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Speedlight and lens combo for macro
Nov 8, 2012 20:18:46 #
I am using a Sony A77V camera with a Minolta 100-mm f/2.8 macro lens. I read in Brian Valentine's forum that the best all round lens he recommends is a prime lens around 100mm (eg Tamron 90mm). would a prime lens be easier to use outdoors?
I am using a Manfrotto tripod and have a Sony HVL F43AM flash would you choose an o-ring adapter or an LED ring light ? Thankyou
I am using a Manfrotto tripod and have a Sony HVL F43AM flash would you choose an o-ring adapter or an LED ring light ? Thankyou
Nov 8, 2012 20:31:56 #
I hope that I have properly interpreted your questions:
"Would a prime lens be easier to use outdoors?" Do you mean for macro photography? If so, my answer is YES.
"Would you choose an o-ring adapter or an LED ring light?" If you mean an O-Flash attachment (to your existing speedlight) versus an constant LED ring light, you will find that your speedlight (through the O-Flash attachment) puts out much more light that an LED ring light, allowing much shorter shutter duration (stop action) and smaller aperture (for deeper DoF).
Camera = excellent: http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666375243
Speedlight = excellent: http://store.sony.com/p/Flash-for-%26alpha%3B-DSLR-Cameras/en/p/HVLF43AM
I am NOT familiar with the Minolta 100-mm f/2.8 macro lens: http://www.dyxum.com/reviews/lenses/reviews.asp?IDLens=99
"Would a prime lens be easier to use outdoors?" Do you mean for macro photography? If so, my answer is YES.
"Would you choose an o-ring adapter or an LED ring light?" If you mean an O-Flash attachment (to your existing speedlight) versus an constant LED ring light, you will find that your speedlight (through the O-Flash attachment) puts out much more light that an LED ring light, allowing much shorter shutter duration (stop action) and smaller aperture (for deeper DoF).
Camera = excellent: http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666375243
Speedlight = excellent: http://store.sony.com/p/Flash-for-%26alpha%3B-DSLR-Cameras/en/p/HVLF43AM
I am NOT familiar with the Minolta 100-mm f/2.8 macro lens: http://www.dyxum.com/reviews/lenses/reviews.asp?IDLens=99
Nov 8, 2012 21:27:42 #
Addressing the lens: the Minolta lens you have is a prime lens. Prime simply means not a zoom, ie: a fixed focal length.
I seriously doubt you (or anyone else) would notice the difference between the Minolta and the Tamron lenses. If it's the lens Nikonian72 suggests, it's rated very sharp, but slow to autofocus. With macro, I find manual focus is usually best, so it's a moot point.
In this case, the lighting is going to make the biggest difference in your photos. Learn to use the flash first.
I seriously doubt you (or anyone else) would notice the difference between the Minolta and the Tamron lenses. If it's the lens Nikonian72 suggests, it's rated very sharp, but slow to autofocus. With macro, I find manual focus is usually best, so it's a moot point.
In this case, the lighting is going to make the biggest difference in your photos. Learn to use the flash first.
Check out True Macro-Photography Forum section of our forum.
Nov 9, 2012 00:20:12 #
Nikonian72 and GoofyNewfie Thankyou for your replies. I am struggling with the new technology, cant keep up.
The 100mm f2.8Macro lens is one of 5 i have had passed on to me. They were used with Minolta Dynax 7D film cameras.I thought that the film camera lens may have been a factor in achieving Clean sharp images.?
Have decicded on the o ring adapter,cannot find one for Sony flash. Do the Nikon and Canon flashes have the same shape head Is the part that attaches to the flash head flexible ?
Would check but they are not available in Australia at present.Appreciate your help.
The 100mm f2.8Macro lens is one of 5 i have had passed on to me. They were used with Minolta Dynax 7D film cameras.I thought that the film camera lens may have been a factor in achieving Clean sharp images.?
Have decicded on the o ring adapter,cannot find one for Sony flash. Do the Nikon and Canon flashes have the same shape head Is the part that attaches to the flash head flexible ?
Would check but they are not available in Australia at present.Appreciate your help.
Nov 9, 2012 00:56:16 #
evenic wrote:
I am going to assume that you mean O-Flash, which is the brand name of the speedlight attachment that I use. I purchased mine on eBay for about US$30.Have decided on the o ring adapter,cannot find one for Sony flash.
The "model" number corresponds to the length (in millimeters) measured between the center of camera lens to center of speedlight lens. My camera/speedlight combination measures 160-mm, so I own model F160.
O-Flash Attachment
Nov 9, 2012 07:43:11 #
Thanks again Nikonian72 Ordering today, without your input I am sure I would have ordered the wrong size.Looking forward to learning and improving.
Nov 9, 2012 10:14:14 #
Be sure to check out "true macro photography" here on UHH, and look at the set ups there. Good info and techniques others are using.
Nov 9, 2012 19:13:53 #
Thanks Gpappy will do. I have learned a great deal about photography and America in the last few weeks on UHH. Since I haven't visited other places around the world, it is a treat to learn by looking at pictures of places and creatures.
Nov 9, 2012 19:32:53 #
evenic wrote:
We have more than a few from your part of the world. Check out the HDR forum. There are a few to learn from there from AustraliaI have learned a great deal about photography and America in the last few weeks on UHH. Since I haven't visited other places around the world, it is a treat to learn by looking at pictures of places and creatures.
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