Hand-held flash for macro shot?

[Cheesey]

I have a Rebel XT and an EF-S 60mm macro lens and a 430EX flash.

Can anyone comment as to whether is might be a reasonalbe thing to do to buy a cord for the 430EX, and hand-hold the flash around the side or top of the lens while using a tripod for the camera only while I'm in the field?

Or would a bracket as well for the flash be of major importance? I presume that my slight movements while hand-holding the flash wouldn't make a difference, but I'm not sure. The flexibility of holding it and experimenting at any angle I choose seems attractive, and lugging a big bracket around seems uncomfortable, but I've got no experience, so this is all theory before I buy the cord or cord and bracket combo.

Thanks for any comments.

[troutfisher]

Have a look in the Macro forum , there is a thread called I believe" Show us your rig".
One in there uses a 100mm macro with the flash mounted on the hotshoe and a diffuser, it works very well but I am not sure about it with a 60mm.

[troypiggo]

At macro distances it's pretty important to hold the camera as steady as possible. The slightest instability will accentuate camera shake.

As a starting point, I'd recommend keeping the flash on camera and adding the Lumiquest Softbox (http://www.lumiquest.com/products/softbox.htm) diffuser to your 430EX. It'll get the light over the front of your lens and diffuse it nicely, and it's cheaper than getting chords and brackets. Even if you get your flash off-camera, you'll still need a diffuser anyway so get it now and see the results first ;)

[Cheesey]

Thanks troutfisher and troypiggo.

I have studied the fascinating setups on the "show us your rig" thread. And I've seen crypto's Lumiquest on-shoe rig photos.

I'm just trying to get a sense of how necessary it is to create these complex rigs. I'm not suggesting it would be better not to have one -- but given it's my expectation to just take a macro shot or two while on a hike, it doesn't seem practical. That's why I was curious as to how bad a shot might come out if I simply hand-held the flash.

As to the Lumiquest Softbox, that seems interesting. On my shorter 60mm lens though, I'm not sure I could aim the box down to the front of the lens effectively though if the flash remains on the hot shoe. Despite all the pictures, it's not clear to me how the Softbox attaches to the flash. Can you aim it down 45 degrees or so from the flash's parallel-to-the-lens position? Will it fall off? Would some tape do? I've looked on Lumiquest's website too, and this issue remains unclear. I may call them, but would prefer to hear from a non-financially-interested party with some experience like someone here!

I'm also wondering if anyone makes a ring that can clip on the front of my ef-s 60mm macro (as the Canon specialy lights seem to do) which also provides a flexible hot shoe mount for the 430ex. Given that I didn't see anything like that in all the stuff I've seen on the "show us your rig" thread, I suppose not. (I understand that I have no idea of what I'm talking about, particularly with the preceding "ring" thought, but I'm committed to figuring out a simple, lightweight solution that will provide acceptable results without breaking the bank.) Either of the two Canon specialty flashes would seem to fit the bill, but they're just too expensive for my taste given the infrequency of my expected use.

[troutfisher]

Lets try to help a bit more.
The lumiqest softbox attaches by Velcro to the flash head.I have some sticky backed velcro on the flash head and there is some more on the softbox so that holds it in place( there are adhesive velcro pads supplied with the sotbox) but I used a continuous strip around the flash head as its a bit more secure.
Regarding Macro on a hike, have a look at threads by Lord V in the Macro section. There is a shot somewhere of his support for macro outdoors and its very simple , but I imagine takes lots of practice.If you use a trekking pole when hiking , thats your camera support ( or use a monopod). Macro is very difficult-well its is for me anyway-it takes lots of practice

[John_B]

Cheesey,
I personally have a bracket but use my flash hand held most of the time. I find having more control over the angle of light is more important then the convenience of having the flash mounted is.
However when using my EF 100mm f/2.8 lens 8 times out of 10 the flash is mounted to the camera, but using my MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x lens the flash is hand held 9 out of 10 times ;)

[troypiggo]

Cheesey - no need to bend/aim the Softbox down. It disperses the light just fine attached to the flash head simply pointing straight ahead. It attaches one of 2 ways typically. Either use the supplied sticky velcro loop tabs and stick them on your flash head, or you can get removable velcro straps that have a non-slip back that can wrap around your flash head. Look for the cinch strap on Lumiquest site, or Honl photo has them too. The velcro isn't a bad idea anyway, can use it to attach other things too like gels later on. The softbox has velcro hooks on it.

For hiking you can just use natural light, but typically I prefer to use flash and the softbox option is much better results and portable enough. Hiking here in Aus usually involves shady bush and patchy light.

[Cheesey]

Thank you all again, you've each been very helpful.

I'm new to this site, although I've had a few years of experience on a Corvette forum in the past. Despite those years of excellent exchanges, every now and then I just have to step back and try to process how significant and wholesome this internet thing has the potential to be, and in these cases actually is. Not only that, but it's so cool to be sitting in my home in Stamford, Connecticut (the east coast of the United States) and getting coaching from Brisbane and West Yorkshire. (It's also cool to get it from neighboring New York, John, but I suppose you'll agree it's not nearly as exotic.)

The best to all of you.

[troypiggo]

No worries, mate. I don't know much about photography, but if I do see a question that I can answer, I'll chime in. :) That's how I learned. POTN is a great resource. I spend way too much time (and as a result, money) here ;)