Nikon enough for the brand loyalist?

First off I need to say that I own the EF-500 DG Super TTL flash. It differs from the regular EF-500 Super TTL only in its compatibility with DIGITAL and FILM cameras. When purchasing one of these EF-500 series flashes make sure that you get the right sub model. The standard (non DG) will only work with film cameras...the DG will work with both. And of course, make sure you get the right sub model for the BRAND of camera that you own. Sigma makes compatible models in the EF-500 Super TTL series for Sigma, Minolta, Canon and Nikon AF cameras. I own the Nikon version, but the review is valid for all versions of the flash.


OK enough about all that. I need to let you in on a dirty little secret. I'm normally a brand loyalist. If you look in my camera cabinet you will find it chock full of all kinds of Mamiya and Nikon goodies. In fact you will only find one glaring exception in the 35mm category and that is a nifty green slipcover case that says Sigma on it. It's not that I was trying to be cheap and not buy the Nikon SB-80DX that would have been the logical choice for a Nikon Brand loyalist looking for digital and film compatibility with his best Nikon backs. It was simply a matter of careful comparison. I looked at both models and realized that the SB-80dx offered me so little extra that it was pointless to buy the much more expensive SB-80DX. Let me do a little comparison and you can make the final choice...then I will follow it up with my Epinion regarding my experience with this little gem of a flash.

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Comparison of Sigma EF-500 Super TTL and Nikon SB-80DX


Construction. Both are made of tough ABS plastic. The Nikon gets a slight edge in construction quality but the Sigma is no slouch. Both are the same basic size and weight.

Compatibility... both work with ALL Nikon bodies with ALL metering modes up to the limits of the bodies and lenses attached to those bodies. Both work with digital and Film cameras (the Sigma DG). And yes the Sigma is fully 3-D matrix metering capable.

Guide Number.... in typical fashion...both list there guide numbers at different focal lengths which hinders direct comparison...but the Nikon is rated at 125 feet at 35mm (ISO 100) and the Sigma is rated at 165 feet at 105mm (ISO 100). I was unable to find any information on either website that would allow me to directly compare the two flashes at the same focal length. Suffice it to say that both flashes are very powerful. If I had to guess I would say that the Sigma probably offers about 110-120 feet at 35mm.Since I tend to love shooting at the 80-105mm range for shoulder length candids the higher guide number of the Sigma is a plus. If the Sigma’s guide number holds true at shorter focal lengths then it would give it the edge for photographing large groups with a wide angle. Perhaps someone out there can give me a little help with the math.

Focal length- The Nikon is rated 24-105mm with a diffuser to allow 14mm fisheye lenses. The Sigma is rated 28-105mm with a diffuser to allow 17mm fisheyes. Since I own a 28mm Nikkor and a 28-70mm Nikkor zoom and I don't own any fisheyes both of these flashes are identical for my purposes. I love the ability of both flashes to go to 105mm. My SB-28 would not go to 105mm and I got rid of it (the sb-28) for that exact reason.

Slave flash... The Nikon has the ability to be used as a wireless slave in TTL mode or Manual mode. The Sigma can be used as a wireless slave in Manual mode only. The Nikon gets the edge for those who want to buy multiple SB-80DXs and use them for studio lights. I have, however used two Sigma EF-500s together...the primary in TTL with 3D matrix metering and one in slave manual mode and the effect was tremendous. It did require more work than the Nikon unit would have required but it was possible. I have not used 2 SB-80DXs together. The Sigma unit can slave up to 2 additional flashes. I could find no information to see if the Nikon can go beyond 1 slave unit. For those who are unfamiliar with this option.... the primary flash on the camera can transmit a wireless signal to other flashes on stands to flash at the right time and essentially create a multiflash setup.... like with studio flash. It amazes me that such an option even exists in a compact flash unit.

Customization--- the Nikon holds the edge in fancy displays and more importantly in manual operation. I find the Nikon easier to use in manual mode because of the bar graph distance indicator. The Sigma merely lists the distance in feet. I like the bar graph. Both flashes can be used in full manual; both can offer flash compensation in 1/3-stop increments. Both can do all the normal flash modes...red eye, first and second curtain, strobe, bounce flash etc. Both flash units rely heavily on the abilities of the camera bodies to do most of the work. For instance, both flashes are capable of second curtain flash, but only if the body can do it.

Power source- both use 4 AA batteries, both have optional power packs.

Head swivels- both offer the normal range of front and back swivels and both offer limited side to side swivel...a nice touch.

AF- both offer infrared focusing sensors to aid on low light auto focus.

Recycle time.... The Sigma has a recycle time as fast as 4 seconds and maximum flash per batter change of up to 220 flashes depending on battery type. I no longer have the manual for the SB-80DX...but it is similar to the Sigma

Extras.. The Nikon comes with a flash diffuser dome standard (these normally cost $10-$20 and are really nice). And the Nikon also has a modeling light of limited usefulness. Believe me, in anything other than studio situations are has little to no use...but I guess I'd rather have it than not have it.

