Ringflash Vs. Brackets

[redemptioncalls]

i am mostly active in macr owork. im going buy a new macro lens and flash system. should i get a normal canon hotshoe flash and a wimberly macro flash bracket or should i get a ringflash? im not too experienced in the areas of flash

[Curtis N]

Questions specific to macro flash tend to go unanswered in this section of the forum. If no one answers, you may want to ask your question in the Macro section. I believe there might be some helpful info in the sticky threads there, too.

[Lester Wareham]

I think you need to ask yourself if you need a general flash or if your flash requirements are 99% for macro. If the latter a macro flash might be best, otherwise if it needs to be dual use look for a bracket system which can give very good results.

My personal view about flash on brackets is that is rather awkward, I used this method for many years with FD film. However if you want to go the bracket route take a look at the sticky at the top of the macro section.

Now I use the MT-24EX twin flash, which I would recommend over the ME-14EX ring flash. The twin flash gives a fantastic level of control of lighting angle and ratio in a compact and relatively light package and does not suffer from the ring highlights and flatter lighting of the ring flash. The twin flash is expensive but worth saving for IMHO.

You don’t say what lenses you will use. Be aware the Canon macro flashes attach by ring found only on the front of the Canon macro lenses, however there are accessory rings with filter screws to adapt independent lenses. Although all my macro lenses are Canon I use protective filters and so have to use these adaptors anyway.

There is a lot of rambling info about Canon macro equipment at this page.
http://www.zen20934.zen.co.uk/photography/Macro_Equipment.htm

[LordV]

I'd just go for a normal flash on a bracket with a diffuser. I've yet to feel the need for a dual head flash setup like the MT-24EX and I think you would need something like this rather than a ringflash which tends to give flat looking shots with bad reflection problems.
I'll post a pic of my rig when Flickr is back up
Brian V.

Flash Rig

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/114/260512875_e03d14c30c.jpg