Sigma EF-530 DG Super wireless flash system
£199.00
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Sigma's EF-530 flashguns offer a wireless solution compatible with Canon EOS digital cameras. We put the system to the test.
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In certain low-light situations, a wireless flash system is the most suitable and convenient way to take pictures. The problem is that if you’re a Canon EOS camera user, the Canon-compatible wireless flash system is a little pricey – just the basic setup of a flashgun plus trigger costs a whopping £480. A more tempting option is to use a pair of compatible Sigma flashguns (the EF-530 DG Super models), costing around £400. The pair work wirelessly together and you get a second flash for your money.
The first task is to familiarise yourself with the controls… There are no helpful hints or tips on the rear LCD screen – instead you get a seemingly random array of symbols and numbers which seem to change sporadically as you press the buttons. After an hour picking through the flashgun manual we discovered how the system works and managed to fire both flashes wirelessly.
For our test shoot we decided to angle the commander flash up towards a low white ceiling for a bounced daylight effect, holding the slave flash to one side for fill-in. The results were consistently well-exposed, and we were pleasantly surprised at the system’s performance. It worked flawlessly even over large distances, only failing occasionally when the line of sight was broken by a passer-by.
Sadly it’s nowhere near as refined or easy to use as Nikon’s wireless system, but for Canon users on a budget, it works well and is probably the best option around.
Specification at a glanceGuide number 53/m at ISO 100 with the zoom head at 105mm
Batteries 4xAA alkaline or AA NiCd or Ni-MH
Charging time 6 seconds (alkaline batteries); 4 seconds (NiCd/Ni-MH)
Dimensions (WxHxD) 77x139x117mm
Weight 335g
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For Canon users on a budget these guns will do just about everything that Canon's flagship gun will do but at about half the price - you can pick these up for about £165 in the UK. The build quality isn't up to a Canon and the userface is a little complicated to start with but like most things you get used to it after a while. The exposures are consistant and very nicely balanced. For anyone who is starting into using strobes both on and off camera I believe these offer much better value for money than any other that I have seen. Add to this that they now come in all sorts of 'flavours' (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax and Sigma) these flashes certainly warrant some serious consideration at least.
(Written by: MikeTheTog)
11 November 2008 12:45