Cheap Macro Flash Rig - Shopping Guide ( Im not selling anything )

[old4570]

Wow , How much fun is Macro

Anyone can try Macro , its as simple as buying some close focus filters :
But today we are talking Flash rig , so you can improve your DOF ( aperture = Higher F stop ) , and get better images ..
DOF is critical in Macro , and for that you need higher F stops and for that , you need more light ...

OK enough of that :
There is a mount (flash) I have been playing with , the ring mount ... Its cheap , and with a little setting up , works a treat ..
You can have it as a O mount or a C mount :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Metal-2-in-1...item565d21c545 Cheapest O mount on Ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Adjustable-C...item3a87257b95 Cheapest C mount on Ebay

If your going to use a single flash , you may want a C mount ... ?


Now what are you going to use for a Flash ? A nice lightweight flash unit would be good , now the one I use has a low voltage trigger :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CY-20-Mini-u...item27b1012cfc I have 2 of these , and they work a treat , run 2xAA and are very fast to reset for the next shot .


Now you will want a swivel mount :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-4-Mini-Bal...item485afe9aa1 These are rather good for the $


How about a remote trigger , you have several choices here , if you want the cheapest option :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Flash-Hot-Sh...item485b6c46ce These should work

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-12-inch-2...item337044492c Sync Chord

There you have it :

This is probably as cheap as it can be done , for a dedicated flash solution , on the cheap ...

Flash $12
C bracket $7
sync chord $1.50
trigger $4.50
swivel mount $3

Or about $30 Australian ( about ) And that , is probably about as cheap as it gets , to have something tune-able ..
Now you can enhance it if you like ...
Remote trigger / receiver
TTL sync chord + TTL flash
Dual flash
and , ( buy better quality swivel mounts , cold shoes , and so forth )

But for $30 , you can take it to the next level :

Or you can :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/32-Pieces-LE...item2ec8f2f7b1 I dont like hanging stuff off a lens

http://www.ebay.com/itm/macro-0-Flas...item3cd815f464 ??? My brother ordered one I think ..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-2-Macro-...item4178403a9c ??????????????????????????????????

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Macro-Shooti...item3a84e0a131 ?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/18-Easy-fold...item3a86da6c3e Wow !!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Macro-Twin-L...item35a9880587 ???

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Macro-Twin-L...item35a9880587 Canon

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Macro-Twin-L...item35a9880587 Canon

Let there be light :

[old4570]

IMGP3015.jpg

Here is my latest : Still playing with it as the flash bracket came today ...

$12 for bracket
$12 Flash
$8 Remote Trigger
$8 Swivel Mount
$1 Cable

IMGP4301.jpg

Here is the result using this rig : K10 - Promaster 100mm 1:2 Macro ( F18 - ISO100 - 1/125 )
Image was cropped about 50% , re-sized to 1024 , saved @ 70% quality

- - - Updated - - -

IMGP3018.jpg

1. I wanted to store the remote flash trigger on the kit ...
2. Cold flash mount from the swivel mount , (4)
3. O flash bracket
4. Swivel mount ..
5. Cold flash mount from the O flash bracket ( swapped )
6. Cheap nasty Flash ! ( using remote cable trigger - use care with this flash as the hot shoe is a high voltage trigger )

[kevinj]

I`ll stick to my MT-24EX,

[Bennymiata]

I bought a proper ring flash off a Chinese website for under $120 delivered.
You can adjust it through the camera's menus and it works well.
Had it about 3 years and flashed it thousands of times for insect, flower and product shots, and it's never skipped a beat.