Photo by Jack Neubart.
Contrary to what you may read, this does not constitute a 3D effect. Ring Light ($99; www.photojojo.com).
60 LEDs; 3200 to 5500K; variable output; flash mode; includes 49 to 77mm adapters; for Canon/Nikon.
An economical alternative is an LED ringlight.
Also, the closer you get, the more depth of field you lose, so it would help to stop down.
Using ND Filters for Epic Travel & Nature BORING Sky?
Olympus STF-22 Twin Flash Set ($739 with FC-1 controller; www.getolympus.com). Olympus TTL dedicated; twin flash heads with focusing lamps; ratio control; GN 72 (ft)/ISO 100; compatible with selected Digital Zuiko lenses; may require an accessory adapter.
LED Ringlights 64 LEDs; variable power; flash mode; flexible extension arms; 72mm filter thread (optional adapters: 52 to 77mm).
The other consists of a base that extends several inches to either side, with each flash seated on an articulated arm or flexible rod, or more or less directly on the base, at opposite ends. (Note: When ordering any of these, make sure the attachment fits your flash properly.). Wireless Control for Macro Flash Canon Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II ($549; www.usa.canon.com).
Canon-dedicated E-TTL II support; acts as wireless master for compatible flashes; twin-tube design with ratio output; LED focusing lamps; supports wireless control; GN 34.4 (ft)/ISO 100; optional adapter required for lenses with filter diameter larger than 58mm. Once very basic, the ringflash has grown increasingly sophisticated, with costlier units offering digital displays and TTL auto flash control. This somewhat circular, plastic device attaches to a shoe-mounted flash (some might say rather clumsily), which pumps light through it, with a potential loss of up to several stops of light.
In selected units, you can shunt power independently and entirely to either of a pair of matched flash tubes that reside within the housing, or ratio power between them. Pro Tip: Macro Focusing
Flashpoint VL-48 Macro Ring Light ($59; www.adorama.com).
Since it is in line with the lens, this flash head lights what the lens sees. Canon E-TTL II/Nikon i-TTL support, as applicable; GN 46 (ft)/ISO 100; includes 55 to 67mm adapters. (Point of fact: if you look closely, its not entirely shadowless.)
One variation includes extension arms for more flexible lighting options. Admittedly, Ive adapted my shoe mount for close-ups, especially with zooms, but I always keep a ringflash at the ready as an able companion for my macro lens.
Canon E-TTL II/Nikon i-TTL support, as applicable; acts as wireless master for compatible flashes; GN 52.5 (ft)/ISO 100; LED focusing lamps; fits 52 to 82mm filter threads.
Wireless i-TTL via built-in flash triggering on supported Nikon cameras; twin flash heads with focusing lamps; ratio output; GN 46 (ft)/ISO 100; optional adapters required with certain lenses.
Kirk Macro Flash Bracket with Quick Release ($239; www.kirkphoto.com). Because these flash heads have a built-in foot, they can also be attached to a bracket or tabletop tripod, or one can be handheld while the other remains attached to the lens.
CONS: Cumbersome and best suited for use with a tripod; twin-mounted shoe mounts may produce double shadows; care must be exercised so that obstacles dont interfere with extended flash heads.
The ringflash head is designed so that it can freely rotate around the lens axis, if for no other reason than to let you move the connecting cable out of the way.
Metz Mecablitz 15 MS-1 Digital Kit ($398; www.metz.us).
Power is normally delivered to the connected ring housing via a battery/control module seated in the cameras hot shoe.
12 LEDs; 5600K; fits 52 to 67mm filter threads. Kaiser KR 90 LED Ring Light ($375; www.hpmarketingcorp.com). Photo by Jack Neubart. Another approach to close-up and macro photography involves a bracket that holds one or two flash heads off-camera, with the bracket attached to the cameras tripod socket or the tripod mount on a lens.
PROS: Constant light output is easy to preview and meter; often inexpensive; easy to use; usable with any camera shooting mode (program AE, for example). Hence, when I use them, I attach macro twin flash heads to them, for a more manageable rig. Lucas Macro Flash Bracket ($199; www.lucasstrobesystems.com).
