You might have read about Nikon’s newish iTTL technology introduced in their D70 D-SLR. Until reciently only the $350 Nikon SB-800 and its lesser-powered sibling the SB-600 offered full iTTL compatibility - including the awesome iTTL wireless mode.

Some months ago Sigma introduced their $200, iTTL compatible EF-500 DG Super iTTL flash. It was the only non-Nikon flash out there that was fully compatible with the D70 in TTL mode…and it supported iTTL wireless flash. At only $200 I knew I had to have one.

I ordered my first EF-500 back in mid November and right away I was impressed. It was definitely the most advanced flash I had ever used (coming from a Vivitar Auto 2000 it didn’t take much!). I received my flash and proceeded to use it attached to my camera all through the holidays. I used it with excellent results during Thanksgiving and Christmas and for various product shots here and there. I played with it a few times in wireless mode using the D70 in commander mode, but I was less than impressed with the results - it would work in a pinch, but for any “real” work I would just drag out the studio strobes.

I was receiently tasked with shooting a wedding and one of the things I needed was some extra light and I wanted to go with no cords and no power plugs strung across the chapel. So I decided to give a second EF-500 a try, slaving them together in wireless iTTL mode. At $200 for the second flash unit, I figured I couldn’t go wrong and if it just outright didn’t work I could always return it and drag out my studio strobes and tape all the cords down; not an elegant solution, but an effective one.

The second EF-500 arrived today and I was eager to see how well it would work. I placed on EF-500 on the camera in master mode and I set the other EF-500 up on a light stand, bouncing into an umbrella, in slave mode. I popped a few shots only to realize that the second flash (the slave) wasn’t firing. I fiddled a bit and popped off a few more shots - no second flash.

It turns out that the manual for the Sigma EF-500 is terrible and just guides you enough to almost get things working. I had to sit down and read the section on wireless flash two or three times before I figured out what I was missing. After another 10 minutes of going over the manual and fiddling with the settings, I had the flashes setup properly. It’s not super difficult, but the first time you get all the flashes into wireless mode is a bit tricky (I’m sure it will get easier each time).

Feeling more confident, I popped off a shot and then chimped the camera’s LCD to see what I had - success! I had a nicely light shot of a pile of crap in my office! Feeling energized, I whirled around and popped off a few more shots around the room and each one was nicely light and balanced. So far things were working great, but the lighting was a little flat. Could I get some variation in the flashes to get more depth to my shots? After spending another 30 seconds looking at the manual and fiddling with the flashes I found out that, yes, you can make each flash vary in its output. The best part is that you can make each flash vary in its output right from the master flash on the camera. So there is no running around setting each flash individually, you just hit a button and choose to increase or decrease the flash ratio between all your flash units.

I grabbed a model - okay, I grabbed my somewhat unwilling wife - and popped away for a few minutes. I was stunned by the quality of the lighting and the ease in setting up shots where I could effortlessly change ratios between my key and fill lights, all while circling around her and changing positions. I would post some sample pictures here, but I was sworn to delete the pictures as soon as I had finished shooting them!

Bottom line: The combo of two (or more) Sigma EF-500 DG Super iTTL flashes is a winning combination. I hold no illusions that my Bees are more geared towards a true “studio” shoot, but being completely remote, wireless (bonus; “normal” flashes won’t trip the slave unit) and battery powered is awesome. Once you try it, you’ll never go back. The price can’t be beat, and while it’s no Nikon SB-800, the Sigma is also only 60% of the price of the Nikon flash.

I am already thinking about picking up one or two more Sigma EF-500s to fill out a complete wireless flash kit. For the price and the features offered, it can’t be beat. If you’ve been holding back, you have to check out fully wireless TTL flash - either with the Sigma or the Nikon gear (remember, they will also interact with each other). Once you go wireless TTL, you’ll fall in love!

I’ve been dabbling with online photo finishers for a while now. I’ve tried all the big ones, iPhoto, Shutterfly, Ofoto, Dot Photo; you name it and I’ve probably tried it. And they’ve all been okay and doing what I expected, but none of them really blew me away with their service, shipping or web site.

Then I found Mpix - a division of Miller’s Professional Imaging - and I’m hooked. I initially ordered a couple of 8″ x 10″ prints on their basic color paper. The shipping charges initially shocked me a little at $4.95, but then I received my first order. It was packed so well I think I could take it outside and run over it with a truck and the photos wouldn’t be damaged.

First, everything was flat packed. No more trying to unroll a large print and try to keep it flat and straight while mounting and framing it! Second, everything was sealed to a heavy cardboard backing with a foam pad between the print and the cardboard. And the photos were all placed in their own envelopes before being shrink-wrapped to the cardboard and placed in a box. The packing is truly wonderful after using Shutterfly and the like.

Mpix also uses Kodak professional paper. This isn’t much unless you’re trying to sell your prints and then the pro paper with it’s imprinted back - “PROFESSIONAL” - is nice because maybe those drug store photo clerks will think before helping someone duplicate my work. It’s not a problem now, but it might be one of these days.

Finally, the Kodak metallic paper is amazing. I had tried their E-Surface and Black and White paper and was very impressed with the prints. So I ordered up a batch of 8″x10″ and 11″x14″ prints - a combination of color and black and white prints - on their metallic paper.

One word…amazing! The slightly silvery surface has a wonderful gleam that really does make the colors pop. It gives them a unique look that you don’t often see. You know it’s a photo, but it’s just enough different that you’ll look at the picture more closley. On the black and white prints the light greys and whites have a creamy silver glint when the light hits them just right. They have a sparkle that’s just perfect. There are times you have to have real honest-to-God black and white paper, but you should really try putting some black and white prints on their metallic paper.

They have a place online where you can order a paper sample kit and can see what the papers look like side-by-side. They don’t even charge for shipping, so click over there and get yours ordered!

I’m a convert; I will only use Mpix for my print ordering from now on. If you’ve never used them check them out, and if you’ve never tried their metallic paper, go try it right now!

It’s rare to find a company like this, but it’s great when you do!