Posted by David Taylor on June 19, 2008 at 12:44 PM
...please. I recently acquired a Sigma EM-140DG ring flash for when the natural light conditions are not suitable. Here is one of my first images using it. Advice on how to get the best out of my purchase will be very much appreciated.
Sigma SD14 dslr
Sigma 50mm Ex macro lens
F16
1/200 sec
ISO 50
Sigma EM-140DG ring flash
Hand held
Edited in PS Elements 5
Framed in XaraXtreme Pro 4
I haven't used a ringflash specifically, but I do often fully illuminate my macro images with a regular flashgun (Canon Speedlight). The first thing I would suggest is to turn down the flash output, it looks too strong in the above image. Secondly, the light needs to be diffused somehow. This can, I believe, be a problem with ringflashes and it's not clear to me how you would do it. But diffusion is essential with my flashgun and it would appear to be beneficial in this case too. Thirdly, I believe you can set the flash ouptut ratio so that the light is stronger on one side than another (thereby looking more realistic). Maybe try a ratio of 4:1? I hope that helps.
i love ring flash, it can give such a natural light, and your results should be aimed at getting an image that looks like you didn't really use flash. your image as matt says has way too much flash in it, and you should be able to turn the output right down so that you just get a little puff.
try to take some images of something stationary, to get your light levels right and then go looking for something more interesting once you have achieved your desired result. that's the beauty of digital, this can be achieved in only a few frames, seeing the results instantly.
for starters i usually go for 125th @ f8 and set the flash at 1/4 output, then reduce or increase it from there depending on how things look.
my nikon unit does not require any diffusion but i'm not sure how your sigma unit is set up.
there are some on the forum more versed in macro than myself that can advise you on optimum apertures for macro, as i think there are problems with sensor cell aligment above certain f numbers.
i love ring flash, it can give such a natural light, and your results should be aimed at getting an image that looks like you didn't really use flash. your image as matt says has way too much flash in it, and you should be able to turn the output right down so that you just get a little puff.
try to take some images of something stationary, to get your light levels right and then go looking for something more interesting once you have achieved your desired result. that's the beauty of digital, this can be achieved in only a few frames, seeing the results instantly.
for starters i usually go for 125th @ f8 and set the flash at 1/4 output, then reduce or increase it from there depending on how things look.
my nikon unit does not require any diffusion but i'm not sure how your sigma unit is set up.
there are some on the forum more versed in macro than myself that can advise you on optimum apertures for macro, as i think there are problems with sensor cell aligment above certain f numbers.
Only ever use Ring flash for scientific purposes.. like Matt I much prefer an ordinary flash with a diffuser.
I don't think the Sigma allows you to set a ratio for each side like my Canon unit, I think it is either on or off, in which case I would fix diffusion material to the front with extra layers to one side, that will give a bit of modeling and by rotating the unit you can set where the main illumination is coming from...
I have this ring flash too - it works fine, but as with others I prefer a diffused standard flash. The problem you face is that the 50mm lens has such a close focusing distance that a diffused standard flash is a bit hopeless (I use it with a 180mm). I occasionally use the ring flash with a 105mm macro, and find that the trick is to set it to manual and to vary the settings either side (regularly 1/4 power on one side 1/8 or 1/16 on the other. You can diffuse the light with bit of translucent scotch tape. Then you need a bit of trial and error on exposure, but once it's right and you're happy with the exposure, then you'll be fine - just add a stop or so as you move away.
Discussion
5 repliesSigma SD14 dslr
Sigma 50mm Ex macro lens
F16
1/200 sec
ISO 50
Sigma EM-140DG ring flash
Hand held
Edited in PS Elements 5
Framed in XaraXtreme Pro 4
I haven't used a ringflash specifically, but I do often fully illuminate my macro images with a regular flashgun (Canon Speedlight). The first thing I would suggest is to turn down the flash output, it looks too strong in the above image. Secondly, the light needs to be diffused somehow. This can, I believe, be a problem with ringflashes and it's not clear to me how you would do it. But diffusion is essential with my flashgun and it would appear to be beneficial in this case too. Thirdly, I believe you can set the flash ouptut ratio so that the light is stronger on one side than another (thereby looking more realistic). Maybe try a ratio of 4:1? I hope that helps.
Matt
hi david,
i love ring flash, it can give such a natural light, and your results should be aimed at getting an image that looks like you didn't really use flash. your image as matt says has way too much flash in it, and you should be able to turn the output right down so that you just get a little puff.
try to take some images of something stationary, to get your light levels right and then go looking for something more interesting once you have achieved your desired result. that's the beauty of digital, this can be achieved in only a few frames, seeing the results instantly.
for starters i usually go for 125th @ f8 and set the flash at 1/4 output, then reduce or increase it from there depending on how things look.
my nikon unit does not require any diffusion but i'm not sure how your sigma unit is set up.
there are some on the forum more versed in macro than myself that can advise you on optimum apertures for macro, as i think there are problems with sensor cell aligment above certain f numbers.
hope this helps.
mark
hi david,
i love ring flash, it can give such a natural light, and your results should be aimed at getting an image that looks like you didn't really use flash. your image as matt says has way too much flash in it, and you should be able to turn the output right down so that you just get a little puff.
try to take some images of something stationary, to get your light levels right and then go looking for something more interesting once you have achieved your desired result. that's the beauty of digital, this can be achieved in only a few frames, seeing the results instantly.
for starters i usually go for 125th @ f8 and set the flash at 1/4 output, then reduce or increase it from there depending on how things look.
my nikon unit does not require any diffusion but i'm not sure how your sigma unit is set up.
there are some on the forum more versed in macro than myself that can advise you on optimum apertures for macro, as i think there are problems with sensor cell aligment above certain f numbers.
hope this helps.
mark
I don't think the Sigma allows you to set a ratio for each side like my Canon unit, I think it is either on or off, in which case I would fix diffusion material to the front with extra layers to one side, that will give a bit of modeling and by rotating the unit you can set where the main illumination is coming from...
HTH
Phil
I have this ring flash too - it works fine, but as with others I prefer a diffused standard flash. The problem you face is that the 50mm lens has such a close focusing distance that a diffused standard flash is a bit hopeless (I use it with a 180mm). I occasionally use the ring flash with a 105mm macro, and find that the trick is to set it to manual and to vary the settings either side (regularly 1/4 power on one side 1/8 or 1/16 on the other. You can diffuse the light with bit of translucent scotch tape. Then you need a bit of trial and error on exposure, but once it's right and you're happy with the exposure, then you'll be fine - just add a stop or so as you move away.
I hope this helps a bit.
Mark