macro lighting

[Tizzi]

What lighting would people recommend for taking macro shots of flowers?
Should I get a ring flash or a monobloc?

[Norm Dresner]

I shoot flowers in the field, not in studio. While my first choice is
natural lighting, perhaps supplemented with a reflector or diffuser, I tried
using a ring light for a while and then shifted to an off-camera hand-held
strobe. I find that the complete freedom to control the directionality of
the lighting very important. A diffused (Sto-Fen) on the strobe is
mandatory IMO.

[Tizzi]

Hi Norm

Did the ring flash have any advantages over the off camera strobe?

[Norm Dresner]

Hi Norm

Did the ring flash have any advantages over the off camera strobe?

The supposed advantage of a ring light is its shadow-less nature and
there are some pictures for which this may be desirable. My preferences are
for more naturally looking illumination.

As far as equipment is concerned, the ring light I have is an ancient
(Soligor IIRC) not-completely-automatic unit that had to be used manually
with several test exposures before I could get decent lighting using the
D70. I never did try it with either the 35mm film cameras or with the
2-1/4" square because of the uncertainly in the exposure. I suppose a flash
meter would make all of that moot.

AFAIK There's only one ring light which works fully automatically with my
Nikon D70 but several units (including a Nikon) that work with my film
bodies (N90s & F100). Since the Sigma ring light is ~$350 and the
off-camera cord and Sto-Fen diffuser totaled about $50, I didn't see much
reason to purchase the new ring light since I could get almost the same
effect by holding the flash right adjacent to the lens barrel.

Norm

[Pepe]

Here is a cheap setup! White foam from the bin box.
http://www.saunalahti.fi/fabriciu/albums/setup.jpg
And the results:
http://www.saunalahti.fi/fabriciu/albums/caladiva.jpg


Open your eyes and LOOK around!
Pepe

[Norm]

I'm sure it works well --- but the Sto-Fen diffuser is a trifle more
portable ;-))