Pine1 Loc: Midland & Lakeway

I have a D7100 and a SB910 speed light. I have just purchased a Nikon 105 f2.8 Micro lens. I think I grasp the difference between close up and micro. It appears that I will need a light ring of sorts for micro. Any suggestions?

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Ring light? Not necessarily.
Depends on what you are shooting.
(What are you shooting, by the way?)

I have a ring light, but for a lot of what I shoot, don't need or want to use it.
Lighting from them can look pretty flat and uninteresting.
A lot of times, a more directional, but softened light looks better.
Using some sort of modifier like a small soft box on your SB910 could be just the ticket. Some options are shown here.

Check out the macro section:http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Personally I think that all you will need is a good flash bracket, an off shoe cord, and a good (preferably home made) diffuser for your flash head and you are good to go.

I am not much of a fan of ring lights, the light is too even producing a flat image...

Here is a link to a thread in the macro forum that shows several different setups, the thread is about 5 pages long but each post is of a different setup.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-1.html

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

My hand-held macro set-up is a Nikon D5200, A Nikkor 105G macro lens, a Nikon SB-600 speedlight, and a $15 softbox diffuser.
You are 95% there.

Pine1 Loc: Midland & Lakeway

Thanks for the responses. I saw the effort some put into hand-making flash diffusers and was impressed and I also noticed how complicated some macro lighting set ups are. Wow! For the moment, until I gain experience, I think I will go with the soft box diffuser attachment that's around $20.00. I have the extension for the SB910 for off-camera use and I like it. Thanks again.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

The photos that Nikonian posted is what I use and it works well. ;)

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I invite you to view the UHH True Macro-Photography Forum at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html . The Macro Forum is the place to ask questions about equipment and technique. View macro images captured with the same or similar lenses as you own, by accomplished macro-photographers.

Before posting macro images to the Macro Forum, please read Introduction to True Macro-Photography Forum at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-22447-1.html . Each & every thread must contain at least one true macro-photograph.

To place Macro Forum on your UHH home page, you must subscribe here: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/section_list.jsp .

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

Here's what I use . . .

Lite Scoop modifier

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Your lighting set-up is fine for close-ups, which is what you can capture with the zoom lens on your camera.
True macro requires illumination directed immediately in front of lens.

jmhicks

Good macro lighting usually requires someway to get your flash off the camera, use an extension cord or the Nikon CLS system. Invest in a cheap set of diffusers and reflectors as well. Frequently a reflector is all you need. Since you live in Lakeway part time, look into the informal classes at UT, they have an excellent Macro class, covers all aspects of macro, including lighting.

This was taken with D800 105 macro lens and a $15 folding reflector

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

What is the physical length of your reptile subject, nose to tail? If it is 1-inch or less, this image is a macro. If it is longer than 1-inch, this image is a close-up photograph. Reflectors work well for close-ups; not so easy for true macro-photography.

Pine1 Loc: Midland & Lakeway

Thanks for all the replies. Nikonian72, I have been to the macro site on UHH. You guys are really fantastic and the photographs are beautiful.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

I would work with the 910 detached from the camera. I prefer side lighting as opposed to directly overhead. I would not go with a circular ring light. The light is too even, you need to vary the intensity to get what you need. Nikon makes a macro ring light that does very well.

Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

Initially I used my SB800 to illuminate my macro images. I used it off camera though and aimed it according to what I wanted.

Then I added a Sigma ring flash to my macro gear and that was a good decision. I could control which side would fire or use both sides. The effects were startling.

Finally I moved to the Nikon macro flash. In my case I bought an additional flash head. I use all three flash heads. The effects are even more startling than those from the ring flash.

So those are three options for you.

I do have one complaint though. The Nikon macro flash uses CR123a batteries which are hellishly expensive to buy. To replace a set for my flash setup is $85. I did eventually find some Chinese made rechargeables that were a lot more affordable, but they are not reliable, I have to carry a lot of spares to have enough power for a shoot So keep that in mind if you select the Nikon.

Also ... if you have a Hig end Nikon, a D3 to a D4, you need to buy the version that comes with the flash controller which is what I had to do in fact, I have a D3. That's the only way you can trigger a remote flash wirelessly with those bodies.

In the end though the Nikon solution really turns out to be the most effective. Later I actually added a fourth flash head to that solution too. I rarely ever use my ring flash now and I never use my regular flash any more either. That macro flash does it all.

http://en.nikon.ca/Nikon-Products/Product/Flashes/4803/R1C1-Wireless-Close-Up-Speedlight-System.html

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

$85.00? I pay around $10.00 for CR123a batteries for a set of two.