The Sigma Electronic Flash EF-500 DG Super
Sigma flashes have a number of features available to help gain the right lighting for the images you want to take. However, none of these features will be of any good if you don't first know get a Sigma flash working. The steps below will guide you through the process of installing and using the basic features of a Sigma flash.
Instructions
Installing the Batteries
1. Turn the flash unit off. Locate the battery chamber on the side of the flash unit. Slide the chamber cover in the direction indicated by the arrow next to the cover to open it.
2. Install four AA batteries in the chamber as indicated by the images either inside the chamber or on the cover. While alkaline dry cell batteries are sufficient, the recommendation for Sigma flashes is to use Ni-Cad or Ni-MH rechargeable batteries. The latter two options have a longer battery life and are rechargeable, so there is less expense in the long run.
3. Close the chamber cover by reversing the process to open it. Turn the flash on. The ready lamp on the back of the flash should come on within a few seconds to indicate that the batteries worked to charge the flash. Check to make sure the flash works properly by pressing the "Test" button on the back of the flash.
4. Press the "Test" button on your Sigma flash or depress the shutter button on your camera halfway down if the flash appears to shut off, even when the switch is in the on position. There is an automatic shut-off feature that conserves battery power after five minutes of the flash being on, but not used.
Attaching the Sigma Flash to a Camera
5. Hold the base of the flash to prevent damage to the flash or camera during this process. Turn the flash and the camera off. Make sure the camera's built in flash is closed.
6. Slide the shoe base of the Sigma flash into the hot shoe platform on the top of the camera, matching the electrical connectors on the two. The buttons and LCD of the flash should be on the same side as the back of the camera.
7. Turn the flash shoe locking ring clockwise (or as indicated by the arrow above the lock ring) until it is tight in order to secure the Sigma flash to the camera's hot shoe. To remove the Sigma flash, turn the locking ring in the opposite direction and carefully slide the flash out of the camera's hot shoe.
Using Other Elements of the Sigma Flash
8. Use the wide panel to extend the flash coverage to a wide angle of 17mm. It is a small piece of plastic inserted above the flash head. Slide out the wide panel and flip it down to cover the flash head.
9. Set the Sigma flash to TTL Auto Mode, so that the flash will automatically provide the appropriate flash coverage for the subject. Your camera must be set to fully automatic mode for this function on the Sigma flash to work. Press the MODE button on the Sigma flash until the TTL mark appears on the flash's LCD screen. Focus your camera on your image subject, and check to make sure the subject is within the effective distance range for the flash before taking the picture.
10. Reduce the red-eye effect in your image subjects but using the Sigma flash's red-eye reduction feature. After setting the flash mode, press the -- or + buttons in the center of the flash control panel until the image of an eye appears on the LCD screen.
Tags: Sigma flash, Turn flash, chamber cover, back flash, button your