Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

I shoot a D7200 with a Tamron 90mm macro lens. I need an on camera, TTL flash for outdoor and indoor macro shooting. My maximum budget is $300 tops. All suggestions appreciated.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

As an alternative, have you considered an LED macro ring light? I use a Bolt VM-160: https://www.amazon.com/Bolt-VM-160-Macro-Ring-Light/dp/B014EGTQV4

wjones8637 Loc: Burleson, TX

On my D7100 I use a bracket attached to the tripod socket that has a small lightning ball head with a SB800 flash that has a 5”x7” soft box. The flash is fired by any of the usual remote connections. I’ll try to get a photo later.

Bill

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

I'll put that on my list to follow up with

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Thanks Bill. I am trying to stay with an on camera unit if possible

tinusbum Loc: east texas

heres what i use https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I0OD55U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 i like it a lot, it can keep up with my helicon tube on 1/32 and 1/16 power

wjones8637 Loc: Burleson, TX

I'm attaching some photos of my setup. I originally tried to use the camera hotshoe, but found that trouble getting good light to the subject. I have attached some shots of the system, D7100 with SB-800.The bottom bracket is a Custom Brackets CB Mini-RC and the light mount is a Phottix US-A3.

Bill

Macro setup D7100, Sigma 105, SB-800

(Download)


(Download)

Setup without camera

(Download)

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Nice set up but it looks a little to cumbersome for the field

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

Hi Curmudgeon,
I have and use several Nissin flashes. They have always done a good job for me. Here is an option from eBay you might consider: https://www.ebay.com/itm/REFURBISHED-Nissin-MF18-Ring-Light-Macro-Flash-for-NIKON/174693653673?epid=113000652&hash=item28ac8d9ca9:g:04EAAOSw2gJgVS~V. Take care & ...

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

The single external flash has its plusses, as do dual head flashes.
I don't want this to get overly long, but for a single head you have your pick from Nikon and from other brands. I do favor the cheap Chinese ones like those from Neewer. Naming a specific model is maybe not necessary since they are all similar, although you would want to weigh certain features like TTL (that being very common, really), or other special features that you think you might need. If a cheap flash fails you can buy 3 or 4 more before you start to catch up on the pricier models.
There are these smaller sized single head flashes like this: https://www.amazon.com/MEIKE-MK320N-Speedlite-Mirrorless-Camera/dp/B01MU4BSOZ/ref=sr_1_5?
or https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-SB-300-Speedlight-Digital-Cameras/dp/B00ECGXAA0/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Nikon+flash&qid=1616852981&s=electronics&sr=1-3dchild=1&keywords=Meike+flash&qid=1616852444&s=electronics&sr=1-5
or https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-SB-400-Speedlight-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000KKPN5C/ref=sr_1_14?dchild=1&keywords=Nikon+flash&qid=1616852981&s=electronics&sr=1-14. , which are easier to mount on a bracket off of the hot shoe and move into a more forward position. A more forward flash of course means you can use at lower power and that saves on battery and recycle times. Its common to aim off the side, to give more interesting light and shadows, and you can hold a reflector off of the opposite side to help fill in shadows.

Then there are the dual head flashes. Nikon makes a marvelous one, though its pricey, and then there are these of course: https://www.amazon.com/Meike-MK-MT24-Macro-Digital-Cameras/dp/B078WPMBCP/ref=sr_1_66?dchild=1&keywords=Nikon+flash&qid=1616853400&s=electronics&sr=1-66.
or the one I have: https://www.amazon.com/laowa-vekx800-Flash-KV-800-Photography/dp/B01IYIYBTK/ref=sr_1_40?dchild=1&keywords=Twin+camera+flash&qid=1616853620&s=electronics&sr=1-40. That one is fully manual, so you will do all the work on figuring exposure.

And flashes like these: https://www.amazon.com/MEKE-MK-14EXT-N-I-TTL-Macro-Assist/dp/B08BFHR8KL/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=Nikon+flash&qid=1616852981&s=electronics&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A2XFVTH12VZC46&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFMVjJUSTVEN0lRRUcmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAyNTcwMTQzTVUyNVg2TkNPOEI0JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA3NjM4NzYxVFhIWlk0S1JMVUc2JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==.
There are lots of ring flashes like that, but this one allows for left and right power control, to add some shadows. Folks say that ring flashes are 'too good' in that they cancel out the shadows and make things flat. That is true enough. They will also readily make a ring-shaped highlight in eyes. Aggressive diffusion would help. Those who use these things will know from experience, whereas I have no experience with them.

But really the single most important consideration is diffusion. That is the biggest 'difference maker', and it can be vexing. You can try the usual commercial diffusers, and they are "Ok". But to really get it right, I can only recommend you join this Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1833312540247277/?notif_id=1541113934494651&notif_t=group_r2j_approved. and sort of lurk around in there. There are good simple ones to be found, but what really seems to do the trick most often are those big conical diffusers with a concave front face. The "Fisher King" design is very popular. It can be made for a big flash on the hot shoe, smaller flash in a forward position, and for dual head flashes.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Don't forget to add a cord for off camera use of your flash. Very important.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

I have three that I use based on what lenses I will be using and where it is that I plan to scout for subjects in the field. I use the Nikon SB-800 for general purpose where I use small softboxes and an assortment of DIY diffusion extended from the flash. I use the Meike MK-MT24 dual head lens mounted flash for longer macro lenses like the 200mm with it longer working distance. The flash has the advantage of being wireless and the heads can be staged up to 100 ft. away and are independent of each others power level. For close up work I just obtained the Laowa VEKX800 which is a dedicated macro flash with a "spot light" that helps focus when using small apertures. I use a DIY large diffuser with it and it works great with my macros of 60mm and 105mm.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Thanks Al I'll look at them

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Thanks for taking the time to respond Mark. I am checking out the face book page you suggested.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

I would have probably forgotten Thanks