Canon ring flash questions

George

George

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I am considering an MR14EX ring flash unit, and have a few questions which the info on it doesn't seem to answer.
1. It is obviously designed for the macro lenses, but I don't have any, was proposing to use it with eg 100mm f2 and 24-105 f4 and close up extension rings. Will this work ok?
2. Does it come with adaptor rings for 78mm dia lenses?
3. Can I use it as a transmitter to fire a couple of off camera slave units (550 EX and 580 EX?

Thanks,
George:thinking:
 
1. It will work fine.

2. I honestly don't know what adapter rings are available. I use the MT-24EX Macro Twin Light and I have the 58mm adapter for the 180L Macro lens which is actually a 72mm filter size, so the adapter is effectively a step down ring. I'm pretty sure they supply adapters in all the Canon macro lens filter thread sizes, but beyond that I'm not sure. If you ring somewhere like Warehouse Express, I'm sure they'll be able to advise you.

3. My Twin Light can - I assume the ring light wil be the same.
 
Well thanks CT for a prompt reply!- but...guess what... I'm wondering if I should stretch to the MT24- ug!
 
George said:
Well thanks CT for a prompt reply!- but...guess what... I'm wondering if I should stretch to the MT24- ug!
Click to expand...

Well all of these types of macro lights have one thing in common they produce rather flat lighting - but they also make the impossible possible, especially combined with hi-speed flash sync - so it's a trade off really.

With the MT24 you can vary the output ratio between the flash heads for more natural shadows but you can do that with the MR14 too I'm pretty sure. You can also disable one side of the flash completely with either unit I'm pretty sure again.

I'd guess the MT 24 has a higher Guide No - so more power, but it's real advantage is being able to rotate the heads around the front of the lens for the best set up, and those curly cords also make it possible to unclip the flash units and move them around freely.

The MT24 is a horrendous price in the UK - I bought mine 2nd hand. I wouldn't normally consider going the far east route when buying kit but I'd seriously consider it if I was buying the MT24 new, as you can get it for pretty well half what we pay in the UK.

Good luck with your choice. ;)
 
Checking with Ian (kerso) so we'll see what he says.
Thanks again!
 
LOL. Let us know what you decide. Fantastic toy btw! :D

It comes in a really cool zipped pouch for transport and storage.
 
"It comes in a really cool zipped pouch for transport and storage."!!!!!

Now that could just be the deciding factor!!!!
 
Just got the MT 24 EX and it does not fit the 100mm f2 - unless I'm doing something silly!
The clips don't have anything to bite on, and my other 58mm lens is the same.

Please tell me I'm doing something silly or I suppose its a trip to the Sigma shop, which opens up a whole new bunch of questions.

Particularly interested in CT's reply as he seemed to think it would fit.

I am now thinking I don't have a lens to fit it to, mine are all 58 or 77mm!!
 
George - those clips are what hold the adpapter ring in the front mount. Once it's fitted the whole assembly then screws into the filter thread on the front of your lens, by means of the screw thread on the adapter. Obviously, the adapter has to be the same size as the filter thread on the lens.
 
So do I need a 58mm adaptor ring? The manual says "hold down the release button and attach the mount ring( ie the one on which the flases mount- to the front of the lens" no mention of an adaptor ring
 
:thinking: George, you actually asked about adapter rings in your first post - and I covered them in my first post.

Here's pics of the mount with the adapter ring:-

Adapter and mount

adapter1.jpg


And mounted together

adapter2.jpg
 
Ok, yes CT I realise that I did, but the instruction manual does not mention their need, it only mentions the adaptor ring for the 72mm and I can only assume that the macro lenses have a ring on which the unit clips without an adaptor ring ? and if you are using it with other non macro lenses then an adaptor ring is required, I must admit I thought it was a bit funny that they sold a 58mm adaptor ring but now I see why.

So its off to Ian to get an adaptor, but cheaper than a dedicated macro!

Anyway, thanks a lot for your trouble, much appreciated :)

George
 
George, I think if you used the MT24 with a lens with a 77mm filter thread, even if you could find an adapter, you'd experience vignetting problems.

If you have real difficulty there are always other solutions - at a price! :D

CLICK
 
I bought mine from Busterboy George, and as he already had the adapater ring for the 180 macro which is the lens I use it with, I've had no problems.

As far as I can see this unit is designed purely with the available Canon macro lenses in mind, and those are the only lenses it's designed to fit - with or without the available adapters.

Whether you'll get them to fit a Sigma lens or not depends purely on luck and filter thread size I imagine, but other than that , you're as wise as me. :shrug:
 
Thanks a million for all your help, I've ordered the 58mm adaptor from Ian, and lets hope that does the trick.

Will have a look at the various options ( Canon, Sigma etc) next time I visit Calumet, and report to the forum, however off up to Carrbridge for a week's hols so hope the weather improves!!

Ptetty much given up the idea of using my 24-105 (77mm) with the flash.

George
 
Having looked carefully at the B+h web site, (which I suppose I should have done earlier) I am certain that the adaptor is required.
 
Agreed, I don't think there's any way to fit it other than with the right size adapter for the particular lens filter thread size.
 
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