macro flash combinations?

[Sendide]

Hi fellas,
Do I need a ring or twin speedlight for macrophotography of small bugs outdoors? I have a canon 100mm macro 2.8/10D. does such close distance to the subject drop the light that much?
my second quesrtion is: can a wireless combination 550EX/ 420EX replace the ring or twin lite from canon?
thanks in advance
Khalid

[Scottes]

Ring and twins each have their places and pros & conns.

Twin speedlites are preferred for a more natural look as long as you set the ratio - one at 100% the other at 25% for fill, as an example. Ring lights produce a very even but often unnatural lighting. Generally preferred for close-up when seeing details are important. Not so usefull for bug in natural settings.

Ring lights are usually lighter and much easier to weild. Twin lights extend out more, are heavier, and can cause a weird balance to the camera.

Yes, the 550+420 can work, but it's a very good idea to get the flashes off the hotshoe. Big lenses, long lens, etc, can block part of the flash, thus giving you a circular shadow in the picture. So the 550 mounted on a frame with a remote cord gets it over to one side, away and up from the lens. Then comes the question of holding this unweildy beast and also holding the 420, or placing it somehow without disturbing the bug.

I was at a butterfly farm once and a guy was shooting with a flash on a stick, flash connected to the camera with a remote cord. He held the camera with one hand and moved the flash around with his other hand so he could get it wherever he wanted. From what I could see on his laptop it worked pretty damn well for a single-flash solution. I might lean towards a Stroboframe or something like that, but the stick was a lot cheaper and much more manueverable.

[Sendide]

thanks a lot for the explanation
regards
Khalid

[SKR1]

A good solution :
use 1 550EX and 2 420EX with Lumiquest reflector.

This solution is better than a ring flash.

A+
SKR

[VonClev]

Two tips on the ring light:

1) It has two internal flashes that can be ratio'd as well, making the light somewhat more natural.

2) It can be used to master a peripheral 550/420 slave - giving you the best of all worlds.

[Sendide]

really surprised to see this thread poping up after about 6 months !!, anyways, thanks for the replays, jsut that if you look at my little ""arsenal"", you'll notice that I got the MT-24EX , one of a kind macro flah, and when in combination with 550EX (with soft box) for the background, just amazing... amazing how a flash can change your thoughts and perspective on photography.... lenses don't usually do :wink: .
regards
Khalid