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Looking for some suggestions for a decent ring flash at a decent price.

Started Feb 20, 2022 | Questions
Darkmatterx76
Darkmatterx76 Regular Member • Posts: 174
Looking for some suggestions for a decent ring flash at a decent price.

Hi, I'm looking for a ring flash for snowflakes.

I'm on a budget, so I'll be passing on what Canon has to offer.

I know there are a lot of LED ring flashes out there now, but I'm not sure how well the defusers work at blocking LED hot spots.

I know Don Komarechka recommended one in a Youtube video he did, but I believe that, and his book came out several years ago. I wondered what people would recommend now?

I should say that I don't have a Canon MP-E 65mm lens. Instead I'm using a Canon 5D Mk IV with the 100mm 2.8, extension tubes, and a Raynox DCR-250. I will probably see how my Canon 1.4x extender does as well. It's version 2, so it's pretty decent, although not quite as sharp as the newest version.

Thanks!

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Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
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John K Veteran Member • Posts: 9,870
Re: Looking for some suggestions for a decent ring flash at a decent price.

Darkmatterx76 wrote:

Hi, I'm looking for a ring flash for snowflakes.

I'm on a budget, so I'll be passing on what Canon has to offer.

I know there are a lot of LED ring flashes out there now, but I'm not sure how well the defusers work at blocking LED hot spots.

An LED ring "flash" will not fire fast enough to freeze motion, and according to Don you need to work fast.

I know Don Komarechka recommended one in a Youtube video he did, but I believe that, and his book came out several years ago. I wondered what people would recommend now?

That is the Yongnuo YN-14EX ring flash, and it is not too expensive .

I should say that I don't have a Canon MP-E 65mm lens. Instead I'm using a Canon 5D Mk IV with the 100mm 2.8, extension tubes, and a Raynox DCR-250. I will probably see how my Canon 1.4x extender does as well. It's version 2, so it's pretty decent, although not quite as sharp as the newest version.

Thanks!

That setup may not give you enough magnification. Don was using an MP-E 65mm + extension tubes to get to 6x (although a 1.4TC would have been more practical than tubes with the MP-E).

jarlrmai Regular Member • Posts: 110
Re: Looking for some suggestions for a decent ring flash at a decent price.

John K wrote:

Darkmatterx76 wrote:

Hi, I'm looking for a ring flash for snowflakes.

I'm on a budget, so I'll be passing on what Canon has to offer.

I know there are a lot of LED ring flashes out there now, but I'm not sure how well the defusers work at blocking LED hot spots.

An LED ring "flash" will not fire fast enough to freeze motion, and according to Don you need to work fast.

I know Don Komarechka recommended one in a Youtube video he did, but I believe that, and his book came out several years ago. I wondered what people would recommend now?

That is the Yongnuo YN-14EX ring flash, and it is not too expensive .

I should say that I don't have a Canon MP-E 65mm lens. Instead I'm using a Canon 5D Mk IV with the 100mm 2.8, extension tubes, and a Raynox DCR-250. I will probably see how my Canon 1.4x extender does as well. It's version 2, so it's pretty decent, although not quite as sharp as the newest version.

Thanks!

That setup may not give you enough magnification. Don was using an MP-E 65mm + extension tubes to get to 6x (although a 1.4TC would have been more practical than tubes with the MP-E).

I Don't think any of the Canon extenders work with the 100mm macros as the flange is too long.

gardenersassistant Veteran Member • Posts: 9,656
Re: Looking for some suggestions for a decent ring flash at a decent price.

jarlrmai wrote:

I Don't think any of the Canon extenders work with the 100mm macros as the flange is too long.

I use Kenko teleconverters with an EF mount 100mm 2X Laowa macro lens. They also work with my EF mount Sigma 105 macro and MPE-65. I imagine they work with any EF mount lens.

jarlrmai Regular Member • Posts: 110
Re: Looking for some suggestions for a decent ring flash at a decent price.

gardenersassistant wrote:

jarlrmai wrote:

I Don't think any of the Canon extenders work with the 100mm macros as the flange is too long.

I use Kenko teleconverters with an EF mount 100mm 2X Laowa macro lens. They also work with my EF mount Sigma 105 macro and MPE-65. I imagine they work with any EF mount lens.

Yeah maybe the Kenko ones are different to the Canon made ones.

The Canon 1.4x III doesn't fit my Canon 100mm f/2.8 L macro

John K Veteran Member • Posts: 9,870
Re: Looking for some suggestions for a decent ring flash at a decent price.

jarlrmai wrote:

I Don't think any of the Canon extenders work with the 100mm macros as the flange is too long.

You can put an extension tube between the lens and the TC. So the setup is camera -> teleconverter -> 12mm or 25mm extension tube -> lens. Canon also made a life size converter for the 50mm .5 macro that is basically an extension tube with some glass in it, and it works with several lenses either directly of with an extension tube. You can find then used on Amazon and Ebay (Canon does not manufacture the life size converter anymore).

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