Macro Ring Flash

Peter10d

Peter10d

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Macro Ring Flash –

I have made the plunge and just purchased the Canon 100 IS macro. Great lens as folk stated on this site. My initial thoughts are to get the best out of this I am going to need a ring flash, so the question is which one.
The Marumi gets some good reviews, but is it the right one for such a quality lens.
The Sigma and Canon are more expensive again, but other than build quality, do they provide anything else.
Am I correct in thinking they all work just like normal flash, enabling aperture selection with a fixed max sync speed ?
:thinking:
 
I had a Marumi and sent it back. Very flimsy build quality. Light was good, but no facility for splitting left and right hand sides to give different power, if that's important. I had difficulty getting it to seat and hold on the hot shoe. Fixes by means of a ring that screws onto the unit and then screws onto the lens. Battery cover is not hinged, and terminals are prone to bending. A mess to use. Cheap so you pays your money...

Sigma is no use. They do not make a fitting ring in 67mm to hold the unit to your lens.

Canon is pricey, and there are none available at present in UK. All retailers that I have tried are on back order, with the latest date of 25 April, but that is not guaranteed. Plenty in Hong Kong though. Canon will allow you to remote switch a Speedlight. Also has high speed sync.
 
mickledore said:
Sigma is no use. They do not make a fitting ring in 67mm to hold the unit to your lens.
Click to expand...
yes, they do. http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/flash/140ringflash.htm
Macro Flash Adapter 52mm
Macro Flash Adapter 55mm - (included)
Macro Flash Adapter 58mm - (included)
Macro Flash Adapter 62mm
Macro Flash Adapter 67mm
Macro Flash Adapter 72mm
Macro Flash Adapter 77mm

Canon will allow you to remote switch a Speedlight. Also has high speed sync.
Click to expand...
iirc the Sigma also works with at least Sigma flashes, can't remember about HSS.
There is also the Metz 15 MS-1 as another alternative.
 
Personally wouldn't bother with a ring flash for the 100mm, i found the light is harsh and difficult to diffuse, as your only shooting upto 1:1 you can get away with a normal diffused flash - this thread has loads of ideas for diffusers.
 
Peter10d said:
Thanks for the replies guys, unless someone has had a good experience with the Marumi, it looks like that can be scored off.
I wonder why the Canon is out of stock, is it due to being so popular?
Click to expand...

I have the Marumi F14s ( sony Dedicated) - which I use in conjunction with a Sigma 105mm f2.8 macro lens

I find it does what it says on the tin and well worth the £115 I paid for it - never had any problems - its a basic ring flash

102_3552-1.jpg





Les :thumbs:
 
heidfirst said:
yes, they do. http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/flash/140ringflash.htm
Macro Flash Adapter 52mm
Macro Flash Adapter 55mm - (included)
Macro Flash Adapter 58mm - (included)
Macro Flash Adapter 62mm
Macro Flash Adapter 67mm
Macro Flash Adapter 72mm
Macro Flash Adapter 77mm


iirc the Sigma also works with at least Sigma flashes, can't remember about HSS.
There is also the Metz 15 MS-1 as another alternative.
Click to expand...


Apologies. My local shop couldn't source one at all! I'll get back to them.
 
I've had a Marumi for over a year now and it's been fine. Okay, it's not the most versatile unit and it does feel a bit flimsy but it does the job.

I couldn't really justify splashing out on something more expensive as macro is something I do only occassionaly (for now anyway!).

Here are a couple of pics taken with it on a Nikon D80 and Nikon 60mm macro lens:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gmarkie_pics/4938275145/in/set-72157600101664044
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gmarkie_pics/4938275145/in/set-72157600101664044
 
Same here had the Marumi for a while now and yes it's flimsy and may not be the best made peice of equipment I own but hey it does the job and put's light where I need it.

What more do you need from a flash?
 
Some good examples and info there, thanks.

So far I am struggling to see any other option than using a ring flash, when shooting in certain conditions outside, other than constantly using a shallow DOF with a high ISO, if handheld.
So those that don't like ring flash, is it tripods all the time for outdoor macro or is there another secret?:thinking:
 
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