Sigma EF 500 Super

Tom Bonge · Aug 17, 2001

I have read that the Sigma EF 500 Super is an exact clone of the 550EX, and that the E-TTL works on the D30 just the same, BUT...

Chuck Capriola from B&H just told me that it is not and it WILL NOT work on the D30.

Is this true? Is he wrong or does he just want to sell me a 550EX instead? I don't see why he would say that if he was not sure it was true. They might make $10 or so more by selling a 550EX over a EF 500. That's not worth misleading a customer, right?

Mark B. · Aug 17, 2001

Tom Bonge said:
I have read that the Sigma EF 500 Super is an exact clone of the
550EX, and that the E-TTL works on the D30 just the same, BUT...

Chuck Capriola from B&H just told me that it is not and it WILL NOT
work on the D30.

Is this true? Is he wrong or does he just want to sell me a 550EX
instead? I don't see why he would say that if he was not sure it
was true. They might make $10 or so more by selling a 550EX over a
EF 500. That's not worth misleading a customer, right?

I don't know, but according to a user on Rob Galbraith's forum, it does indeed work:

http://www.robgalbraith.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=8&t=001112

Mark

Steve Strawn · Aug 17, 2001

I emailed Sigma, and they told me that the EF 500 was compatible with the D30 and all of its ETTL glory. You can also slave up to 3 of them (but there's no transmitter).

Mark B. said:
Tom Bonge said:

I have read that the Sigma EF 500 Super is an exact clone of the
550EX, and that the E-TTL works on the D30 just the same, BUT...

Chuck Capriola from B&H just told me that it is not and it WILL NOT
work on the D30.

Is this true? Is he wrong or does he just want to sell me a 550EX
instead? I don't see why he would say that if he was not sure it
was true. They might make $10 or so more by selling a 550EX over a
EF 500. That's not worth misleading a customer, right?

Click to expand...

I don't know, but according to a user on Rob Galbraith's forum, it
does indeed work:

http://www.robgalbraith.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=8&t=001112

Mark

Tom Bonge · Aug 17, 2001

No Transmitter? Do you mean that they must be connected by a sync cable or that there is no dedicated hot shoe transmitter w/o flash?

Also does anyone know if the cannon transmitter in the 550EX will fire a slave EF 500.

Thanks.

Steve Strawn said:
Mark B. said:

Tom Bonge said:

I have read that the Sigma EF 500 Super is an exact clone of the
550EX, and that the E-TTL works on the D30 just the same, BUT...

Chuck Capriola from B&H just told me that it is not and it WILL NOT
work on the D30.

Is this true? Is he wrong or does he just want to sell me a 550EX
instead? I don't see why he would say that if he was not sure it
was true. They might make $10 or so more by selling a 550EX over a
EF 500. That's not worth misleading a customer, right?

Click to expand...

I don't know, but according to a user on Rob Galbraith's forum, it
does indeed work:

http://www.robgalbraith.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=8&t=001112

Mark

Click to expand...

Rob S.28601 · Aug 17, 2001

I'm not done with my tests yet, but early testing indicates that it really is a 550ex clone... The manual clearly indicates COMPLETE compatibility with the canon EX line of flashes, and WILL serve as a transmitter or respond to another set as master, or to an ST-E2 or 550ex... As soon as I get my tests done I'll let you know...

Scott...

Tom Bonge said:
Also does anyone know if the cannon transmitter in the 550EX will
fire a slave EF 500.

Thanks.

Steve Strawn said:

Mark B. said:

Tom Bonge said:

I have read that the Sigma EF 500 Super is an exact clone of the
550EX, and that the E-TTL works on the D30 just the same, BUT...

Chuck Capriola from B&H just told me that it is not and it WILL NOT
work on the D30.

Is this true? Is he wrong or does he just want to sell me a 550EX
instead? I don't see why he would say that if he was not sure it
was true. They might make $10 or so more by selling a 550EX over a
EF 500. That's not worth misleading a customer, right?

Click to expand...

