Macro flash ring

[mogul]

I bought a Canon 100 2.8 Macro the other week and have been having a play (on a 400d)



And at 100%



That shot was handheld indoors, bugger all light and with a 430EX flash bouncing (off everywhere!).

Two observations.....

This macro lark is not easy by any means and lighting is key.

Are the macro flash rings worthwhile?

Edited to ask the Mods to remove the rubbish that appears in the title (please!)

And how do you get an ant to stay still when it's the subject of your master shot?!

Edited by mogul on Friday 22 February 21:07

[Gemm]

Personally, I've found that off-camera flash or ring flash + off-camera works the best for flower shots. Yes, ring flash on its won can work well too but it really depends on the effect you are after and the type of flowers.

And as for the ant, patience is the key.

Edited by Gemm on Friday 22 February 23:36

[Gingerbread Man]

Get Hawkaye in here. He's not to shabby when it comes to all things small.

[RobDickinson]

Build your own!!!

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2007/11/ring-flash-we...

http://blog.dennisonbertram.com/hackmaster/2005/02...

http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2006/10/superchea...


http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/09/super-cheap-d...

Edited by RobDickinson on Saturday 23 February 02:37

[hawkaye]

mogul said:

And how do you get an ant to stay still when it's the subject of your master shot?!

I generally blackmail them, "STAY FCUCKING STILL OR I'LL KILL YOU"

Seriously though:

• make sure the camera is on the correct settings before approaching
• take very gentle steps towards the subject
• move the camera slowly and take your shot

This doesn't always work, but it helps

I've been learning Focus Stacking recently, basically you take a few shots, focusing on different parts and combine them to get something like this (my first stack (3 shots), here's the original)



I just use the hotshoe flash (430ex) for now, I need to get myself an off camera bracket..

Edited by hawkaye on Saturday 23 February 12:05

[Kinky]

mogul said:

Edited to ask the Mods to remove the rubbish that appears in the title (please!)

Done

[mogul]

Kinky said:

mogul said:

Edited to ask the Mods to remove the rubbish that appears in the title (please!)

Done

Thanks