Canon Macro ringlite MR-14EX, advice needed!

[Sheiky]

Hey guys,





I've found a very good deal on the Canon MR-14EX(70% of new price) and lately I've been debating what to do with my macrophotography: upgrade my lens to an L-series macro lens (100mm) or upgrade my flash, because the 430EX flash isn't working so well on FF as it worked on my 50D with macro. Believe me I've tried everything possible.


So I've got some questions (since there's very little to find about the MR-14EX):


A - Is it wise to buy a ringflash? [:P] (also I don't have money for the expensive twinflash, nor am I a macro-tripod-shooter, just as info)


B - How do I test this second hand flash and what are the things to look out for? In other words...what shows the degradation of a flash?





Thanks in advance!


Jan


PS: Oh I should mention that I will probably buy it tomorrow or this weekend so I'm in a bit of a hurry [:P]

[wickerprints]

You are better off with the flash.


Optically, the differences between the EF 100/2.8 macro and the EF 100/2.8L macro IS are negligible. In fact, I would even say that the latter has more lateral CA than the former. The only real benefit is that the L has IS, but even this is of limited use at 1:1, with only about 1-1.5 stops advantage in practice. In my opinion, the IS really only helps in terms of keeping the viewfinder steady for composition and slightly more accurate focus placement. However, it does not help with respect to movement parallel to the optical axis. Yes, the L is weather-sealed, but I don't think this is terribly significant for you.


The ring flash, however, will help tremendously, since it is only through the addition of sufficient light that you will be able to attain shutter speeds fast enough to permit sharp photos at high magnification. I do strongly advise you to consider the twin flash, though; although significantly more expensive than the ring, it offers far more lighting flexibility not just in terms of position, but also in the use of modifiers. The ring flash was designed primarily for medical and dental applications.


Flash lamps last quite a long while. They don't really lose output power over their lifetime, AFAIK, but if the lamp fails it fails completely. It is more likely that an internal electronic component (e.g. capacitor or circuit) fails before the lamp itself does. And so in general, if it hasn't failed yet, you can't really know anything about the internal electronics without opening it up.

[Jonathan Huyer]

I'm quite happy with my ring flash. I didn't get the twinflash, and so far it hasn't been an issue. What I like the most is that you can get a shot that doesn't look like a flash was used at all. In macro photography, you can set the camera to manual and choose your own aperture and shutter speed, allowing you to hand hold the camera and still get a nice depth of field. Here's an example (photographed at the Calgary zoo):


Canon 5DII, 180mm macro, 1/125s @ f/16, ISO 200


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.37.25/IMG_5F00_1399_2D00_1.jpg[/img]

[ddt0725]

I'm quite happy with my ring flash. I didn't get the twinflash, and so far it hasn't been an issue.

I'll second that! [Y] I am very happy with my ring flash and I recommend going this route (especially with the deal you have found on one) before upgrading your lens.

Jonathan - very nice photo BTW!

Denise

[neuroanatomist]

Is it wise to buy a ringflash? (also I don't have money for the expensive twinflash

I think it's a good option. Some will say that a ring flash provides 'flat' lighting that lacks dimension. That's true for the cheap off-brand ring flashes with a single tube. Since the MR-14EX has a pair of tubes, just set the ratio to 2:1 or 4:1 and you'll avoid that problem.


The MT-24EX twin-lite does offer more flexibility in lighting, sure. Thing is, even though the working distance of the 100mm macro seems short (ok, it is short!), at that distance the difference between the ring light and the twin light is minimized since the lights nearly merge to a single source. At really short working distances - meaning the MP-E 65mm - the twin light has a definite advantage.

the 430EX flash isn't working so well on FF as it worked on my 50D with macro. Believe me I've tried everything possible.

