Sigma EF-530 DG Super

[inkista]

Originally Posted by kuul13

... I checked the recycle time for this model and found to be 15.5 seconds with new batteries.

Whoah. The spec sheet on that model says a full-power recycle should be 7 seconds. My suspicion would fall upon the batteries. If you grabbed new NiMh rechargeables out of the pack, they may need to be conditioned (i.e., cycled through discharge/recharge a few times) to reach full capacity.

The Strobist recommends a type of recharger that can test and give you the capacity/health of a given battery, which is very handy for this kind of thing. The BC-900 he talks about has been discontinued, but you can find the BC-1000 and BC-700 on Amazon. I got myself a LaCrosse BC-700, and I love it. Some of the best money I ever spent.

I guess I need to at least wait for 16 seconds before taking next shot.

Well, at that power output level and with those batteries, yes.

When you're controlling illumination with flash photography, remember that ambient light (everything that isn't the flash) is controlled by iso, aperture, and shutter speed. And flash is controlled by iso, aperture, flash power output, and flash-to-subject distance.

So, if you need to lower the power on the flash, you can make up for it by increasing the iso, opening up the aperture, or bringing the flash closer to your subject.

[ccting]

Originally Posted by kuul13

inkista, your comment is so well written and makes every sense. Thanks for an elaborated and helpful comment. I knew it would be me and not the flash I guess I was trying hard to make the flash work overtime and was not giving enough breathing time to it. I checked the recycle time for this model and found to be 15.5 seconds with new batteries. I guess I need to atleast wait for 16 seconds before taking next shot. I will try this and see if it makes any difference. Thanks for all the tips and suggestions. Great to learn something new from you guys.

wow, 16 seconds.. ! Try the cheap YN465, it is about 1-2 seconds recycle @ full power with fresh eneeloop