Flash for macro and 'normal' use

[swag72]

I am wondering whether there is any such thing. I want a macro flash ring and also a flash unit. Is there a model where I can detach say the macro ring and use the unit on the hotshoe and vice versa?

I don't really want to have to buy both and cart them around.

Is there such a thing as this?

[Jim M]

None that I know of. However, I don't like the look of ring flash for macro, so I just use my 580EX with an off camera cord. I hand hold it for macro.

[scot079]

There are lots of fine examples how to use your regular flash for macro here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=142566&highlight=show+me+macro+rig)

[swag72]

So I would be OK with a good quality speedlite? The rigs in the link are great, but that's far too much for me.

[scot079]

How would you get the light from the external flash down to your macro subjects? That what a bracket will do for you...let's you basically position the flash where you need it. Not sure what you mean by "too much".

[Jim M]

I've tried various brackets myself, and I just don't like them. I usually just hold the flash against the lens barrel with a hot shoe-to-hot shoe E-TTL cord between the flash and the camera. You can place the flash almost anywhere in just a heartbeat. Here is an example of a frog I shot that way. I was in the Amazon where portability is a plus.

[swag72]

So, correct me if I'm wrong - I could get a speedlite and instead of mounting it on the hotshoe I just hold it where I want it? Is that right?

Great pic by the way - How much difference do you think a flash would make compared to a bright summers day?

[Jim M]

So, correct me if I'm wrong - I could get a speedlite and instead of mounting it on the hotshoe I just hold it where I want it? Is that right?

Great pic by the way - How much difference do you think a flash would make compared to a bright summers day?
Yes, except you need to get the off camera cord that maintains E-TTL. One end clips on the camera's hot shoe and the other slips on the flash's hot shoe. I think the OC-E3 is the current model. Canon wants an arm and a leg for it, but I understand there are cheap knock-offs. Mine is an earlier model genuine Canon cord, but it has lasted a good long while.

My interest in frogs has kept me from shooting much macro in daylight. I like to shoot in the f/11-f/22 range with my old style 100mm macro lens that moves farther out as it focuses closer, so the effective aperture is quite small by the time I am at the final focus distance. I moved from Kodachrome to digital, so when shooting macro, I rarely used available light. The great advantage of flash is stopping movement, including your own as you wave the camera around while you are teetering in odd positions. So even now when I could probably get a reasonable exposure in daylight by boosting ISO, I prefer to use flash. In fact, now I have to watch for ghosting the image when it's bright out.

I'm sure there is a ton of advice on the macro forum when it comes to technique.