Opinion of Sigma EF-500 DG Super on Pentax

[overdodo]

Hey guys,

I've been looking for a flash and EF-500 DG Super seems like a good priced one.

Has anyone else besides katsuri with a positive experience on using EF-500 as a wireless slave controlled by the in-camera flash ?

cheers

 

[VSonic06]

Better test it in the shop first. So far there seem to be mixed reports of compatibility with the K10D's wireless flash trigger, with different versions of K10D firmware. Good news is Sigma service centre can update the flash unit's firmware and make it work.

 

[kayster]

my personal experience of it.. DON"T BUY... get the AF540.. it should works much better than EF500... I'm looking at changing mine now...

 

[VSonic06]

What was your problem with it? I tried 2 EF-500s and both of them weren't so reliable on my K10D so I switched to an AF540. The EF-500's price is very good...if only it worked properly.

 

[overdodo]

Yep, EF-500 DG Super is like.... $360 ?
while AFZ540 is like $640, and AFZ360 is like $330.

If EF-500 works completely, It is a really viable alternative to pentax flashes. I will wait it out for more reviews/information/confirmation to be out!

cheers

 

[simdavid]

Indeed the Af540FGZ is more ex..but in the long, when you change body like K1D or whatever new models, the Sgima will bound to have firmware issues and they only allow ONE upgrade of the firmware free. The second time you have to paid. And how compatible is it, no one knows untill that time with the new body, the risk is always there. So is it worthwhile?

 

[alanswan]

Okay... I bought the flash unit.
Call me stupid, but I read and don't quite understand the instructions for the wireless sync.
Or maybe I do need to upgrade my firmware?

 

[the mac 13]

Okay... I bought the flash unit.
Call me stupid, but I read and don't quite understand the instructions for the wireless sync.
Or maybe I do need to upgrade my firmware?

I never got that working in the K100D too.:think:

 

[VSonic06]

If you don't absolutely need the wireless TTL flash function then just ignore it. Get a radio flash trigger set from PQ23 if you need off-camera wireless flash trigger. You could call Sigma and see if they have a firmware update to make it work with the latest K10/100D firmware.

 

[longko]

:bsmilie: Now my turn to headache over Sigma EF 500 DG Super or AF360FGZ. I know I'd always said get the AF360FGZ, but K100D can't do wireless... So maybe Sigma EF 500 might be better:think:

 

[overdodo]

Just an update:

I've emailed Sigma Singapore regarding EF-500 DG Super P-TTL.

Initially there is no compatibility problem. Everything works fine.
However when K10D was updated to 1.20 and wireless control from onboard flash was enabled, the flash was unable to support.
With a firmware update the wireless flash will work.

Then again, it doesn't explain users who have exposure problems with it.

 

[longko]

Just an update:

I've emailed Sigma Singapore regarding EF-500 DG Super P-TTL.

Initially there is no compatibility problem. Everything works fine.
However when K10D was updated to 1.20 and wireless control from onboard flash was enabled, the flash was unable to support.
With a firmware update the wireless flash will work.

Then again, it doesn't explain users who have exposure problems with it.

Thanks bro. I'll likely get the Sigma EF500 DG Super for my gf K100D. K10D I'll still use the AF540FGZ

 

[the mac 13]

Thanks bro. I'll likely get the Sigma EF500 DG Super for my gf K100D. K10D I'll still use the AF540FGZ

Sigma Flash + K100D = no wireless flash.

I would like to inform you that for Pentax K100D there is no wireless function at all therefore even if we were to do any upgrading of firmware there will still be no wireless mode. - Sigma Tech Support

 

[longko]

Sigma Flash + K100D = no wireless flash.

I would like to inform you that for Pentax K100D there is no wireless function at all therefore even if we were to do any upgrading of firmware there will still be no wireless mode. - Sigma Tech Support

Ya I'm fully award, I mentioned it earlier too

:bsmilie: Now my turn to headache over Sigma EF 500 DG Super or AF360FGZ. I know I'd always said get the AF360FGZ, but K100D can't do wireless... So maybe Sigma EF 500 might be better:think:

 

[lizzy]

if get the sigma flash/lens from OP can get support from local sigma service centre a not?

 

[ahlow]

follow the untill very blur liao....

So does the flash work on K10D(latest firmware) for wireless ?

read somewhere else the flash work wonder with k10d(1.20) after firmware update on the flash.

anyone can confirm.

Thanks.

 

[longko]

if get the sigma flash/lens from OP can get support from local sigma service centre a not?

Cannot. Cause OP warranty card no stamp.

IIRC Sigma EF-500 DG Super works much after the K10D & Sigma flash firmware update

 

[ahlow]

Cannot. Cause OP warranty card no stamp.

IIRC Sigma EF-500 DG Super works much after the K10D & Sigma flash firmware update

thanks bro.

 

[longko]

MS Color selling Sigma EF-500 DG Super for $399 but must placed order:think:

At this price I think top up another $200 get the AF540FGZ or the Metz flash better

 

[alanswan]

Cannot. Cause OP warranty card no stamp.

IIRC Sigma EF-500 DG Super works much after the K10D & Sigma flash firmware update

I thought they gave me a calling card to contact for warranty and such.
But it might be for the lens. Can't remember....
Need to wait until move office and unpack stuff....