Author Topic: Ring flash for macro (Read 11971 times)

madelaide · « **on:** March 07, 2009, 21:02 »

I am thinking of buying a Canon 100mm macro lens.

I wonder if a ring flash is a must. Any experiences and suggested models? I am browsing B&H site now and I see a Canon model (MR-14EX) with excellent reviews, but it's expensive.

Regards,
Adelaide

mantonino · « **Reply #1 on:** March 07, 2009, 22:20 »

I've used the MR 14EX and it's amazing.

http://www.prophotorental.com/product.asp?pID=24

I rented it from PPR and highly suggest you do the same before investing.

Jared is a great guy and runs a great biz. You'll like it. You will want it after you rent it though.

araminta · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2009, 06:21 »

With the 100mm macro, you don't need a ring flash: a speedlite with a diffuser works quite well for me.

I've also purchased the Canon MP-E 65mm and the focus distance is so small here that a speedite wouldn't work. I've purchased a macro flash, but not a ring flash: I've chosen rather the twin lite MR-24EX which give you more control on the light intensity and direction. But it's even more expensive.

Clivia · « **Reply #3 on:** March 08, 2009, 06:23 »

I use a speedlite with a diffuser also. It works fine with the 100mm, and can be used for lots more beside.

leaf · « **Reply #4 on:** March 08, 2009, 06:26 »

I would say a ring flash is a luxury item, not a necessity. If you are shooting bugs and things outdoors, you might not need a flash at all. Most of my macro work hasn't used a flash.

le_cyclope · « **Reply #5 on:** March 08, 2009, 14:37 »

I do have the 100mm macro and I bought last summer the MR-14EX. At that time, I was planning buying the Sigma equivalent, which is about 100$ less than the Canon but I change my mind when I realised that the Canon can act as the master with my 430EX. At that time, nobody could say if the Sigma can do the same; still don't know.

I don't remember all the tech specs but what I can say is when you need to use a flash on a macro shot, the MR-14EX gives you some light, but not enough...

I went yesterday to photograph live butterflies. So I wanted fast speed and small aperture for a large DOF. You can't have both, even with the flash...

What I should have done is bring with me my other flash and with both flashes (and a tripod, which was forbidden there) I would certainly have made better photos...

So my MR-14EX gives me some mixed emotions; I like it and I don't regret this purchase, but it is not perfect, and in that sense, I am wondering if the MR-24EX would have been a better choice. But at 200$ more, it was way over my initial budget!

Claude

Anyka · « **Reply #6 on:** March 08, 2009, 15:21 »

I have been using a MR-24EX for 5 years now and it is very good. Whether you need it or not depends on how close you get to your subject. If you do butterflies for instance, you need distance with the 100mm, and any flash will do. However, if you want to photograph something REALLY small, like a baby ladybug, and you want it to fill the frame, then you have to get closer and the MR-24EX comes in very handy for even lighting. It's a powerful flash, and it can give enough light for max. depth of field at f22 or so.

madelaide · « **Reply #7 on:** March 08, 2009, 15:28 »

mantonino,

It's unlikely that I can find it for rent here in Brazil.

araminta and Clivia,

What diffuser do you use? Is your speedlight the 430EX II? I plan to buy this one, it's in my list.

Leaf,

I often find plants and bugs in shaded areas, and I don't think I can have good results without extra light, unless I push ISO for high numbers, what I don't want to do. At home I have more control, as I can use window light and zero wind conditions.

I also saw in B&H site a Bower SFDRL14C TTL with good reviews and a much more affordable price than Canon MR-14EX (US$110 vs US$470). Any experiences?

Regards,
Adelaide

lienkie · « **Reply #8 on:** March 09, 2009, 01:15 »

Adelaide
Don't laugh at my home made plan,but it's cheap and it works!!I have a 60mm canon macro and for lighting I use......
Take a piece of white cardboard(thick ripple cardboard works best),cut it into a rectangle about 18X12cm.Cut out a ring in the bottom part just so that it fits tightly over your lens.Then use your pop-up flash.The white part that stands up in front of the flash diffuses and scatters the light so much that you don't get shadows or anything.
The i00mm is longer than the 60mm so maybe you would need to cut it a tad bigger.I sometimes even use a bigger piece with the 430EX speedlite ,but there's not much difference between the pop-up and the speedlite.
I've done quite a lot of test shots with a ring flash and my cheapo cardboard and the results are pretty much the same.
It's cheap and when the cardboard gets tattered you just cut a new piece.

