Which flash?

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Suvvey

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Alan
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Hi im looking for some advice on which flash to buy. I have a d5100, nikon 70-300 afs and a raynox 250. Im using my tripod and and using the slowest shutter speed for taking photos of flowers and such. I would like to try to do a few bugs and therefor can not use a slow shutter speed. My budget is very limited at the moment and im looking at the sb-400 from argos for £115. Im thinking that i would be wasting my money however and should maybe look at second hand sb-600s. Another thing i just remembered is that i have a £55 cashback from nikon to spend which possibly makes buying new a better option?

Any helpful advice appreciated.

Thanks
 
Also could anybody give me any insight into the following products...?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Macro-LED-Ring-Flash-for-Nikon-D5000-D5100-D3100-D700-D90-D60-D3-D3S-D3X-/280943737100?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraFlashUnits_JN&hash=item41698d390c


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Meike-LED-Macro-Ring-Flash-Light-FC-100-for-Nikon-Camera-D90-D700-D7000-D5100-/260890452670?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraFlashUnits_JN&hash=item3cbe4862be


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Meike-MK-930-Flash-Speedlite-for-Nikon-Camera-D3X-D90-D700-D3100-D5100-D7000-/250985480629?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraFlashUnits_JN&hash=item3a6fe681b5


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aputure-AHL-N60-LED-Light-Macro-Ring-Flash-For-Nikon-D300s-D90-D7000-D5100-D3000-/230896354743?pt=UK_Camera_Video_Lights&hash=item35c27ec5b7


Thanks again
 
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I've never used any LED ringflashes and TBH I don't know anyone who does so I can't try one out. From what I read in reviews though, the light isn't as good with an LED compared to a normal flash. The LED's are quite successful as constant lighting though, again from what I've read in reviews.

I've had a couple of the Marumi ring flash similar to this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MARUMI-DR...ories_CameraFlashUnits_JN&hash=item2c6cdd3e76 and I've now got a Sigma EM-140 DG flash, but that was around 3 times your budget. For macro shooting in general the Marumi, or something similar, will give plenty of light and it would be a good idea to find a TTL version if your just starting out with flash.
 
modchild said:
I've never used any LED ringflashes and TBH I don't know anyone who does so I can't try one out. From what I read in reviews though, the light isn't as good with an LED compared to a normal flash. The LED's are quite successful as constant lighting though, again from what I've read in reviews.

I've had a couple of the Marumi ring flash similar to this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MARUMI-DR...ories_CameraFlashUnits_JN&hash=item2c6cdd3e76 and I've now got a Sigma EM-140 DG flash, but that was around 3 times your budget. For macro shooting in general the Marumi, or something similar, will give plenty of light and it would be a good idea to find a TTL version if your just starting out with flash.
Click to expand...


Thanks Stuart

The marumi requires a flash to attach to am i right? so i still require an sb600 at least for that, correct?
 
Oh and the sb-400 will be absolutely no use for what i want to use it for? Unless i could mount it to the lens and run a cable to the hotshoe? Is there any such mount available in the Uk. I did a google and couldnt find much.
 
The Marumi has a flash body that attaches to the hotshoe and has a lead that goes to the ring which attaches to the lens by a ring similar to a filter ring. It comes with a set of rings to attach to various sized lenses depending on which you use. You can use the ringflash for portraits too but it has a tendancy to leave circular reflections in the subjects eyes, but they give a nice even light for portraits if your not worried about the reflections.

Here's a pic of my Macro set up. A 5D MkIII, 100 f2.8L IS macro lens and Sigma EM-140 DG Ringflash. It's cost over £3500 to get it all over the years but it shows the similarity between the 2 ringflashes.
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Ah ok thanks. Will it still work with the raynox 250 slapped on the end of my lens?
 
The Marumi comes with a selection of adaptor rings (see an ad for details) and is a stand alone unit - the ring attaches to the front of the lens and connects to the control unit on the top of the hotshoe via a short cable. It works for relatively close range portraits but is best used for Macro.

It's not perfect (it's not as controllable as two-tube alternatives) but it's a good budget choice.
 
Btw, thats a nice setup Stuart :cool:

Thanks, Nod. Can anyone confirm if the Marumi is TTL?

Cheers Chris, again can anyone confirm if the Meike is a LED system or proper flash?




Alan
 
Google could confirm it if you could be bothered to look...
 
Alan, the Marumi is a TTL flash. Having said that the Meike flash Chris linked to might be a better option if you can afford it, that one is a twin tube system so you can light the subject from one side or the other or both at the saqme time. My Sigma flash is a similar system and I find it much easier to use than a ring only system.
 
I did look Nod thanks

Thanks Stuart for all your help. Much appreciated.
 
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