Which flash for MPE-65 ?

[devil350]

Hi all,

I'm in the market for the famous MPE-65.
After using the Canon 100mm Macro for years, I can't resist on geting closer to the subjects...

My questions are:
- Which flash would you advice for this lens, the ring flash or the twin flash ?
And why ?

- I often seen the twin flash with diffusers on the flash, are they usefull ?
Which brand (if many) would you advice me if needed ?

I don't know very well this very specific lens, but I read many times, that it must be couple with a flash to go closer than 1:1.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,
Laurent.

[racketman]

I have both and would argue that the MT-24 at its best gives the most pleasing results. The MR-14 gives more consistently accurate exposures and is a more compact unit but the lighting is a bit flat even with ratio adjusted and diffusing applied to the tubes. The MT-24 definitely needs diffusing as it is way too harsh with the crop cameras - better with a FF sensor I have read although not got around to trying.
LordV uses a diffused 430ex on a bracket which should be food for thought.

[macro junkie]

your need a diffuser for the mt-24ex

[devil350]

Hi,

Thanks all for your comments.

Which diffusers would you advice me ? Is there a specific brand you're using ?

Bye,
Laurent.

[Ook]

Hi,

Thanks all for your comments.

Which diffusers would you advice me ? Is there a specific brand you're using ?

Bye,
Laurent.

Most use Gary Fong Puffers, or an eBay knockoff of that. Gluing is required.

[devil350]

Hi Ook,

Thanks for the answer, I'll have a look at those Diffusers.

Anyone has any other advices for the right flash for MP-E65 ?
Or should I conclude the best gear is the MT-24EX ?

Thanks in advance.
Laurent.

[macro junkie]

Gluing is required.
no its not..racketman used the brackets that come with it..up to you i guees..i use hot glue gun because its easy to peal off..dont use super glue ffs :lol:

[devil350]

no its not..racketman used the brackets that come with it..up to you i guees..i use hot glue gun because its easy to peal off..dont use super glue ffs :lol:

Ok Thanks.

Off course I'll use easy to peal glue, I don't want to destroy my expensive flash unit.

Ciao,
Laurent.

[macro junkie]

Ok Thanks.

Off course I'll use easy to peal glue, I don't want to destroy my expensive flash unit.

Ciao,
Laurent.
super glue :lol: then 2 months down the line you have found some better defusuers..lol.what a nightmare that would be.:lol:

[devil350]

super glue :lol: then 2 months down the line you have found some better defusuers..lol.what a nightmare that would be.:lol:

LoL

Yes this sounds like a nightmare :D

[ben_r_]

The Canon MT-24EX is the only option IMO.

[Lester Wareham]

I use and vote for the twin flash. Of course excellent results can also be had with a flash on a bracket as Brian V demonstrates so well.

Quite apart from the lighting and modelling control advantages of the twin flash over the ring flash, it also has the advantage of less intrusive highlights and being able to turn on the focus assist lights via a double tap on the shutter button (a flash CF).

[macro junkie]

I use and vote for the twin flash. Of course excellent results can also be had with a flash on a bracket as Brian V demonstrates so well.

Quite apart from the lighting and modelling control advantages of the twin flash over the ring flash, it also has the advantage of less intrusive highlights and being able to turn on the focus assist lights via a double tap on the shutter button (a flash CF).
what diffusers are you using?

[Lester Wareham]

Stofen, they still permit the focus assist lights to work, seem to soften the highlights well. Works better in real life than in controlled tests - so much for the scientific method....

[devil350]

Thank you all for your comments.

Lester which Stofen do you use with MT-24EX ?

Bye,
Laurent.

[Lester Wareham]

Thank you all for your comments.

Lester which Stofen do you use with MT-24EX ?

Bye,
Laurent.

They do a special, http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1012582

[macro junkie]

Stofen, they still permit the focus assist lights to work, seem to soften the highlights well. Works better in real life than in controlled tests - so much for the scientific method....
You mayby happy with them but i wasnt..imo they done nothing.

[devil350]

Thank you all for your new imputs.

Laurent.

[troypiggo]

Hi Laurent. Just found this thread. You might be interested to read Dalantech's comparison of the MT-24EX vs MR-14EX here (http://dalantech.deviantart.com/art/MR-14EX-verses-the-MT-24EX-85238984). Very informative. In summary, it would sway me towards the MT-24EX (if I could afford it). He also wrote a guide on its use (http://dalantech.deviantart.com/art/MT-24EX-Users-Guide-86784366).

You might also be interested in this post I made of initial impressions when I first got the MP-E 65 (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=546940), and this other post by Dalantech about the MP-E 65 (http://dalantech.deviantart.com/art/Canon-s-MPE-65mm-Macro-Lens-85795291).

[devil350]

Hi Troy,

Thanks a lot for those very helpfull links.

Bye,
Laurent.