Price...now here's the rub and the real reason for all this comparison. The Nikon runs for $329 at B&H and the Sigma sells for $189 at B&H. The Sigma might have SLIGHTLY less in the options department but it has all the NECESSITIES and some of the options for almost half the price.

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Enough of the comparison. I put all that there so that you could see my mind set and understand why I did what I did... no here’s my Epinion about the EF-500 Super.

I have gone thru all the specifications above so there is no need to repeat them. Here is how the Sigma EF-500 works in the real world.

Fit and finish------

I found the construction of the flash body to be 90%
As good as any previous Nikon flash I had ever used. It's made of tough ABS plastic. One area that I think needs to be addressed is weather resistance. Both Nikon flashes I have owned (SB-28 and SB-80DX) had rubber seals at the swivel joints and over the control keys to keep the wet out. While the Sigma is solidly contracted, I would think twice about using it in the rain or in similar conditions. Of course I would think twice about using most of my equipment in those conditions without a rain cover.

Flexibility-- as mentioned before the Sigma EF-500 can do anything that your Nikon body can do...including the all-important 3D matrix metering. Extras like red eye, first and second curtain, strobe and bounce flash options round out the list. The Sigma operates easily in all modes and I think most experienced photographers will find it intuitive to operate. I will say that the Nikon flashes have an easier to understand display in manual mode. The addition of wireless slave flashes make for some truly interesting and truly professional effects but I questions most of their usefulness for the amateur user. I also think that most pros would prefer to use traditional studio flashes than multiple shoe mounts. I know that in the "studio" I tend to prefer everything to manual and everything to be POWERFUL and the Sigma and Nikon flashes are not nearly as powerful as even bottom line studio flashes (of similar price to boot)...but they do have the advantage of advanced metering.

In the field---- I have to say that 3D matrix flash metering is a thing of beauty. I have never been able to achieve these kinds of results with a single light source in a controlled studio environment.... let alone in the chaos of a church function or a birthday party. The flash metering is literally perfect. I used to cringe at the thought of pulling out the flash. No matter how hard I tried, no matter how many books I read or how many metering techniques I tried I could never get a natural looking light with a fully manual flash in a handheld situation. With the Sigma flash ( or a Nikon)...and a fine Nikon body like my F100 you get flash pictured that have to be seen to be believed. The background is no longer lost to darkness if you don’t want it to be.... aperture adjustments make real and easy to see differences in background effects and the metering compensates to give you great results every time. Its like I have a whole new camera. I need to tell you that I normally shoot natural light 99% of the time previous to getting this flash and body. Now I shoot flash 25% of the time...and I am using fill flash in the field a lot more because of the ease of metering. This flash changed the way I use my 35mm camera.

Upward mobility.... When I bought my Nikon F100 I did so because I was starting to migrate toward the digital end of the spectrum with my 35mm gear. I no longer needed a completely manual setup because I shoot MF and LF and those offer all the control I need. The 35mm was relegated to handheld situations and family "snapshot" use. I needed lenses and accessories that would move with me when I went to a digital back and still maintain use of my F100. The Sigma flash was and is part of that master plan. It will work with all current digital Nikon SLRs...and still work with my F100.


Conclusion-- If you want a flash that can take advantage of all the things your fancy SLR body can do then you can hardly go wrong with the Sigma EF-500 Super TTL. It offers everything the candid handheld shooter could want. It is only when you bring the flash into the studio that the Nikon SB-80DX starts to outshine the Sigma...and even then the Sigma still holds its own with many of the Nikon's features. I would recommend this flash to any user who primarily is looking to photograph subjects with a handheld camera in a field location. This is a great travel flash and should serve you well. I would recommend against it if you shoot in extremely wet or dirty places and don’t plan on using rain covers for your equipment. The Nikon would be better suited to that. The pictorial results are simply stunning with 3D matrix metering and I find I use my flash many times more than I used to when I was using an FM3A and an SB-28.

I will give a hint to any brand loyalists that might still be considering the SB-80DX despite this review. Buy a Metz 54MZ-4. It costs $355 at B&H and offers a fill light and a main flash for bounce.... its like 2 flashes in one...has all the versatility of the SB-80DX and outperforms it hands down.... but that's another review :-)


update 3-21-04---------------------------------------------

I'm not going to change my review but I am going to update it based upon past experiences. I dropped the flash unit and had to have it sent in for repair. The unit still functioned but there were cracks in the case. I was informed that parts are not available for the unit and that it cannot be repaired. So I guess the bottom line is that if the unit needs repair and it's not covered by the warrantee then this is a throw-away item. On one hand the unit is fairly inexpensive but it's expensive enough that one might consider paying for a repair if it were available.


update 10-10-06

in the event anyone wonders about the "worth" of writing epinions reviews..it amazes me..but I've earned more for this review than I paid for the flash. Wow..