MP-E 65 Macro Lens - Which Flash?

roli_bark wrote in post #3927182
Found these LED Ring replacements Rigs on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com …ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com …ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com …ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

Ranging $30 to $100 ... Are these any good ?

just a guees but i think there waste of time.the middle one dont look to bad..but imo its either mt24ex or the 420ex on braket..

Thanks for the input.

StealthLude,
I also use the 580ex with my MP-E 65 f/2.8 and I agree 100% with LordV. It just isn't worth the cost for me. With a 580ex you have more control of the light on the subject, the MR-14 & MT-24 are better for flat objects where no shadows are wanted. However for me I naturally see shadows on insects, flowers etc... so I like to replicate what I see.

But how do you focus in extreme conditions [x5 for example] ?

Doesn't the MT24EX come with preview focusing incandescent lights already?

Samdiver74 wrote in post #3928686
Doesn't the MT24EX come with preview focusing incandescent lights already?

Yes I think it does.
But the question of preview focussing light was refered to John_B who uses 580 regular flash.

MR 14EX has preview lights but they go out far too quickly when searching for focus at high mag.

mt24-ex has many settings..and if your on the move then its great..its not true what John_B...mt24-ex has custom ratios so u can make 1 of the flash heads fire before the other making a shadow..dalantech simpley moves the flash heads to a L shape..go look at his pics.. all with mt24-ex

this guys got skill http://www.flickr.com/​photos/dalantech/

macro junkie,
I meant more control over where to place the light. As in angle or placement, I have even used the flash as a back light.

roli_bark,
Yes at times it can be a little bit hard to focus but luckily I usually grab it enough to not need another $650 flash.

Here are two examples on how I find the 580ex more valuable then the much more expensive mt24-ex with the MP-E 65 f/2.8 lens (to me).


Purple Opening

IMAGE LINK: http://johnbdigital.co​m/flowers/purple_openi​ng.htm

IMAGE LINK: http://johnbdigital.co​m/flowers/opening.htm

John_B wrote in post #3931170
roli_bark,
Yes at times it can be a little bit hard to focus but luckily I usually grab it enough to not need another $650 flash.

Can you describe how you focus in extreme low light (x 5 magnification) ?

roli_bark,
By looking through the viewfinder and moving the camera. When I tried my MP-E 65 f/2.8 with my 2xTC in a dim lit room I used a flash light to help light up the subject to get it focused, as the 2xTC really took light away.

StealthLude wrote in post #3069257
I do have a set of sto-fens....

I really want the MR-14EX too, it creates a very cool effect for macro.

Which do you think you might like more?

The Power of the MT-24EX.

John_B wrote in post #3934542
I used a flash light to help light up the subject to get it focused, as the 2xTC really took light away.

Excuse me, but I don't get it. Is the 'Flash Light' duration long enough to maintain a 3 to 5 seconds focus tuning ?

roli_bark,
No I meant a Flash Light