Upon first inspection, the Sigma EF-530 DG ST flash looks like a no-nonsense piece of kit. Succeeding the EF-500 model, Sigma has again offered something at an affordable price, and, with its fully tilting
and swivelling head, it has one of the best features a budget flashgun can offer. However, like the EF-500, the unit lacks an LCD screen – something that most of today’s flashguns possess.

With a guide number of 53, the flash performs reasonably well when set at an aperture of f/5.6 with the subject about 9m away. As with the EF-500, there is no manual selection, just a high and low
setting, but the coverage has been extended to 24-105mm, and the flash has been designed to work with the new TTL systems of all the popular manufacturers.