Macro Flash

[rvannatta]

It is spring and the leaves are popping their buds, which is about the time I dig out my macro equipment and go for a walk.


However I am irritated that I have gone the full circle with my trusty ringlight
AF080C. When I bought it I was using a K2 for photography and had to use it on manual because the K2 had never heard of TTL- Flash.

Now of course I have worked up from a K2 to a K10 with a few inbetween and thte K10 doesn't understand TTL either so I am back to the manual mode for thte flash. The only real improvement is that I don't have to wait for the film to come back from the drugstore before finding out that the exposures are wrong.

For lack of a better plan, I proceded exactly as I would have with the K2. I set the mode to 'X synch, Set the focus to manual, and rotated the F stop wheel until I got an exposure that I liked.

Is there a better way????? I tend to prefer a 'blacked out' background characteristic of a macro flash than an out of focus back ground characteristic of available light macro work.

Does anyone know of any flash automation options for macro work????

[mambosabi]

I am having exactly the same problem as you. I recently purchased the AF080C to use with the K10D knowing that I'd have to go manual. My problem is the flash output. At F22 and 180 shutter speed, even on 1/4 power, to take pictures of teeth real close(yes I'm a Dentist) I can't get the exposure low enough. I have to be 20 cm away at least when I could do with being 5 cm away to isolate a single tooth. Any help would be appreciated.

[aegisphan]

I guess you need to try this:

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/p...ifference.html

[mambosabi]

That does sound useful but I need the same effect without any change to the colour. Its quite important to have accurate colour reproduction

[Steinback]

mambosabi, I've been having a similar problem with too much light a close range. Short of trying to find a macro lens with a higher F stop, I've been considering a neutral density gel cut to fit over my ring flash. I have a neutral density filter for my regular flash that cuts 2 full stops off without any significant change in colour. I haven't been able to find a local source of lighting gels yet, but neutral density gel sheets are available from Rosco (and other manufacturers) in different strengths.

[rvannatta]

Originally Posted by mambosabi

That does sound useful but I need the same effect without any change to the colour. Its quite important to have accurate colour reproduction

A neutral density filter should not mess with the color rendition. It can be mounted between
the flash unit and the front of the lens. You just have to get the right threads/adapters.

[mambosabi]

Thank you Steinback and Rvannatta. ND filters! of course. I shall be assessing thread size and then scouring the shops.Cheers

[rvannatta]

Originally Posted by mambosabi

Thank you Steinback and Rvannatta. ND filters! of course. I shall be assessing thread size and then scouring the shops.Cheers

Thanks for the conversation. I got so excited about the idea that I jumped on EBAY and bought a set of 3 of the ND's. --- a 2x, 4x & 8X. I figured this way I would be sure and have the right one.

The AF080C has a a49mm thread, which used to be pretty standard, but the newer macro lenses including my Pentax-F 50mm Macro often have a 52mm thread so I already have a step down ring so I could use a filter of either size.
It appears that the pentax 100mm macros may have a 49, 52 or 58mm thread depending on which model you have.

I of course managed do order the 52, which will work with this lens, but I sort of shot myself in the foot because if I had bought a set of 49's they would have matched the flash unit instead of the lens so they would have worked with any lens that I chose to mount the ring light on, and since I have a couple of other lenses on which I mount the ring light now which are 49 already <grumble>,.......

Fortunately the filters don't cost much in these relatively small sizes.

[FastPhotography]

i've found that a (free)DIY ringflash works like a charm.
Bubbly on Flickr - Photo Sharing! and
The ringflash! on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
cereal box, duct tape, aluminum foil, and packaging tape. i'm pretty cheap!