Cameras, Lenses and Accessories

Have been doing quite a bit of Macro just lately (with the weather being so bloody awful) and i seem to struggle sometimes getting even lighting.

Thinking about getting one of these...

Marumi DRF14N Ring Flash for Nikon (MADRF14N) - Warehouse Express

Anyone else got one??? and what do you think??? or indeed anyone want to chip in with any info/help extolling the virtues of ringflash...

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You won't be able to use your Sigma 24-70 f2.8 then. But should work fine with the Sigma 105 macro. If you go for it, I will be interested in seeing the results as I also struggle with flash lighting on macro shots.

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Steve

I have a Sigma EM-140, which is very good. It's build quality is good, and it has several good features such as strobe effect, partial lighting for 3-D effect, variable power output etc. It can also be fired as a slave from your camera (so the unit doesn't need to actually be attached to the camera). It does cost at least £250 though, so it's an expensive option. But, these things last for years - I've heard of people having flash-guns for 20 years.

I also use my Canon flash-gun off-camera for macro shots. As this enables you to get light at the side it often works very well. You just put a trigger on the hotshoe and place the flash-gun in an appropriate position. My glycerine shot was taken with off-camera flash. 365 12/02/09 Glycerine drop

Your not wrong there i think it might be a TAD too big...

I only use the 105mm for my inside stuff so it would be fine,and it's not a bad lens for portraits so could use the SB800 off camera to supplement the ringflash...

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Hi,

Ive got one of these as I refused to pay stupid amounts of money for a branded flash untit.

The flash is either on or off, so you wont get perhaps the full control as you would with an expensive unit.

Heres a couple of pics I taken using it in conjunction with a Sigma 50mm:

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Please bear in mind that I am no macro expert......

ROB- have looked at the Nik & Sig but spotted this and thought that it might be worth a punt for £99??? as cash is not exactly plentiful at the moment...

Have tried using different combinations of a my SB800/lightbox/tablelamp/head torch/maglite/led torch and it works nicely most of the time but have decided that a ringflash maybe the way to go for even lighting???

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My Website...http://www.mellophotos.co.uk

Graham- none of us are experts mate that's why were here...

It's nice to know someone else has gone for one,i have just been out googling them and a lot of people seem to be moaning about the build quality (especially the battery compartment) i know you only get what you pay for and £99 is good for a ringflash but i would be interested in what you think???

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My Website...http://www.mellophotos.co.uk

Shame you're not a Canon user - I could have sent you it to try for yourself.......

As stated, the build quality isnt up to the Main brands, but then again you arent paying the premium. Ive personally not had any problems with the battery compartment.

For the amount of macro work i do I find it adequate, but I havent used a £300 jobbie to compare it against.

I dont mind chuking it in my camera bag and lugging it around with me, but would have to be more careful with a more expensive one.

The flash strength isnt variable which could be seen as a negative.

The results for close-up macro are ok using a 50mm sigma, but when using the 105mm it doesnt appear as effective due to the distance from the subject if you are using this as your only flash.

Graham

Hi Graham, thank you for your short review and your two images are really good, especially the fly. I would be very pleased if I had taken these.

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