Sigma EF-500 DG Super i-TTL VS SB-800

[edward carruthers]

I currently own A D100, a N80, and a fully manual medium format

camera. I am looking to buy a flash that will work with all three. The

SB-800 is an obvious choice, but Sigma also offers a flash (Sigma

EF-500 DG Super i-TTL) that is supposed to be compatible. With the

price difference of $70 I am tempted to get the Sigma and use the

saved money for something else.

 

Does anyone own the Sigma flash? What are your opinions?

 

Does anyone know if either of these flashes has a PC socket for the

medium format lens? Or will I need a shoe adapter?

 

The sigma flash has a modeling flash. Does the SB-800 have a similar

feature?

 

Thanks,

Edward

[arnabdas]

I own the SB-800 but have handled the Sigma in the store, though not aware of exact specifications.

 

I say the SB-800 is well worth the 70 bucks extra. I'd say this even if I did not own the SB-800. The Sigma one looks like an older model just made iTTL compatible, while the SB-800 looks a completely different beast designed from the ground up for Nikon CLS that includes iTTL.

 

With SB-800 you will get nifty features like FV lock and Distance Priority Auto flash. It has outstanding build quality and yes, it comes with a modeling light feature and has a PC socket.

 

I normally encourage people to get 3rd party optics that are proven winners such as the TAmron 90 or Sigma 105 macro lenses, but flash is a different ball game where the OEM products rule. Get the SB-800, you'll be thrilled.

[cappoldt]

So far, I'm loving my SB-800. Also, keep in mind that if you want more flashes, if you choose Nikon you'll be able to remote fire more -800 and -600s, easy-breezy. I dunno if the Sigma is cross-compatible?

[steve_bingham]

I have this Sigma. Works great. I love it.

No PC connection, you will need to use an adaptor.

[patriciomurphy]

I jump rather late on this one, but I recently bought a D70, and am looking for a flash. Down here in argentina de SB-800 is outrageously expensive, and the Sigma is an option, but noone (including the salesmen, go figure) can't tell me if it will work under Commander Mode.

Will it? TIA