tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

Reading several member's posts on this forum (uhh macro photography) over the last week or so I think I would enjoy doing this to some reasonable level of satisfaction. I've never done flash photography except for a very small percentage of images using the camera mounted flash.

So here's what I've come up with after digging through equipment sites that have been suggested:

#1 - I have a 12" long flat camera bracket with a quick release camera clamp/plate.

#2 - Buy a Diamond plate w/1" rubber ball: RAM-B-238U

#3 - Buy two Double socket arms for 1" rubber balls: RAM-B-201U

#4 - Buy a Double 1" rubber ball connector: RAM-B-230U

#5 - Buy 1/4" x 20 Female rubber ball base: RAMB-337U

#6 - Buy a Godox TTL off camera hot shoe cable.

#7 - Buy a Yongnuo YN560-III- Speedlite Flash for Canon OR Buy a Yongnuo YN600EX-RT II Speedlite Flash for Canon.

Everything together with the first flash mentioned cost $130; and everything together with the second flash mentioned cost $188.

I will be using a Canon 80D and Canon 100mm f2/8 IS lens. I do not want a blob of stuff other than the cable's connector mounted onto the camera's hot shoe if that can be done.

Suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.

Thank You in Advance, Tommy2

Vietnam Vet

You don't need a flash to do macrophotography. If you have a macro lens you can probably just handhold the camera without the need of a tripod. If you do not have a macro lens you can give this close up filter set a try and see if that works for you.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/close-up-lens-filters/ci/35086/N/3553317619?sts=cat

agillot

another way is to use a older manual 50 mm mounted in reverse with a reversing ring [ ebay $ 5 ] .you get sharp pictures distortion free .i use a film era pentax 1.7 together with a Amaran hn100

tinusbum Loc: east texas

if you're shooting insects you definitely need a flash,i use the Yongnuo II in the hot shoe(no bracket) and a cheap diffuser about $10 on amazon.i shoot all hand held with this set up

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

For single frame macrophotography, you can get away with not using a flash by either shooting with a wide-ish aperture, and / or by shooting in strong light with a smaller aperture.
The depth of focus is very shallow, so most folks go with a smaller aperture, f/11 or smaller (usually smaller), and outdoor, free-lance shooting of bugs will naturally have you out on cloudy days and in shady woods. So you will need a flash. Some do like the wider aperture style, where almost everything is soft and out of focus. The effect can be pleasing and a flash is generally not needed then.
The flash will need a big diffuser. This fills in the harsh shadows from the flash, and at least partially softens the highlights from shiny surfaces like eyes. The diffuser makes a big difference.
I have no idea what items #1-5 are.
You can shoot free-hand, without tripod, by relying on shutter speed and the flash to freeze camera movement. I like to use a simple wood pole (about 3/8" thick dowel rod) from Home Depot as a steadying stick. This helps reduce camera movement (and you can cheat a little on shutter speed b/c of it), and is a great aid in ones' stamina in the hobby since you often must contort into awkward and sometimes undignified positions and not breathe for a while when shooting.
Have fun!

tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

Thank You everyone form your comments, they are all on track with what I've read. Just need to develop my own approach and adjust as time and ability move forward.

First - Items #1-#5 are items one poster listed that assembled together make a very good flexible flash mount. Wimberley sells them for twice the price. And I did not list a defuser - there are many good DIY examples on this forum for me to attempt to build.

My biggest decision is what flash would be best cost/functionality wise. The "II" seemed to me to be what I ought to buy - I do get into the trap that the more expensive one could be the best though.

I do like the suggestions that "handheld" is the way to go. As I was first thinking about what equipment was needed I figured in tripods, focusing rails, big lights, batteries, etc. Almost squelched the idea of getting into this phase of photography.

Seeing close-up lenses listed above made me dig up one almost forgotten about in my junk box. My first adventure out to do this type photography will be with only the camera and a lens (maybe with the close up lens too). If and when that seems to work ok, I'll add other pieces into the process.

Further comments welcomed.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

2-cents worth of advice from a seasoned, contributing macro-photographer:
1.) IGNORE any advice from UHH members who have NEVER posted macro-photographs;
2.) Ask specific questions to Forum members whose POSTED macro-photographs you admire;
and finally
3.) IGNORE any advice from UHH members who have NEVER posted macro-photographs!!!!!!!!!!

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Don't know why the two flash heads costs are significantly different. The Chinese brands have been a boon to this hobby, with their variety and low cost (and acceptable quality for that cost). I noticed that the more expensive one has high speed sync. I did not check to see if the other one does as well, but that feature could explain the cost difference.

tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

The sync feature was not available on the other unit is what I determined by reading the literature found on the internet. This is all very new to me but I figured using a flash for macro photography syncing a second or more flash units was not at all necessary. So figured I'd not pay for that feature.

Been reading that I should look at GN ratings because that is the most important feature to understand and look at when selecting a flash unit. So that spec will be what contributes the most to what I buy.

I'm looking forward to going out this weekend to try out what I've heard/read so far.

napabob Loc: Napa CA

welcome, regular success is more likely with a flash, I use it 100% of the time, might want to peruse this section to see what equipment we are using (pages 4 - 7) https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-4.html

tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

Yes, my first attempt last night showed the need for appropriate lighting. Put a dime onto a quarter as written about on this forum to observe the distance from lens to object when shooting at 1:1 was an eye opener. The depth of field was so shallow the focus had to be set half way between showing clear detail on the dime and the quarter at f/2.8.
Stopped down to f/16 to increase that depth and had to put a desk lamp very close to get a reasonably good but dim view.
I do appreciate the comment and pictures on the post/link NapaBob included. A picture is worth a thousand words.