MPE-65 flash question

I just ordered an MPE-65. Can I effectively use my 430exII flash, or is it a necessity to have a Canon MR-14 or MT-24 macro flash? I really didn't want to drop another $5-$800 on a flash right now.

Thanks,

~Ace

you can get non-name brand ring lights/flashes for less than a hundred dollars USD.

I strongly advise against getting ringflash. I don't recommend the mt24ex either because its reliability leaves much to be desired. I have had to send mine in for repair like 2 or 3 times in a few years and the fees were quite costly.

I use a single 270EX for my MPE65 on a DIY bracket:

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Thanks! I'm glad to hear that. I'll have to play around to see what I can come up with. Great examples, Kurt!

a lot of MP-E65 shooters use the 430EX off camera with a diffuser.
LordV set up here:
https://www.flickr.com …iscuss/72157594​312315664/

You are going to love that MP-65 Macro lens. It's the ultimate macro lens for anybody who is serious and professional about macro photography.

Thanks, Racketman!

I've been wanting an MPE-65 for 2 years now. Last year I opted for a new camera (6D) instead, but it was top priority this year. It arrives Monday...I can't wait!

With the MPE-65, flash is best if you are shooting in the field. But the MPE-65 lends itself very well to indoor photography with focus stacking. Focus stacking is not hard to do and overcomes the problems with DOF when shooting with a lens like the MPE-65. For this kind of work, it is best to use continuous lighting rather than flash. Most of my shots with this lens have used continuous lighting, usually provided by daylight-balanced LED bulbs.

Here is an example, called Volcanoes.

I don't think you need a ring-flash. I have a Sigma EM140 and I don't use it much as it can be quite harsh. I find an ordinary flash in manual mode with a Rogue Flashbender attached is ideal for confined spaces because you can bend the reflector over the subject and it gives a very soft even light. Thery are quite cheap to buy, and fit any flash.

Here's mine on a Panasonic G3 camera with a Nissin flash. The shot doesn't do it full justice - you can bend it forward as well as at the sides.

see range here http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …5&N=4168864814+​4291457420

IMAGE LINK: http://www.macromeiste​r.co.uk …shots/n-qKwNk/i-CS56gqZ/A

Another down vote for ring flashes -no matter what you do with them the light will be flat. LED flash units do not fire fast enough to freeze motion (although I do like the light quality that some of them can produce).

Also there is no need to focus stack with the MPE-65mm, or use a tripod and focusing rail. A lot of the photographers in the macro community shoot hand held. Although not as obvious as freezing a balloon in mid pop or a bullet passing through an apple macro can be a form of flash based stop motion photography. Use a good diffuser (one that actually scatters the light instead of just blocking it) and get the flash close to the subject to keep the flash duration as short as possible (also makes the light more diffused) and you can get plenty of depth and detail with an MP-E 65mm that's stopped down.

As noted the ring flash is best avoided. Personally I use the twin flash but lots of people prefer a flash on a bracket because it is easier to diffuse.

Awesome! Thanks for the replies, everyone! So that flashbender will get enough light on the subject if used on a 430exII? I'd like to go that route if it's effective enough.

rob ashcroft wrote in post #17418431
I don't think you need a ring-flash. I have a Sigma EM140 and I don't use it much as it can be quite harsh. I find an ordinary flash in manual mode with a Rogue Flashbender attached is ideal for confined spaces because you can bend the reflector over the subject and it gives a very soft even light. Thery are quite cheap to buy, and fit any flash.

Here's mine on a Panasonic G3 camera with a Nissin flash. The shot doesn't do it full justice - you can bend it forward as well as at the sides.

The way you have this depicted, I would think you would get a hot spot from the flash close to the head, with only feeble light further way. The resulting light would not be very soft. Are these just my crazy imaginings or is this so?

I too am using a 270 EX II on a flash bracket.
The 270 EX II is being triggered using the 7D pop up flash, just bought the 270 EX II today (02-10-2015) very impressed with this little flash.

Just wish that the 270EX II was able to be used in two separate groups so that I could do ratio lighting. I guess I'll have to connect my PWflex TT5's and use the Zone controller. to achieve this.