EVERYthing? [:P]





The sunflower was shot handheld (EOS 7D,EF 100mm f/2.8<span style="color: red;"]LMacro IS,1/60 s, f/13, ISO 400 with E-TTL flash metering and no post-processing), using the setup shown on the right: 430EX II with a Sto-Fen OmniBounce, mounted on aManfrotto 233B Flash Bracket with a GiottosMH1004 mini ball head and anOC-E3Off-Camera Shoe Cord.


It's a very flexible setup , and works great for handheld macro shooting with the 430EX II. I can position the flash head almost anywhere around the subject, including behind it for backlighting, if I want -the bracket extends to ~18"/45 cm. The bracket/ballhead/OC-E3 added up to ~US$140 (about half of that was the OC-E3 and there are much cheaper 3rd party options). As a bonus in terms of utility, it's also a nice setup for portraits (the 'usual' use for a flash bracket).
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[mikehillman89]

Sweet setup you've got there John! Bet you'd get some interesting questions walking around with that.

[Sheiky]

Hooray I've bought the MR-14EX!!!![]


I'm sorry to respond so late. Yesterdaymorning I got a big needle in my arm from the doctors (bursitis) and it was way too warm to sit in my room to be honest so I've moved my pc downstairs now[] At this very moment it's 32 degrees celcius there [A]89.6 Fahrenheit [:P]


Anyway after reading your replies on my cellphone I decided to check out the flash and it really made me happy. It functions very nicely and it looks brand new. It just twists a lttile to easy, so I'll look for something to fix that. (don't mention glue please [:P])


So I'll show you some photos later on. When I do have better ones to show [] I must say I love the twin-flash reflection. I had it in the eye of a frog in the backyard and it's a lot less distracting than the square reflection of the 430EXII speedlight I used to use with macro's. Big plus for that! [Y]

Yes, the L is weather-sealed, but I don't think this is terribly significant for you.

It was almost as important as IS for me. I love to go out even wen the weather is bad. I can enjoy those moments just as much as good weather. However I do think the flash is giving me much more joy than upgrading my lens. Anyway I'll see how I like it. Perhaps an upgrade will be done later, because I must say that the L-lens looks like it's better suited for other photography besides macro. So it might be used more.

I do strongly advise you to consider the twin flash, though; although significantly more expensive than the ring, it offers far more lighting flexibility not just in terms of position, but also in the use of modifiers. The ring flash was designed primarily for medical and dental applications.

I know but it's 350 euro vs 800 euro for the twin-flash....do the math [:P] And thinking I could get quite good results with only the 430EXII flash (at least I think so) the extra money was absolutely not worth it. But I did consider it...

And so in general, if it hasn't failed yet, you can't really know anything about the internal electronics without opening it up.

Thanks, this was helpful.



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I'm quite happy with my ring flash. I didn't get the twinflash, and so far it hasn't been an issue. What I like the most is that you can get a shot that doesn't look like a flash was used at all. In macro photography, you can set the camera to manual and choose your own aperture and shutter speed, allowing you to hand hold the camera and still get a nice depth of field. Here's an example (photographed at the Calgary zoo):

Awesome! Thanks a lot and thanks for the example, great shot. I thought...if it works well with a 180mm macro (further distances) it must also be working well with my 100mm. Thanks!



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I'm quite happy with my ring flash. I didn't get the twinflash, and so far it hasn't been an issue.

I'll second that![img]/emoticons/emotion-21.gif[/img] I am very happy with my ring flash and I recommend going this route (especially with the deal you have found on one) before upgrading your lens.

<div>Thanks Denise and thanks for the PM []</div>
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That's true for the cheap off-brand ring flashes with a single tube. Since the MR-14EX has a pair of tubes, just set the ratio to 2:1 or 4:1 and you'll avoid that problem.

I will have to work out what ratio works best for me. I'm gonna do some testing when I have some time []

the 430EX flash isn't working so well on FF as it worked on my 50D with macro. Believe me I've tried everything possible.

