Ring light: I’m looking for a light for my Nikon 105mm macro lens. Would like some recommendations based on your experience. Thanks.

Jack47 Loc: Ontario

I’m looking for a light for my Nikon 105mm macro lens. Would like some recommendations based on your experience. Thanks.

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

Godox has a few options.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1675591-REG/godox_mf_r76_macro_ring_flash.html

Also
Godox MF12 kit. You can buy an additional flash for three. Also need the Godox Xpro flash trigger for Nikon. You can individually control each flash output.

I have both, I like the latter option.

1grumpybear

A long time ago I couldn't find a ring light that could do what I wanted. I wanted to see the color of ones eyes and was tired of getting rid of the red eyes. So I made my own. I know I didn't answer your question but rent one or buy from someone that has a 30 day return.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

The difference in types of ring lights may be of interest to you and it may well affect the result you desire. An LED ring light works like a "dimmer switch" as when the power is raised or lowered, the intensity of light output varies. They work well as a source of fill light.

A ring light with flash tubes works like that of a Speedlight where the intensity of the light remains the same yet when turned up or down changes the duration of the flash which makes it perfect for stopping action like that of an insect moving on a flower.

We must keep in mind that the intensity of light diminishes to the square of the distance from the source so turning down an LED ring light will take more power when it is farther from the subject.

Of course, there is quite a price difference between the two where an LED ring light can be had for $30 or less.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Funny coincidence, but I saw a large (18") ring light at my doctor's office a couple of days ago. It was a Neewer, not one of those $3,000 medical specialty units.

Geegee Loc: Peterborough, Ont.

I also have the Nikon 105 mm macro lens. My advice is to get the most powerful one you can afford because the long focal length puts the light further away from the subject than you would want and you have to use a larger aperture to compensate. When taking macros the depth of field is very small so you would want to use smaller apertures.

tramsey Loc: Texas

A while back we used to have a photographer that posted macro like Sippy. He created section where they talked about equipment. It is very interesting. For macor photography he used a Nikon 5000. Take a look
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-1.html (you have to type in the last part of the thread yourself, I guess)

User ID

sippyjug104 wrote:

We must keep in mind that the intensity of light diminishes to the square of the distance from the source so turning down an LED ring light will take more power when it is farther from the subject.

Intensity does NOT "diminish with the square of the distance" in this type of setup. Its pretty close to linear. Youre parroting the wrong rule.

(Download)

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

I have a Nissin MF18 ring flash which I use with the Nikon 105 lens. It works well while providing TTL capability.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

I'm a retired dentist who took a lot of intramural photos and I used 90 macro TomTom fir excellent 1:1 photos. I paired it with a medical ring light from Lester dine company.

agillot

There is a ring light and a ring flash , 2 different beast .I have a ring light , [ Amaran HN100 Halo ] .work well , for close ups .Could have a stronger light , that is were a flash could be better , but 3 to 4 time the price .

fetzler Loc: North West PA

Jack47 wrote:

I’m looking for a light for my Nikon 105mm macro lens. Would like some recommendations based on your experience. Thanks.

I personally would skip buying a ring light. They produce boring lighting much like on camera flash. There are many more attractive lighting setups.

It is true that dentists are usually forces ti use such lighting and there are a few other cases as well. I usually use natural lighting or multiple RC controlled flashes. On camera flashes include dual macro flashes or a regular flash with an appropriate difuser are useful too. Sippy (a regular here) has shown a number of his setups

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

A inexpensive flash alternative if you can find one is the Cokin flash (same company that makes the filters). Mounts concentric with the end of the lens using the filter threads and has 3 independently adjustable small strobes - they’re typically about $50 used on eBay.. It also has the provision to add filter gels. This was shot using one with a 50mm macro at 1/2 life size.

srg

fetzler wrote:

I personally would skip buying a ring light. They produce boring lighting much like on camera flash. There are many more attractive lighting setups.

It is true that dentists are usually forces ti use such lighting and there are a few other cases as well. I usually use natural lighting or multiple RC controlled flashes. On camera flashes include dual macro flashes or a regular flash with an appropriate difuser are useful too. Sippy (a regular here) has shown a number of his setups

Also it produces weird round catchlights in the eyes if used for portraits.

Thorny Devil Loc: Alice Springs, Central Australia

Jack47 wrote:

I’m looking for a light for my Nikon 105mm macro lens. Would like some recommendations based on your experience. Thanks.

Hello Jack. I bought a Godox MF-R76 ring flash which I am quite pleased with. I have used it with my Nikon 105mm f2.8 macro lens and also with a Nisi close-up lens mounted on various focal length lenses with good results although it may not have enough power for the reach of longer focal length lenses. The MF-R76 comes with a Li-Ion battery, battery charging adapter with type C USB cable and an assortment of adapter rings (49, 55, 58, 62, 67, 72 and 77mm) for mounting the 82mm ring flash to the front of the lens. It is manual only (no TTL), but is cited to fit Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax cameras with a hot shoe. I have used it on my Nikon, Fujifilm and Sony cameras with no problem. The power (light) has a wide range of adjustment. Over all quality is good for the price point which I felt was reasonable for something that I will only use intermittently. Oh, and it comes with a soft pouch to keep all the bits in. Regards, Richard.