Macro Ringlight

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hsiehjon

Senior Member
Any suggestions for a good macro ringlight that won't break the bank? I'm looking at $100-150USD range.

Also, will I need to purchase rings to attach the flash to the lens?

Thanks in advance.
 
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Moab Man

Senior Member
I've known a couple people with macro rings and they didn't like them much and eventually quit using them. I would look at what mikew linked for some better ideas.
 
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mikew_RIP

Senior Member
Moab Man said:
For what reason? Just don't use it or the results are just not quite what you hoped to get?
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The main reason i dont use it is the flash glare you can get on a shiny part of the subject,as for the actual light intensity and spread i find it great,been thinking for a while i should have another go with diffusers over the flash tubes.
 
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Ironwood

Senior Member
I bought a Yongnuo MR-58. I found it disappointing, with some perseverance you could get just passable shots.

The best low cost flash set-up is using the onboard flash on your camera combined with the packing foam diffuser on the end of the lens , AKA " The Scott Murray Diffuser "
for details and photos check the link that @mikew linked to in post #4. It works, and its cheap.
 
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Elliot87

Senior Member
I was in the same position as you @hsiehjon a couple of weeks ago, looking at getting flash rings etc. but for the time being have gone down the home made diffuser and on board flash route. I still have lots of learning to do and I will try some other designs out as I when I get suitable materials but I'm happy with what I've been able to get so far with my basic set up.

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SkvLTD

SkvLTD

Senior Member
Ultimately it seems speedlight+diffuser seems to be the most popular choice. I have WJ-60 continuous ring from yongnuo, but hardly use it for macro because its not quite that powerful, but otherwise useful for light painting. For $20 its a very handy flashlight to own.
 
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rocketman122

Senior Member
SkvLTD said:
Ultimately it seems speedlight+diffuser seems to be the most popular choice. I have WJ-60 continuous ring from yongnuo, but hardly use it for macro because its not quite that powerful, but otherwise useful for light painting. For $20 its a very handy flashlight to own.
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BOOM! ringlights are a bit overrated. a simple speedlight and diffuser/small softbox is the way to go. get it off camera with inexpensive slaves and its great.

flash-any of these will do
| ThePhotoGadget.com

Id suggest if youre getting one, get one that will do TTL and manual, not only manual so u can use on camera as well.

slave-
Yongnuo RF-603 II Wireless Flash Trigger Set for Nikon N3 | ThePhotoGadget.com

I dont have affiliation with the seller. just have bought some slaves and flashes from him. u can find the same from ebay and amazon. you choose.

softbox-

Mini Portable 9" 23cm Softbox Diffuser F Reflecter Flash Speedlite Speedlight | eBay

just giving an example but you can find bigger or others. the selection is huge. just typed in mini softbox. if youre shooting out in the heavy contrasty sun overhead, a reflector may be better to soften and difuse the light so you dont get hard shadows.

60cm 24" Photography Studio Translucent Collapsible Light Photo Reflectors | eBay

you can find five in one (gold/silver/white/black/translucent) like this which is good to have also for outdoor portrait sessions.

when I buy, I always try to buy tools that will let me use them in many different styles of shooting and situations. so no "specific" tools.

oh and if you need to mount the flash and youre traveling light, maybe a mount

large flexible tripod | eBay
 
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