Daleen

Clivia · « **Reply #9 on:** March 09, 2009, 03:23 »

Madelaide, I use a Canon 580 EX II speedlight. The best Christmas present ever! For a diffuser I use a homemade one made from a white plastic carton. I also have one made from the material from and old shoot-through umbrella.
I like this flash because of the amount of comtrol I have when using it. I also have an own brand flash from Jessops, but I don't know if they still make them. I used it before I got the 580. It was adequate, but only just.

araminta · « **Reply #10 on:** March 09, 2009, 03:27 »

Quote from: madelaide on March 08, 2009, 15:28

araminta and Clivia,

What diffuser do you use? Is your speedlight the 430EX II? I plan to buy this one, it's in my list.

I use an inflatable diffuser... something lite that http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-Inflatable-Universal-Diffuser-External/dp/B001GRU1AA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1236586991&sr=8-1, but other types of diffuser would works provided that the front face is close enough from the edge of the lens. Otherwise the lens would cast a shadow over your subject if the focus distance is too close.

Concerning the flash, I've now a 580EX, but I previously use an older 420EX: any speedlite is powerful enough to light a so close and so small subject

RT · « **Reply #11 on:** March 09, 2009, 05:06 »

I've got the 100mm macro, great lens.

Bought the mr-14 ring flash, used it, hated it, sold it.

Xalanx · « **Reply #12 on:** March 09, 2009, 06:01 »

Yea, the 100mm is awesome. My last few hundreds of portraits are most of them done with this lens. For macro work is great on a FF. On APS-C it's a bit too long for my likes (I preffered the 60mm).
I agree with those who say that on macro level you can use a normal external flash with some diffuser. Any 430ex or 580 will do great. And also fill flash for portraits.
I'd go for dedicated macro flash only on a mp-e 65 (which i'll buy this year

).

Perry · « **Reply #13 on:** March 09, 2009, 07:42 »

Ring flash was most likely designed for scientific use where an easy setup for macro light was needed. That said, ring flash does not make miracles and turn macro images great, it's just a tool that produces certain kind of light. The light from ring flash looks most of the times like what it is, a ring flash.

Better investment would be a extension cord for speedlight and perhaps different diffusors. Something like this would be very versatile http://www.pbase.com/leonzwrx/image/91859757

Canon 100/2.8 macro is quite nice for its price. It's quite sharp. Of course colors are a bit off and bokeh (at "normal" distances) can sometimes look not-so-good. But hey, it's not L glass...

RacePhoto · « **Reply #14 on:** March 10, 2009, 13:09 »

Here's a DIY ring flash. A bit much for my kit. http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/658257/

I carry a small white umbrella and slave strobe in the car, which can be mounted on a tripod. I suppose that a bit much for hand held. Also bought a cheap clip on flash diffuser for the on camera flash on eBay. It slips into the hot shoe and holds a diffuser in front of the pop-up flash.

Here's another one, small foam tube inside the lens shade, flash pointing down into it. http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/657587/0?keyword=ring,flash#5856042 I think I need to make a version of this one. Looks like fun.

This one is very interesting, using fiber optics to transmit the light from a pop-up flash. http://www.fring.we.bs/

Saw a guy last Saturday that cut the bottom 2/3rds off a common translucent (or white would work) rubbing alcohol bottle. I liked it. http://www.diyphotography.net/homestudio/blz/soft-flash-diffuser

Easiest, most compact way to accomplish this is a piece of thin cloth with a rubber band around it, over the flash head.

If you don't have an old handkerchief to cut up, go to a fabric store and buy the smallest piece of some white silk, might be one yard. (or synthetic fake white silk) You have a lifetime supply. Sheets and pillow cases are too think. Find something very sheer.

madelaide · « **Reply #15 on:** March 10, 2009, 16:38 »

Some interesting cheap ideas, I may try one of those. I have already thought of using that translucid white material used in decorative lamps.

Regards,
Adelaide

shutterdrop · « **Reply #16 on:** March 11, 2009, 13:37 »

This brings back days of medical photography.

General rule of thumbs less than 1:1 magnification one or two lights on the camera very close to the lens. Do not filter the lights you need the contrast.

General rule of thumbs more than 1:1 magnification a ring light is a must because the lens is blocking the light. Tips: filter up to half of the ringlight to give a increase lighting ratio.

Test, Test and test again. Macro is difficult and very demanding photography. Good Luck!

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Author Topic: Ring flash for macro (Read 11971 times)

madelaide

mantonino

araminta

Clivia

leaf

le_cyclope

Anyka

madelaide

lienkie

Clivia

araminta

RT

Xalanx

Perry

RacePhoto

madelaide

shutterdrop

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