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11/13/2011 10:55:44 AM · #1 |
Looking to get back into some tiny snowflake photography this winter and attempting to refine some of last years difficulties. One of these is focusing on the snowflake and then knowing where to point the flash.
This problem could be in any macro situation where you want to use an external light for the focusing, and then a flash for the actual photo.
What I'm looking need is essentially a light that could attach to the flash head and could be used as a "modelling flash" until the actual photo is taken. That way I could light up the subject and then know exactly where the flash is directed as well.
Now, there are some easy ways to achieve this (for example a headlamp taped onto a flash) but so far nothing that I have thought of would actually point exactly in the same direction as the flash.
Do you guys know of any such adapter or light attachment? Something has to exist out there for this type of situation!
I've taken a look on ebay, and there are, for example, flexible LED rings that you could buy.. but these all seem to point radially outward instead of axisymetrically.
Using a snoot to help with the flash location would help, but it would be cool to have both the "focus light" and the directional aid all in one.
Thanks!
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11/13/2011 11:29:25 AM · #2 |
| I've bought a tiny LED flashlight with a gooseneck head for a couple of bucks at Fry's; I've seen them with both clips and/or a magnetic base which should allow for a variety of attachment methods short of duck tape. The positionable head should allow you to set it up ahead of time. |
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11/13/2011 09:08:29 PM · #3 |
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11/13/2011 09:31:41 PM · #4 |
If you want to cobble up your own rig, the tripod mount hole in the camera is 1/4 inch 20 threads per inch pitch. It's the same as a standard 1/4" coarse thread (US) bolt or screw. I like the General's idea too.
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11/14/2011 02:13:44 AM · #5 |
I guess I might not quite be understanding you...
What sort of flashes are you using? At least with Nikon branded flashes, you can hit the DoF preview and it will fire the flash as a modeling light while also stopping down the lens. For macro stuff, I'm typically using the flash on an SC-28 cord and hand holding it off camera, so you can do this operation one handed nice and easy with the D700/300. I've got the DoF preview in the default position on the fn button and love it, but I know many others change that up.
The "modeling light" works for a few seconds and then will shut off. The light is technically an extremely fast strobe. Also, it makes a slightly odd buzzing noise, so don't be worried about that.
I wouldn't be surprised if various other flashes support this, but I can't attest to that. |
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11/15/2011 04:56:58 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by spiritualspatula:
I guess I might not quite be understanding you...
What sort of flashes are you using? At least with Nikon branded flashes, you can hit the DoF preview and it will fire the flash as a modeling light while also stopping down the lens. .. |
although the modelling flash is nice, it's way too power consuming and short to be any use for night-time ultra-macro (like in my snowflake application). I've recently learned that the Nikon SB-R200 (the flashes that can mount to a macro ring) have exactly the feature I'm looking for - i.e an independent light (integrated into the flash) which can be switched on and off.. super useful until the final flashed shot
Originally posted by GeneralE:
I've bought a tiny LED flashlight with a gooseneck head for a couple of bucks at Fry's; I've seen them with both clips and/or a magnetic base which should allow for a variety of attachment methods short of duck tape. The positionable head should allow you to set it up ahead of time.
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yes! very cool. just found one at canadian tire that has both the gooseneck feature and is telescopic as well! it's a little bit heavy and mounting it might be tricky.. but worse comes to worse good ol' ducktape will surely do the job! thanks for the idea.
Message edited by author 2011-11-15 16:58:00. |
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11/15/2011 05:10:01 PM · #7 |
| If you are handy this is a pretty nice macro ring light for under $20 for the parts |
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11/15/2011 09:27:42 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
If you are handy this is a pretty nice macro ring light for under $20 for the parts |
+1
I think that I would work out a better power supply, and maybe diffuse the light a little with something. I would guess that they would work all right up to about 15 volts since they are designed for automotive use, and they would put out quite a lot more light at that voltage. That would make modeling work much easier when using stopped down viewing for DOF preview.
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11/15/2011 10:53:03 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
If you are handy this is a pretty nice macro ring light for under $20 for the parts |
how will this work with Canon 100mm Macro? the hood that I have with the lens is big as compare to the DIY shown. just curious to know if we anyone has done some re-search. |
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11/15/2011 11:11:51 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by pgirish007:
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
If you are handy this is a pretty nice macro ring light for under $20 for the parts |
how will this work with Canon 100mm Macro? the hood that I have with the lens is big as compare to the DIY shown. just curious to know if we anyone has done some re-search. |
If you read the comments, a bit down you'll find
"One more thing. I saw on dealextreme that they had a 120mm ring too. So if you own 77mm lenses, you can do this with the 120mm and the 90mm rings. A bonus is that you will get even more LED bulbs with the larger rings.
//www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.25522"
ETA: Actually, you should be able to use the same build in the directions. I had thought the 100mm was a larger filter thread than 58mm, but I was wrong. The 100mm is the same size as the lens used in the example, so it may work perfectly.
Message edited by author 2011-11-15 23:18:09. |
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11/16/2011 10:31:35 PM · #11 |
found another article on similar and shows more clear on what needs to be done!
Here you go with this link |
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