Manfrotto 196b as a macro flash bracket.

John L · #1 (**permalink**) 06-05-2010, 06:02 PM

Hi,

Hope you can all help. I've managed to get hold of a mint sigma 105mm macro lens for my D90, and after a bit of playing I'm addicted! Putting my 50mm f1.8 backwards on the end has only made this worse. I've ordered a coupling ring from China (£3.50, can't complain) and now need to start looking at my flash.

I've got an SB600 which is fab, and haven't got the budget to get anything else (so don't suggest fancy ring flashes!!). I've been getting some good initial results firing it with my built in flash, but it's not easy holding the camera with one hand and the flash with the other, so I need some form of macro bracket. At the mo I'm mainly doing flowers and the odd (co-operative) insect.

I'm on a bit of a budget, but after hunting around I've seen the Manfrotto 196b adjustable arm (basically a lightweight, cheaper version of the magic arm), and think this could be a good answer. I could attach the camera to one end and the flash to the other, giving a lot of options. If I'm using a tripod, I can clamp the arm to the tripod. It seems like a good flexible approach.

My query is, has anyone does this? Does it work, or is it too bulky? Can you use just one rod or must it be the two all the time?

Alternatively any other suggestions? £40 absolute max...

Hope that makes sense, and thanks in anticipation!

John

glsammy · #2 (**permalink**) 06-05-2010, 06:26 PM

I've never used that one, but I can recommend this type:

Search for "flash bracket" on that famous auction site and you can find them for less than £20.00.
The bracket has a flip option to allow you to use the flash in portrait format. The only other item I'd recommend is a Diffuser. I and others use a Lambency Diffuser. Again they're not expensive and they make a big difference to the quality of the light on your subject.

Geoff F · #3 (**permalink**) 06-05-2010, 06:34 PM

For the occasional 'flashing' of wily insects, I remove my lens hood (Sigma 180 mm) and use the in camera flash; preferably with all settings in manual mode. It does take a bit of experimentation and experience to get the camera manual settings correct but you soon get used to it.

Just make sure that your fingers are underneath the lens when manually focusing.

I did consider a ring flash but doubted if it would be strong enough for the way I treat my equipment. And a 'proper' external flash unit is too cumbersome to carry around all the time just in case I might need it occasionally.

Your idea might work OK for flowers, etc, which aren't going to get scared by all that equipment. But I would have thought, in that case, you really need 2 tripods; one for the camera and one for the flash in order to give yourself maximum flexibility.

Otherwise, simply using an external directly mounted flash unit will probably be just as good. After all, you don't need to worry about red eye on flowers.

But one word of warning; macro photography is addictive and soon gets expensive. Some people who are into macro flower photography, with or without flash, carry a mass of studio equipment like diffusers and reflectors, etc.

John L · #4 (**permalink**) 06-05-2010, 07:59 PM

Cheers for the responses!

I've had a play with what I've got. The onboard flash isn't great even with the hood off. The SB600 works OK, but because it is so far away from the object it takes a while to recharge (I should say I'm using pretty small apertures to help with the DoF, so the flash has to work quite hard), and with insects, they're scarpering while it recharges!!

I've got a Stofen type diffuser which helps a bit, but I'm getting the best pictures when I manually hold the flash right near the front of the lens, hence the need for a bracket.

The bracket from the auction site doesn't get the flash in close to the end of the lens which is what I'm after to help with the recharges and get the effect I'm getting now. I've seen some other brackets on the site, namely a 'C type' which seems like it could get the light in about the right position, but it'll have to come from China, and I don't want to spend a lot on lots of 'cheap' options. I'd rather spend on a quality item, but it's got to do the job!

I'll see if anyone else has any experience and in the meantime I'll keep utilising the other half!

Thanks again.

John