suggestions for a Macro Flash Ring

[Bugsman]

I've been researching macro flash rings. Looked at the Canon and Sigma but I just don't want to spend that kind of money, at least not right now. Any suggestions as to a cheaper alternative that would work??

[dougsmit]

I'll be interested in seeing the replies you get here. I have the Sigma but find I use my continuous light fluorescent desk light ring (from Staples office supplies $25) as often. Of course it is only good for indoor set up shots near a power outlet but it is an answer for cheap ring light and better than the Sigma in many ways if you want a ring rather than a twin macro light.

[Bugsman]

Me, too. I'm just getting into macro photography and without some kind of flash, I'm having a hard getting the correct exposures on my outdoor shots without a lot of blur in them.

[keepright]

I haven't tried one, but the Ray Flash ring adapter looks interesting, and is endorsed by David Hobby, aka Strobist:

ExpoImaging > Products

[richardpcrowe]

Using a Canon EX flash unit with an articulating bracket and a diffuser is a great way to go when lighting macros. I prefer the 550EX or 580EX because it is easier to use these on manual than the 420EX but, I don't know about the manual capability of the 430EX.

I learned this set up from Dr. Deepak Rao, a physician and a great macro photographer from Bangalore, India. Deepak often posts on the macro forum of digital photography review and I communicated with him regarding his excellent macro images and he told me how his outfit is set up. I no longer have the link to Deepak's macro galleries but, here are a few links to some images that he created.

Weekly macro/close-up thread for 2 December 07 [Page 3]: Canon SLR Lens Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

http://www.pbase.com/dprchallenges/macro24_vibrant

ShutterFreeze :: Not a soothing macro



I use a Siegelite flash bracket. I don't believe that this model is produced anymore but, it is often available from eBay, usually at under twenty dollars.

The small softbox is a Lumiquest which I have had for years and years. It could be fabricated out of some cardboard or foamboard or diffusion material. I have seen Chinese knockoffs on eBay for about twenty dollars:

Velcro Flash Diffuser for Canon 580EX 550EX 430EX 420EX - eBay (item 190230674017 end time Jun-25-08 04:48:15 PDT)

You would of course need a Canon (or third party) off camera sync coed to set up an outfit like this.

I would imagine that you could substitute a Sunpak 383 or a Vivitar 385HV for the Canon flashes but, the exposure might be a little tricky.

[Bugsman]

Thanks for all the info and links. I've just actually ordered the lumiquest mini softbox. Will give it a try. I have a stroboframe flip bracket I'm going to give a try to using, too.

[Jacco]

Originally Posted by Bugsman

I've been researching macro flash rings. Looked at the Canon and Sigma but I just don't want to spend that kind of money, at least not right now. Any suggestions as to a cheaper alternative that would work??

Cheap enough?