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I have a Canon Macro 60mm Lens and have been trying to get some good photos with it.
The photos are OK so far, and have been shot in bright sunlight outdoors.
I went on two Canon (Experience Seminars) Courses this week.
I borrowed their 100mm f2.8 macro and ringlite at lunchtime.
Again there was bright sunshine.
The trainer says that you cannot take Macro photos without a ringlite. (he is not a current Canon employee but he pushes their products).
Is there anyone out there who likes taking Macro shots, and doesn't think a ringlite is essential?
Quote: The trainer says that you cannot take Macro photos without a ringlite.
What a fatuous statement.
There are plenty of excellent examples of macro work - without a ring flash - here on EPZ. (...and I own one.)
Glad I've never wasted money on their seminars then
Quote: The trainer says that you cannot take Macro photos without a ringlite.
Sounds like a load of *@~:?>,./; to me
A ringlite is by no means essential but it makes macro so much easier. Some pro macro experts prefer two low power guns as it gives better modelling. Ringflash can produce very flat images with unnatural lighting. The Canon unit does allow the power ratio between two semi-circular tubes to be altered.
You can put your normal flash on a bracket with a good diffuser on it. The aim is to make your light source big relative to your subject - the results will be excellent.
Jo
I sometimes use a little 30yr old Panasonic flash. It has a short lead, but with a bit of plastic stuck over the flash has worked great with all my cameras. Better than the Minolta macro ring flash I had, which I could only use full power, sometimes f32 wasn't enough.
But most of my macros are without flash.
Col
Sometimes ring flash is the better choice, sometimes it isn't so it's not cut and dried. To suggest ring flash is the only way is misleading, and certainly shouldn't be stated at a seminar. If you're paying to go on these, the tutor should cover the pros and cons of each, if he was worth his salt. has he any idea about running training courses or does he like pontificating!
I seem to recall (and apologies if it's the wrong lot) but last year someone said on here that on one of these seminars they were told that shooting RAW was a waste of time.
Keithh's comment is thus all the more valid, and I'd concur with Geoff about a waste of money.
By the way, you've already joined the best photo resource on the web!
Personally I'd say my ring flash (MR14-EX) is essential for insect shots. Insects often tend to be in dark places (and the days can be quite dark here in England too!), so it enables me to use low ISO and small aperture. Off-camera flash can be even better but it's not always practical unless the insects you are shooting are dead or asleep 
.
Thanks for all your help.
I have only really used the macro outside in bright sunlight, and photos seem fine at the moment.
I might look at a ring flash if I start doing a lot more.
Seems like the Canon MR14-EX is £329 and a Sigma equivalent £261.
Chris Brown (Herts)
Out of interest what do people make of the new(ish) stylee macro lights by Nikon and Canon where you place between 2 and 8 discrete light units around the lens barrel?
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