PROS: Allows you to work with existing shoe mounts; adds unbridled flexibility in lighting; no concern over stressing AF motors or rotating lens barrels since the rig is independent of the lens (other than the tripod mount, where applicable); not overly pricey.
CONS: The most capable ringflashes are pricey. Shrunk down to roughly the length of an AA battery, each of the matched mini flash heads can be independently angled relative to the subject plane, and moved individually or together on the collar around the optical axis, allowing for a more targeted subject treatment.
Sony TTL-dedicated support; twin flash heads on extended arms; ratio output; GN 79 (ft)/ISO 100; 49 and 55mm adapters supplied.
In this scenario, either the cameras built-in flash or a special accessory module seated in the hot shoe serves as master to trigger the remote ringflash or twin flash headsremote in the sense that theyre wireless, even though attached to the front of the lens. Strobies LED Macro Ring Light ($76; www.interfitphotographic.com).
Sony HVL-MT24AM Macro Twin Flash Kit ($598; www.sony.com).
In recent years LEDs have found their way into ringlights (sometimes as the focusing lamps on a macro flash).
All that aside, I often find it easier to employ default settings when tracking a moving subject.
One holds a single shoe mount on an articulated arm.
Canon E-TTL II/Nikon i-TTL support, as applicable; GN 46 (ft)/ISO 100; 55mm, 58 to 67mm adapters included. Wimberley F-3 Telephoto/Macro Combo Flash Bracket ($299; www.tripodhead.com).
Sigma EM-140 DG Macro Flash ($379; www.sigmaphoto.com). These devices are normally used for fashion and portraiture, producing those halo-like catchlights in the eyes that some find alluring.
The ringflash head may be fitted directly onto the lens or, as is more often the case, requires a screw-in stepper adapter as a go-between.
CONS: Large, clumsy; loses up to several stops of light; uneven light coverage at macro magnifications; lens barrel or lens shade may interfere with light throw. Essentially wrapping the subject in light, thereby producing what many of us perceive as shadowless illumination, a ringflash is the most familiar macro lighting tool. This group includes the Canon MR-14EX II ringflash, Canon MT-24EX twin flash, and Sigma EM-140 DG ringflash.
Pentax AF160FC Auto Macro Ring Flash ($442; www.us.ricoh-imaging.com). When shooting handheld, focus manually and use to-and-fro movement of the camera until the subject appears sharp along a single plane of focus.
PROS: Gets rid of intrusive cables; easily suited to handheld shooting. However, if youre like me, I expect youll turn to a macro ringflash or macro twin flashthey really do simplify close-up flash photography once the two of you get thoroughly acquainted. Positioned so that it moves with the lens, the ringflash finds its way past obstacles that would ordinarily hinder a shoe mount seated in its lofty tower. Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX ($829; www.usa.canon.com).
Canon E-TTL II/Nikon i-TTL support, as applicable; GN 59 (ft)/100 ISO; fits 52 to 62mm filter threads.
Vivitar DF-586 ($89; www.vivitar.com).
CONS: Not available for all camera systems or necessarily cross-compatible with all wireless flash units; camera may require a dedicated TTL trigger mechanism seated in hot shoe (which adds to overall cost); bright sunlight may interfere with the signals; direct line of sight required between flash sensor and triggering pulse (in case flash head is detached from lens); pricey. This control unit defines channels, groups, and relative output for the involved flashes.
Those of you who are put off by flash and shoot close-ups strictly by available light should look into an LED ringlight, but one with enough power to blast through bright daylight.
Xit XTLMRUN Pro Series Universal LED Macro Ring Light ($35; www.xit-group.com). Wow.
48 LEDs; controllable output via LCD panel; left/right half priority; flash mode; color and diffusion attachments included; comes with 49 to 77mm adapters. Novoflex UNIMARM Flash Bracket with Two Arms ($330; www.hpmarketingcorp.com). Ringflash Macro Twin Flash Canon-dedicated E-TTL II support; supports wireless control of remote E-TTL II shoe mounts; twin flash heads with focusing lamps; GN 78 (ft)/ISO 100; optional adapter required for lenses with filter diameter larger than 58mm.
