Spent some time on a net dealer rummage and used SB-600's seem to be around £170 mark and Warehouse Express are doing the Metz 48 AF-1 Nikon for £175. So the Metz gets my vote.

Not at all sure I would consider an e-bay job. They are not the sort of thing you can easily take a screwdriver and soldering iron to if they have a fault. :eek:

Regards to Gabby. I will now have to do a net search for info on the Yashica before he blinds me with science. :D

Don

I agree Don : ) All sound advice my friend!... as soon as we can pop over I will get Gabby to bring that Yashica... it's a crazy great camera...

http://olympuszuiko.wordpress.com/20...ca-dental-eye/


: D

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/prod...mpaign=1028319


Yummy! ; )

Jim,

Looks like a neat unit. Memories of seeing the unaffordable at the time, Medical Nikkors as in the link
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography...120medical.htm

Don

I have the old CL3 version. You do need the SCA units to use these as the trigger voltage is quite high. Mine is used remotely via a trigger so no probs, as I do not have an SCA.

Quite a big beast on the camera but not as much as the older CL60.

Don

A shot of my Metz CL3 with diy diffuser bowl, around 60 pence from Wilkinsons. :D

Don

Awesome Don, just awesome : )