Sigma Ring Flash vs. Canon

don't forget your shooting a highly reflective subject...

Right, I think I've got an idea...

I don't think it'd be such a great idea to return the ring flash, simply due to the fact that at some point over the next year I might well be buying the MP-E 65mm, and I'm more than likely going to need it then.

Also, I'm thinking, do they not sell wires/arms which can clip onto a tripod and hold say, a piece of grass steady in the wind? I'm thinking, surely, I will be able to find something similar which could be adapted to enable it to hold the ring flash off camera whereever I want it? Then I wouldn't have such difficulty when taking shots and I'd be able to move the light source to whereever I'd like it.

As for a diffuser, it shouldn't be particularly difficult to make (or even buy) something now that the lens in the centre is no longer a factor to work around - Jessops even does a universal flash diffuser which looks, effectively, like a white shower cap for a flash. That, I'm thinking, would partially eliminate the ugly catchlights the flash creates, and really smooth out the light.

I have very little idea about all the technicalities of what I'm doing, so any advice would again be much appreciated! Also, I'd really like to know whether people think that this is a good idea or not - I've seen some pretty creative inventions for this kind of thing before, so I'm trying to be as optimistic as possible!

Thank you!

Jack McEntire wrote in post #9342711
...Also, I'm thinking, do they not sell wires/arms which can clip onto a tripod and hold say, a piece of grass steady in the wind? I'm thinking, surely, I will be able to find something similar which could be adapted to enable it to hold the ring flash off camera whereever I want it? Then I wouldn't have such difficulty when taking shots and I'd be able to move the light source to whereever I'd like it...

Do some "kitchen table testing" before investing more money in the ring flash. I actually mounted my MR-14EX above a macro lens thinking, like you, that it might make a better light source that way. E-TTL wouldn't work at all -extremely inconsistent exposures. Manual flash mode worked, but I didn't like the light quality. YMMV.

FWIW: Even on the MPE-65mm a ring flash produces flat looking light. Even with the MT-24EX I extend one of the flash heads to get it up over the top of the subject to give me better "3D" lighting.

Oh right, okay, I'll have a bit more of a play around with it first then. As I said before, I have no idea about flash photography at all, and, in all honesty, I don't actually know what E-TTL is/does. What difference does it make, and what was wrong with the manual flash mode?

If you could possibly explain to me how bracket mounting a flash works and what its advantages/disadvantag​es are I'd really appreciated it - one of the main reasons I'm so hesistant about exchanging the ring flash for a regular one is because I have very little knowledge about what could actually be achieved by a regular flash, and I don't want to go through all the hastle of returning the item and finding I'm stuck! Also, how much money would a regular flash (with all the bracket-mounting accessories, etc...) cost me? The ring flash cost £220, so how would it compare?

Sorry for all the questions, I just want to get this sorted properly!

Nothing wrong with using a flash in manual mode -but sometimes I don't have time to mess with it and would rather use the flash in E-TTL mode -the camera meters the scene and sets the appropriate flash power (hopefully).

I'm the wrong guy to ask about a flash / bracket combo because I shoot with the MT-24EX, but a bracket just helps you get the flash closer to the subject (better diffusion). See the Apparent Light Size article for information on how diffusion is effected by the size of the diffuser relative to the subject.

Okay, thanks again for the help.

Right, I've had another browse! If I were to return the ring flash, here's what I think I'd get:

Canon 430 EX MK II Speedlite (http://www.camerabox.c​o.uk/product1.asp?Prod​uctID=5541)
£189.99
-
Barber Tech Flexi Arm (http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …r_Tech_FLA_Flex​i_Arm.html)
£31 ($49.95) + £32.76 P+P (!?)
-
Jessops Universal Flash Diffuser (http://www.jessops.com …/products/50441​/show.html)
£5
-

Does this look like a good choice? I've seen a lot of people with their flashguns sidemounted and positioned above their lens using an extension arm - why is this? Why not just attach the arm directly to the hotshoe on the camera? Probably a stupid question, my apologies!

Also, does anyone know where I can get the Barber Tech Flexi Arm (or something equivalent) besides B&H? I live in the UK and the P&P is VERY expensive (more expensive than the arm itself!) and it total it would cost me over £60!

Any help or advice would again be much appreciated!

you can buy a cheaper bracket but you need to buy the cord. I assume that thing already has a cord inside...

the flash weight a bit and your putting all the tension in a tiny hotshoe

By a bracket do you mean something similar in style to that flexible arm? Or do you literally just mean a plain old bracket?

Do you think that these items would be a good investment in comparison to the ring flash? I'm still not sure whether I should go for it or not...

something like this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk …IMSfp=TL0910161​69002r1278

At one time I wanted a ring flash but couldn't justify the expense for something that I may not like.
I already had a 580 ex flash so went for one of these. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk …ts_JN?hash=item​518a123465

It does work very well putting the flash on the hotshoe or by the side on a bracket and it didn't break the bank.