This site focuses on reviewing gear that is outside the mainstream. There are plenty of sites that review the latest and greatest from the big names. The reviews on this site are often of gear that is now only available on the used market, was never reviewed when it was available new, or gear that otherwise interests the author. The reviews presented here are less about science and numbers and more about subjective impressions and feel. Creating this site is work that I enjoy. Hopefully you will find something useful or enjoyable as well.
Sigma has an imperfect compatability record with Canon EOS lenses. Because of that record I purchased a used EF-500 DG Super with a little sceptecism. My first impression was that it was a solid performer. Over time it proved its worth well enough to warrant the purchase of a second EF-500 DG Super.
My expectations started out different than the average Canon photographer. David Hobby's Strobist website has influenced my use of battery operated flash off camera and the Sigma EF-500 DG Super was chosen as it has a built in optical slave sensor. Moderate cost was also a factor as I was looking to have more than one. I also ended up purchasing a Canon 430EX II flash that the Sigma 500's were eventually compared to.
Observations - The Sigma DG Super's don't feel as well built as the Canon 430EX II. But neither the Canon nor the Sigmas have had any failures or breakages. The Sigmas were a great value at less than $100 each on the used market. To me, this is a great value as they function as Strobist style manual flashes AND on camera eTTL flashes.
