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Are macro flash rings a useful tool?

Started 1 week ago | Discussions
drunkenjitsu
drunkenjitsu New Member • Posts: 15
Are macro flash rings a useful tool?
2

I have an R6 Mark ii with the 100mm 2.8 macro and was considering the Canon mr-14ex ii macro ring lite second hand which I could pick up for around $250 with a 6mo warranty.

I was wondering if any of you more seasoned shooters here use these, and if you think it's a worthwhile investment.  Thanks!

Canon EOS R6
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Joseph S Wisniewski Forum Pro • Posts: 35,461
Depends on what you’re shooting
1

drunkenjitsu wrote:

I have an R6 Mark ii with the 100mm 2.8 macro and was considering the Canon mr-14ex ii macro ring lite second hand which I could pick up for around $250 with a 6mo warranty.

I was wondering if any of you more seasoned shooters here use these, and if you think it's a worthwhile investment. Thanks!

I find ring lights to be fine for certain limited uses. The lighting is very uniform, which is good for cataloging coins, stamps, or small figurines.

For most subjects, I find ring light to be monotonous, flat, and boring.

The Canon can "split" the ring and give you some control of the lighting, but it's not that much. Even if you mask off parts of the ring with tape, you're still limited to a small family of frontal angles.

I like to use small, independent flashes so I'm able to move the lights around on goosenecks or swing arms. That way I can use any portraiture lighting technique, including things like rim lighting or top lighting.

My weapon of choice these days are a pile of tiny Godox/Flashpoint MF-12 flashes. I have four flashes (purchased as two sets of two) and for quick work I can put anywhere from one to four on a lens mounting ring, but for more creative work I've rigged a bunch of goosenecks to put them almost anywhere.

A set of 2 flashes and a ring retails for $250, and I've seen them on sale as low as $150. It will take you a while to outgrow that. You'll also need a controller, which tacks on $30-60. I use the more expensive version because I like larger displays and dedicated controls. One controller can run 6 flashes on the ring or an unlimited number on goosenecks (you have to group some of the flashes, because you're only allowed 5 groups).

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The term "mirrorless" is totally obsolete. It's time we call out EVIL for what it is. (Or, if you can't handle "Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens" then Frenchify it and call it "LIVE" for "Lens Interchangeable, Viewfinder Electronic" or "Viseur électronique").
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philzucker
philzucker Forum Pro • Posts: 10,390
Re: Depends on what you’re shooting

Joseph S Wisniewski wrote:

I like to use small, independent flashes so I'm able to move the lights around on goosenecks or swing arms. That way I can use any portraiture lighting technique, including things like rim lighting or top lighting.

My weapon of choice these days are a pile of tiny Godox/Flashpoint MF-12 flashes. I have four flashes (purchased as two sets of two) and for quick work I can put anywhere from one to four on a lens mounting ring, but for more creative work I've rigged a bunch of goosenecks to put them almost anywhere.

I also use the MF-12's - but normally only with the mounting ring, sometimes combined with a diffuser attached to the ring. Using goosenecks for them is a great idea, as they are really small and light. Would you care to share a picture of an exemplary setup of yours?

Phil

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drunkenjitsu
OP drunkenjitsu New Member • Posts: 15
Re: Depends on what you’re shooting

Those MF-12's look cool and much more flexible than the Canon offering. I'll be mostly shooting things like fungi, flowers, small critters, etc. In low light conditions.

I'd love to see y'all's diffuser/gooseneck setups.

AeroPhotographer Regular Member • Posts: 462
Re: Depends on what you’re shooting

I tried one but hated the ring reflections on the critter's eyes.

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