Opinions on Marumi ring flash?

[Ben M]

Hi, I'm considering getting a ring flash for macro photography (I use a canon eos 1000d and tamron 90mm macro lens). I've had a look at the sigma ring flash, but I can't afford it.

How do you think the marumi compares to the sigma; is it worth getting the marumi for shooting insects etc, and do you have any examples of pics taken with one?

thanks

 

[Ben M]

I've just come across the Nissin MF18 Macro Ring Flash for Canon as well. Is this much better than the marumi?

 

[modchild]

The Sigma is a class above the Marumi ring flash, but then it's about 4 times the price so it's likely to be better. I've used other Nissin flashes but not their ring flash and they are well built, easy to use, reliable and very feature packed so the Nissin ring flash should be as good if anything, although they are likely to be more expensive than the Marumi too.

I've had 2 marumi flashes and found them to be perfectly adequate for shooting with. They seem a bit fragile in build quality as I broke the tube on my first by dropping it from only about 18 inches. It landed face down and the flash body landed on top of it so maybe I was just a bit unlucky with the first. The second one was fine though and I got some good shots with using it.