Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Minimal Working Distance (MWD) for most macro lenses in the 100-mm length range, is about 6-inches, well beyond the lens shadow.

The2000Yankees Loc: Santa Paula, CA

Is something similar to this available for a hand held flash - Metz 76 Mz-5? I have a macro extender for my 18-200mm but my hand held flash doesn't do much justice to macro-photography.

BTW, sorry about your flash accessory Erv. Hope they'll replace it soon.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

A full circle or partial circle "ring-flash" is designed to work around a lens. Once a flash is moved off-camera, then the ring-flash design becomes irrelevant. A standard diffuser would work just fine.

The2000Yankees Loc: Santa Paula, CA

This flash mounts to the side of the camera and projects a hard shadow to the opposite side of the object (although it helps reduce red eyes in most cases). It has a diffuser that came with it but doesn't help much in close proximity. I think that diffuser was meant for wide angle shots. However, I do have a mini softbox attachment that fits on the flash head like a small tent. I usually use that for portraits. I'll have to try some shots with that attachment using EV comp on the flash unit. The flash came with a thick book that I never read. Yes I am one of those lazy guys that don't like to read the manual unless they have to. I guess I'll have to actually read that book to see what can be done with it. The darn thing costs over a grand (not counting the add on power pack), it must do magic for that price. I used to use the Metz CT45 in the old days and knew just about everything about that one. This new one is a digital flash and it is a new area for me.

This is the softbox I have

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

What type of camera do you have? Does it have a hot shoe on top? If not you could get a bracket and raise it higher from the camera to get away from the shadow.
Erv

The2000Yankees Loc: Santa Paula, CA

It's a D3S and it does have a hot shoe. Only thing is my flash mounts on the side.

The control unit (the rectangular unit with LCD screen in front) fits on the hot shoe.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

That's a nice flash! I am guessing the shadow is because your lens is so long. I did see some thing looking around on the web, but I didn't book mark it. It attached to the flash and some how went to a circle that hooked to the lens. I will go back and look through my history and see if I can find it.
Erv

The2000Yankees Loc: Santa Paula, CA

Thanks Erv.