Lightweight macro flash options.....

Hi,
Have tried different options of diffusers for taking small insects macro….all of them DIY stuffs…but more or less effective. But my problem lies with the huge weight of the non ETTL/manual flashgun itself ( a four battery with GN 60)..…..(even damaged a DIY rig due to it’s weight) .
Is it possible to use a small flash like the Canon 90EX, mounted in front of the lens somehow ( at present don’t know how……) at an approximate angle of 45 degrees…??
The dedicated twin flash system is out of my budget and do not like to use any of the ring flashes……due to the weird ring reflections and more importantly since they cannot be used with the ET-67 hood on my Canon 100f2.8 lens……I fancy taking macro shots with the hood on.
Till now I have adjusted the flash power manually and taken most the shots on manual mode,with MF.
Also looking for some even smaller flash options…. a set of 2 could be used on a rig.
Have gone through some good-looking options like these
https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=17390508
available online…but unfortunately they are not available here in India.

Advice sought

Thanks all.

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I, too, prefer lightweight macro rig. I use a 270EX on hot shoe and concave diffuser for my macro work, something like this.

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Thanks friends....

Got a cheap replica of the 270EX.....now to mount it on something. Also need an extension cord.

Would keep the post updated.

Cheers...!!!

PIXPHATIC wrote in post #17440609
Thanks friends....

Got a cheap replica of the 270EX.....now to mount it on something. Also need an extension cord.

Would keep the post updated.

Cheers...!!!

Lots of ideas on Kurt's page above.
Attaching 270 to your lens hood seems too easy not to try.

Hi all,
Seem to get a macro flash rig just as I wanted.......lightweig​ht,portable,effective.​.....but very very inexpensive.I wanted to get a flash rig without attaching anything to my camera body.The earlier rigs were comparatively heavy,cumbersome.
Also I always prefer to have the hood on my lens.This way I got what I actually wanted. It is made up of 1/2 inch wide & 2mm thick aluminium strips.Without the flash weighs around 50 gms.Effective cost of production around 1$........

The flash is 2 battery inexpensive alternative to 270EX....which is lightweight too.

Only downside is the assembling takes some time ) abt 3-5 mins .....and requires a screwdriver......

Well I am working on that part now....

Could not resist posting my newest macro-flash rig.....Got it set yesterday....tested on some minute articles.Sorry for the hazy images.Hope to post some nice shots in coming days after actual field testing.

One more thing......I always have my 1.4X TC on with my macro lens......so it actually helped me to create the space to put my rig on my lens.....

I put some self-adhesived paper and 2mm thick rubber sheet on that part of the lens and hood touching the rig...so that on frequent assembling and dis-assembling....they are all very safe.

With flash,batteries,connec​ting wires....the set-up weighs around 200gms.That too the weight is evenly distributed between the lens and the hood via the small bridge (on which the flash is actually positioned).

Do you have any sample images with that rig?

I went out today with my new rig.....took some shots.
Shared herewith.....

1.

IMAGE LINK: http://s1107.photobuck​et.com/user/PIXPHATIC/​library/

Photo by PIXPHATIC

IMAGE LINK: http://s1107.photobuck​et.com/user/PIXPHATIC/​library/

Photo by PIXPHATIC

IMAGE LINK: http://s1107.photobuck​et.com/user/PIXPHATIC/​library/

Photo by PIXPHATIC

IMAGE LINK: http://s1107.photobuck​et.com/user/PIXPHATIC/​library/

Photo by PIXPHATIC

Looking good, although the specular highlights look a little "hot". Try either getting the diffuser close to the subject, make a bigger diffuser, or both.