I don't know, but according to a user on Rob Galbraith's forum, it
does indeed work:

http://www.robgalbraith.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=8&t=001112

Mark

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Rob S.28601 · Aug 17, 2001

Three quick sample shots taken with a D30 and Sigma EF500 Super in Program Mode have been posted on Rob Galbraith's forum:

http://www.robgalbraith.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=8&t=001112

Not interested in starting another damn flame war here by the idiot pro-censorship crowd I posted over there so that there was no chance of conflict. Sorry to have to do that folks, but after the way Paul's pictures were treated I won't post images here any longer...

Scott...

Tom Bonge said:
I have read that the Sigma EF 500 Super is an exact clone of the
550EX, and that the E-TTL works on the D30 just the same, BUT...

Chuck Capriola from B&H just told me that it is not and it WILL NOT
work on the D30.

Is this true? Is he wrong or does he just want to sell me a 550EX
instead? I don't see why he would say that if he was not sure it
was true. They might make $10 or so more by selling a 550EX over a
EF 500. That's not worth misleading a customer, right?

JC · Aug 17, 2001

Scott Senay said:
Not interested in starting another damn flame war here by the idiot
pro-censorship crowd I posted over there so that there was no
chance of conflict. Sorry to have to do that folks, but after the
way Paul's pictures were treated I won't post images here any
longer...

Scott...

Scott,

I can definitely see how your photos, like Paul's photos, would cause Phil concern.

And if you don't want to start "another damn flame war," maybe you could refrain from calling those whose views differ from yours "the idiot pro-censorship crowd." You seem to be surrounded by kettles.

JC

Rob S.28601 · Aug 17, 2001

Yup, you certainly have a valid point there, but the cat IS NUDE... ;-o)

Views that differ from mine are just fine, and frankly welcome, it is an obscure reference but I'm a firm believer in I.D.I.C. That aside I object to the peoples arguments that don't hold water and are based in hypocracy and circular logic (which isn't) who can't must enough brain cells to realize how much more harm THEY are causing with thier foolishness... The whole thing STARTED as a rather enjoyable, and for some educational thread, go back and read the first twenty or so messages... Then all hell broke lose... In any case enough of that... Way off topic, just thought I'd say I mostly agree with you...

Back on topic, I'm pleased and amazed with the performace and functionality of the Sigma so far, now begins extensive testing to really check it out... One interesting note, the D30 is very happy with the flash, returning the same cryptic "Flash EF Guide" numbers that the 550ex does in the EXIF data... Next up, wireless e-ttl and scientific method testing...

Scott...

JC said:
Scott Senay said:

Not interested in starting another damn flame war here by the idiot
pro-censorship crowd I posted over there so that there was no
chance of conflict. Sorry to have to do that folks, but after the
way Paul's pictures were treated I won't post images here any
longer...

Scott...

Click to expand...

Scott,

I can definitely see how your photos, like Paul's photos, would
cause Phil concern. And if you don't want to start "another
damn flame war," maybe you could refrain from calling those whose
views differ from yours "the idiot pro-censorship crowd." You seem
to be surrounded by kettles.

JC

Rob S.28601 · Aug 18, 2001

I've done some additional work towards a full review, you can see a sample shot in wireless E-TTL mode with a 550ex and an ST-E2...

http://www.robgalbraith.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=8&t=001112

Scott...

Tom Bonge said:
I have read that the Sigma EF 500 Super is an exact clone of the
550EX, and that the E-TTL works on the D30 just the same, BUT...

Chuck Capriola from B&H just told me that it is not and it WILL NOT
work on the D30.

Is this true? Is he wrong or does he just want to sell me a 550EX
instead? I don't see why he would say that if he was not sure it
was true. They might make $10 or so more by selling a 550EX over a
EF 500. That's not worth misleading a customer, right?

Charles Chien · Aug 18, 2001

I will say 550ex is on the left of your camera, casting the shadow on the right of the flash in the photo. Do I get to buy your 420ex for $100?

)

Scott Senay said:
http://www.robgalbraith.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=8&t=001112

Scott...

