Canon IXUS 240 HS
Canon PowerShot SX240 HS
Nikon D800
Samsung DV300F
Olympus OM-D E-M5
Nikon Coolpix P510
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ30
Nikon Coolpix S9300
Sigma EF-610 DG SUPER
The Sigma EF-610 DG SUPER is a new flashgun with a powerful Guide Number of 61. Among the advanced features of the EF 610 DG SUPER is a modeling flash function, multi-pulse flash, TTL wireless flash, FP (high speed) flash, rear-curtain Synchro flash and manual flash mode. The autozoom function automatically sets the optimum illumination angle in accordance with the lens’ focal length in a range from 24mm to 105mm. When the built-in Wide Panel is used, the flash can cover an angle of 17mm. For bounce flash, the flashgun head can be tilted up by 90 degrees, to the left by 180 degrees, or to the right by 90 degrees.
Sigma Press Release
ELECTRONIC FLASH EF-610 DG SUPER
Advanced features & high performance with a powerful guide number of 61
- Powerful light output with a Guide number of 61
- Designed to work with all popular SLR cameras
- Illumination covers a focal length from 17mm to 105mm
- Fully automatic flash photography for easy operation
- Tilt and swivel head for bounce flash photography
The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new ELECTRONIC FLASH EF-610 DG SUPER. The EF-610 DG SUPER features a powerful Guide Number of 61 and is designed to work with the latest TTL auto exposure systems of all popular manufacturers’ digital and film SLR cameras.
The autozoom function automatically sets the optimum illumination angle in accordance with the lens’ focal length in a range from 24mm to 105mm. When the built-in Wide Panel is used, the flash can cover an angle of 17mm. For bounce flash, the flashgun head can be tilted up by 90 degrees, to the left by 180 degrees, or to the right by 90 degrees. It can also be tilted down by 7 degrees allowing ease of use for close-up photography.
Among the advanced features of this flash is a modeling flash function, multi-pulse flash, TTL wireless flash, FP (high speed) flash, rear-curtain Synchro flash and manual flash mode, which allows the photographer to set the flash power level by up to eight stops. The Auto Power-Off function automatically shuts off the LCD panel to help save battery power. When the flashgun is fully charged, a confirmation ‘ready’ light will be emitted.
THE SPECIFICATIONS
Guide Number ：61/m(200/fit) ISO100/m(with the zoom head at 105mm)
ZOOM 24mm 28mm 35mm 50mm 70mm 85mm 105mm
G.N.(m) 28 29 31 40 45 48 61
G.N.(ft) 92 95 102 132 149 158 200
Power source Four AA Alkaline or AA NiCd or Ni-MH (Nikel Metal Hybride) batteries
Charging time Approx 6 seconds (with alkaline batteries) Approx. 4 seconds (with NiCd, Ni-MH batteries
Number of flashes Approx.220 flashes (with alkaline batteries Approx.100 flashes (with Nicd, Ni-MH batteries)
Illumination angle Automatically set in accordance with the focal length of the lens, in a range from 24mm to 105mm. Also covers the angle of a 17mm lens when used with the built-in Wide Panel.
Bounce angle (Up,Right) 0、60、75、90 degrees
Bounce angle (Left) 0、60、75、90、120、150、180 degrees
Bounce angle (Down) 0、 7 degrees
Dimensions(W X H X D)/
Weight 77×139×117mm/3.0 X 5.5 X 4.6 inch/
315g (11.1oz.) (without batteries)
Canon IXUS 240 HS Review
Canon PowerShot SX240 HS Review
Nikon D800 Review
Samsung DV300F Review
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Review
Nikon Coolpix P510
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ30
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS
Fujifilm X-Pro1
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V
#1 Peter
I just purchased the Sigma EF-610 DG Super flash for my Nikon D300s from Amazon for $255.
So far it is working great and I'm satisfied.
Here are a couple of my initial experiences with this flash:
(1) Initially I was looking into a used SB800 on amazon and ebay but I couldn't get myself to pay over $300 for a used, 3 year old flash.
(2) The Sigma feels solid and so far I have tried the following features:
- iTTL with flash mounted on camera: works as advertized
- Ceiling Bounce, no problems from 10-20mm
- Wireless with D300s build in flash as commander: works great and allows creative shots! I tried this flash combined with a 10-20mm Sigma lens set at 10mm. When you pull out the build in diffuser, the flash automatically shows '17mm' mode in the lcd display but I didn't see dark edges or light falloff in the image. Pretty good!
- multiple flashes in one shot worked as advertized
- Over/under expose settings are easy to set up
- Full manual control works great
- The lcd is very readable and has a dedicated 'light' button which will give a nice green illumination for 8 seconds.
- Dedicated 'mode' button to select iTTL, manual mode, wireless mode, multiple flash mode etc
- I was looking for accessories which seem hard to find initially. I contacted Sto-Fen to find out which omni-bounce filter would be compatible with this flash and they recommended the OM-C. I'm expecting it in the mail in a few days.
- Also ordered a Cokin Photogels Flash Filters 30 pack which seems an affordable option to adjust to different lighting conditions and prevent blue/green/purple backgrounds depending on which light conditions exist. I also like color filters to create custom effects. This color kit was $18 on amazon.
(3) I'm planning to use the flash for weddings, interior/architecture and fill-in shots and caving where I use the wireless option and also walk around with the flash in hand, using different color effects.
I'm using it together with 4 eneloop NiMh batteries and recycle time between shots is generally within 1-4 seconds, depending on whether you used a full 100% flash or just a fraction of the output (depending on iTTL).
I compared shots with my camera pop-up flash and the Sigma totally outclasses the pop-up flash - as expected. Light is more consistent, allows ultra wide angle and lights up interiors much further so you don't have the 'dark' background.
So even as a direct replacement for your occasional family shots, I believe it is worth while the investment.
Overall, I didn't want to shell out the $300 for a Nikon SB800 flash and the $440 for a new SB900 (with possible overheating issues reported) was just too far outside of my budget. The Sigma flash is targetted as an SB800/900 competitor at a lower price point. If you got the $$$ laying around, get the Nikon SB800/900. If you are on a budget like me, or also like to save for a lens and flash together, get the Sigma. You won't be disappointed. I have a mix of Nikon/Sigma lenses and equipment and so far I have not regretted any of my purchases.
Note: The SB700 is a great flash as well but only allows slave mode whereas the Sigma can also be a master. Eventually I will probably want to use multiple flashes in which case the master option is a great feature.
Good luck with your flash decission and hopes this little review helped in case you were sitting on the fence or were considering the Sigma flash.
Cheers,
Peter
10:49 pm - Sunday, February 20, 2011
#2 Jeff
Thanks Peter. Good comprehensive review. I might get this flash since even the SB-600 is going for over $200 used right now, which is ridiculous! I was looking at the EF-530 DB Super but am not sure if it will be the right fit for a D90 or my next camera which will more than likely be the D7000. Waiting for Sigma to get back to me.
3:47 am - Monday, May 16, 2011
#3 Alex Bond-Smith
Will this flash work wirelessly with Cactus V4 transmitter/receiver on Canon 50D
4:20 pm - Monday, June 27, 2011
#4 IT Rush
Nice review, bad I have a different flash gun..
1:43 pm - Sunday, January 29, 2012