Need Advice on a Macro Bracket

Hi,

Just purchased the Canon 100mm L Macro. Quickly found out that using my 580 ex on the camera doesn't help for lighting the scene - close up it only gets half the pic.

So I read in another post about getting a "macro bracket" to allow the flash to be closer to the front of the camera.

Can someone please elaborate on this idea and point me to what would be a good buy?


Thanks


TB

Have a look at the Show us your Macro Rig Thread. There are many images of setups with brackets and explainations there.

I personally use a modified LH1 bracket which you can get off ebay. Though I often now just use an ETTL cable with the flash and handhold the flash where I want it.

weeatmice wrote in post #14935018
Though I often now just use an ETTL cable with the flash and handhold the flash where I want it.

Hi,

I was hoping to handhold a lot of shots which is why I would like the flash to be on the camera, if possible.


TB

Kirk Photo makes a pretty decent macro bracket.

General_T wrote in post #14935804
Hi,

I was hoping to handhold a lot of shots which is why I would like the flash to be on the camera, if possible.


TB

I allways handhold, I meant camera in one hand, flash in the other.

I was just checking out the same issues. Can anyone shed on light on the flash rings? They appear pretty cheap on ebay.I too have the 580 & that is very heavy. I ahve read that this is not really ideal for macro shooting.

The ring-flashes (on e-Bay or otherwise) have a trait that is not the best for certain applications, they leave a round, doughnut looking reflection in glassy-looking eyes. I used to have a Canon ring-flash, I sold it because of that, I mean, it's a VERY good flash, for what it does, but the ring reflection made me not like it so well. If you use it on bugs, like I did, it will leave a very unattractive ring-look in their eyes, well, bugs that have a shiny, reflective eye, it will. Jumping spiders, for instance have a very glassy-looking eye, and the ring-flash ruins it, at least for me, jumping spiders are one of my favorites. On the other hand, grasshoppers, and bugs that don't have a reflective eye, it works perfect!

As far as buying one on e-Bay, I have read here and elsewhere that some had good and bad happen with them. For what they cost, I guess it would be something that a person wanted to chance, but it would be just that, a chance it'd be what you want.
I read an article once that said to go to e-Bay and buy the older manual Canon ring-flash, I think they were made for 35mm's, they are just as good at producing what you need, but are really, really cheap to buy. Sorry I don't remember the article's website, but I wish I had known before I bought my ring-flash. (From what I remember, it was a safe voltage too, which is VERY important)

Personally, now, I just use available light, (with a reflective piece of white cardboard) I like that look more, so that saved me money. (Not really, 'cause I had already bought a 430II flash to replace the ring-flash, heheh)

In the case that you already have a 580, I'd definitely go with that, read up on the ways to get that to work for you, I seriously doubt the weight different will be that noticeable between a 580 and a ring-flash.

Randy

Bluedogs wrote in post #14941115
I was just checking out the same issues. Can anyone shed on light on the flash rings? They appear pretty cheap on ebay.I too have the 580 & that is very heavy. I ahve read that this is not really ideal for macro shooting.

You could add a YN-468 II for not much money, they have ETTL and I find enough power for macro, though you will probably get much better recharge times with the 580 or another canon speedlite.

Look in the show us your macro rig thread. Learn from others mistakes. I have changed/refined my bracket and diffuser several times based on info from that thread. Most brackets are DIY or modified available ones.