Macrolites

Topcat · 2 Jul 2007 at 15:12

I want a Macro Flash unit to go with the Canon 100mm Macro lens I'm getting.

The two which look interesting are :

MR14 EX Macrolite
MT-24ex Macro Twin Lite Flash

The MR14 is a Ring Lite and the other a twin flash. My first instinct was to order the MR14 but I think the light may be too harsh with it, the other I guess you'd have more control with to get some shadows etc.

Is anyone using either of these or can give some advise ? there's a big difference in price so I don't want to mess it up.

Thanks

AndyBorzi · 2 Jul 2007 at 15:49

I don't know about those, but you could try this

http://www.pbase.com/dang/image/57800244

Topcat · 2 Jul 2007 at 16:16

Well that would certainly save some money !!!

But as I was never a fan of the Blue Peter methods, think I'll still buy a pre-made macro lite

Jono · 3 Jul 2007 at 10:31

Why not try it anyway, can't take much longer than 10mins and 50p to make

At least that way you could see how good a result you can get with the blue peter method and if it's not good enough invest in the macro lite?

Nicos Rex · 3 Jul 2007 at 11:13

It really is a case of horses for courses.

Your choice should be influenced by the type of subject you will be shooting.

Ringflash units offer speed and ease of use and give a very even light (to describe it as "harsh" is a tad unfair). They are the best choice for very small camera to subject distances where the twinflash may be coming in at a very sharp angle and produce very harsh shadows without a lot of care on your part to balance the 2 heads.

The twinflash unit certainly offers much more in the way of creative control at the expense of requiring more time to exercise that control. They also offer the extra flexibility of being able to be used off-camera which offers the possibility of using them on minipods in conjunction with a small light tent.

I wish I could be more helpful, but it really is a case of "you pays your money, you makes your choice!"

robertgilbert86 · 3 Jul 2007 at 11:59

Ow

I read the title as microlites.

No mini planes here then no?

Messiah Khan · 3 Jul 2007 at 12:00

robertgilbert86 said:
Ow I read the title as microlites.

No mini planes here then no?

Lol, not just me then.

Topcat · 3 Jul 2007 at 13:03

lol, sorry to disappoint

Mint_Sauce · 3 Jul 2007 at 13:08

There's a great blue peter jobbie I made that uses two coke cans cut apart and then stapled together, you can't deny the results are spectacular and for the money you can't go wrong!

Check out LordV, he's the guy who made it and takes worthy pictures. I made one but my images arn't as good so I won't show them.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/

Instuctions here:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/macroviewers/discuss/72157594312315664/

Topcat · 3 Jul 2007 at 13:29

Thanks for that link, seems to work well for him and for the time/money might be worth a go, especially as the my lens did not arrive today

He is using a Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 though which is a £720'ish lens so would expect some nice shots from it..

Thanks for info too Nicos Rex.

Mint_Sauce · 3 Jul 2007 at 13:54

Topcat said:
Thanks for that link, seems to work well for him and for the time/money might be worth a go, especially as the my lens did not arrive today

He is using a Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 though which is a £720'ish lens so would expect some nice shots from it..

Thanks for info too Nicos Rex.

Yeah, I would love the MPE 65. Still, I think the diffuser is pretty good, anyone spending out £720 on a lens would be mad not to buy proper gear unless their homemade stuff was up to the job.

My own shots were ok, i've only been out with it once for about 20 mins so didn't play with the setting much. Here's what I got with a 100mm macro lens, full set of kenkos and that homemade diffuser.

www.henleyb.com/gallery/content/Macro/Macro/macro_ant_eggs.jpg
www.henleyb.com/gallery/content/Macro/Macro/macro_ant_eggs2.jpg

Topcat · 3 Jul 2007 at 14:56

I've heard good things about the MP-E 65 but apparently requires a little more "setup" time on shots. Those shots are pretty good, nice and clear, quite pleased with that as that's the lens I have ordered... You say you're using a full set of kenkos, which ones are they ?

On another note, just had a quick look at you're website and some nice photos on there.. the 5D seems to be doing a good job for you.

Mint_Sauce · 3 Jul 2007 at 15:03

Topcat said:
I've heard good things about the MP-E 65 but apparently requires a little more "setup" time on shots. Those shots are pretty good, nice and clear, quite pleased with that as that's the lens I have ordered... You say you're using a full set of kenkos, which ones are they ?

On another note, just had a quick look at you're website and some nice photos on there.. the 5D seems to be doing a good job for you.

The Kenkos come as a set, various sized tubes. I just stacked them all on top of each other for the ant shots.

I love my 5D, still need to learn and practice more though - a lot of the shots on there i'm not truly happy with and most were with my 350D. Not that I can do any better now, I just need to practice!