 Melissa L. Cavallini |
Need advice on Flashes! Hi again, I recently bought an EOS 40D, and need advice on flashes. I intended to buy the Canon 580 EX II, but was advised by another photographer to but the Sigma EF-530 DG Super Shoe Mount Professional Flash instead. I have tried to research the differences, but feel like a hamster running on a little wheel!!! I can't seem to find any info that helps me make up my mind. This is my first experience with external flashes. Any input would be appreciated as far as what to buy. I plan to shoot lots of portraits, as well as a friends wedding eventually. Thanks a bunch!!
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Oliver Anderson |
EVERY Pro owns a 580ex or an older version...but thats only the Pros...
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
And it's literally every single one of them. I guess because literally every single one of them uses Canon.
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Oliver Anderson |
See even Gregory agrees....I met a really old one that had a Nikon...God rest his Soul.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
The sigma is compatible with canons, if you get the correct mount. Canon has a higher guide number though. Did you ask what the other photo person chose the sigma over the canon for?
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Melissa L. Cavallini |
He said it was a better value for your money...that you could get better equipment by spending the same amount you would on the canon. I was kind of looking at getting the 580 like "I'll just get the best one first, then I don't have to upgrade later." If the Sigma is just as good, fine, but if he doesn't know what he's talking about, then I'm screwed, and I don't know the difference at this point. Also, did you see my similar question about lenses? Thanks.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
Didn't see anything about lenses. A quick read of both flash descriptions show similar claims. Both have wireless, both have ttl, both have high speed sync and rear curtain sync. For practical purposes, dedicated flashes have only removed the requirement of the user to know and apply some fundamentals of using a flash. The use of a dedicated flash isn't as critical as it's always made out to be. The sigma and canon offer the same functions, other than a couple of things I noticed, like the head of the canon being able to tilt down. And the canon having a metal mount anchored in plastic.
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Oliver Anderson |
If the Sigma matches the power output of the Canon then Cool, but I'm sure (No I haven't compared) that Canon has some functions that Sigma doesn't....whether or not you have the expertise to take advantage of these funtions...thats the question. As for the metal mount, I have bent the mount because I carry 2 camera around my neck so plastic would've broken. As for lenses...some Sigma lenses are great (I feel Canons better) but I'd google reviews on each lens your interested in...This site, DP Review, Rob Galbraith & Photo.net are the 4 I usually search 1st... Remember I do this photo stuff for a living...so I spare NO expense. You can check out a list of some of my equipment under Bio...and see a lovely photo (absolutly NO photoshop)jk
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Melissa L. Cavallini |
Thanks so much for all your responses so far. I have posted another question about lenses, but for some reason it is not showing up, so I'll just insert it here. I was going to order the Canon 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM EF Lens. However, I advised by another photographer to instead get the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8-4 DG Compact High Speed Aspherical Zoom Autofocus Lens, that it would be the same as the Canon 28-135. He said this was a better lens for the money, with it having a lower f number. (I should mention that my budget is tight, so these pretty much max out my budget), and that it would do the same thing as an IS lens anyway, and that with the IS lens I would get a lot of underexposed shots...is this true? From what I have read, it is not. If so, can someone explain how/why? Please advise me on which lens would be best for portraits, indoorphotos, such as birthday parties, banquets, weddings, etc, as well as outdoor portraits. Thanks so much!!!
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
I doubt the canon has any realistic functions that the Sigma is missing. That's given that the sigma is fully compatible. I saw that the Canon has a modeling light function, and a strobe function, but I doubt you'd need either of those. The strobe for sure. The lenses, if you can get a lens with a wider aperture, I'd always prefer that. It's a false statement to say that you'd get a lot of under exp. shots with the other lens. You just don't have as big of a max aperture. I can't say anything about the optics of that sigma. They may be very good and equal to a canon of the same focal length. Do check for reviews. But I'd personally wait and save up for something besides a 3.5-5.6 with a short focal length. I'd probably even get two fixed focal length lenses before that type of zoom.
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Oliver Anderson |
The Canon 50mm 1.4 is one of the best lenses for the money you can buy...it produces insane portraits.
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