A macro photography question

[Simian]

I've been doing more and more macro photography recently and comparing my results to what i see here I'm shocked but the massive step up i still need to take.

i think part of my problem is i have no flash to get that bit of extra light where its needed. what would any of you recommend, look at a dedicated macro flash? or look to get a more versatile flash and then get a diffuser or converter to ring flash?

thanks for any help.

 

[Georges]

I am no expert but I use a flash (580EXII) to illuminate the shot and I use this to illuminate the subject in relatively badly lit places:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...rds=jjc+48+led&rh=n:560798,k:jjc+48+led&ajr=0

It does help, it has 5500K temperature and you can illuminate the whole ring or half (right/left). for example, I was taking a shot without it and the subject was in a dark area. I have my shutter set at 1/250 using Canon 60mm macro and my ISO is set to 800 but the viewfinder was flashing and so I had to increase ISO. However, when I switch on the LED light the exposure is set correctly (obviously more light is available now) and I don't have to increase the ISO. Also it is cheap alternative to ring flash which I cannot afford right now and I am not an expert yet to make full use of it. This is a continuous light and not a flash.

Oh one more thing, it attaches to the bottom of the camera so the flash hotshoe is free

cheers

 

[Dogfish_magnet]

good light will make a massive difference to your images - If your shooting upto 1:1 with a internal focus lens you will get away with a hot shoe flash (Diffused) , which you could take off camera with a bracket. Have a look here for inspiration.

 

[Simian]

Thanks both of you. That homemade macro rig thread is scary! But very creative. Not certain what you mean by warmth though? Could you explain.

I'll look into the 580 and then maybe try a homemade job.

Thanks again.

 

[MG TF 135]

Not certain what you mean by warmth though? Could you explain.

Artificial light sources have a 'colour temperature', basically that refers to the tone of light that is emitted. Some cast cool blues, others cast warm yellows and oranges.

Thats what the white balance setting on your camera is for.

Have a look at this for a bit more information.

 

[ericmark]

I have tried two flash guns one on hot shoe and other with slave unit strapped under the camera. Although I have had some success also a lot of failures. I had thought once f stop worked out for set distance from lens I could have moved from flower to flower without adjusting lens distance setting and when in focus then distance would be same so all should work.
However as I moved from subject to subject it seemed the reflected light was affecting the flash and each time I had to take a series of exposures to get right amount of light.
Considered a 2D florescent lamp or any other where I can take it through the gap in tube but carrying a battery and inverter to power them has put me off.
So in the main it's long exposure time which since most macro needs tripod anyway is not really a problem.
Wondered about the head lamps (Lamps that strap onto one head not car things) with LED using so little power for light output sure I could strap some onto camera!