Macro with a cheap rayflash...

[jon-]

I've always loved 4heros mp65 shots, but with his lens and lighting costing more than a small island, and only having the ability to shoot macro I figured I'd try it on a budget with some existing bits and a rayflash.

In total I used:
400d
100mm f2.8 Macro lens I bought for portraits (admittedly I have the L version, but the non-L is almost as sharp and around £400)
580exII firing into a rayflash which cost me £100 second hand ( http://www.ray-flash.com/ )

Which means if you already have the 100mm and a flash, all you need is the rayflash.

The results? Not up to 4heros standard, but I was pleased with the quality of the light from the rayflash. I was easily shooting at 30+cm, f13, iso 100 and had lovely even light.

(facebook have compressed the crap out of these, the only one on flickr is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jon-/4764551517/ )

Edited by jon- on Wednesday 7th July 09:55

[Ed_P]

Some great shots there jon. Yes, a very useful bit of kit with the added advantage of its use for fashion/portrait work etc.

Another option for flash-assisted macro photography (if you already have a speedlite(and a flash-cord!)) is a flash bracket. Kirk (in the US) do them and there are some options on eBay (Hakuba) that I've read about to get the flash off-camera and positioned somewhere suitable. A diffuser (like a Stofen) also helps to reduce glare.

[Davi]

never seen the rayflash before - I like it!

[4hero]

Great stuff Jon, excellent results for that price Just goes to show that you don't need to pay an arm and a leg for stuff.

I maybe should have been more patient when buying my gear (I have no patience, and want stuff NOW). Kept looking at macro shots on flickr/POTN and continually saw stunning shots taken with the mp-e65 and mt-24 flash, brain snapped into gear, wallet popped out, then I was skint Struggling with the mp-e on the 7D, not spent enough time with them though, kitchen stuff and a 10 month old son are taking priority just now...