Looking for tips on using a 430EX for Macro

[jaharris1001]

I've got a Canon 400D and Sigma 105mm Macro lens. I just bought a 430EX and a Lumiquest softbox with the main intention on using them for macro photography. I haven't received either items yet, but was looking for any info or tips you guys might have on getting the best results.
I've been shooting DSLR for less than a year but really have gotten the bug,, so to speak ;) used mostly natural light or sometimes pop up flash and was not happy with the results.
I read about the softbox and liked what I saw. There seems to be alot to learn with flash photography and any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jim
ps- I did see the post with "the bible" and quite a few other posts, but was looking for Macro tips in particular.
Thanks

[MT Stringer]

I had good luck photographing stuff for eBay up close using my 430 and the Canon offshoe cord2 handheld above and off to one side. The flash had a Stoffen diffuser on the flash head. It actually worked pretty good.

The offshoe cord will let you move the flash up to 2 feet from the camera hot shoe and still have the ETTL capability.

Check out this link also. The guy is using a 580 with the offshoe cord.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=280241&highlight=macro+flash+setup

Hope this helps.
Mike

[jaharris1001]

Thanks for the replay Mike, I also looked at the top of the Macro forum and there is a link with "show us your gear" I'm thinking about getting the offshoe cord as well as a flexible arm bracket,, I was wondering about settings on the flash itself,, any tips from anyone? I guess I'll just have to experiment, we have time before macro season starts anyway ;)

[GDHugh]

Jim, I'm certainly no expert but I learned a cheap and easy trick from a guy named "Jim H" over in the DPReview.com forum who makes some GREAT macro shots. By cutting out the side of a gallon plastic milk jug and then cutting a hole in the side of it to attach to the lens, it makes a great diffuser and gets rid of the shadow created by the lens being so close to the subject. It's just a simple thing that's easy and cheap.

[jaharris1001]

Thanks David, I've seen those kind of improvs too,, thanks for the comment this is a photo I copied from the Macro forum here as an example of what I'm considering only with the Lumiquest softbox added for diffusion, there seem to be alot of this type of setup in the Macro "show us your gear" post

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j143/jaharris1001/macrosetup.jpg