First shots with MT-24 EX

[wookie6262]

I just got the above flash last week and this was my first chance to try it out. The local butterfly farm seemed like a good test. I was impressed with the exposure which was a very consistent 1/3 to a 1/2 stop under, just like my other speedlights. I didn't play to much with ratios or positioning of the flashlights. It is amazing how useful the lamp, even underpowered, is for focusing. All images taken with Canon 5D, 100mm macro with EF12 and 1.4x extender. I think this set up lets you get in pretty close but also take in a wider view. All comments welcome.

http://www.photoexpose.net/albums/userpics/9.jpg

http://www.photoexpose.net/albums/userpics/1.jpg

http://www.photoexpose.net/albums/userpics/3.jpg

http://www.photoexpose.net/albums/userpics/5.jpg

http://www.photoexpose.net/albums/userpics/2%7E0.jpg

[LordV]

Lovely series of shots. :)
Think you will find you will need to play with power ratios though, otherwise the lighting can be too even and make the pics look flat. Suggested starting ratio is around 4:1.
Be interested how you get on.
Brian V.

[wookie6262]

Thanks Brian, I will try to increase theratio. Had a look at your smugmug site. Some great shots there especially the reflections. I take it you carry a nice looking flower with you at all times.

[LordV]

Thanks Brian, I will try to increase theratio. Had a look at your smugmug site. Some great shots there especially the reflections. I take it you carry a nice looking flower with you at all times.

Thanks for the comment on the smugmug site- my main site is the Flickr one.
I can normally find a flower either in the garden or in the house if there is a good early morning dew ;) .
Brian V.

[racketman]

Frog with a mission, good series - you can get Stofen diffusers for the heads if you do find ligting too harsh though these seem good.

[wookie6262]

Thanks Racketman. I had a look at the stofens but will have to lay of spending till the finances catch up. I had a good look at your pbase gallery and most liked the Canon 70-200mm F4 shot.

Only joking, in the macros I really liked Moonlit Spider and the Dragon drinking. Thanks for your kind words.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Great shots, love the frog and the ants! And the detail on that last butterfly is astounding!

Paper towels or coffee filters may help with softening the lights for pennies.

[hidden forms]

Very nice series of pics,they came out pretty good, as CDS suggested try using a paper towel to diffuse the flash, like the detail of the butterfly eyes

[Dalantech]

One of the "cheap and dirty" tricks that I did with my MT-24 was wrap Peck Pads or the cotton pads that women use to remove makeup over the flash heads and secure them with rubber bands. Looks like cr@p, but it will take some of the harshness out of the flash.

Definitely set the ratio between the heads to 4:1 -I normally position the more powerful flash head toward the top of the lens and the weaker one toward the bottom. If you leave both flash heads on at the same power level then all of your images are going to look flat...

Check out the shots in this gallery: http://www.dalantech.smugmug.com/gallery/1590111#133086735 -nearly all of them were lit with the MT-24, either as the main source of light or as a fill flash.