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I finally got a normal flash for my 40D. I couldn’t find a used flash that suited me so I had to spring for a new unit. Like tripods, people rarely sell their flash guns and there isn’t much to do about it. I didn’t feel like going for the somewhat overpriced Canon 430EXII and was unsure about Metz so I eventually settled for a Sigma 530 DG Super.
I reckon this flash is pretty good, with the possible exception of its build quality. It does have a wireless master option and it supposedly plays nice with both Sigma and Canon flashes. It is also a bit more powerful than the 430. The menu system could be quirky but I have nothing to compare it to. I do suspect though that it is a bit noisier than its Canon equivalent.
I also got a Manfrotto 681B monopod. Unfortunately, the idiots at Manfrotto made the pod incompatible with the 323 RC2 quick release. The lever extends below the bottom of the plate and the "head" disc of the monopod is just a bit too wide. Clearly they could have matched their components better. Instead they figured that people should buy a complete head for their monopod, like the 234. Or get a big bulky ball head. I just don’t get it. Monopods are primarily used for telephoto lenses. Just tilting the pod a bit will be enough at a distance. Monopod heads just increase weight, price and, adding insult to injury, they can also drastically reduce the maximum load capacity of the monopod. The 234 (which Manfrotto is currently giving away for free in some parts of the world as part of some sort of promotion) for instance is rated 2.5 kg while the 681B itself is good for no less than 12 kg. The capacity of a big bulky ball head like my 488RC2 is 8 kg. But who would want to carry that around anyway.
The only options now is to either (1) get a dedicated head, (2) use my 488RC2 ball head which weight almost as much as the entire monopod, (3) not use a quick release plate at all, (4) get the 088LBP or 120 adapters if they fit or (5) perhaps simplest of all, grind one side of the monopod plate down a bit. The large circular plate is plastic after all and should be no match for a Dremel. But I am not amused having to do this with a brand new monopod.
Great job Manfrotto …
Edit: The adapters likely don’t fit as they too are 60mm wide. Also, I discovered that grinding down the plate isn’t a good idea since the threads on the screw are fairly wide and you’d have to remove at least half the plate to make the 323 turn and tighten properly. The monopod would be a mess before I’m finished.