Each component flash head is seated on a collar attached to the front of the lens (again, adapters may be involvedand included, or not). Olympus Twin Flash Bracket (FL-BKM03) ($155; www.getolympus.com). The closer you get to your subject, the more light you lose through lens extension.
When you need to manipulate the light even further, the next option is a macro twin flash.
Nissin MF18 ($439; www.nissindigital.com). Macro Flash Brackets
To meet these needs, Ive often turned to a macro ringflash and, alternatively, a macro twin flash. Where necessary, soften the light with a dome diffuser or bounce panel. Ive found that a ringflash adapter is an inferior alternative to a ringflash. Polaroid PLMRFU Macro 48 LED Ring Flash ($55; www.polaroidstore.com). Photojojo Ring Flash Adapter (aka O-Flash) ($40; www.photojojo.com). Normally, the macro flash serves to trigger remote, off-camera flash units. 30 three-chip LEDs; daylight-balanced; variable output; lightweight Duralumin construction; built-in rechargeable lithium-ion; 77mm filter thread; 52 to 72mm adapters included.
There are exceptions, where the macro flash operates as the slaved unit.
Digi-Slave Flex-Ring 6400 ($359; www.srelectronics.com).
Wireless TTL via built-in flash triggering on-camera; built-in support for popular camera brands (via menu); ratio output; GN 50 (ft)/ISO 100; LED focusing lamp; 52 to 72mm adapters included. 12 LEDs; flexible gooseneck supports 67mm inner-diameter ring floating around lens (no direct attachment); 5500 to 6500K; two power settings. Todays photo is Body by George Marinakis. Individual output control over each of the flash heads is the norm. PROS: Sees what the lens sees and squeezes into tight spaces; relatively easy to use; unless light ratios are employed, affords little concern over the flash heads orientation about the lens axis with respect to camera orientationvertical, horizontal, or diagonal; lends itself well to handheld shooting.
Contrary to what you may read, this does not constitute a 3D effect. Ring Light ($99; www.photojojo.com).
60 LEDs; 3200 to 5500K; variable output; flash mode; includes 49 to 77mm adapters; for Canon/Nikon.
An economical alternative is an LED ringlight.
Also, the closer you get, the more depth of field you lose, so it would help to stop down.
Using ND Filters for Epic Travel & Nature BORING Sky?
Olympus STF-22 Twin Flash Set ($739 with FC-1 controller; www.getolympus.com). Olympus TTL dedicated; twin flash heads with focusing lamps; ratio control; GN 72 (ft)/ISO 100; compatible with selected Digital Zuiko lenses; may require an accessory adapter.
LED Ringlights 64 LEDs; variable power; flash mode; flexible extension arms; 72mm filter thread (optional adapters: 52 to 77mm).
The other consists of a base that extends several inches to either side, with each flash seated on an articulated arm or flexible rod, or more or less directly on the base, at opposite ends. (Note: When ordering any of these, make sure the attachment fits your flash properly.). Wireless Control for Macro Flash Canon Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II ($549; www.usa.canon.com).
Canon-dedicated E-TTL II support; acts as wireless master for compatible flashes; twin-tube design with ratio output; LED focusing lamps; supports wireless control; GN 34.4 (ft)/ISO 100; optional adapter required for lenses with filter diameter larger than 58mm. Once very basic, the ringflash has grown increasingly sophisticated, with costlier units offering digital displays and TTL auto flash control. This somewhat circular, plastic device attaches to a shoe-mounted flash (some might say rather clumsily), which pumps light through it, with a potential loss of up to several stops of light.
In selected units, you can shunt power independently and entirely to either of a pair of matched flash tubes that reside within the housing, or ratio power between them. Pro Tip: Macro Focusing
Flashpoint VL-48 Macro Ring Light ($59; www.adorama.com).
