Third Party Flash for EOS 3

[christopher_diao1]

I have a st-e2 and 550ex.... looking for third party addtional flash.

 

What's better, sigma 500 super or metz 54?

[robert_davis7]

I used a Sigma 500 super with my EOS 3 and 420EX and I loved it. I didn't use the Metz, but I

figure a glowing recommendation for the Sigma could be helpful.

 

(BTW, I still use the Sigma on my 20D with no complaints)

[christopher_diao1]

500 supper as master? and 420ex as slave?

[jimstrutz]

Last I heard, the Metz would not cooperate with Canon wireless E-TTL system. Unless that's been changed, you would need two Metz units together to do wireless, and the ST-E2 would be worthless.

 

The Sigma EF-500 Super (DG or not) will act as a slave or master to the 550EX. Robert would have had to use the Sigma as the master since the 420EX will only act as a slave. Of course if he had an ST-E2, both flashes would be slaves.

 

Personally, since you already have a 550EX & ST-E2, I would get a 420EX to act as a second slave. It's only marginally less powerful, and sets up so much easier than the Sigma. That was my only complaint with the Sigma -- it's menu system is so much different/difficult than Canon's. If you already had a Sigma Super, I would recommend sticking with them just for consistency, but you don't, so save a few bucks and get the small Canon.

 

Of course, if money grows on trees around your place, sell the 550EX and buy two 580EX units. They are nicer.

[christopher_diao1]

what's nicer about 580ex?

 

i need the manual control and 420ex does not have.

[ben_rubinstein___mancheste]

everything though it would take a while to explain, go to the store, try them out side by side, I dare you not to walk out with the 580ex! ;-)

[jimstrutz]

Yeah, the 420EX does not have manual control. That's most of what separates it from the 550EX. That and a high voltage power port, E-TTL wireless mastering, more power...

 

So you're back to choosing a Sigma Super or a Canon 550EX/58EX. The 580EX has a nicer user interface, faster recycling, and a few other small small items, along with being a bit smaller. It's clearly superior to the 550EX, but in minor ways, and costs are considerably higher too.

 

If you're wanting the lower cost option, I think I would rather get a used 550EX than a Sigma though. Not that the Sigma is a bad flash, because it isn't. But the user interface is less than desirable for using multiple wireless units, especailly when one of the other units is a Canon Speedlite. The price of used 550EX's has dropped considerably since the introduction of the 580EX.