Macro lighting (possible em-140)

CBA100

CBA100

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Chris
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Unfortunately my planned move to canon (for the mp-e65 and mt24ex) has hit rock bottom and has to be put on hold (atleast until next year) :'( , however i have got a spare £300. Most of my photography has been macro using the Tamron 90mm, extension tubes, flash bracket and Jessops 360afd flash.
Its not a bad setup however when i've got the tamron AND a full set of tubes fitted, im having the extend the bracket to its maximum, just to get the flash to the front of the lens and as i'm mostly using it handheld, its bulk isnt the best for handling.

Im now wondering if it'd be a good time to purchase a proper macro flash ring, something like the 'Sigma em-140 DG', so i can lose the jessops flash and bracket? To me, losing the jessops flash and bracket for a ringflash would be great/ideal!!

BUT.....

How much of a difference would there be between using a macro ringflash compared to my current setup? Its £300 for the macro ring flash, and i dont fancy paying that amount out if it is not going to make any difference to my shot quality (lighting).

Is it worth doing?
 
Just been onto jessops website and noticed that they sell the 'sigma em-140 DG' for £312. It says:

Compatible cameras: Sigma-STTL, Canon-ETTL, Nikon-iTTL, Minolta-ADI and Pentax A-PTTL

It doesnt let me select which mount i want before going to checkout? The sony/minolta flash mount is different to canon/nikon??
 
I'm a fan of single flash setups purely for the convenience and flexibility and I used to use a single 430EXII on a "C" shaped bracket with varying results. BUT I've just purchased a gooseneck arm from SpeedGraphic, items 3 / 4 On this page and by using the base plate off my old "C" shaped bracket I can now get my flash pointing in any direction, no creep, no wobble and by mounting the arm out to the left it makes a great hand hold for extra stability... Food for thought???
 
A macro ring flash will certainly give much more even / soft lighting than a normal flashgun on a bracket even if it isn't as flexible as a MT-24ex twinlight. No personal experience with the Sigma though

Just to be able to think more creatively about lighting.. what exactly are you shooting handheld with a full set of tubes on a 90mm 1:1 macro? Sounds like something awfully small and hopefully slow?
 
CReid said:
I'm a fan of single flash setups purely for the convenience and flexibility and I used to use a single 430EXII on a "C" shaped bracket with varying results. BUT I've just purchased a gooseneck arm from SpeedGraphic, items 3 / 4 On this page and by using the base plate off my old "C" shaped bracket I can now get my flash pointing in any direction, no creep, no wobble and by mounting the arm out to the left it makes a great hand hold for extra stability... Food for thought???
Click to expand...

Cheers for that Carl. Not thought about one of those. Have you got any pics of your setup?

vaizki said:
A macro ring flash will certainly give much more even / soft lighting than a normal flashgun on a bracket even if it isn't as flexible as a MT-24ex twinlight. No personal experience with the Sigma though

Just to be able to think more creatively about lighting.. what exactly are you shooting handheld with a full set of tubes on a 90mm 1:1 macro? Sounds like something awfully small and hopefully slow?
Click to expand...

Most of my shots are insects and spiders with all tubes. I've never used a ringflash so i cant comment. Is the difference between an external flash and a macro ringflash worth paying £300 for?
 
vaizki said:
A macro ring flash will certainly give much more even / soft lighting than a normal flashgun on a bracket even if it isn't as flexible as a MT-24ex twinlight. No personal experience with the Sigma though

Just to be able to think more creatively about lighting.. what exactly are you shooting handheld with a full set of tubes on a 90mm 1:1 macro? Sounds like something awfully small and hopefully slow?
Click to expand...

:lol: try shooting at 5:1 handheld!! Ring flashes certianly do give a more even light (if that's what you require) but can conversely also appear a bit flat, you ideally either need a ringflash with twin adjustable tubes or be prepared to faff around with bits of cardboard, diffusers etc to cover one side of your flashring to manually control your lighting. There's no right or wrong, just varying levels of convenience and control...
 
CBA100 said:
Cheers for that Carl. Not thought about one of those. Have you got any pics of your setup?
Click to expand...

I'll get a shot tonight, it's a pretty sweet setup as the off camera flash cable wraps around the arm too, making a pretty slick and tangle free setup.
 
CReid said:
:lol: try shooting at 5:1 handheld!! Ring flashes certianly do give a more even light (if that's what you require) but can conversely also appear a bit flat, you ideally either need a ringflash with twin adjustable tubes or be prepared to faff around with bits of cardboard, diffusers etc to cover one side of your flashring to manually control your lighting. There's no right or wrong, just varying levels of convenience and control...
Click to expand...

iirc the Sigma em-140's ring flash has the option of illuminating either the left/right or all of the ring so shouldnt this get around producing flat images?

CReid said:
I'll get a shot tonight, it's a pretty sweet setup as the off camera flash cable wraps around the arm too, making a pretty slick and tangle free setup.
Click to expand...

Cheers Carl
 
CReid said:
:lol: try shooting at 5:1 handheld!!
Click to expand...

Oh I wouldn't.. :cuckoo: But CBA100 said that's basically what he's doing :eek:

Most of my photography has been macro using the Tamron 90mm, extension tubes, flash bracket and Jessops 360afd flash.
Its not a bad setup however when i've got the tamron AND a full set of tubes fitted, im having the extend the bracket to its maximum, just to get the flash to the front of the lens and as i'm mostly using it handheld, its bulk isnt the best for handling.
Click to expand...

So I was very interested to know what the subject is! :suspect:
 
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