p.1 #1 · Budget Flash for Macro Photography (Canon R7 + EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM)
Hi everyone,
I’m a beginner in macro photography and looking for a budget flash for my Canon R7 + Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM.
I’d like to use the flash for:
* Insects in daylight
* Insects and reptiles for night macro photography
* Focus stacking, when possible
I’ve been looking at a few options:
* Godox iT32 – very compact, but I’m not sure whether it has enough power for night macro.
* Godox TT350-C – more powerful, and has TTL, but I’ve read that its recycle time may be too slow for focus stacking.
* Godox TT600 – more powerful and relatively inexpensive, but it doesn’t have TTL.
My questions are:
1. Which of these (or another budget flash) would you recommend for this type of macro photography?
2. Is the iT32 powerful enough for night macro, or would I be better off with a full-size flash?
3. How important is TTL for macro photography? As a beginner, would I actually benefit from it, or is manual flash perfectly practical?
4. For focus stacking, how important is fast recycle time? Would the TT350-C be noticeably limiting?
5. Are there any other affordable flashes or setups I should consider?
I’m mainly looking for the best balance of power, recycle time, TTL, size, and price, rather than the smallest possible setup or best in class.
p.1 #2 · Budget Flash for Macro Photography (Canon R7 + EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM)
Flash can't be used for focus bracketing since you have to use electronic shutter on the R7. I use LED flat panels designed for video: bright and even light with WB controls. Easier to use than flash since what you see is what you get (plus WB control).
p.1 #3 · Budget Flash for Macro Photography (Canon R7 + EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM)
Not to get into a whole dissertation, but do you have experience in lighting for macros?
There are several different flash options and variations/combinations of them. You can use one or more regular shoe-mount off-camera flashes (often in a softbox w/reflector), on-lens multiheaded flash like Canon MT-26EX-RT or the older 24EX, a reflectorized flash setup like the AK Diffuser or others.
There is not one setup that works best for everything.
Focus stacking requires nearly static subjects and flash should be manual. Even then the output varies a bit. Some prefer LED lights.
p.1 #4 · Budget Flash for Macro Photography (Canon R7 + EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM)
Thank you EBH.
No experience at all with macro lighting. having my first steps and therefore prefer to start with "good enough" until I decide if to invest more into it.
p.1 #5 · Budget Flash for Macro Photography (Canon R7 + EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM)
I am confused. If you are going to be macro-shooting insects and reptiles, how do you plan to get them to pose for you? If they are moving (alive), your only choice is a completely handheld setup. MT26EX or MR24EX will work... barely. I shoot live macro in bright sunlight with body, lens, and nothing else. It is challenging.
If you are going to shoot stationary (dead/inanimate) subject matter, you'd be way better off with a multiple-gun setup. The 430EX II makes an excellent visible light controller (master). I use 3x 580EX II units (A:B, C) to light about anything. You'll also need some cheap reflectors. Walls and ceilings are generally free, if you have them. You can get all 4 flash guns from E-Bay for <$200. If you can find good, working 550EX units, you'll get it all for less.
I suggest you get familiar with inanimate subject matter before branching out to live things. Sometimes, for live things, you are better off to shoot a long lens, and crop. My last shoot was humming birds from about 12 feet with a Sigma 150-600mm lens on an R10. With an R7, you'll do even better. 32mp gives you a lot of crop-ability.
