peterski Offline Upload & Sell: Off
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I sold my MP-E65mm macro lens plus MT-24EX twin flash unit to a new macro enthusiast after what was a lull in macro interest for me but once the macro bug bites.......
So instead of forking out another $2500 on replacements I chose the poor man's option: 60mm macro lens plus tubes and cheap twin flash units. Here's what the current set-up looks like:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8761/16987342698_1413c2847c_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7680/17175096695_0c4298b7e1_b.jpg
The lens plus tubes gives a great result as has been shown by other posters here and the twin flash unit was bought on ebay for $70. It came with flexible arms, a sync chord, 2 connecting chords and the 2 flash heads....no E-TTL or manual controls, just an on/off switch. I've since learnt that the flash units work in "auto" only, but given the guide numbers printed on the back of the flash heads showing working distances, ISO numbers and F numbers they should work OK at about 3m!
Anyway, I ditched the flexible arms as they were just too flexible, kept the rotating ball heads and fitted some more rigid aluminium supports. Here's a couple of pics taken with the new set-up:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7609/16495673224_0bbdd0f458_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7684/17173324672_3d2a3fb739_b.jpg
I think the trick is to get the flash heads diffused properly and at the right distance and angle from the front of the lens. The lighting for me is still a bit too harsh. 1/200sec, F11 and ISO 200 seems to work right just about every time on my Canon 5DII at max mag. But for $70 its not a bad cheap MT-24EX.
I must admit though I get as much fun tinkering with new macro equipment trying to get the combinations of lenses and flash exposures right as I do chasing the bugs around my backyard!
cheers,
peter
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