boomboom Loc: Stow, Ohio

It came in the mail today. I purchased an O-FLASH for my Canon 40D SLR camera. The hot-shoe flash I have is a Sigma ef-500 DG Super-ETTL II. The O-flash I got is for the 40D with Canon 430 EXII flash. I put the O-flash on and the camera lens is not centered in the hole but it does go through. I have been thinking of buying a Canon flash. I have several questions that I would like to ask you macro experts.

1) Does it matter if the lens is not centered in the O-flash?

2) Does anyone know anything about the Canon 430 EXII flash? The reviews seem to be pretty good.

3) I tried the O-flash out and found my pictures were dark. Up until now I have been using my cameras built in flash. Do I need to change my aperture settings when using the O-flash and if so won't that affect DOF? I found the pictures I took of plants were pretty good. The insect pictures were not focused. I had to lighten all of the pictures in PP.

Do you think I just need more practice with the O-flash or do I have combination of equipment that may not be a match? I'm attaching three photos that I took with the O-flash. Feel free to give me some of your opinions. I value your opinions after seeing your works. I'm new to macro and am anxious to better myself. Thanks for putting up with this multi-problem question. BoomBoom

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

As long as the lens is not touching the O-Flash, you are fine. O-Flash model numbers reflect the distance between the macro lens center to the flash lens center. Different combinations of camera bodies & speedlights dictate different O-Flash models needed. My Nikon D5000 & Nikon SB-600 speedlight fit perfectly with an O-Flash F160.

No experience.

I set my camera to ISO 400, 1/200-sec at f/22 for normal exposure of both speedlight-illuminated subject and full sun-illuminated background. f/16 or f/22 is usually deep enough DoF to carry most insects.

Many photographers manually focus. I use A-F with smallest center focus possible, aimed at subject. Focus is a matter of practice, practice, practice.

boomboom Loc: Stow, Ohio

Thanks so much for your reply. Do you have any experience with night time shooting when it comes to camera settings?

Kimbee Loc: Dunedin, Florida, USA

What is that plant in the last picture? I have some in my yard but have no idea what it is.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

With my O-Flash attachment, my settings for night photos are nearly the same as my daylight photos. Main differences: is no sunlight for background exposure; low light difficulty for focusing.

boomboom Loc: Stow, Ohio

Thanks for your input. I don't know what the plant is I was just looking for something different to photograph with the O-flash. Sorry.

radraves Loc: Hudson River Valley

Poke Berry - There was some discussion some days or weeks ago on the HHG. Most agreed the plant is poinsnous. Also there seemed to be several spellings of 'Poke'.