Macro flash brackets

[Guest DaveW]

Found these on EBAY. If you can't afford the Canon or Nikon macro flash unit that screws into the lens filter thread and already have flashguns these may be the answer for insect photography to get the flash off the hotshoe and nearer the front of the lens:-

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item20ca566ada

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3a795348c5

This shows a similar one in use:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CJuyUGvGMk

DaveW

Edited December 8, 2012 by DaveW

[Guest DaveW]

The above video uses radio to trigger the flashes, but there are other ways like cables from the hot-shoe , slaves on the flashes triggered by the pop up flash etc. With my Nikon D200 and Nikon dedicated flashes I can use the pop-up flash as a controller to trigger the dedicated flashguns with their built in slaves and still use TTL metering. Other systems will need different methods to trigger the flashes when removed off the hot-shoe and in some cases you may need to use manual rather than TTL flash control:-

http://www.brighthub...cles/33769.aspx

What you are trying to replicate in a cheaper more basic form is the close-up macro light systems from both Nikon and Canon:-

http://www.nikonusa....ght-System.html

This link for the Canon one shows the difference moving the flashes around the ring makes

http://digital-photo...in-lite-mt-24ex

DaveW

Edited December 10, 2012 by DaveW

[JohnP]

I guess this set up would be Ok for someone on a tight budget but personally I could not imagine going on one of my 7 mile walks with this, niether would I want to go on a walk through undergrown in the woods, I don't think it would be long before something was broken. Hopefully my recently acquired ringflash will prove much more user friendly, I've yet to try it in the field but I'm quite optimistic after trying it indoors.

[Guest DaveW]

You can get a partially similar effect to moving the guns around the ring with your ring-flash John by rotating it slightly in the filter thread.

The Canon and Nikon macro lights are often used in the field John, the difference is the cheapest I can see the Canon offered at is £550 and the Nikon £533 for the commander unit version, or £415 for cameras not requiring a commander unit.

Also many more cumbersome and heavy brackets and flash guns are often used by insect photographers in the field:-

http://www.alanwood....acro-flash.html

http://www.outdoorph...acro-flash.html

Nobody ever said macro was for wimps, you often have to be prepared to heft cameras and equipment much heavier than for conventional photography, and lug them them well off road too!

As with all rigs though things can get out of hand depending what you hang on them, but I suppose weight does not matter in the studio:-

http://www.dgrin.com...ad.php?t=147371

However. regarding lugging weight off road, you get many photographers lugging a gadget bag around with every camera, lens and photographic accessory they own, including the kitchen sink, which they will never use on the trip, rather than just decanting everything that will not be needed and leaving it at home, or taking just what they will need in a smaller more portable gadget bag. Even more tiring going through undergrowth than with a camera and macro light set-up having an overlarge and overfull gadget bag slung from one shoulder, or strapped on as a back pack. I agree John, travel as light as your photographic needs for the occasion dictate.

DaveW

Edited December 10, 2012 by DaveW

[JohnP]

I agree John, travel as light as your photographic needs for the occasion dictate.

There was a time when I would take everything but the kitchen sink... not these days though. Depending on where I'm going I tend to decide what type of shots I going to take before I leave home. If I'm looking for landscapes I will take my DSLR and 17-40mm lens, I will also take my Panasonic TZ3 or FZ100 both of which will take reasonable macros in case I see an insect or something. If I go out looking for macros then I take my DSLR and macro lens, again taking my either of the Panasonics in case I want to take a landscape or find I need zoom for something. I can't see me ever going out again with two DSLR's and four lens plus two Panasonics etc etc.

[JohnP]

I agree John, travel as light as your photographic needs for the occasion dictate.

There was a time when I would take everything but the kitchen sink... not these days though. Depending on where I'm going I tend to decide what type of shots I going to take before I leave home. If I'm looking for landscapes I will take my DSLR and 17-40mm lens, I will also take my Panasonic TZ3 or FZ100 both of which will take reasonable macros in case I see an insect or something. If I go out looking for macros then I take my DSLR and macro lens, again taking my either of the Panasonics in case I want to take a landscape or find I need zoom for something. I can't see me ever going out again with two DSLR's and four lens plus two Panasonics etc etc.

[JohnP]

I agree John, travel as light as your photographic needs for the occasion dictate.

There was a time when I would take everything but the kitchen sink... not these days though. Depending on where I'm going I tend to decide what type of shots I going to take before I leave home. If I'm looking for landscapes I will take my DSLR and 17-40mm lens, I will also take my Panasonic TZ3 or FZ100 both of which will take reasonable macros in case I see an insect or something. If I go out looking for macros then I take my DSLR and macro lens, again taking my either of the Panasonics in case I want to take a landscape or find I need zoom for something. I can't see me ever going out again with two DSLR's and four lens plus two Panasonics etc etc.

[JohnP]

Please would someone delete two of my posts plus this one. The problem was caused by me getting cheesed off waiting for my post to submit... several minutes and I clicked the submit button three times in that time.

Edited December 10, 2012 by JohnP