Which should come first, flash or marco lens?

[myjohnson]

BTW madugo, what are the beautiful zoas in those pix? the first in each set. i'm setting up a salt tank, and am still in my researching phase. :)

Do post pictures when you start the setting up process!

Thanks for the advice on flash. I'm getting a free 50mm/1.8 from my older brother so......I'm getting the flash. Just don't know where and when just yet.

[ddaquaria]

60 mm macro
100% crop
overhead flash with 4 T5 lights
1/250, f16, ISO 500 (I had ISO auto turned on)
shot in Raw with post processing in Lightroom (but not photoshopped)


105 mm macro VR off
50% crop (maybe less)
overhead flash with 6 T5 lights
1/250 f16 ISO 200 (turned ISO auto off)
shot in Raw with post processing in Lightroom

Differences are distance to the subject - obviously since I'm cropping less.

I don't shoot in JPEG very often so I can correct the white balance and do a decent job with the exposure I need to.

[madugo]

ok, though i'm not a Nikon gal myself (i shoot canon), my professor once told us in class he would buy all of us a tube of super glue to glue our onboard flashes closed, thats how much hated them. they really are not a good indicator of a flash. i would say honestly, it's going to depend alot on your subjects. what do you plan to shoot? is this for your fish, family, sporting events, dog next door, fireworks etc...? because i have found more times i needed a 50mm macro than times i've needed my flash honestly. using the abient light in a room is tricky and takes practice, but unless you are going to go shoot outdoor night time weddings, i'd lean towards the macro lens, just based on what i've needed. now, i would say that you will most likely need a tripod if you are using just aquarium lights with a 100mm macro, because the sheer camera shake will unnerve you. thats just my two cents. determine your primary goal for either, and decide that way. A flash will not help you THAT much for fish honestly. additionally, if you are still not sure, borrow one from someone that has one, and see. you can also get really good deals at houston camera exchange. went there and got my 50mm F/1.8 canon AF lens this week for 46 bucks. your ISO also can effect the picture. for example in the pix below, look at the fringe of the zoa's in the first pictures. the 580 brings out more of the brown tonalities in the size pic we have to look at (of course clicking on it to expand it) but the natural light, the ones provided, bring a touch more blue/green tint to the fringe. the brown is a light thats 10k bouncing off something you are most likely looking at through 15-20k bulbs. thats just my take on it. for all i know, they could in fact be brown skirted zoas, and the non-flash is giving them an unnatural bluegreen tint.

BTW madugo, what are the beautiful zoas in those pix? the first in each set. i'm setting up a salt tank, and am still in my researching phase. :)

the zoa has brown skirt with a little blue tent..
its just the white balance setting...
because when i used the flash i got to set it to different white balance...
i just did not adjust the WB to the same...
btw...50mm f1.8 for only 46 bucks??
thats a steal...lol..

[cichlidchic]

the zoa has brown skirt with a little blue tent..
its just the white balance setting...
because when i used the flash i got to set it to different white balance...
i just did not adjust the WB to the same...
btw...50mm f1.8 for only 46 bucks??
thats a steal...lol..

I know, i ran out of there and told my husband I got it for half price. it's used but you can't tell. that explains the color saturation then. WB would do that. I'm going to assume u used a bounce or a kicker to deflect the light to fall on the subject? because the light does appear very natural. i had to stare for a good 15 minutes before telling the difference.

MJ, if you were given a 50MM, go flash. i would deffinately say flash over another macro. usually one suffices for a good while. and of course i'll be posting pics as it comes along. need a protein skimmer though lol.

[madugo]

I know, i ran out of there and told my husband I got it for half price. it's used but you can't tell. that explains the color saturation then. WB would do that. I'm going to assume u used a bounce or a kicker to deflect the light to fall on the subject? because the light does appear very natural. i had to stare for a good 15 minutes before telling the difference.

MJ, if you were given a 50MM, go flash. i would deffinately say flash over another macro. usually one suffices for a good while. and of course i'll be posting pics as it comes along. need a protein skimmer though lol.

lol..i do have a bouncer on...
and different settings may help too...
i have a 50mm f1.8 already..
but if i saw if for 46 bucks...
i would buy it off and resell it...
then i could make my lunch money for one week!!! lol...

[myjohnson]

Yeah, cause I'm getting another free lens I'm getting the flash....just thinking about where to get it for the best deal.

[cichlidchic]

Yeah, cause I'm getting another free lens I'm getting the flash....just thinking about where to get it for the best deal.

www.bhphotovideo.com :)

[myjohnson]

Thanks for the help guys.

I got the flash this morning and started shooting it off already.

This thing is awesome!

I still need a light diffuser but shots are coming out so much better with the wireless flash.