Macro flash help please

[Tobyh]

Ok,

Another question. I'll try not to ramble too much.

I really enjoy macro photography. I don't have a flash unit with my Nikon D50 other than the built in one. I am having issues with the flash being unable to light my subject due to the lense being so close - I use a Tamron 90 with a 1.4TC and more recently, extension tubes.

So here's the crux - I need a flash but I don't know If a top mounted flash will have the same issues. Although it will be a little higher, I still think I'll get half shadow on my subject. I had been looking at the Sigma Ringflash but at close to £300 it was a little too much at this point (even though I won that playing poker saturday - I can't tell you how tempted I was!!)

This leaves a "normal" type flash but with some sort of arm or extension to hold it out over the top of the lens. This is where I start to trip up. Too many choices. What kind of arm would I need? There must be more cable needed also as it wont be directly in the hotshoe.

I guess If i could sort this for about £150ish I would be happy.

Currently for info I have a cheap crappy tripod although it is fairly sturdy. Will this be man enough?

Any help or ideas greatly appreciated as always.

Thanks in advance

TobyH

[Zebethyal]

Hi TobyH,

I am also relatively new to Macro and started off with a 55mm micro lens and no flash, with varying degrees of success, very dependant on natural light at this point.

It was suggested to me that I start using flash and it has made a huge difference, lighting the subject better and as a by product often makes the background black which can make for less clutter in the shot.

I now mainly use a nikon sb-26 with a 105mm micro on my Fuji S2 pro (I can potentially use several of these in a wireless set up), which cost me $170.00 S/H earlier this year on holiday in the USA. I'm not sure if you can use this flash or wether you need the dx versions of the sb-28, etc, for metering on your D50 (I know you do on the D70, D200, etc). Another one possibly just on the edge of your price bracket would be the sb-600.

Opinions vary on ringflash units, some say that the lighting is too flat, and as you say: they aren't cheap (I would love the Nikon R1 setup - 2 x sb-r200 falsh units on the front of the lens, but again £280.00).

I only notice side lighting/shadow if I try portrait style shots, most of the landscape style ones don't suffer too much, though a second flash would undoubtedly help.

Hope this is of some help.

Tim

[MalcolmX]

you realy need a ring flash or an off camera flash via cord
if you can you need to be able to sync up to 8000 of a sec so get a flash with high speed capabilities

[nightshade]

I was looking at one of the small Metz slave flash units which could
possibly be used triggered by the pop up flash, but that is as far as
I have got so far.There are some neat DIY ring flash designs about

[Andy Warne]

I'd recommend buying a dedicated flashgun like the SB600(£160) and a lead to use it off-camera like the SC-28(£50), that way you have lots of options.
You can position the flash where you like and you can make lots of DIY diffusers and attachments to change the light quality to get the results you want. You could make a large diffuser out of opaque plastic, an angled deflector to bounce the light or even a ring flash attachment. Once you've got a setup that you like then you can build some sort of arm to hold the flash in place.
And a lot of people prefer using a monopod for macro shots or no support at all, just a fast shutter speed using the flash.

Andy

[nightshade]

Andy what is the difference between the SC28 and SC 29
in regard to off camera macro work with the SB 600?
Which would give most advantage given they are about
the same price

[eeyore]

Personalli I would spend your dough replacing the "cheap crappy tripod" with a decent solid one - better support will improve your shots far more than a flash gun , you can do a supprising ammount with natural light and a couple of reflectors - also if you are in a studio set up you can use cheap halogen work lamps filtered through a plastic milk bottle for a soft light approach.

If you remain resolutely commited to the flash gun approach , check out the speed graphic website for off camera mounts and adaptors etc.

[Andy Warne]

Originally Posted by nightshade

Andy what is the difference between the SC28 and SC 29
in regard to off camera macro work with the SB 600?
Which would give most advantage given they are about
the same price

The SC-29 has an autofocus illuminator on it which is useful in low light if the flash is mounted off camera as the flash's own AF illuminators will probably be pointing elsewhere. Personally I use manual focus most of the time so I bought the SC-28.

[Tobyh]

Thanks for the replies all.

Following another good evening on the poker last night I decided to take the plunge and go with the Sigma EM 140 Ring Flash. I haven't heard bad things about it and as I specifically am suffering with "half shadow" shots where the top of the lens is stopping the flash reaching the subject I think this will be the best solution for me at this time.

Eeyore - tripod is next on the list although I've shied away this time as alot of my macro shots are monopod or handheld.

For info i've ordered it for £249 which seemed the cheapest from a reasonable UK shop. I'll let you know how I get on.

TobyH