Tom Bonge said:

I have read that the Sigma EF 500 Super is an exact clone of the
550EX, and that the E-TTL works on the D30 just the same, BUT...

Chuck Capriola from B&H just told me that it is not and it WILL NOT
work on the D30.

Is this true? Is he wrong or does he just want to sell me a 550EX
instead? I don't see why he would say that if he was not sure it
was true. They might make $10 or so more by selling a 550EX over a
EF 500. That's not worth misleading a customer, right?

Click to expand...

Charles Chien · Aug 18, 2001

Oh, and the ratio is 2:1 (550ex to EF 500).

Charles Chien said:
Scott Senay said:

http://www.robgalbraith.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=8&t=001112

Scott...

Tom Bonge said:

I have read that the Sigma EF 500 Super is an exact clone of the
550EX, and that the E-TTL works on the D30 just the same, BUT...

Chuck Capriola from B&H just told me that it is not and it WILL NOT
work on the D30.

Is this true? Is he wrong or does he just want to sell me a 550EX
instead? I don't see why he would say that if he was not sure it
was true. They might make $10 or so more by selling a 550EX over a
EF 500. That's not worth misleading a customer, right?

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Chris Florio · Aug 19, 2001

There is an ST and one that isnt ST.

The ST one is less expensive. Is the one you tested with the ST, and what is the difference?

Thanks!!!

Chris

Tom Bonge said:
I have read that the Sigma EF 500 Super is an exact clone of the
550EX, and that the E-TTL works on the D30 just the same, BUT...

Chuck Capriola from B&H just told me that it is not and it WILL NOT
work on the D30.

Is this true? Is he wrong or does he just want to sell me a 550EX
instead? I don't see why he would say that if he was not sure it
was true. They might make $10 or so more by selling a 550EX over a
EF 500. That's not worth misleading a customer, right?

Henry Wolanski · Aug 19, 2001

Be carefull,

There are several models of Sigma flash units, but only ONE that is E-TTL, the Sigma EF-500 Super (about $185).

They also make an EF-500, but it doesn't do E-TTL or WIRELESS and it would be an easy mistake to pick it especially from an online catalog.

The Sigma ST series, like Canon's EZ series do not support E-TTL on the newer cameras. (and from what I can tell the EF-500 doesn't either, but the EF-500 Super does! - why didn't they call the other one an ST-500?).

I'm off to order mine.

Now if I can only figure out what STO-FEN OMNI BOUCE fits this model and the correct battery pack CABLES that are needed, I'll be set.

Henry

Rob S.28601 · Aug 19, 2001

Yes as always the more expensive EF 500 SUPER is the 550ex clone, NOT the cheaper ST...

FWIW: I got mine from http://www.abesofmaine.com for $179.95... Geeze wih the number of times I've typed that in the last several months they should be paying me for the advertising... :-o) You know thats not going to happen...

As I indicated in my e-mail to you, there is no power connector on the Sigma like on the 550ex, but I didn't really consider that a problem since I got a complete battery, charger and cable setup for my 550exs that ALSO works in my Sigma... When you consider the fact that the cable for the 550ex alone is $60 bucks and then a Quantum is another 250-300 I got the hole deal for the price of just the cable...

As far as the omnibounce, as soon as I know which one works I'll drop you a note...

Scott...

Henry Wolanski said:
Be carefull,

There are several models of Sigma flash units, but only ONE that is
E-TTL, the Sigma EF-500 Super (about $185).

They also make an EF-500, but it doesn't do E-TTL or WIRELESS and
it would be an easy mistake to pick it especially from an online
catalog.

The Sigma ST series, like Canon's EZ series do not support E-TTL on
the newer cameras. (and from what I can tell the EF-500 doesn't
either, but the EF-500 Super does! - why didn't they call the other
one an ST-500?).

I'm off to order mine.

Now if I can only figure out what STO-FEN OMNI BOUCE fits this
model and the correct battery pack CABLES that are needed, I'll be
set.

