Average Customer Review: ( 5 customer reviews )
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22 of 22 found the following review helpful:
 Buy this over the "Super" Nov 04, 2006
By Scotty
"Brooklyn"
I have owned the more expensive 500 "Super" unit that has all the "bells and wistles" (Lighted LCD screen, modeling light, strobe effect, etc) and that cost quite a bit more. But found that I seldom, if ever, used the features that the "ST" model doesn't have. This unit is simpler to operate, just as powerful, has Nikon i-TTL mode, and ever other feature I need as a professional wedding photographer I have a number of other flash units as well such as the Quantum T4D, Sunpak 120J, Nikon 600SB, etc. so I use the EF-500 DG ST as a backup unit and it is dependable and, from what I have experienced from my 500 "Super", quite durable as well. So, if you want to save $70.00 or so over the price of the super and get the same exact light, go with the 500 ST.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
 Powerful Flash For The Money May 23, 2007
By W. R. Stockstill Jr.
""Bill""
I don't use a flash often so to spend a large amount on one is just a waste. Still, sometimes you go to an event indoors that allows for flash and the little one on the camera can't hack it. Also, some outdoor situations call for fill flash.
This flash is powerful and it swivels up, and side to side. It is much less expensive then the Nikon model with similar features. It seems to work most of the time with few bad exposures on my D50. I have not used it with my D80 yet. It has a fast recycle time and comes with a durable soft carrying case that has room for batteries. It also comes with a slide down diffuser.
One complaint I have is that the battery compartment is not well marked. It is just a raised diagram on the black plastic and you really have to look at it to see which way the batteries go. Also, this is a big, powerful flash and my D50 feels very top heavy. But, that is the price you pay to have a flash that fills a big room with light.
This flash has a lot of features for the money such as zoom and power. There are few reviews on it, most reviews being on the more expensive and feature packed "Super" model. The reviews on the "Super" are for the most point positive. I have read where some Canon users think its better then, or as good as, Canon's own flash.
The only bad things I have read about the ST may be due to technique instead of the flash. You can't shoot a person directly with this monster flash at 3 feet and expect a perfect exposure, especially when they have dark clothes, dark hair, etc which will result in faces being washed out. In that situation you need to bounce it off the ceiling or wall. Conversely, bouncing off a tall ceiling in a large room doesn't do much.
One big draw back is that this model doesn't do wireless, the "Super" does.
Key Stats:
Charge time: 6 secs (with alkaline batteries); 4 secs (with Ni-Cd or NiMH)
Number of flashes: 220 (with alkaline batteries); 100 (with Ni-Cd or NiMH)
UPDATE: This flash seems to work much better with my D80. I have not had any under or over exposures. The D80, with the grip, also feels more balanced then the gripless D50 does with this flash. I also tried lithium disposable batteries and saw little increase in recycle time with a much lower amount of flashes so stick with alkaline.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Excellent value, no wireless May 27, 2007
By W. Qi
On a D70 it feels well balanced.
Powerful flash -- guide number of 50 @ ISO100 and 105mm makes this a very powerful light. In TTL mode it could keep firing while I shoot continuously @ 3fps (!).
Good exposure -- This flash gives me excellent, consistent exposures on a D70 in Matrix Metering: both the camera metering system and the flash quality contribute to exposure predictability. Suggest everyone to check reviews of this flash with the specific camera.
Great value -- although this flash lacks wireless, which makes this somewhat "on-camera-only", it gets you pretty far into flash techniques, without superfluous features.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 Useful, but lacking some features Jul 10, 2006
By Michael Raiford
I purchased this flash recently, and while its a usable flash, it does lack features. This is my first external flash, but certainly won't be the last I purchase.
The Good:
Its an excellent flash for those who are just getting into flash photography, but don't want the extra buttons and controls to mess with.
E-TTL II Operation is mostly flawless, provided your subject is within the (generous) range of this flash, which has a similar guide number to the Canon 580EX.
This flash also has a bult-in diffuser, which conveniently folds down in front of the lens. When the diffuser is not in use, it has an automatic beam focusing lens to optimise the flash for the focal length you have selected.
The Bad:
And no-frills it is: With only a low and full power manual setting, no remote capability, and no high-speed sync you get a flash and thats about it. For just a little more, you can purchase the Super version which has a lot more features, and is still quite a bargain.
My Recommendation:
Spend a little more and get the Super.
0 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 Poor performer May 06, 2007
By S. Nguyen
"SNN"
The flash did not work well. In TTL mode, the pictures came out so dark. It performed worse than the built-in flash on my D50. In Hi Man mode, the pictures were too bright, completely washed out. In Low Man, the pictures were dark but slightly brighter than TTL mode. I returned since there is no point to have an add-on flash that's is worse than the built-in flash.
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based on 5 reviews
