Which flash for Macro?

mrt10xmrt10x Registered Users Posts: 17 Big grins
edited March 16, 2009 in Holy Macro
I am looking to buy a dedicated macro flash system.. which should I get?
Xotopro dual system
http://www.adorama.com/FAXQMM1TP.html

or the Sigma circular system?

http://www.adorama.com/SGEM140PX.html?searchinfo=sigma%20macro%20flash%20pentax&item_no=1

I am leaning towards the dual system because it is not limited to filter size?

thoughts?

edit: can a mod move this to the right forum for me.. sorry.

Comments

  • Lord VetinariLord Vetinari Registered Users Posts: 15,901 Major grins
    edited March 15, 2009
    Do you have a particular type of subject in mind ?

    Brian V.
    Brian V.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
    http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
  • mrt10xmrt10x Registered Users Posts: 17 Big grins
    edited March 15, 2009
    Lord Vetinari wrote:
    Do you have a particular type of subject in mind ?

    Brian V.

    Well, not really,, I shoot lots of flowers here in Hawaii.. plus I have been working on getting a macro shot of some reef formations, above water :), I am in the process of buying a pentax 100 Macro and probably the 35ltd macro as well. Right now I do not have a true macro lens, just a couple of "macros" that are really close focus. I do use extension tubes for my flower shots.

    Would the subject matter make a difference?
  • Lord VetinariLord Vetinari Registered Users Posts: 15,901 Major grins
    edited March 16, 2009
    mrt10x wrote:
    Well, not really,, I shoot lots of flowers here in Hawaii.. plus I have been working on getting a macro shot of some reef formations, above water :), I am in the process of buying a pentax 100 Macro and probably the 35ltd macro as well. Right now I do not have a true macro lens, just a couple of "macros" that are really close focus. I do use extension tubes for my flower shots.

    Would the subject matter make a difference?

    Well ring flashes like the 2nd one mentioned can suffer from problems of glare and the lighting being too even resulting in flat looking photos. You can vary the power beween the heads which gives less flat looking light but they are difficult to add more diffusion to. Really not sure about #1 at all- looks to unwieldy to be using without a tripod. You may find just a bracket mounted normal flash gun will be fine - much easier to add diffusion.

    Have a look in my hints and tips on flickr here- http://www.flickr.com/groups/topic/66514/ ,some equipment setups shown.
    Brian V.
    Brian V.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
    http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
  • mrt10xmrt10x Registered Users Posts: 17 Big grins
    edited March 16, 2009
    Lord Vetinari wrote:
    Well ring flashes like the 2nd one mentioned can suffer from problems of glare and the lighting being too even resulting in flat looking photos. You can vary the power beween the heads which gives less flat looking light but they are difficult to add more diffusion to. Really not sure about #1 at all- looks to unwieldy to be using without a tripod. You may find just a bracket mounted normal flash gun will be fine - much easier to add diffusion.

    Have a look in my hints and tips on flickr here- http://www.flickr.com/groups/topic/66514/ ,some equipment setups shown.
    Brian V.

    Thanks,, I ended up ordering a flash bracket and the correct chords for my Pentas AF540 flash. And a diffuser from Gary Fong.. I may need to get a small ball head like you have to complete the setup. Still save a couple hundred bucks though :)
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