flash for macro work

[DaiPK]

hi guys im new to all this and im looking for some advice. I have a Nikon d3100 with the 18 - 55 and 55-200 kit lenses and a tripod. Im now going to purchase the Sigma 150mm f/2.8 macro lens, to photograph my snakes and some insects(hopefully). Im guessing a flash will be a good investment

. Any recommendations for flashes which will suit my purpose? i have £150, maybe £200 at a push.
Do i just need a standard flash, or are there any specific features i need for macro??
Also, if anyone has any relevant articles/links i can read that'd be much appreciated

Thanks guys​

 

[jrizal]

Not an expert on the subject but I found these. And this is what I'll first do or consider should I really go into macro photography.

Photographic: Using Flash For Macro

Full Flash Macro Photography tips | Up Close with Nature

Macro Flash | OutdoorPhotographer.com



Amazon.co.uk: macro ring flash (These are lowend equipment but should still get one going for a start. Also others use a diffuser box with a remote flash under manual mode. Just google more on the subject. This is probably all I can contribute which is not really much nonetheless a start. Experienced user can definitely elaborate more. )

 

[jake337]

Check out Brian Valentine aka Lordv's tutorial on macro.

Macrophotography by LordV - Canon Digital Photography Forums



I would say a flash, in general, is a great investment in many areas of photography.


I made one of these for my sb600:

Used my 46in umbrella as a shoot through for these:

You definitely do not need a flash for macro. But the thing is once you start to see how thin of a DOF you get, even at F16 or F22 you can only imagine how thin it would be at F2.8 to F8. Also with macro, onve you get to 1:1 or lifesize, you get light loss. So when shooting at F2.8 and focusing all the way to 1:1(lifesize) your effective aperture(is this the right wording?) will be F5.6.

Here's an example:
My D90 with a tokina 100mm f2.8 macro mounted


Closest focusing distance 11.6 inches shot at F2.8 gives you a total DOF of .03 inches! That is .01 inches front and .01 inches behind the the sharpest line of the focal plane.

Even at F32 you only get .14 inches front and .15 inches behind the focus point.


You need alot of light to shoot at those apertures!

 

[cgipson1]

It depends on what you want to do. My recommendation for a beginner to macro is just a standard flash (Sb600 or 700 minimum preferably if you buy Nikon, don't waste your time on the SB400). Any after market flash will work fine too... since you will be using it in manual, but you need enough power to drive a small softbox with it.

Small softbox, something like the cheap Fotodiox's : Amazon.com: Fotodiox 6"x8" Softbox for Nikon, Canon, Vivita, Sunpack, Nissin,Sigma, Sony, Pentax, Olympus, Panasonica Lumix Flash: Camera & Photo or Amazon.com: Fotodiox 8"x12" Softbox for Nikon , Canon Speedlights Vivita ,Sunpack, Nissin,Sigma, Sony, Pentax, Olympus, Panasonica Lumix: Camera & Photo

or something similar.....


Fleshfly (family Sarcophagidae) by CGipson Photography, on Flickr


Box Elder Beetle by CGipson Photography, on Flickr


Yellow Jacket Face by CGipson Photography, on Flickr


CA Orb Weaver 3 by CGipson Photography, on Flickr

 

[djacobox372]

If u want to save some $$, consider an older flash like a Nikon sb28 or a vivitar 283hv. U won't have ttl but that's not as big of deal as u may think.

 

[jake337]

If u want to save some $$, consider an older flash like a Nikon sb28 or a vivitar 283hv. U won't have ttl but that's not as big of deal as u may think.

Yeah I would have more than two sb600s if I went that route, and I have yet to use TTL


I've thought about selling them both and see how many of the cheaper ones I could get.

 

[DaiPK]

wow! great photos guys, and thanks for all the help!

I was looking at the sb700 but was wondering if there was perhaps a cheaper option available brand new anyone would recommend?

ill probably end up buying the sb700 as its got all the bells and whistles etc. im not 100% yet though!!

 

[cgipson1]

wow! great photos guys, and thanks for all the help!

I was looking at the sb700 but was wondering if there was perhaps a cheaper option available brand new anyone would recommend?

ill probably end up buying the sb700 as its got all the bells and whistles etc. im not 100% yet though!!

Any of the Yongnuo's would do you... as would the Vivitar 283 /285 series. The older Nikon SB-28's are out there.. and sometimes you can find SB-600's for a good price.

