Please give some suggestion about flash for marco photo

hi
I am rookie in this field. but I have an amazing 180L lens. it is difficult to use with handhold. until one day I put my 430 EX II on the camera and using flash to keep a high shuttle speed. everything is changed. the picture is stuning and clear.
now I am think to add a marco flash in my bag. but consider 180L 's Closest focusing distance which is 1.6 feet. do I really need a marco flash ? or I just can use my 430.
thanks for any suggetion.
have a nice day!
Alfred

i would use your 430 on a bracket to get it close to the end of your lens angled for your MFD.
make a DIY diffuser for it,or add a mini softbox on it .much better than a ring lite.

thanks mandokid1
I think it is a good idea.
can you give some recommend about what kinds of bracket ?

not sure what the boys are using these days,but check e-bay.there are some cheap ones on there that may work well.
or how about a small ball head attached to your tripod collar,reversed to the top.i have a 180 tamron that i use that way with a 580 ex11 on it,with lumiquest mini softbox on it for diffusion.

alfred_shi wrote in post #15726273
thanks mandokid1
I think it is a good idea.
can you give some recommend about what kinds of bracket ?

Check out the macro gear from other users, here.

alfred_shi wrote in post #15726273
thanks mandokid1
I think it is a good idea.
can you give some recommend about what kinds of bracket ?

You can use a friction arm! it gives a great flexibility for positioning the flash (angle, distance)!