What kind of flashes do you normally use for Macro?

[tamama]

I have seen a number of macro photos threads in clubsnap, most of people prefer shadowless I guess. Personally I do prefer to have minor shadow.

I am currently using a SB900 with home made diffueser. I don't use tripod, thus sometimes the whole set of equipment with ext. tubes and the macro lens is heavy with this big flash. When I try to use one hand to hold the leaf to act as the background, I was using the other hand to hold the whole set to take the photo.

I was tempted to get two Nikon RC200 but thinking that these two flashes may just serve the purpose of macro and useless for me in other aspect.

May I know normally what kind/brand of flashes do you normally use? Anyone any advice to get which flash?

Thank you in advance.

 

[cichlid]

But getting a new flash will not solve your background problem right. And getting the RC200 will prevent shadows if I'm not wrong.

So why you want to bbb, hehe

 

[tamama]

Usually people use two RC200 flashes.. I was thinking along the line where I will use one RC200 but the other side use a reflector instead. =) However, I dun see people doing that... do you know if RC200 can be mounted on top of the D7000 body or it can only be used as a remote flash only?

 

[nickzkcin]

Uh

a RC200 is the remote trigger system... do you mean the SB-R200?

 

[tamama]

Uh

a RC200 is the remote trigger system... do you mean the SB-R200?

Thanks for the correction. Yes, I was referring to use one SB-R200 flash and reflector on the other side.

 

[spree86]

I use an SB-400, solely because I don't want my light to be blocked by overhanging leaves. Actually, the diffuser plays a larger part in controlling the amount of shadow compared to the flash, focus on making a diffuser that fit your needs instead of buying a new flash.

 

[loboclerk]

There is no perfect system, there are pros and cons for each.

R1C1 is good for closeups, really specialized for macro. You can design do your own diffuser for that.

I want to reuse my ext flash for other purposes.. so I now use SB600 and SB900 wirelessly triggered from D80/D800.

How handheld looks like for me... but this was using two SB600s

Two SB400 is possible too, lighter, but no default wireless setup.

 

[r0n1n]

Hi loboclerk, i think i saw this pic from melvyn's thread. A bit ot though, would you know what flash bracket is the guy using in the pic? Is it kirk bracket? Sorry ts for the ot

 

[loboclerk]

Hi loboclerk, i think i saw this pic from melvyn's thread. A bit ot though, would you know what flash bracket is the guy using in the pic? Is it kirk bracket? Sorry ts for the ot

Still on topic la.. about flashes for macro.

That pic is me using articulated flexible arms for each flash, and a straight bracket screwed to bottom of camera body. Can ask at camera shops. But it is heavy. Difficult to handhold.

I posted details here:
Macro Photography in Singapore: About

 

[dc01572]

There is no perfect system, there are pros and cons for each.

R1C1 is good for closeups, really specialized for macro. You can design do your own diffuser for that.

I want to reuse my ext flash for other purposes.. so I now use SB600 and SB900 wirelessly triggered from D80/D800.

How handheld looks like for me... but this was using two SB600s

Two SB400 is possible too, lighter, but no default wireless setup.

where did you buy the flash bracket? I am looking for one with flexible arms...

 

[cichlid]

I use an SB-400, solely because I don't want my light to be blocked by overhanging leaves. Actually, the diffuser plays a larger part in controlling the amount of shadow compared to the flash, focus on making a diffuser that fit your needs instead of buying a new flash.

I've seen your macro shots and now it makes me regret selling the SB400, so small and light but it gives good results for your shots.

Do you use more than ISO 200?

 

[UncleFai]

I use the Sigma EM-140 ring flash.

As one would expect, it mount easily on say my 105mm macro lens. Together with batteries, it adds about 500g in weight.

However, what I would like to share is how I got it to mount on my reverse-mount 20mm manual lens. This is the DIY adapter I used:

Basically, I took a old lens rear cap, and cut out the back leaving just the mount part (see above). This was the difficult part. But using a large box cutter, and a poorer quality (non-original) cap, it was quite doable. I then got a 55-58mm adapter ring and glued it to the cap. This allows the cap to take the Sigma ring flash's 58mm adapter (one of three included with the flash).