Henry

dizzynoodle · Aug 19, 2001

Can u pls post how u made your power pack... really intrested, i'm sure others are too ! Images would be great

thanx,

dizzynoodle

Rob S.28601 · Aug 21, 2001

Okay, I'm mostly done, I still have yet to finish putting together samples, but otherwise the testing is DONE...

Without question I can say with certainty that the Sigma EF 500 Super is a $179.95 COMPLETE CLONE of the Canon 550EX Flash. It works VERY well on the D30, in fact equally well as the 550ex in every respect testing all the differnt ways of using it... For more details and some pictures taken with the Sigma EF 500 Super on my D30 stop in at:

http://www.robgalbraith.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=8&t=001112

Scott...

Tom Bonge said:
I have read that the Sigma EF 500 Super is an exact clone of the
550EX, and that the E-TTL works on the D30 just the same, BUT...

Chuck Capriola from B&H just told me that it is not and it WILL NOT
work on the D30.

Is this true? Is he wrong or does he just want to sell me a 550EX
instead? I don't see why he would say that if he was not sure it
was true. They might make $10 or so more by selling a 550EX over a
EF 500. That's not worth misleading a customer, right?

Jerry · Aug 21, 2001

I posted this in another sigma thread, but wanted to know if this sigma has an infrared assist light (versus just white assist in d30) like the 420ex and 550ex? this is why people go with that st-e2 because it is infrared and far superior to camera assist. thanks

Scott Senay said:
Without question I can say with certainty that the Sigma EF 500
Super is a $179.95 COMPLETE CLONE of the Canon 550EX Flash. It
works VERY well on the D30, in fact equally well as the 550ex in
every respect testing all the differnt ways of using it... For
more details and some pictures taken with the Sigma EF 500 Super on
my D30 stop in at:

http://www.robgalbraith.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=8&t=001112

Scott...

Tom Bonge said:

I have read that the Sigma EF 500 Super is an exact clone of the
550EX, and that the E-TTL works on the D30 just the same, BUT...

Chuck Capriola from B&H just told me that it is not and it WILL NOT
work on the D30.

Is this true? Is he wrong or does he just want to sell me a 550EX
instead? I don't see why he would say that if he was not sure it
was true. They might make $10 or so more by selling a 550EX over a
EF 500. That's not worth misleading a customer, right?

Click to expand...

Arjan Massar · Dec 17, 2001

Robo said:
I posted this in another sigma thread, but wanted to know if this
sigma has an infrared assist light (versus just white assist in
d30) like the 420ex and 550ex? this is why people go with that
st-e2 because it is infrared and far superior to camera assist.
thanks

Anyone? I'm interested in this answer.
--Forgetting is a way of freedom

Darek · Dec 17, 2001

Yes, Sigma has the red focus assist light. It is not a COMPLETE CLONE of 550EX, however. The one feature that's missing is a MANUAL mode when set a SLAVE.
Darek

Arjan Massar said:
Robo said:

I posted this in another sigma thread, but wanted to know if this
sigma has an infrared assist light (versus just white assist in
d30) like the 420ex and 550ex? this is why people go with that
st-e2 because it is infrared and far superior to camera assist.
thanks

Click to expand...

Anyone? I'm interested in this answer.

--
Forgetting is a way of freedom

Andrew Grant27981 · Dec 17, 2001

Darek said:
Yes, Sigma has the red focus assist light. It is not a COMPLETE
CLONE of 550EX, however. The one feature that's missing is a MANUAL
mode when set a SLAVE.
Darek

Are you sure about this. I heard that it did work as a manual slave.

One other difference is the color temperature of the flash. It is apparently different (cooler) than the 550 and 420.

Sigma EF 500 Super

Well-known member

Mark B.

Guest

Forum Enthusiast

Well-known member

Forum Enthusiast

Forum Enthusiast

Senior Member

Forum Enthusiast

Forum Enthusiast

Charles Chien

Guest

Charles Chien

Guest

Leading Member

Active member

Forum Enthusiast

Leading Member

Forum Enthusiast

Jerry

Guest

Member

Darek

Guest

Senior Member

Keyboard shortcuts