Macro & Flash photography
 

Hi all just a question which i am sure someone out there can answer.

I want to take some macro photos inddors.

The pop up flash is not powerful enough.

Is it possible to run a flash gun on a lead to place in various positions?

If so what do I need, and can I do it on a budget?

Many thanks

Nogbad

Hi, and yes you can do it on a lead. If you notice in my behind the scenes shots in the ' Flash thread ' I almost never use on camera flash. Cannot remember your camera make to suggest a possible lead.

Don

Hi Don, I have a Nikon D70 and use the Nikon 60mm Nikor Micro lens, so pop up flash may be limited as I need to get quite close to the subject.

Thanks

Nogbad

Hi Nogbad,

On the case. I use the Nikon SC17 lead but do not know if that is still current. I know Stephen ( Foxy Bob ) has the SC28 which may have replaced it.

I will check that out. A few questions now to help with the answer.

Do you currently have a seperate flash ? If so does it link in to the camera's Intelligent Flash system?

If you do not yet have that then there are some budget considerations. I am guessing you would prefer the TTL metering route.

See you are going to spend those £££££'s you've been saving.:)

Don

Nogbad, The current Nikon off camera lead is the SC28 - WHE price £ 49.99.

Don

Don, no I don't have a separate flash and find the Nikon dedicated flash to expensive. I was looking to find another flash say by jessops or some other compatable flash.

I am hoping I can find a suitable set up as I am currently using loads of small prtable lamps and other light sources to light the subjects as well as natural light from the window.

Nogbad

Nogbad,

I think we need the man himself here ( wolfie ).:)

Wolfie has a great and cheap Jessops setup but I don't know how he controls the light output. If you give an all up budget we can try and find the best options for the money.

Don

Hi Nogbad,

The shop down Eld Lane did me a Sigma EF 500 DG ST dedicated unit for £100. I find it is a very nice unit for the money, I took my "water ripples" shot using this unit. If you are serious about flash you may find the EF 500 DG SUPER to be a better buy, bit more bells and whistles, but more than I was looking for. You can get the Super for about £150.

Duncan

Yes! - I have SC-28 which replaced SC-17. I understand the SC-28 has a better flash or hot-shoe connector with greater security.

Stephen (Foxy Bob):D

Hi guy's thAnks for info it's a bit mind bogling. Price wise I am looking to pay between £150.00 and £200.00 but this includes a set of extension tubes as well.

I know Jessups do a flash with Bounce, swivel and Zoom(280D) for about £65.00 but dont mind paying upto a £100.00 for a flash.

Duncan, I know the shop in Eld lane it is where I bought the camera and all my lenses from.

Gosh this photography lark is getting expensive. I find myself saying "I need..."

Nogbad

Hi Nogbad,

Afraid its all about choices. Depends on what you want really. There are 3 stages of expenditure in flash.
1) The most expensive option is also the easiest in use. The D70 uses Nikons InteliFlash which is very, very clever. The camera controls the flash exposure and you just worry about where to place the gun relative to subject.
2) Auto flash. A sensor in the flashgun will limit exposure depending on the setting you apply. A bit more knowledge of flash required.
3) Cheapest. All manual control but far greater knowledge required.

Before you can consider option 2 or 3 you need to see if in your custom settings you can set your pop up flash to manual. If you can then it can be used as a trigger for options 2 or 3. If you cannot we will need to ask for another Forum member who is able to do a test so I can understand the options better.

Don

Hi Don, yes I can set the camera to manual flash in the menu system. So does this mean I can by a flash gun and use the pop flash to control exposure?

Nogbad

Hi Nogbad,

That means options 2 & 3 are available to you. Both of which mean learning a bit about flash. Its all a budget thing. From a standing start and if you wanted to do a lot then option 1 is the easiest and most versatile. Check Harry's latest post.
For option 2 and 3 we will need to understand what subjects you are looking at generally taking. Harry's Jessops twin flash may be what you would fancy. If this is so we need to ask him if those units have a controlable output or sensor. I can tailor a flash info job to suit you.

Check it out and come back. I think all info is in the Macro thread.

Don

"Harry's Jessops twin flash may be what you would fancy. If this is so we need to ask him if those units have a controlable output or sensor. I can tailor a flash info job to suit you"

The Jessops flashguns cannot be controlled, so full output only. Even so I did not find this to be a problem as the flash sync speed on my Canon is 1/200 + being able to stop down to f/32 gave me all the control I ever required.

Harry

Thanks Harry

Don

Nogbad,

I'm going to have a trawl through AP second hand section. Can't believe how much Nikon tubes are new.:eek:

This will also beg the question how much magnification are you looking at. Draw a circle and give an idea of what that measures.

Don

Don thanks, I have seen how much the Nikon ext tubes are. Wow! I have found some Kenko Ext tubes at about £110.00, and will probably plump for these unless I can find a set cheaper.

Now for the really Thicko question! Draw a circle and do what with it?
Do I photograph it at the largest magnification on my macro lens and then measure that?

Sorry if I am being really dense here! I really am not technically minded.

Nogbad

Hi Nogbad,

In order to try and establish some sort of info on flash I wanted to establish how close the lens will be to the subject. If you draw a circle or use a coin that covers an area roughly equal to your subject, I can simulate that here to see the lighting problem. I have a 55mm lens which will be near enough. The difference with Harrys set up is he is using I think 105mm which increases the lens to subject distance.

I did some pics in the Macro thread where I show a tape measure to give an idea of what I mean. Pic here http://www.worldphotographyforum.com...0&d=1135954278

I'm on a roll here so this is a link to the thread. http://www.worldphotographyforum.com...read.php?t=314

Don

Hi Don, currently I use the Nikor 60mm macro lens and the closest I can get is about 8 inches. which gives a fairly good close up. I am looking to take photo's of insects and plants mainly but would like to do some indoor work also at sometime hence the question re flash.

Nogbad

Nogbad,

Have you seen Harrys Jessops flash set up. Pic in post 40 of this thread.
http://www.worldphotographyforum.com...hp?t=94&page=4

Don

Hi Don yes it looks excellent. I have decided to go to my local shop where i bought the camera and see what prices they can do for the flash unit.

As for the extension tubes I think i will plump for the Kenko set which is quite reasonable.

Thanks for all your suggestions and advice. I dont think this is the last of my queries on this subject though.

Nogbad

Hi thanks to all for their advice. I bought a Nikon flash in the end. The sigma was Cheaper by a £100.00 but the guy did a deal for me and knoled £50.00 quid off.

It is wireless so I can set it up on a seperate tripod if I want. (Sounds interesting, I wonder when I will need to do this?

Nogbad

Hi Nogbad,

What model did you get ?

Don

Nogbad,

You really need to be broadband and it is still not that fast but look here - Nikons flash site http://nikonimaging.com/global/techn...ight/index.htm

Don

Don thanks for the link, I bought the SB600. Had a play the other night and found my grasp of the concepts of flash wanting. I was dissapointed with my efforts!.

Possibly two causes.
1. I was very tired after a long day at work or
2. I'm just thick!

Any way i will have a play tommorrow when I am fresh and dont have other things and jobs on my mind.

If you know of any good web sites re Flash photography I would be pleased to hear of them.

Regards

Nogbad

Other than here you mean.:D

I will have a look but would like to set up my new pc first.

Don

Nogbad,

Don't worry what the pic looks like but post a sample. That would help a lot to give some guidance. A longer range shot of the subject would also be helpfull in that.

Always remember flash wizards started out with a load of duds ..... thats learning for you. My mentor resides in another forum. :)

Don