Sigma EF-500 ST Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by: Andyb
(Professional)

Review Date
February 13, 2004

Overall Rating
1 of 5

Value Rating
2 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
1.67 of 5,
6 votes

Review 1 of 4

Price Paid: $119.00 from Warehouse Express

Summary:

Avoid like the plague. I used this as a back up camera. One camera had my SB80 DX and the other the Sigma. What a contrast. In the same lighting conditions firing off three or four frames, the Sigma would produce as many different versions of what it consider to be the correct exposure. That's when it didn't decide to blow all the power in the capacitor on one exposure and obliterate the image altogether. The Nikon was consistent. Yes it costs more, but frankly it's worth it. The Sigma was returned the following day for a refund. When I first got it out I should have known better. It felt cheap, plasticky - even the wide angle diffuser felt like it was going to fall off any moment. The autofocus mechanism in the flash grinds like it needs lubrication and takes an age to catch up with the lens. The only good thing about it was that it recycled fast. I have now bought another SB80 DX because I can't afford to have a piece of kit I can't rely on.

Strengths:

Fast recycling.

Weaknesses:

It exists.

Similar Products Used:

Metz 45 CT-4 Nikon SB-80 DX

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Rating
Reviewed by: James_Photography
(Expert)

Review Date
August 16, 2003

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Review 2 of 4

Price Paid: $100.00 from eBay

Summary:

Does everything a TTL flash is supposed to. It's quite sweet on my Pentax MZ-5n even with my 28-300 zoom. Highly recommended.

Strengths:

Zoom, fast re-charge.

Weaknesses:

No balanced fill-flash

Similar Products Used:

Vivitar 285 HV Zoom Thyristor, Pentax AF400FTZ

Customer Service:

n/a

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Rating
Reviewed by: Kendall
(Intermediate)

Review Date
January 2, 2003

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 3 of 4

Price Paid: $130.00 from B&H

Summary:

Bought Pentax body for high-speed auto-focus and lightweight use in aerial photography but found it useful for all. The Super version of this flash has many features that don't work for pentax. This gives you the ease of TTL with the versatility of high power, bounce and swivel. I can capture perfect shots of my new baby in a moments notice. Not perfect, but an excellent value. Some don't like the auto-off but Pentax version waits 3-minutes and fires up again when shutter is pressed half-way. I use NiMH batts and it is ready in 4-seconds after a full power burst.

Strengths:

High Power Bounce/Swivel TTL Perfect Exposure Value

Weaknesses:

Not built like a tank for Pro use Bounce/Swivel require press of a button to unlock

Similar Products Used:

Sunpak

Customer Service:

Quickly answered question on use of NiMH before purchase. None else needed.

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Rating
Reviewed by: lefty50
(Intermediate)

Review Date
December 14, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.50 of 5,
8 votes

Review 4 of 4

Price Paid: $130.00 from B&H

Summary:

Excellent power, even with Stofen Omni Bounce good to 20'' without exposure comp. No frills, just turn on and it''s ready. Also zooms with lens to 105

Strengths:

Bounce Zooms

Weaknesses:

Can''t find any

Similar Products Used:

Maxxum flash Old Sunpak 411(still use)

Customer Service:

N/A

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