Flash for macro question

Hello everyone,

I want to build a flash setup for macro work cause i don't want to buy a ringflash.
However i don't know which option would be better for macro:
1. one Canon 270EX mounted on a bracket
2. 2 cheaper Metz 24 AF-1 flashes mounted on a ring bracket, to illuminate the subject from left and right. The two Metz flashes are the same price as the 270EX.
3. one big Canon flash, 420 or 580 with diffusers, etc.

I am a beginner in everything related to flash, lightning, etc. Not sure if 2 flashes are really necessary or only one is enough.
I want to shoot mostly outside, bugs, flowers, etc but also inside, in a softbox for example.

With macro, you need to not have 'too much power'. Since there is a limit to what minimum fractional power output a flash is limited to, more power is not better...1/256 of GN24 is less than 1/256 of GN48, for example. At the very close macro distances, minimum power level is quite important.

Two flashes will give you 'less directional' lighting than a single flash, and can provide some shadow contrast reduction. But unless both have small softboxes on them you will end up with shadowing from two sides. The light from the right does not make the shadow from the light on the left 'go away', it can only make the shadowing less intense.

Thanks Wilt, i appreciate. So i think i will stick with one flash only. Do you think a 430EX is better for macro than a 270EX(of course i can use the 430 for other things too) especially regarding to minimum power? I know, i have to read some books about all this flash thing

I do not know the minimum FRACTIONAL output of the two flashes...at first blush, the 270EX has a lower GN than the 430EX (27 vs. 43) but the 430EX might have lower fractional output...have to look at specs for the two.

orionmystery has a good thread showing 270 flash use for macro.

270EX on FMMB - improved!
https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1044312