Since it is in line with the lens, this flash head lights what the lens sees. Canon E-TTL II/Nikon i-TTL support, as applicable; GN 46 (ft)/ISO 100; includes 55 to 67mm adapters. (Point of fact: if you look closely, its not entirely shadowless.)
One variation includes extension arms for more flexible lighting options. Admittedly, Ive adapted my shoe mount for close-ups, especially with zooms, but I always keep a ringflash at the ready as an able companion for my macro lens.
Canon E-TTL II/Nikon i-TTL support, as applicable; acts as wireless master for compatible flashes; GN 52.5 (ft)/ISO 100; LED focusing lamps; fits 52 to 82mm filter threads.
Wireless i-TTL via built-in flash triggering on supported Nikon cameras; twin flash heads with focusing lamps; ratio output; GN 46 (ft)/ISO 100; optional adapters required with certain lenses.
Kirk Macro Flash Bracket with Quick Release ($239; www.kirkphoto.com). Because these flash heads have a built-in foot, they can also be attached to a bracket or tabletop tripod, or one can be handheld while the other remains attached to the lens.
CONS: Cumbersome and best suited for use with a tripod; twin-mounted shoe mounts may produce double shadows; care must be exercised so that obstacles dont interfere with extended flash heads.
The ringflash head is designed so that it can freely rotate around the lens axis, if for no other reason than to let you move the connecting cable out of the way.
Metz Mecablitz 15 MS-1 Digital Kit ($398; www.metz.us).
Power is normally delivered to the connected ring housing via a battery/control module seated in the cameras hot shoe.
12 LEDs; 5600K; fits 52 to 67mm filter threads. Kaiser KR 90 LED Ring Light ($375; www.hpmarketingcorp.com). Photo by Jack Neubart. Another approach to close-up and macro photography involves a bracket that holds one or two flash heads off-camera, with the bracket attached to the cameras tripod socket or the tripod mount on a lens.
PROS: Constant light output is easy to preview and meter; often inexpensive; easy to use; usable with any camera shooting mode (program AE, for example). Hence, when I use them, I attach macro twin flash heads to them, for a more manageable rig. Lucas Macro Flash Bracket ($199; www.lucasstrobesystems.com).
PROS: Allows you to work with existing shoe mounts; adds unbridled flexibility in lighting; no concern over stressing AF motors or rotating lens barrels since the rig is independent of the lens (other than the tripod mount, where applicable); not overly pricey.
CONS: The most capable ringflashes are pricey. Shrunk down to roughly the length of an AA battery, each of the matched mini flash heads can be independently angled relative to the subject plane, and moved individually or together on the collar around the optical axis, allowing for a more targeted subject treatment.
Sony TTL-dedicated support; twin flash heads on extended arms; ratio output; GN 79 (ft)/ISO 100; 49 and 55mm adapters supplied.
In this scenario, either the cameras built-in flash or a special accessory module seated in the hot shoe serves as master to trigger the remote ringflash or twin flash headsremote in the sense that theyre wireless, even though attached to the front of the lens. Strobies LED Macro Ring Light ($76; www.interfitphotographic.com).
Sony HVL-MT24AM Macro Twin Flash Kit ($598; www.sony.com).
In recent years LEDs have found their way into ringlights (sometimes as the focusing lamps on a macro flash).
All that aside, I often find it easier to employ default settings when tracking a moving subject.
One holds a single shoe mount on an articulated arm.
Canon E-TTL II/Nikon i-TTL support, as applicable; GN 46 (ft)/ISO 100; 55mm, 58 to 67mm adapters included. Wimberley F-3 Telephoto/Macro Combo Flash Bracket ($299; www.tripodhead.com).
Sigma EM-140 DG Macro Flash ($379; www.sigmaphoto.com). These devices are normally used for fashion and portraiture, producing those halo-like catchlights in the eyes that some find alluring.
The ringflash head may be fitted directly onto the lens or, as is more often the case, requires a screw-in stepper adapter as a go-between.
