Macro flash

ruffdog64

ruffdog64

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Name
Harvey
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I took my 1d mk2 complete with sigma 105mm macro lens and cheapo ring flash down to the woods to take some photos of mushrooms/toadstools and really struggled to get any reasonable shots as auto focus wasn`t coping with the low light in the woods,even when I change to continuous light on the flash it was still a problem, now they were all handheld and I`m now thinking I need to spend more on my macro flash setup so what do you guys/gals think? any recommendations please ,many thanks Harvey
 
I had a couple of cheapish ring lights but after having them fail to fire and have little control over the flash power etc. I decided to splash out a bit extra and get a top quality flash. I decided on a Sigma EM-140 DG, it's not strictly a ringflash but a twin flash as you can fire only one side at a time or both together. It's also able to rotate all the way around so you can get some great light effects. It's a fantastic flash, has a small modelling light built in to help focus the subject and it's very well built. It's not cheap, at nearly £300 including the adapter rings to suit your lens, but it's by far the best macro flash I've ever used and IMO it's worth every penny.
 
Harvey, I know it's easy for me to say and also easy for me to spend other people's money but 'buy cheap, buy twice' comes to mind.

I'm afraid that I would never consider a brand of lens or flash etc that isn't the same brand as the camera body. I know many are very satisfied with mixing brands and the money they might save but I would rather buy a previously loved matching brand product than mix products which were not both designed to go together by the same team.
 
Going against both the above - I'd say get/use a tripod... For mushrooms, which aren't moving anywhere fast, you shouldn't even "need" flash to get a nice exposure as you can just use a longer shutter speed.

It'll also help with nailing the focus as you'll be able to use live view.
 
Durbs said:
Going against both the above - I'd say get/use a tripod... For mushrooms, which aren't moving anywhere fast, you shouldn't even "need" flash to get a nice exposure as you can just use a longer shutter speed.

It'll also help with nailing the focus as you'll be able to use live view.
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....I think that the tripod advice is very good advice indeed. Upping the ISO value might also contribute sometimes, depending on what level of visible noise you can tolerate.

It does depend on the shot though, because sometimes good controllable ring-flash lighting is desirable.
 
Thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply, looks like I`l be lugging my tripod around from now on and saving up for a decent flash, Harvey
 
Oh I forgot to mention when I`ve upped the iso the noise is quite bad not sure if there`s anything I can do about this.
 
ruffdog64 said:
Oh I forgot to mention when I`ve upped the iso the noise is quite bad not sure if there`s anything I can do about this.
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....Which is why I flagged that ISO noise* might be a problem. You just have to find your own acceptable level but if you're now going to use a tripod then surely you don't have to use much ISO increase.

Shooting RAW should also help to improve your shots after uploading if needed.

*Why the heck has the word 'noise' created a live link!?
 
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RedRobin said:
....Which is why I flagged that ISO noise* might be a problem. You just have to find your own acceptable level but if you're now going to use a tripod then surely you don't have to use much ISO increase.

Shooting RAW should also help to improve your shots after uploading if needed.

*Why the heck has the word 'noise' created a live link!?
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My problem is I see other peoples photos and don`t see any noise so unfortunately none is the only acceptable level.
 
ruffdog64 said:
My problem is I see other peoples photos and don`t see any noise so unfortunately none is the only acceptable level.
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You could upgrade to 1DX or take a tripod. Your choice :thumbs:
 
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