Macro flash setups used on this forum

[fguihen]

April 21, 2014 at 5:38 pm

I used to have a little Panasonic fz7 bridge camera, and with it, and a table tennis ball as a diffuser I got some decent macros.

Now with a full frame 5dII, canon 100mm macro and 430ex2 I’m struggling.
My main problem is the flash, when its on top of the camera it doesn’t work well for subjects in close to the lens, and off camera I struggle to hold it.

Rather than buy a dedicated, and expensive ring flash, or canon macro flash (mt 24 I think), can anyone advise how they get their macro shots to be nicely lit. There are some cracking shots on this forum so someone must be able to advise.

Thanks for any help.

[steelydan]

April 23, 2014 at 3:26 pm

You basically have to get your flash off camera to aim it over the end of the lens. Some people use a video bracket and modify their flash, i have see a tutorial on how to make a flash diffuser made out of a pringles tube that might suit your 100mm and flash, easy and cheap

Its on this site below
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Pringles-Can-Macro-Diffuser” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;

Try these settings for your macro work

ISO200 f11 or f16 shutter speed 1/100 sec, power on flash 1/16th. should get you in the basic ball park. If your diffuser is blocking some light set the power to 1/8th

Hope that helps

[steelydan]

April 23, 2014 at 7:06 pm

I ended up making one myself this evening, after discovering that the tissue paper i used was too thick, I ended up removing it and having the “angled” end open. I suppose it was trial and error.

The shot below was at the following settings, as i had no insects at 8PM i just shot one of the dying flowers from Easter

ISO400 f10 1/100sec Flash at 1/2 power

[Padraig]

April 28, 2014 at 1:28 pm

Even though I have a Sigma Ring Flash, Lambency experimenting with a lambency diffuser and kitchen paper. IMO it gives better results.
http://mattcolephotography.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/macro-flash-diffusion.html” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;

[markst33]

April 30, 2014 at 9:47 am

I place the flash on the stand that normally comes with them with and I use a pair of yongnuo triggers to fire it.

For these I pointed the flash straight up and bounced it off the ceiling but I also placed the objects on a white glass sheet and angled it slightly by placing a book under it at one end. This means that the camera is not directly over the object which allows the light to get it at it.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/22330403N02/14068853744/” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.flickr.com/photos/22330403N02/14068853274/” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.flickr.com/photos/22330403N02/14065218922/” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;