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

Average Customer Rating - 4.2 out of 5 stars

20 customer reviews

Totally satisfied, May 11, 2010
I have be completely satisfied with my sigma EM 140 macro ring flash. I use it for art purposes and love to use it inside and outside. I enjoy learned to take great shots and my experience is extensive so I would say-so to give this a try for digital photography. I take it next to me everywhere I travel so happy to advise you to buy one. My EOS Canon camera is suited to this flash and suitable for Macro lenses but it can be used near other lens types. I have adjusted the flash so I get 3 dimensional effects and that was pretty cool while I was contained by China. You can use a shutter speed faster than the shutter's normal synchronized speed so be aware of that. While the shutter is open, the flash will fire repeatedly so I can receive a series of images of the subject exposed in 1 frame and I approaching doing that. All in all I own been really pleased with the results of my macro ring flash and in good spirits to share my opinion.

Excellent ring flash for dentistry, November 25, 2007
I have employed my Rebel XT digital SLR into my dental organization. I upgraded to the Rebel XTi (10 mpixels) for home. I purchased the Sigma ring flash with a Sigma macro lens for the Canon SLR family. If you look at the Lester Dine website this is essentially what they sell for a few hundreds dollars more.

I compared the ring flash and lens with the ones offered by Canon and feel that it was worth saving $300 by purchasing the Sigma combo.

The macro lens/ring flash work economically for dental purposes. After a little experimentation I discovered that I get the best similes by using the aperature priority setting. All settings are used with ISO 400 speed. I set the aperature at 14-16 for intraoral shots. This gives the best depth of enclosed space. I also use the operatory light for intraoral shots. I set the aperature to 6 for full face shots.

I use autofocus but set the ratio to 1:2 to 1:3 for intraoral shots. This keep the autofocus from "hunting". I frame the shot by moving towards the subject. Once I get close to the image that I close to I use the autofocus to get the final focus for the picture.

Its great when its working but doesn't last long..., December 8, 2008
It be working excellent with my Nikon D80 for nearly 2 years (not quite 2 years yet). I used it for taking clinical photos of my patients. I merely use it for about 1 to 2 times a week, not really that often. Today, the right side of the tube die on me and didn't flash. I checked and kind sure it didn't fire not because I accidentally switch that side off. I am going to send it subsidise to Sigma and see what's the estimate of fixing it... It isn't very durable for only enduring less than 2 years...

amazing images, October 30, 2007
I specialize contained by plant photography that I use in lectures and books, and bought this flash to compliment my Nikon D200 with 105 mm macro lens. The first daylight I used it I was hooked. It allows me to take the most incredible extreme macro photographs of flowers, seed, insects, mosses,and anything else with a lot of complex detail. I do decision that the hot shoe was metal and not plastic, but so far I have not have a problem with it breaking (I remove it gingerly). The response from audiences has be overwhelmingly positive and I only wish I have bought this ring flash earlier.

Sigma EM 140 DG-worth a try, January 9, 2005
I have be searching the net for a reveiw of this flash. Since I couldn't find one I simply went out and purchased one. Yes this flash works iTTL on a D70. I would have given it 5 stars if it have 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 have worn out being the all plastic as well) . Other than this gloomy this product seems very in good health built and sturdy. The flash is permanently attached to the control head unlike the Nikon ring flash which be in 2 parts. This makes stowage a litte difficult surrounded by your camera bag however it does come supplied with it's own greatly nice ballastic nylon bag. Unlike the Nikon the cable is spring coiled and always stays smartly out of the way. It is a good sturdy and capably reinforced cable. It's controls are fairly simple to figure out. took some pictures today of orchids and the exposures be (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 without blemish illuminated. I then switched to A mode that the instruction booklet tell you to use when shooting macro distances. In this mode I was able to set the bracket mode to oscillate the flash and it worked like a charm . In all cases the middle shot be the best . Battery life was polite I took over 70 shots today and the recycle time was still very swift. I am in no means an expert on any the D70 or photography in general. I also tried the almanac mode with both flash and camera and was competent to experiment to get stunning results. Sometimes you want the background to be blacked out and you obligation full manual. You can also vary the output independetly of both sides.In almanac its easy to shoot and check results in the display. You enjoy to love digital for this alone. I was using this flash on a 70-180mm Macro Nikon and had to return with a 58mm to 62mm step up ring. It worked well and did not impede the field of picture at all. Sigma supplies a 55mm and 58mm with the element. This attachment is very well made and also much nicer than the flimsy one that Nikon supplies. You will hold to go to the Sigma website to buy other sizes which I think are 62mm 72mm and 77mm. I'm extremely happy that I got this flash. However close to any camera equipment the best test is to go buy one and try it for yourself. Good shooting.

Great product, January 9, 2007
I use this ring flash next to a 105mm macro lens on a D50 for dental photography. The pictures turn out great. My only complaint is that the manual is really vague, and there are not a hint user guides that I've found on the internet.

EM 140 DG, January 28, 2005
Finally a flash Nikon should have produced long ago. I shoot a lot of macro and own used the Nikon SB 29s with my Nikon D100. Unfirtunately that flash forced me to use manual mode as it doesn't know roughly speaking 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 specifically 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 spinal column is not immediately obvious, but once you hold flipped through the few pages of the slim handbook (takes in the order of ten minutes). all is clear. The automatic TTL works fine when you're in a rush, resembling when you are shooting medical operations on the fly or when trying to get that butterfly shot since it flies off. The manual adjustment option are really really worth spending some time with and experimenting with. Like the Nikon SB 29s, this is not if truth be told 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 rotten. This is really great and a lot of fun, if you have the time to experiment.

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

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

Nikon D80, August 5, 2008
Works just fine with my Nikon D80, although it's not down as compatible. I use it in dentistry!

Good Fill Light, March 4, 2009
Easy to attach and use. I haven't learned adjectives the features but right out of the box, and set to auto mode, the flash works great. It gives out an even fill fluffy and the model light is good for low buoyant conditions. Nice quality and is simple to put on or take bad.

Camera compatibility, July 30, 2007
Notwithstanding the previous review I have to point out that the EM-140DG manual, page 18, (available for download from Sigma website) does not include the Nikon D50 contained by its compatibility list. I'm heartened to read that some own had luck, but as I have already returned another ring flash I would be cautious about purchasing one where the capitalist is not explicit. Places like 47th St Photo will claim everything works with everything to bring back you to just hand over the money.

Or... you could rely on Amazon's return policy and traffic with a little hassle. BTW, do NOT excess your time with the Bower or other <$100 units on ebaY if you enjoy a D50. That's a REAL waste of time and the joy of dealing beside less-than-stellar return policies.

You got to hand it to Amazon, they rule within this respect!

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