What Flash Ring?

peterjones00

peterjones00

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Name
Peter
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Yes
I have a tamron 90mm and would like to get a flash ring what would be a good choice to buy? ...Thanks
 
Peter, what Rhod is saying is look in the "Show us your macro rig" 'sticky' thread at the top of the macro forum.There are many different lighting setups in there. Hope this helps :)
 
IMHO i would get a flash gun and a bracket to get the flash over the end of the lens, coupled with a good homemade diffuser will give much better results than a ring flash which are diffucult to diffuse and give a rather flat light.
 
Alliec said:
IMHO i would get a flash gun and a bracket to get the flash over the end of the lens, coupled with a good homemade diffuser will give much better results than a ring flash which are diffucult to diffuse and give a rather flat light.
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Quite true if you are doing a general shot. But ring flash was originally developed to get into small difficult spaces (people's mouths for dentistry) The same applies to most macro shots. If you shoot with a normal flash it will just cause shadows. The idea with ring flash is you keep it as close as possible to the lens. The Sigma unit has offset, so you can fire one side more than the other, which can reduce the flatness you refer to.
 
The trouble with the ratio control is that it just makes the light on one side harsher than the other. Its the same with the MT24ex, which is why i never use it. I have used a flash gun with the MPe-65 for a long time and loved the results the only reason i changed was for the ease of use the MT24ex offers.

Some of the best lit macro shots i see come from side mounted flash guns. Take a look at LordV's work he uses a side mounted flash gun and homemade diffuser.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
 
MacroMania said:
Pater

I have the Sima EM-140 (£300). Had it a couple of years and it works very well. No probs. http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-sigma-em-140-dg-flash-macro-for-ittl-nikon-fit/p1007794 The R1C1 is pricey, isn't it?
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The R1C1 is expensive but you get a radio flash controller which can be used to control off camera flash's like the SB600/700/900 with full auto control, as well as 2 flash heads which can be used wirelessly off camera as well as mounted on the front of the lens.
 
Alliec said:
The trouble with the ratio control is that it just makes the light on one side harsher than the other. Its the same with the MT24ex, which is why i never use it. I have used a flash gun with the MPe-65 for a long time and loved the results the only reason i changed was for the ease of use the MT24ex offers.

Some of the best lit macro shots i see come from side mounted flash guns. Take a look at LordV's work he uses a side mounted flash gun and homemade diffuser.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
Click to expand...

Yes, I've seen Brian's work before. He is excellent, and yes he does use a bracket flash, but most of his shots are 'open' - they are bugs sitting on leaves, or water droplets etc. In such cases the bracket flash is very good. If I'm shooting indoors I will use studio flash, which gives an even better light, as in this one http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=219090

But if you are shooting into a confined space such as a half-closed flower then a ring has to be better.
 
MacroMania said:
Yes, I've seen Brian's work before. He is excellent, and yes he does use a bracket flash, but most of his shots are 'open' - they are bugs sitting on leaves, or water droplets etc. In such cases the bracket flash is very good. If I'm shooting indoors I will use studio flash, which gives an even better light, as in this one http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=219090

But if you are shooting into a confined space such as a half-closed flower then a ring has to be better.
Click to expand...

Horses for courses, ring flash is a PITA in confined spaces, a single or twin flash adjustable setup is far more flexible IMHO. There is no way I'd have got my lily beetle or jumping spider shots with ring flash as I would not have been able to get near either without the flash fouling on the wall or bush. With a bracket / single / twin setup I can tweak the exact flash position whilst leaving plenty of clearance around the rest of the lens. For more extreme macro work, the mpe-65 with a potential 1in of working distance, a ringflash prevents you from getting any decent angles except head on.. PLUS I don't have to drag 2 sets of flash out and about with me on holiday etc and it also doubles as my studio flash. The money I saved by NOT buying a dedicated macro flash meant the difference between a 7d and 5Dmkii :D
 
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