Sigma EF500 DG Super on Minolta / Sony

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PG - 12 Feb 2007 09:46 GMT

Has anyone here used a Sigma EF500 DG Super on a Minolta or Sony DSLR?
I'm thinking of buying one for my KM5D, but would be interested to
hear of any experiences, good or bad, with this combo. I'm interested
in both on-camera and wireless use.

The alternative appears to be the Sony HVLF36AM (= Minolta 36000S(D))
or the rather-too-pricey-for-me HVLF56AM (= Minolta 5600HS(D)). The 36
looks adequate for most of what I want to do, but I think I'd be
frustrated by the tilt-but-not-swivel head.

Any advice appreciated.

- PG

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David Kilpatrick - 12 Feb 2007 10:47 GMT

> Has anyone here used a Sigma EF500 DG Super on a Minolta or Sony DSLR?
> I'm thinking of buying one for my KM5D, but would be interested to
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> looks adequate for most of what I want to do, but I think I'd be
> frustrated by the tilt-but-not-swivel head.

Testing this, and the Metz 54-MZ4i, at the moment. The Sigma appears to
underexpose heavily, very consistently, when used on the camera. It
exposes perfectly when used in wireless mode. My Minolta 5600 and 3600
guns both expose normally on the camera. The Metz overexposes by two
stops, again on-camera. I need to do more accurate and consistent tests
with Dynax 5D, 7D and A100 combined with every gun but so far it looks
like a lottery as to what the on-camera performance will be. For some
reason, all the guns work perfectly in wireless set-ups.

David

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PG - 12 Feb 2007 11:22 GMT

> Testing this, and the Metz 54-MZ4i, at the moment. The Sigma appears to
> underexpose heavily, very consistently, when used on the camera. It
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> like a lottery as to what the on-camera performance will be. For some
> reason, all the guns work perfectly in wireless set-ups.

Interesting, thanks. So do you think this renders the Sigma a bad buy,
or can you simply set FEC in the camera menu to counteract its
underexposing? I can't remember whether the camera FEC affects flashes
other than the built-in one. And presumably it also depends on whether
the underexposure amount is consistent.

- PG

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David Kilpatrick - 12 Feb 2007 14:29 GMT

>>Testing this, and the Metz 54-MZ4i, at the moment. The Sigma appears to
>>underexpose heavily, very consistently, when used on the camera. It
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> other than the built-in one. And presumably it also depends on whether
> the underexposure amount is consistent.

You can send it back to Sigma for recalibration in the UK. Tell them how
much it's out on your camera, and they adjust. Better than using an
over-ride all the time.

David

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