CONS: Large, clumsy; loses up to several stops of light; uneven light coverage at macro magnifications; lens barrel or lens shade may interfere with light throw. Essentially wrapping the subject in light, thereby producing what many of us perceive as shadowless illumination, a ringflash is the most familiar macro lighting tool. This group includes the Canon MR-14EX II ringflash, Canon MT-24EX twin flash, and Sigma EM-140 DG ringflash.
Pentax AF160FC Auto Macro Ring Flash ($442; www.us.ricoh-imaging.com). When shooting handheld, focus manually and use to-and-fro movement of the camera until the subject appears sharp along a single plane of focus.
PROS: Gets rid of intrusive cables; easily suited to handheld shooting. However, if youre like me, I expect youll turn to a macro ringflash or macro twin flashthey really do simplify close-up flash photography once the two of you get thoroughly acquainted. Positioned so that it moves with the lens, the ringflash finds its way past obstacles that would ordinarily hinder a shoe mount seated in its lofty tower. Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX ($829; www.usa.canon.com).
Canon E-TTL II/Nikon i-TTL support, as applicable; GN 59 (ft)/100 ISO; fits 52 to 62mm filter threads.
Vivitar DF-586 ($89; www.vivitar.com).
CONS: Not available for all camera systems or necessarily cross-compatible with all wireless flash units; camera may require a dedicated TTL trigger mechanism seated in hot shoe (which adds to overall cost); bright sunlight may interfere with the signals; direct line of sight required between flash sensor and triggering pulse (in case flash head is detached from lens); pricey. This control unit defines channels, groups, and relative output for the involved flashes.
Those of you who are put off by flash and shoot close-ups strictly by available light should look into an LED ringlight, but one with enough power to blast through bright daylight.
Xit XTLMRUN Pro Series Universal LED Macro Ring Light ($35; www.xit-group.com). Wow.
48 LEDs; controllable output via LCD panel; left/right half priority; flash mode; color and diffusion attachments included; comes with 49 to 77mm adapters. Novoflex UNIMARM Flash Bracket with Two Arms ($330; www.hpmarketingcorp.com). Ringflash Macro Twin Flash Canon-dedicated E-TTL II support; supports wireless control of remote E-TTL II shoe mounts; twin flash heads with focusing lamps; GN 78 (ft)/ISO 100; optional adapter required for lenses with filter diameter larger than 58mm.
Each component flash head is seated on a collar attached to the front of the lens (again, adapters may be involvedand included, or not). Olympus Twin Flash Bracket (FL-BKM03) ($155; www.getolympus.com). The closer you get to your subject, the more light you lose through lens extension.
When you need to manipulate the light even further, the next option is a macro twin flash.
Nissin MF18 ($439; www.nissindigital.com). Macro Flash Brackets
To meet these needs, Ive often turned to a macro ringflash and, alternatively, a macro twin flash. Where necessary, soften the light with a dome diffuser or bounce panel. Ive found that a ringflash adapter is an inferior alternative to a ringflash. Polaroid PLMRFU Macro 48 LED Ring Flash ($55; www.polaroidstore.com). Photojojo Ring Flash Adapter (aka O-Flash) ($40; www.photojojo.com). Normally, the macro flash serves to trigger remote, off-camera flash units. 30 three-chip LEDs; daylight-balanced; variable output; lightweight Duralumin construction; built-in rechargeable lithium-ion; 77mm filter thread; 52 to 72mm adapters included.
There are exceptions, where the macro flash operates as the slaved unit.
Digi-Slave Flex-Ring 6400 ($359; www.srelectronics.com).
Wireless TTL via built-in flash triggering on-camera; built-in support for popular camera brands (via menu); ratio output; GN 50 (ft)/ISO 100; LED focusing lamp; 52 to 72mm adapters included. 12 LEDs; flexible gooseneck supports 67mm inner-diameter ring floating around lens (no direct attachment); 5500 to 6500K; two power settings. Todays photo is Body by George Marinakis. Individual output control over each of the flash heads is the norm. PROS: Sees what the lens sees and squeezes into tight spaces; relatively easy to use; unless light ratios are employed, affords little concern over the flash heads orientation about the lens axis with respect to camera orientationvertical, horizontal, or diagonal; lends itself well to handheld shooting.