Macro flash recomendations

[joe28]

Hey all
Well Im really close to getting my macro lens now and will be ordering on monday, Ive decided to go with the dearer option and get the nikon 105mm micro.
Ive been reading up on macro photography and heard that a flash is recomended for macro work.
My question is what would be the best flash ?
Would you recomend a ring flash or just the normal 1?
I dont really want to spend a fortune as the lens is taking all my money up lol.
Ive heard lots about the R1C1 set up but obviously thats very expensive.
1 I have heard good things about is this Marumi DRF14N Ring Flash - Nikon - Only £109.99 - Park Cameras Online
Any advice is much appreciated.
Thanks everyone
Joe

[eddiewood]

Originally Posted by joe28

Hey all
Well Im really close to getting my macro lens now and will be ordering on monday, Ive decided to go with the dearer option and get the nikon 105mm micro.
Ive been reading up on macro photography and heard that a flash is recomended for macro work.
My question is what would be the best flash ?
Would you recomend a ring flash or just the normal 1?
I dont really want to spend a fortune as the lens is taking all my money up lol.
Ive heard lots about the R1C1 set up but obviously thats very expensive.
1 I have heard good things about is this Marumi DRF14N Ring Flash - Nikon - Only £109.99 - Park Cameras Online
Any advice is much appreciated.
Thanks everyone
Joe

Also consider studio flashes, you might get a (used) budget studio flash set-up with a couple of flash units for the same price as a ring flash. The studio flashes are useful for many other uses.

If you have you heart set on a ring flash, fair enough.

[lightpainter]

Why don’t you try one of these! Lol

It actually works!

Click photo for larger rendition!

[Yandros]

I hate to do this to you, but you want an R1C1!

I use it in 'quarter to three' configuration mounted on the lens when bug chasing and the results are really nice. The only flaw is you get double highlights (I normally clone one out when they appear).

The other cool part is that the SB200s have little stands, which can be used on their own, or mounted onto tripods. I've pressed my old cheapo aluminium tripods into service as flash supports, and now can place them anywhere For flowers that's superb.

Lens mounted R1C1, attempting to preserve background detail...

Darker conditions and fast shutter speed means background goes to black. Quite a nice effect though...

Improvised 'black box' behind subject, and 2x SB200s - one in front, one slightly behind to backlight the hairs

[joe28]

Really sorry for the delay everyone
Thanks loads for your help and I have an update.
I decided to pick up a tamron 90mm macro today and with the money left over I got the Marumi ring flash.
Im loving it so far but I didnt expect macro photography to be like what it is in the way that there is no zooming and you literally have to move closer and further away from the subject instead of being able to zoom.Did anyone else find that they felt like that too when they first started ?
To get really close I have to literally get right up to the subject and Im worried that I wont be able to take super close insect pics due to scaring them off

P.s sorry to everyone who recomended not getting a flash yet lol , i couldnt help it