EVERYthing?[img]/emoticons/emotion-4.gif[/img]

Haha you got me! Well yea I tried pretty much everything possible for an attached flash [:P] but not something like this []



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It's a very flexible setup , and works great for handheld macro shooting with the 430EX II. I can position the flash head almost anywhere around the subject, including behind it for backlighting, if I want -the bracket extends to ~18"/45 cm. The bracket/ballhead/OC-E3 added up to ~US$140 (about half of that was the OC-E3 and there are much cheaper 3rd party options). As a bonus in terms of utility, it's also a nice setup for portraits (the 'usual' use for a flash bracket).

That's a pretty sweet set-up. However I doubt it would work for me personally. I like to "hunt" bugs etc. I think such a set-up asks for too much adjustment and time, which I normally don't have a lot. Most bugs I try to shoot aren't too exited to get photographed and they don't sit still 9/10 times.


Thanks for the example and the advice!


Again thank you all,


Jan
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[neuroanatomist]

Yesterdaymorning I got a big needle in my arm from the doctors (bursitis)

Ouch! []

I love to go out even when the weather is bad. I can enjoy those moments just as much as good weather.

Me too. I'm glad I started with the L version of the 100mm macro - I've certainly used it in the rain. In my case, the L version was available when I first bought a macro lens, so it was a easier choice - upgrading would have been a tougher decision.

I must say that the L-lens looks like it's better suited for other photography besides macro.

I wouldn't say 'better suited' - it's very well-suited to macro and other types of shooting. We went on a family outing to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society's gardens, and since I wanted travel light, the only lens I took was the EF 100mm f/2.8<span style="color: red;"]LMacro IS. In addition to some great flower shots, I got some good handheld insect shots, and also some great portrait shots. It's really a wonderfully versatile lens!

That's a pretty sweet set-up. However I doubt it would work for me personally. I like to "hunt" bugs etc.

Yeah, some adjustment is involved, though I can pretty much leave it as shown and it does ok for 'bug hunting'. Still, the whole setup is a bit unwieldy - it was intended mainly for portraits. The dedicated macro flashes are still bulky and I'll probably pick up a ring light or twin light down the line.


Congrats on your purchase - enjoy your new flash!

[ddt0725]

Hooray I've bought the MR-14EX!!!![img]/emoticons/emotion-2.gif[/img]

Congrats, Jan!! [Y] I knew you would love it!! Lookin' forward to seeing some photos soon!

Denise

[Sheiky]

I love to go out even when the weather is bad. I can enjoy those moments just as much as good weather.

Me too. I'm glad I started with the L version of the 100mm macro - I've certainly used it in the rain. In my case, the L version was available when I first bought a macro lens, so it was a easier choice - upgrading would have been a tougher decision.

Yeah updating is a not an easy choice[]I will debate on it for quite a while I think... I think the flash will give me some positive reinforcement as well to keep the golden oldie []

We went on a family outing to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society's gardens, and since I wanted travel light, the only lens I took was the EF 100mm f/2.8<span style="color:red;"]LMacro IS. In addition to some great flower shots, I got some good handheld insect shots, and also some great portrait shots. It's really a wonderfully versatile lens!

Nice shots! I like the butterfly picture, beautiful natural light. Although just a bit of fill-in flash would be better I think[:P] Great shot of the little one []

The dedicated macro flashes are still bulky and I'll probably pick up a ring light or twin light down the line.


Congrats on your purchase - enjoy your new flash!

Haha well I will enjoy mine I think, thanks! I probably will go out this afternoon to try it. Hopefully there will be some living things around, it's very hot at the moment. 35celcius in shade [6] If I have something I'll post it [] Perhaps I can convince you for a ring or twinflash [8-|]



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Congrats, Jan!![img]/emoticons/emotion-21.gif[/img] I knew you would love it!! Lookin' forward to seeing some photos soon!

Thanks! I hope I get some show-able material this afternoon![]
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