 

[DaiPK]

Thanks for all the info guys!! I've ordered the sigma 150, SB 700 and TTL cable so ill be eating beans on toast for the next few weeks! Gonna re read all the links posted above ready for tomorrow(delivery day fingers crossed)

 

[sm4him]

Thanks for all the info guys!! I've ordered the sigma 150, SB 700 and TTL cable so ill be eating beans on toast for the next few weeks! Gonna re read all the links posted above ready for tomorrow(delivery day fingers crossed)

Get that Fotodiox softbox for flash that Charlie mentioned, too (or something similar)--being able to diffuse that flash will be immensely helpful. You could also DIY one, like jake showed, but the Fotodiox is so inexpensive and a great tool to have.

 

[JaronRH]

I would recommend the SB700 flash as it has TTL and can be aimed down 7-degrees which helps when using it on the camera. If you're doing on-location macro shots (ex: bugs), I would get a small softbox that can be used when the flash is on-camera just to help soften the light (you don't want that nasty flash glare on everything!). If you're doing staged shots where you can setup, I would recommend getting a TTL-cable (Zeikos sells them at a good price) and a softbox (16"x16" min but I would actually go with a 43" umbrella softbox) with stand, mount and a reflector.


Single light, 43" Umbrella/Softbox on the left and a white tray used as a reflector on the right:

Softbox and Umbrella (2 SB-600's via CLS)

Single-flash, SB-600

SB-600 on camera

SB-600 on camera

On-location, SB-600 flash via CLS

 

[DaiPK]

Thanks for all the info guys!! I've ordered the sigma 150, SB 700 and TTL cable so ill be eating beans on toast for the next few weeks! Gonna re read all the links posted above ready for tomorrow(delivery day fingers crossed)

Get that Fotodiox softbox for flash that Charlie mentioned, too (or something similar)--being able to diffuse that flash will be immensely helpful. You could also DIY one, like jake showed, but the Fotodiox is so inexpensive and a great tool to have.

Yeah a soft box is definitely on my wanted list. I checked the one Charlie mentioned but it would have to be shipped from the states (im in the UK) so its gonna take a week or two i would have thought, and i have blown the budget and then some on the flash (cost me the best part of £300 with the TTL lead) so ill go down Jakes DIY route instead for the time being!!

I would recommend the SB700 flash as it has TTL and can be aimed down 7-degrees which helps when using it on the camera. If you're doing on-location macro shots (ex: bugs), I would get a small softbox that can be used when the flash is on-camera just to help soften the light (you don't want that nasty flash glare on everything!). If you're doing staged shots where you can setup, I would recommend getting a TTL-cable (Zeikos sells them at a good price) and a softbox (16"x16" min but I would actually go with a 43" umbrella softbox) with stand, mount and a reflector.


Single light, 43" Umbrella/Softbox on the left and a white tray used as a reflector on the right:

Softbox and Umbrella (2 SB-600's via CLS)

Single-flash, SB-600

SB-600 on camera

SB-600 on camera

On-location, SB-600 flash via CLS

WOW! the colours are amazing in your shots! They have certainly inspired me to get out there once my lens comes, especially the one of the lens. Hadn't really thought of doing much still life tbh but im quite taken with that shot, Awesome work!

Out of interest, what camera and lens do you use?? Also i was wondering if you use a flash bracket when you say on camera, or is it in the hot shoe?? The reason i ask is i came across a thread on a different forum(i forget which one sorry) where people were posting pics of their macro setups and 90% were using rather elaborate brackets. I just wondered if it was possible to achieve results like you have in the hot shoe as yours are certainly up there with, if not, the best pics ive seen in my research!

 

[jrizal]

The same or similar soft/diffuser box can also be ordered from Amazon UK. Given the exchange rate, it has a higher price.

Fotodiox 6"x8" Softbox for Nikon Flash, Canon: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fotodiox-So...22RO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359406954&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-D...3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1359407252&sr=1-3 (the cheaper version)

 

[DaiPK]

The same or similar soft/diffuser box can also be ordered from Amazon UK. Given the exchange rate, it has a higher price.

Fotodiox 6"x8" Softbox for Nikon Flash, Canon: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fotodiox-So...22RO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359406954&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-D...3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1359407252&sr=1-3 (the cheaper version)

yeah i woulda bought the fotodiox one as someone has vouched for it but its dispatched from the USA, even through amazon.co.uk

Seen as you've gone to the trouble of finding an alternative ill give it a blast seen as its only £8! On your head be it....its a matter of when, not if i run out of money this month after buying the lens and flash. If it turns out to be a pile of junk ill be cursing you lol!!

 

[jrizal]

Didn't notice that. My bad