The whole contraption weighs 1.6kg (with the Sigma ring flash, my Nikon D7000 with battery, and the reverse mount 20mm weighs 1.1kg).

Here is a shot using it of a 5mm flower bud (uncropped) - TTL, dang... just realized that I had put the camera to -0.7EV and forgot to set it back before the shot. Focus was by me handholding and moving back and forth. Focusing distance about 5cm.

Not rocket science, and probably not the first one who thought of it but still thought worth sharing.

 

[loboclerk]

where did you buy the flash bracket? I am looking for one with flexible arms...

I bought on ebay, but heard u can get the long one at Funan for about $50 each.

 

[r0n1n]

Still on topic la.. about flashes for macro.

That pic is me using articulated flexible arms for each flash, and a straight bracket screwed to bottom of camera body. Can ask at camera shops. But it is heavy. Difficult to handhold.

I posted details here:
Macro Photography in Singapore: About

You're the man! Thanks for the info, i wanted to try macro so im getting all the info as I can. Thanks again

 

[loboclerk]

You're the man! Thanks for the info, i wanted to try macro so im getting all the info as I can. Thanks again

Nothing beats messing around in the field. Info can never be enough in theory.

 

[UncleFai]

Still on topic la.. about flashes for macro.

That pic is me using articulated flexible arms for each flash, and a straight bracket screwed to bottom of camera body. Can ask at camera shops. But it is heavy. Difficult to handhold.

I posted details here:
Macro Photography in Singapore: About

Looks very much like a lobster.

 

[j76xx]

Hi, just to share my set-up.

Initially, I was using the SB-900 together with my DIY diffuser. However, there are issue with shadow. and it is rather difficult to control it with just a speedlight. Thus, got myself a R1 Kit (2 x SB-R200). Did not get the R1C1 since my body / SB-900 can act as the commander already.

As for the R1 Kit, it come with an attachment ring to mount the SB-R200 speedlight as shown below.

Below are some shots I got from this set-up

 

[cichlid]

I use the Sigma EM-140 ring flash.

As one would expect, it mount easily on say my 105mm macro lens. Together with batteries, it adds about 500g in weight.

However, what I would like to share is how I got it to mount on my reverse-mount 20mm manual lens. This is the DIY adapter I used:

Basically, I took a old lens rear cap, and cut out the back leaving just the mount part (see above). This was the difficult part. But using a large box cutter, and a poorer quality (non-original) cap, it was quite doable. I then got a 55-58mm adapter ring and glued it to the cap. This allows the cap to take the Sigma ring flash's 58mm adapter (one of three included with the flash).

The whole contraption weighs 1.6kg (with the Sigma ring flash, my Nikon D7000 with battery, and the reverse mount 20mm weighs 1.1kg).

Here is a shot using it of a 5mm flower bud (uncropped) - TTL, dang... just realized that I had put the camera to -0.7EV and forgot to set it back before the shot. Focus was by me handholding and moving back and forth. Focusing distance about 5cm.

Not rocket science, and probably not the first one who thought of it but still thought worth sharing.

Do u have any shots with catch lights in the eyes?

 

[UncleFai]

Do u have any shots with catch lights in the eyes?

Sorry... no... these days I am busy with the other end of the focal length... birding

 

[dc01572]

Hi, just to share my set-up.

Initially, I was using the SB-900 together with my DIY diffuser. However, there are issue with shadow. and it is rather difficult to control it with just a speedlight. Thus, got myself a R1 Kit (2 x SB-R200). Did not get the R1C1 since my body / SB-900 can act as the commander already.

As for the R1 Kit, it come with an attachment ring to mount the SB-R200 speedlight as shown below.

Below are some shots I got from this set-up

is that 2x extender you attach with the lens to achieve 2x reproduction ratio?