Lighting for Macro photography

[Mystery57]

Is it best for Insect photography to go for a dedicated ring flash, or something more basic like an LED lamp

(as in this link http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-New-Go...pt=UK_Camera_Video_Lights&hash=item19e4f08d16)

In the past I tried a Canon ring flash and a cheap brand Ring Flash but always felt the lighting was too bright with both sorts. And wonder if a more even light might be obtained (as well as simpler focussing) by using one of these LED ones

Guidance appreciated

cheers

 

[simon ess]

I use a normal flash with a Lumiquest softbox III.

Works for me.

 

[pingu666]

you can get cheap ring led ones too, thats what ive got, but yeah if the power is adjustable they will be useful, specialy for focusing, a proper flash will help alot more with the actual exposure

 

[Chris Wilson]

Hi Andrew - not trying to be too obvious here but more light allows greater DOF - always useful with macro.
Hope that helps

cheers, cw

 

[stu.artd]

I use a mr14-ex with my 5d2/100l and find that as the aperture gets to 18 or 20 I'm having to set the ring flash power to 1/2 for each side (it goes down to 1/64) or even full depending on how close the subject is to get enough light at times. I'm not sure if the flicker of LED's would have any bearing on their use as macro lights.
What I would like is a mr24 but that's just too dear (but I think that's what you used previously ?).