Sigma EF 500 DG Super Flash for Canon SLR Cameras

by Sigma

Product Details

Product Manual [3.73mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 4.9 x 3.2 inches ; 11.5 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002P1796
• Item model number: 149-101
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Sigma EF 500 DG Super Flash for Canon SLR Cameras 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 feet, or 50 meters, at a 105-millimeter focal length (ISO 100). The projection angle of the flashlight is set automatically to match the lens' focal length, ranging from 28-millimeter wide-angle to 105-millimeter medium-telephoto. It also incorporates a built-in diffuser that expands the angle of illumination down to that of a 17-millimeter lens.

The EF 500 enables full-automatic flash photography by TTL automatic flash exposure control. It now includes S-TTL flash photography for Sigma, 3-D multi-sensor balanced fill-flash function, and i-TTL flash photography for Nikon, E-TTL II flash photography for Canon, ADI flash photography, and P-TTL flash photography for Minolta cameras.

For bounce flash, the EF 500 can be tilted 90 degrees upwards and seven degrees downward for close-ups. Also it can be swiveled 180 degrees to the left and 90 degrees 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 six steps, and the pulse frequency of the flash can be set from one Hz to 199 Hz. The EF 500 also incorporates wireless TTL flash photography, slave flash photography, and FP flash photography (synchronized with high shutter speeds). In addition, manual flash can be set at eight 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 also incorporates an auto power off system.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great bang for the buck. Save $ off canon flashes, December 22, 2004

By 

Andrew Ma "Rabid consumer" (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sigma EF 500 DG Super Flash for Canon SLR Cameras (Electronics)

Over the past 15 years, i've had the whole gamut of inexpensive vivitar/sunpak thristor flashes to pro level quantum qflash 400w/s packs and this flash is the best bang for the buck. I love my new canon 580ex, but it's twice the cost of this flash. I found myself using this flash the most (after I converted the door by drilling a small hole) for the quantum cable and quantum 1+1 battery pack.

I did have a problem of the flash plastic lens turning black and having to replace it. But I was using it as a primary flash for weddings on the digital rebel. It did say not to repeatedly flash the unit...ahahha...my fault. seriously though, the flash is a good flash. bounce and diffuser panel work well.

Slower in recycling than the 550 or 580 EX. So if you need faster recycling, get the canon brands (for twice the cost) or if you're a name brand junky. get the canon brand.

oh..one last somewhat important thing. i DID notice the sigma had more problems getting my digital SLR's to focus with it's infra-red focusing beam than the canon flashes...so if you're doing a lot of indoor and very low light photography, i would say the canon flashes are a better bet.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect despite one or two little quibbles, April 9, 2006

By 

Penguin - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sigma EF 500 DG Super Flash for Canon SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I used to own the Canon Speedlite 420EX which I used to great effect with a Canon G5. When I upgraded to a Digital Rebel 300D I lost the ability to manually adjust the 420EX because neither it nor the Rebel has flash compensation. Hence I bought this Sigma flash for the ability to manually adjust flash output.

My first impressions of the Sigma Super EF-500:-
Comparing it to the Canon 420 EX I found it to be equally robust in every way. However there are one or two exceptions. I feel that the buttons on the Sigma are too small and flimsy (for my large hands). I don't like the on/off switch. This feels particularly flimsy. I don't know whether it is my imagination but I seem to remember the E-TTL (automatic mode) of the Canon 420EX ALWAYS as more accurate than the Sigma. That is not to say that the Sigma is bad using E-TTL auto mode. However, I have moved on and I don't trust my beloved photos to `auto mode' anymore. I use manual mode nearly all the time now. In manual mode the Simga helps me get spectacular shots that are exposed to perfection. I cannot complain. I really enjoy its performance and reliability.

Finally
I managed to get this Sigma flashgun, brand new, for LESS THAN half the price of its rival, the Canon 550EX. I don't believe for a moment that this makes the Canon twice as good a flash gun. Yes, the Canon is better but only marginally better, in my opinion. If you are a professional photographer using a flashgun EVERY DAY then I would suggest you buy the Canon. But if, like me, you are just an enthusiastic amateur (albeit one who uses the flashgun quite a lot) then this Sigma flash is more flash than you will ever need. It is a powerful AND RELIABLE accessory. I cannot give it any more praise than that! Despite my quibbles above, about flimsy switches, I am still giving this 5 stars. I personally don't see how anyone can be disappointed with this flash or how anyone can give it a bad review. Add in the relatively cheap cost and, as far as I am concerned, all cause for complaint melts away!

Enjoy your new Sigma flash!!! I certainly am enjoying mine!

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great flash unit for all of my EOS cameras, December 17, 2004

By 

Steven L. Rosen "Steve" (Foxboro, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sigma EF 500 DG Super Flash for Canon SLR Cameras (Electronics)

One of the major attractions of this flash was that I can use it not only with my Digital Rebel, but also with my Rebel 2000 35mm camera. The performance (especially with 2500 mAH NiMH batteries) is awesome. Cycle times with freshly charged batteries are about 2 seconds. Lots more features than the Canon 420EX. The only negative is the instruction manual; the translation (from Japanese) to English is poor, and the descriptions of some of the modes are rather vague.