Flash on a shoestring

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I am trying out a bit of macro - insects and the like. I am thinking about a cheap option for lighting and would welcome any views on this:

My thoughts are to use some cheap ebay wireless remote triggers (which I already have) with old manual flash guns (which you can pick up for a few quid at car boot sales). This way I could use a couple of flash guns either side of my subject and not worry about them getting them scratched up a dirty (the reason I would prefer not to use my Speedlite)

Could any of the old style flash guns damage the remote receiver?

I suppose the recharge speed might be a bit slow on some?

Advice, suggestions, comments gratefully received.

Thanks in advance

Rob
 
most of the old style flashes don't have power adjustment, and iirc, a lot of macro stuff you need to have it really low power because it's so close to the subject, and you're shooting at fairly wide apertures already.

a ring flash is pretty much designed for some macro stuff, might be a route as Brian suggested...
 
What about the LED ring flashes. They're not very expensive and would give easy consistent results until you decided to move on to bigger and better should you wish.

There's a thread on a forum I read a couple of years ago where they were using a clip on LED light which was on continuously while photographing. There were some very good results. They must have been sold in Lidl or somewhere similar and cost just a few pounds at the time.

Do a search on DIY LED macro lights and see what comes up.
 
The one I made (shown on my gallery) is quite low powered is great for close ups. But it`s mains powered so it is only for inside use.
 
The main thing to check is the trigger voltage of the flashguns. The radio receivers are designed to work with modern flashes with far far lower trigger voltages. The benefit (still not great though) is that if it does break something it will be a cheap Chinese trigger not your cameras ettl circuitry !

Pick up a couple of cheap yungnuo flashes from FITP (see the advertisers for sale forum here) and they will work great.
 
Sorry for the delay in responding.

Thanks for your suggestions.

I have seen the cheap ebay ring flashes but I haven't been able to find anything from anyone whose bought one. I would be very interested to hear from anyone who has as to whether they are any good or not.

The DIY LED route looks like it might have some possibilities.

I checked FITP as suggested Hodders but his cheapest are £40 each - I was aiming for next to nothing! Details like trigger voltages are not included with the triggers that I have - I might just give it a go and hope for the best.

Cheers

Rob
 
Looks like the same thing can be found on ebay for £27.95.

Would be interested if anyone has actually used one of these and found it any good.
 
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