Sigma EF-530 DG Super TTL Flash for Sony & Minolta Digital SLR

Comments about Sigma EF-530 DG Super TTL Flash for Sony & Minolta Digital SLR:

I bought this flash to replace a Sigma EF-500 DG flash that had served for many years with my Minolta Maxxum 7D. I installed a fresh set of batteries and took 7 photos. At the 8th photo, the flash failed. It will no longer operate. The flash is clearly communicating with the camera as I can see the flash settings change as I zoom the camera lens or change the aperture. But press the shutter button and nothing happens. Even pressing the "Test" button does nothing. I have owned many pieces of Sigma gear over the years and this is the first item to have ever failed to function properly. I will be returning this flash for a refund on Monday.

Comments about Sigma EF-530 DG Super TTL Flash for Sony & Minolta Digital SLR:

It does not fit snugly enough on my new Sony A580 to maintain a reliable connection. I have to wiggle it on the hot-shoe to regain connection. This is partly because of the terrible, plastic Minolta slide-on hot-shoe design. The EF-530 DG Flash for Nikon & Canon probably works perfectly.

Comments about Sigma EF-530 DG Super TTL Flash for Sony & Minolta Digital SLR:

Very good flash unit. It has great power when you need it, with constant results, and fast recycle times between shots. Can't beat it for the price.

Comments about Sigma EF-530 DG Super TTL Flash for Sony & Minolta Digital SLR:

I took a leap of faith buying this over the Sony range of flash units. The feedback here on B&H was mixed and some people had trouble enabling either TTL or wireless modes on their Alpha bodies. But it was a substantial amount cheaper...I had no real problems setting this up to work with my camera body. There was a steep learning curve that found me tracking down the manual for my A350 but in the end I figured it out and it works great. The wireless option is proving invaluable. I have been able to add so much variation and drama to my images with this flash set off to the side that I am not sure how I managed to do without it all these years. It even casts a flash wide enough to fill the frame on my widest lens and it's recharge cycle is remarkably fast. I highly recommend this flash unit for all bargain seekers.

Comments about Sigma EF-530 DG Super TTL Flash for Sony & Minolta Digital SLR:

Great value in this unit....good power, good features. Wireless works well. I do seem to have an issue with TTL however. Not sure what the solution is, but TTL works fine when I use the flash wireless, but not when it's attached to the body...images are way overexposed. I tried two different EF-530's on two different A-500 bodies and same result in both cases. Tried a Sony HVFL46
on both bodies and TTL works fine...not quite sure what's going on yet. I really like the flash and hopefully can get the TTL thing sorted out.

Comments about Sigma EF-530 DG Super TTL Flash for Sony & Minolta Digital SLR:

I use the flash for gigs such as parties and/or receptions. This flash gets the job done. The only thing is when you want to do continous shooting, it can't really keep up.

Comments about Sigma EF-530 DG Super TTL Flash for Sony & Minolta Digital SLR:

I've used this flash attached to the hotshoe and wirelessly with my Sony A500 and I can't imagine a different flash working any better. It's fairly easy to use and understand once you've read the manual. The only iffy thing I've found is that it feels just a little loose when attached to the hotshoe mount. The flash unit itself feels very solidly built.

Comments about Sigma EF-530 DG Super TTL Flash for Sony & Minolta Digital SLR:

I purchased this flash to do a wedding for a friend. When I did a location scouting trip the week before the wedding, I realized the dark interior and time of the ceremony would create big problems with using only natural light. I do not use flash often so wanted to go with the Sigma to save some money in case I ended up not using it much again.

I received the flash the day before the wedding and was able to do enough experimenting and a quick read of the (short) manual to have it perform very well for me at the event. I sent the pics off to the bride and groom recently and they are very happy. I have started using flash more often now since the Sigma made it comfortable from a use and price perspective to try it out.

My only nitpick is that the mount is a little loose on the shoe - it stays on fine but wobbles a bit.

Comments about Sigma EF-530 DG Super TTL Flash for Sony & Minolta Digital SLR:

This flash makes my good Sony slr GREAT. The photos pop now instead of just a mere snapshot. It is a perfect match for my Sigma lenses and simple to use, completely automatic. I would recommend it to anyone.The camera is a little top heavy but no more than a lesser quality flash. The pop-up is useless compared to this. The weight is well worth the offset.

Comments about Sigma EF-530 DG Super TTL Flash for Sony & Minolta Digital SLR:

I ordered this flash to avoid paying the $500 for a the Sony HVL-F58AM FLASH. When I received the Sigma flash, it would not work. I returned and ordered a used HVL-F58AM FLASH from B&H. Do yourself a favor and pay the extra. You truly do get what you pay for.

Comments about Sigma EF-530 DG Super TTL Flash for Sony & Minolta Digital SLR:

I am mainly a landscape and botany photographer. This is a well built, well put together flash. One of the things I like the most is it's focal length read-out. It automatically tells you what length you've zoomed to.

The finish is that of a typical smooth black hard plastic. However, I did notice that the battery compartment door takes a little working to get it to slide evenly when opening and closing, and there's no clear indication (that I could tell) of the orientation of each battery as you slide it in. Not quite sure if the recycling speed is slower than most or if its my rechargeable batteries. Other than that, am perfectly happy with a quality product that is half the price of Sony's new $500 model!

Comments about Sigma EF-530 DG Super TTL Flash for Sony & Minolta Digital SLR:

I bought this Sigma flash unit instead of Sony's HVL-42AM and it was worth the $60 saving. It works amazingly well both on wired and wireless modes.Light output is great, TTL reading is accurate and Power consumption is not too high.I would definitely recommend it.

Comments about Sigma EF-530 DG Super TTL Flash for Sony & Minolta Digital SLR:

Very nice flash, equivalent to 58AF from Sony, at least in characteristics. In my own opinion larger coverage than sony's. Feels sturdier than other flashes for alpha series.

Comments about Sigma EF-530 DG Super TTL Flash for Sony & Minolta Digital SLR:

I use this product for ANY low light situation...
and for creative lighting as well... the swivel head is nice for left to right bounce flash and the up and down angle is great for the same reason. In addition the fact that it can be used wirelessly right out of the box is a huge plus.

Comments about Sigma EF-530 DG Super TTL Flash for Sony & Minolta Digital SLR:

I bought this unit because I did not want to spend twice the money for a comparable flash from Sony. This was my first time buying a 3rd party brand for my camera equipment and I am very satisfied. this flash operates perfectly and offers 100% compatibility with my Sony Alpha 100 and 700. the only thing it lacks is the ability to attach an external battery pack, otherwise this unit is fantastic.

Comments about Sigma EF-530 DG Super TTL Flash for Sony & Minolta Digital SLR:

I use it on and off-camera using the wireless function of the A700
Great power. Work also as a normal slave flash activated by any other flash (you have to select the C0 SL mode)

Comments about Sigma EF-530 DG Super TTL Flash for Sony & Minolta Digital SLR:

Living in Seattle I'm forced to use my flash probably more than the LA types. Sometimes as a fill but mostly indoors.

I got this flash a couple of weeks ago. I'm an engineer so I like to do scientific comparisons. The improvement is remarkable over the flip flash on my A350. The bounce angles up /down and left/right adds an extra level of creative range.

I like the LCD on the back and the variable focus flash. When I bought it I didn't realize that it worked wirelessly off camera. That was a nice surprise.

On the downside I wish it had a battery level indicator like the camera. The LCD works fine long after there isn't enough charge to fire a flash.