Sigma Flash Macro Ring EM-140 DG for Canon SLR Cameras

Rating:
Summary: EM 140 DG
Review: Finally a flash Nikon should have produced long ago. I shoot a lot of macro and have used the Nikon SB 29s with my Nikon D100. Unfirtunately that flash forced me to use manual mode as it doesn't know about digital camears. This is fine most of the time, but sometimes you don't have the time to experiment and shoot bracketed series, etc. So I went out and bought this flash.

a) Yes, it definitely works fine with Nikon's older D-TTL system besides the newer i-TTL. The D100 uses D-TTL. The D70 i-TTL.
b) It is a really nice piece of work.

I sold my SB 29s. The LCD panel on the back is not immediately obvious, but once you have flipped through the few pages of the slim handbook (takes about ten minutes). all is clear. The automatic TTL works fine when you're in a rush, like when you are shooting medical operations on the fly or when trying to get that butterfly shot before it flies off. The manual adjustment options are really really worth spending some time with and experimenting with. Like the Nikon SB 29s, this is not actually a ring flash, but consists of a tube on each side of the flash. With this flash, you can control the flash power of each tube separately, from full power, through 1/2, 1/4, 1/32, 1/64 or off. This is really great and a lot of fun, if you have the time to experiment.

All in all, an excellent piece of equipment. No competition currently out there. Yet.

The only reason I didn't give this flash five stars is because it isn't immediately intuitive to set all the cool features ion manual mode. I guess it merits a four and a half rating.

Rating:
Summary: Sigma EM 140 DG-worth a try
Review: I have been searching the net for a reveiw of this flash. Since I couldn't find one I just went out and purchased one. Yes this flash works iTTL on a D70. I would have given it 5 stars if it had a more robust hot shoe like the SB 600 or DX 50 both Nikon flashes I own. (I have a Nikon SB 21 and it's hot shoe has worn out being the all plastic as well) . Other than this negative this product seems very well built and sturdy. The flash is permanently attached to the control head unlike the Nikon ring flash which was in 2 parts. This makes stowage a litte difficult in your camera bag however it does come supplied with it's own very nice ballastic nylon bag. Unlike the Nikon the cable is spring coiled and always stays neatly out of the way. It is a good sturdy and well reinforced cable. It's controls are fairly simple to figure out. took some pictures today of orchids and the exposures were (mostly) perfect. I put my camera on the full PHD mode (push here dummy) and the EM 140 DG on iTTL and shot away. Most of the shots were perfectly illuminated. I then switched to A mode that the instruction booklet tells you to use when shooting macro distances. In this mode I was able to set the bracket mode to vary the flash and it worked like a charm . In all cases the middle shot was the best . Battery life was good I took over 70 shots today and the recycle time was still very rapid. I am in no means an expert on either the D70 or photography in general. I also tried the manual mode with both flash and camera and was able to experiment to get stunning results. Sometimes you want the background to be blacked out and you need full manual. You can also vary the output independetly of both sides.In manual its easy to shoot and check results in the display. You have to love digital for this alone. I was using this flash on a 70-180mm Macro Nikon and had to get a 58mm to 62mm step up ring. It worked well and did not impede the field of view at all. Sigma supplies a 55mm and 58mm with the unit. This attachment is very well made and also much nicer than the flimsy one that Nikon supplies. You will have to go to the Sigma website to buy other sizes which I think are 62mm 72mm and 77mm. I'm very happy that I got this flash. However like any camera equipment the best test is to go buy one and try it for yourself. Good shooting.

Rating:
Summary: Digital Macro Photography - must have !
Review: NIKON should allready have produced a flash for the digital cameras

Finally a solution !