Nissin MF18 Macro Flash

[jenko]

I recently purchased a Sigma 105 macro for my Nikon D7100 and wondered if the Nissin MF18 Macro Flash would be of any real benefit to me or not, I am an absolute beginner with regards to macro photography.

 

[chris malcolm]

A cheap way of approximating a macro flash is to take a piece of white card (or a polystyrene foam tile) and cut a hole in the middle so that your lens, with lens hood on, can poke through it. Then find a way of placing a flashgun beside your macro subject, but out of view of the lens, and far enough to the side to be shaded from shining into the lens by the lens hood, and point the flash at the lens. The flash will illuminate at least half of the ring of white around your lens, which in turn will illuminate your subject in a ring flash sort of way. If you have two flashes, one to each side, you can arrange for a perfectly round ring flash effect.

 

[jenko]

Sounds like a simple idea and I'm sure it works but it could be a bit unwieldy if you want to be mobile.

 

[Phrasemaker]

The flash you mentioned will get you started, as will many of the similar flash units of similar design which have a way smaller price tag. Once you have a macro ring flash you'll gain experience using it, then you'll find the flaws when using it in certain conditions dictated by your approach and your subject.

One of the issues is light diffusion from such a flash and how it reflects off your subjects. I'm sure if you pop over to the macro part of the forum and look at the equipment thread you'll see some interesting adaptations.

Good luck and enjoy.

 

[jenko]

Thanks Phrasemaker, I have been looking at some of the macro rigs and some of the photos taken by very basic home brewed setups and they can be pretty impressive.

 

[redsnappa]

Neewer Macro Flash

This flash is pretty much the same as the Nissin and performs well at a price that is much less than that of the Nissin.

 

[Nikon photographer]

I bought the MF-18 a couple of years ago, I was using it on my Nikkor 28-100, but purchased the Sigma 105 last year, the ring flash has certainly improved my macro shot.

 

[coopers]

Hello Jenko,
I use the Nissin MF18 Ring Flash and it comes highly recommended,very portable and the menu/settings are simple to use.
I have cut and taped (surgical tape) a couple of foam diffusers to help with light reflection,you can try various types of material and find one that suits best.
I use Eneloope batteries and find they give plenty of power....most of my images on the Macro section are taken using this flash (although I haven't posted for a while)

Hope this helps,
Clive.