Is it better to use a ring light rather than a flash gun? And do you know if it's worth spending more on a ring flash as opposed to getting a cheap one?
Sent from my SM-N920W8 using Tapatalk
As is almost always the case the answer is "it depends".
Flash guns if mounted on the camera will shoot over the subject so you need some sort of modifier to 'bend' the light down onto the subject. I build a few samples of Pringle Flash Benders from pringle chip tubes.
Super Easy Macro Lighting Using a Pringles Can - DIY Photography or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I4y2u58zOk There are many other ways to achieve this end.
I've been there done that and it works - and bonus you get to eat Pringles.
There are other ways to send the light from the flash down onto the subject - for example ....
This fella's macros' are wondrous -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZcYXUMkhek&t=325s and this is how he uses a flash gun for macro
Modifying your flash will probably mean your TTL won't give you as accurate exposure, you'll probably want to play with exposure comp to get the level of light you want.
ON the other hand the ring is neater and gives illumination right on the subject - and you may like the catch-lights it produces - or not.
The one I bought was about $75 and works fine, it is fully adjustable, can be used as a flash (get's twice as bright as a flash as full power constant light). You can turn on one side or the other or both sides. There are a few reviews of this cheaper gizmo you can look up on line.
You can pay more if you need more light. Depends on how far you want the light to go - this is good enough for macro work when the subject is within inches of the light - maybe up to a foot or two at the most. It is not a powerful light and LED lighting falls of pretty quickly. So 'it depends'. What do you want to shoot? Your little lead soldier collection, then this would be dandy.
I've not owned the expensive LED Ring lights to compare so can't really comment on what your extra few hundred dollars will buy you. I can read that it does get you TTL which may be useful - but I've managed with manual - you can look turn on live view and adjust the light to get what you want. I suppose if you are out shooting bugs TTL would be handy to get the perfect exposure if you only get one shot at that bug before if flies away. Maybe someone who has shelled out the big bucks for one of these will let us know the benefits.
There are other gizmo's that are used to position LED lights on flexible arms that allow you to put the light where you want it (I have that set up too) works but I find it a little ackward. I have a pair of small LED light panels and gizmo with two flexible 'arms' that position those lights. Handy but can be cumbersome.