If anyone out there is considering using the Godox V860 II flash for macro photography, have look at the AK diffuser. It is very neat and the guys are super helpful if you have any queries. A macro photographer with 15 years experience (Bruce Taubert) says it is the best diffuser he has ever used for macro.
Nikon flash query
- Thread starter guitarman67
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guitarman67
Active member
My photography passion started with macro. I have the Canon mt24ex twin flash which works really well, along with a Canon 100mm and canon MP-E65 macro lenses. The stofen diffusers I used with the mt24ex are not the best...but there are many home made versions out there from a number of people, which work much better...in addition to diffusers for the 580EXii flash unit which I also have. The AK diffuser looks interesting...not sure why there is a light inside, unless it makes it easier to see the subject, as the diffuser could totally cover the subject due to its overall size. It also looks a bit cumbersome, but I'd be interested to see some real-world sample photos taken using this diffuser. It certainly would present an issue using the MP-E65, as the lens needs to be very close to the subject and this diffuser would not be practical here.
HI! Here is the link to Bruce Taubert's article that may answer some points you raise.
The Best Macro Diffuser Ever
By Bruce D Taubert About 15 years ago, when I began to get serious about macro photography, I found the learning curve to be a bit steeper than I had thought it was going to be. The equipment needs were a bit different, the focusing more critical, stabilizing my equipment at macro distances...
ahps.org
guitarman67
Active member
Thank you for the link. The sample photos are very impressive in terms of the diffused light. Even though they make one for the MP-E65 lens, I keep thinking that the diffuser would (in the case of an insect on the ground) touch the ground with the lens too far from the insect. I guess contacting them would be the go. Cheers.
joe43
Well-known member
I use a SB 800 with my D 500 for fill flash on birds when poor lighting requires a little help from fill flash. I set Auto FP in Custom Setting e1; set rear curtain synch on the camera so the flsh goes off at the end of the exposure; set TTL FP on the flash (not TTL BL FP); set minus flash exposure on the camera usually to -2.7 or -3.0. This usually results in just enough extra light to show details on the front of the bird. I have attached a picture I took late yesterday afternoon with my D500; 500mm f5.6 pf lens; SB
Greg Basco has a good book out on flash for nature photography. I believe he uses Godox flashes.
www.deepgreenphotography.com
www.deepgreenphotography.com
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800 flash set to -2.7.Greg Basco has a good book out on flash for nature photography. I believe he uses Godox flashes.
Flash and Lighting Gear for Nature Photography — Deep Green Photography
Flash and Lighting Gear for Nature Photography
www.deepgreenphotography.com
Flash for the Nature Photographer — Deep Green Photography
Books and e-books by Gregory Basco of Deep Green Photography
www.deepgreenphotography.com
guitarman67
Active member
Thanks so much for the links Joe. Nice photo, although I must admit that, to me, the light looks a little harsh. Why use rear curtain sync here? Isn't that for light trails/slow motion effect?
joe43
Well-known member
I agree that there is too much flash . I have found that fill flash amounts can vary when you use Auto FP with high shutter speeds. I will experiment with TTL BL FP the next time to see if TTL BL resolves the issue. Also my batteries were not freshly charged and tht can cause results that are not consistent.
If you want the flash to add light with ambient light being the dominant light source, use rear curtain or second curtain. If you use front curtain, flash become the dominant light. That is OK if it is dark or if you are taking pictures indoors.
If you use Godox flashes, experiment and see what works for you.
If you want the flash to add light with ambient light being the dominant light source, use rear curtain or second curtain. If you use front curtain, flash become the dominant light. That is OK if it is dark or if you are taking pictures indoors.
If you use Godox flashes, experiment and see what works for you.
guitarman67
Active member
Hi Joe. Thank you for the info on rear curtain sync. I've used flash (first curtain sync) in the past for perched birds with no issues, but did some reading, and it is better, as you say, to use rear curtain in certain situations. Cheers.
Using a diffuser I find that setting the flash to minus 0.7 - 1.3 EV depending on range works well when I use fill with people and places. As the range increases you can use less flash compensation.
Consistency is virtually impossible to achieve in any semi-auto mode unless you have a particular place you can use or return to (almost like a studio set up) as every situation has differnt conditions and you don't have the time to manually change the settings to suit each situation. However, using trial and error you can get to know how much flash EV compensation you are likely to need so pre-setting the flash EV compensation can be done before you shoot.
joe43
Well-known member
I agree that consistency is important. That is why I use TTL and not TTL BL. With TTL BL, the computers in the camera and flash work together to balance the light so you never really know what you are getting. And your batteries need to be fully charged. Some prefer to set their flash to Manual and set the exact amount of flash power manually. That can and does work very well in a lot of situations. The important thing is to understand how your flash works with all of its and your camera's settings. Get good books from folks who really know what they are talking about. For Nikon flash, check out Mike Hagen's book, Nikon Creative lighting system, third edition (may not cover latest flashes) and his videos (that cost money):
www.creativelive.com
I am going to get Greg Basco flash e book too.
www.deepgreenphotography.com
How to Shoot with your First Flash with Mike Hagen | CreativeLive
Short on time? This class is available HERE as a Fast Class, exclusively for CreativeLive subscribers. Every photographer encounters situations where the light on their subject is less than ideal.
www.creativelive.com
I am going to get Greg Basco flash e book too.
Flash for the Nature Photographer — Deep Green Photography
Books and e-books by Gregory Basco of Deep Green Photography
www.deepgreenphotography.com