Sigma 105 macro - what ringflash?

bloozeboy · #1 (**permalink**) 09-02-2007, 09:07 PM

Hi all, I will be buying a Sigma 105 macro lens in the next few weeks - my first foray into macro photography.

Has anyone used this lens with a ringflash? what make of ringflash? any suggestions/coments welcome.

Boddie · #2 (**permalink**) 09-02-2007, 09:14 PM

I have this lens and have the MR14 ring flash. I have yet to get out and capture insects as have only had the flash for a couple of months but the test shots I have taken have showed the flash up to be a great purchase

bloozeboy · #3 (**permalink**) 09-02-2007, 09:29 PM

OOOPS!! forgot to say, my camera is a Nikon D70, MR 14 is for Canon isn't it? Thanks anyway.

davewalker · #4 (**permalink**) 09-02-2007, 10:52 PM

Hi, and welcome to Wab. I like the effects you get with a ring flash, but they are very expensive, and also very bulky to use. I would suggest you get used to your new lens first,you might be really surprised at the camera flash.Then go to a nikon dealer(there are others) and try a Ring flash on your camera to see if you feel comfortable.Note, with battery packs they are also heavy,

hope this helps

davew

eeyore · #5 (**permalink**) 09-02-2007, 11:26 PM

you might also find that a off camera cord (arround 40 notes in jessops)and a normal flash gun is a workable solution , or even a reflector to maximise available daylight

bloozeboy · #6 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 04:36 PM

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions, I will consider them all and let you know how I get on.

nightshade · #7 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 06:13 PM

This is an ace set up http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...o-bracket.html
There is another rig on the site somewhere My Macro Rig on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
ther is a lot of fun and satisfaction in making your own there is even a thread here for making a ringflash!

Jon · #8 (**permalink**) 12-02-2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloozeboy

Hi all, I will be buying a Sigma 105 macro lens in the next few weeks - my first foray into macro photography.

Has anyone used this lens with a ringflash? what make of ringflash? any suggestions/coments welcome.

Before you go to that expense I would suggest you consider an omnibounce, this is a simple diffuser that looks like the bottom of a plastic milk bottle. I use one and I am very pleased with the results. £15 or thereabouts, Jon

themightyzog · #9 (**permalink**) 15-02-2007, 02:59 PM

I've had a Sigma 105 for some time as my passion is macro shots (I also have a D70!). I've looked at a lot of pictures taken with ring flash and come to the conclusion that it kills light/shadow - and that is what makes a picture special.

I dont know what macro subject you are after - I try to use high ISO in preference to flash and then NeatImage the photo - but when I do I use a standard off camera flash with a long cord.

Hope that helps a little

mports · #10 (**permalink**) 15-02-2007, 08:14 PM

Both of Robert Thompson's book's, Close-up on Insects (ISBN 1-86108-238-X) and Close-up & Macro (ISBN 0-7153-1903-5) both extensively cover the subject of macro flash photography. Robert's latest book Close-up & Macro is more up-to-date covering digital, however both are really worth reading.

Go with a 'off the camera' flash gun, rather than a ringflash, as ringflashes tend to provide shadowless lighting making pictures look flat and low in texture and detail .

Nikon flashguns are generally excellent, however Metz maywell offer you a slightly cheaper alternative and have an excellent website, Metz - always first class. -

Warehouse Express sell a nice flash bracket the Kirk FB-8 for just under £50, you'll find it under tripods if you wish to take a look, is well made and offers near perfect adjustment when using a single flash gun, a Stofen diffuser is also an essential purchase.

Mark

glsammy · #11 (**permalink**) 15-02-2007, 08:52 PM

I've gone for the Sigma ring flash. So far I'm impressed with it, although it's still early days. The reported flat image is easily dealt with, the gun has two tubes, which you can vary the intensity, even switching one of them off if you like. This provides good modelling, and removes the flat effect. They're very versatile, with many shooting modes, you can be completely lazy if you like and shoot on auto, (whatever that is!

) But it's also easy to use in manual mode, with plenty of power adjustment.
It'll come into main use with me once the insect season gets fully into gear!

nightshade · #12 (**permalink**) 16-02-2007, 07:13 AM

Quote:
Warehouse Express sell a nice flash bracket the Kirk FB-8 for just under £50, you'll find it under tripods if you wish to take a look, is well made and offers near perfect adjustment when using a single flash gun, a Stofen diffuser is also an essential purchase.

This is a good basis but to achieve better flexibility you will need a small ball head on which to mount the single flashgun (Giotto MH1004)
Another off the peg bracket is the Manfrotto 330B a twin arm set up with a tilting camera mount or this beast Really Right Stuff...for photography afield
The simplest I have seen was my own boomerang (just a piece of scrap plywood) it would mount 1 or 2 flashguns with strong elastic bands and by swiveling it the guns could be moved to alter the effect just one hole for a screw to the tripod bush (hama £6) The stofen diffuser is very good