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I am doing some macro work in the garden and elsewhere with my 50D and 100/2.8 (non-IS). I am thinking of getting a Canon macro ringlight MR 14EX for this purpose. My only existing flash in the 430EX. Since I do mainly birds and people, would I be better off getting the 580EXII, or getting this macro flash and diversifying my setup. Thanks for your help.
Hi Jay,
I use the 580EXII, Macro Ring flash, and just acquired the Twinlite flash as well. If macro is an important component of your photographic repertoire, the ring and/or twin are a good investment -- they allow you to illuminate very close subjects. In a pinch, they will also work on conventional subjects, but have limited range (especially the ring flash). If you're ring-flashing objects with water droplets or other curved reflective surfaces (like jewelry or glassware), look out for the bright little ( ) reflections -- they look pretty weird. I used my Twinlite last night to photograph a 12mm crab spider on maple leaves in the dark. The LED focusing lamps are amazing! I could clearly see my subject, focus and shoot. The lamps do time-out after a few seconds, and also turn off when you press the shutter button. I've made fine images with both. These macro flashes are pricey (the Twinlite is about 1.5 the cost of the ring lite), but well worth it if you do a lot of "macro safariing". For physically rough field work, especially in heavy vegetation, the ring flash is more compact, lighter and has fewer dongles to catch on brambles. The Twinlite gives superior and more flexible illumination, but is more delicate.
One more important thing about the Canon macro flashes: The flash elements will only fit onto Canon's series of macro lenses (50, 60, 100, 180mm macro lenses) -- not conventional lenses. For practical purposes, that restricts you to using those macro lenses for those flashes.
As for the 580EXII, it's a great conventional flash with good reach, efficient power management and quick recovery between flashes. If as you say, your primary interest is non-macro (i.e., wildlife, people, landscape), and you're feeling limited by the reach of your 430EX, get this first and use an off-camera extension for close-in work. For telephoto work, the 580 has excellent reach with a flash extender.
--Craig
By far the cheapest option to consider is to place your 430EX on the hot shoe with a Stofen Omnibounce Fiffuser. I know the hot shoe is the worst possible place in theory but with the diffuser it works well, I use a 550EX and use the camera to set the fill in flash at -1.33 to -2.0 EV depending on subject. You will have little to lose - I bet the diffuser is cheaper over there than here where I paid £15.:)
This may be worth considering - I find it versatile.
http://www.orbisflash.com/wawcs0130714/tn-home.html
Jay
I use the 430EX, 580EX and 580EX II in my multi-flash setups. I find the main advantage of the 580EX II is a better design/build and hot-show adaptor. The power difference isn't that great, and with bird photography usually you are using it for fill-flash where you can easily compensate for the power differences.
I got try the macro flashes on last year's Panama IPT with Artie and agree totally with Craig's comment. The Twin Lite was superior to the MacroRing. I also learnt - be carful with cheaper non-Canon units (don't work as well attaching to the lenses)
If you can afford it - i'd suggest buying a macro flash and keeping your 430EX
Thanks for your help. Its been very valuable in this decision. Since this will be a father's day present, I have a little time to decide. But, doing some in-house macro has led me to decide that I definitely want to go with a macro flash. I have my 100/2.8 mounted on the tripod ring B and I do exclusively tripod work with this lens. I found it difficult to use my existing 430ex off shoe. So, now the question is whether to spring for the ring light or the MT-24x. The latter is pricey. But, I saw one today advertised used for $540 on a well known website for equipment. The ring light is now available at NY's leading stores for $445. Time to decide.
I have used the MR-14 for years and it is a brilliant flash but the Manual that comes with it is disgusting and Canon don't have a Download Manual for the one product that desperately needs one.
I had the more expensive Twin Lite before bur much prefer the Ring Light for close work and it can be used as a Master for other slave units if required.
