Using LED ring lights (not flash) for macro insects

Antique Eruption wrote:

Richard Dutton wrote:

I have a Neewer one somewhere. Its called a flash but it just a continuous LED ring light with the option on switching it on/off from the flash trigger.

The problem I had was that it actually back lit into the lens mount on some lenses and caused flare. Needs a baffle. I used to use it just as an off camera light source.

Another problem was that the light output wasnt very high. I struggled to get 10ev on a meter on close subjects with poor natursl lighting..

Will be interesting to see if anyone has used these successfully.

I think the LED panels are better being bigger. For a compact solution I do use a flash on a bracket with diffusers - in my case with a Nikon TTL cable - then another flash unit stood off and used as a slave to the main one.

Havent used any lights recently - just tried to use available light at wider apertures and stacking - not too successful - flash is easier.

I was looking at the godox light72 (if I remember the name correctly). Thought it might give me a stop or two to play with. I appreciate folk saying flash is easier, but I'm an absolute beginner in that regard.

So what? Say it takes 10 hours to go from zero to results acceptable with flash, but it takes 50 hours to go from where you are now with continuous light to getting acceptable results from an LED ring light.

Which is the more efficient path?