Are two Backscatter MF-2 flashes enough for FF macro?

[Architeuthis]

I am currently using two Backscatter HF-1 flashes with my FF rig (A7R5). I have an additional MF-2 with snoot for occasional snooting, but currently I use the HF-1s as main flashes, also for macro (Sony 90mm macro with and w/o SMC-1).

The HF-1 is a great flash but since they are big and heavy, positioning for macro is suboptimal, the small and light MF-2s would be much better in this respect...

 

Is there someone who is using two MF-2 flashes for macro and can write about the experience with a FF rig?

Are there macro techniques where the power of two MF-2s is not sufficient?

(I am thinking of acquiring a second MF-2 and then use two MF-2 as main flashes for macro and let the HF-1s at the surface then (maybe a single off-camera HF-1 for special occasions))

 

 

 

Thanks, Wolfgang

Edited Friday at 07:25 AM by Architeuthis

[Giancarlo M.]

I have been using MF-2s for almost 2 years just for macro photography and they are more than perfect. The power is more than enough for what you need to do.

 

No need to carry around bigger and heavier strobes for macrophotography.

Only recommendation is to equip yourself with a quick release to use them with the snoot as well, I bought arms with a built-in quick release and would never go back for the great convenience.

 

an excellent alternative are the AOI UCS-Q1s, I have already tried them and they are a bit more powerful.

 

[Architeuthis]

2 hours ago, Giancarlo M. said:

I have been using MF-2s for almost 2 years just for macro photography and they are more than perfect. The power is more than enough for what you need to do.

 

No need to carry around bigger and heavier strobes for macrophotography.

Only recommendation is to equip yourself with a quick release to use them with the snoot as well, I bought arms with a built-in quick release and would never go back for the great convenience.

 

an excellent alternative are the AOI UCS-Q1s, I have already tried them and they are a bit more powerful.

 

 

Thank you for the valuable answer...👍

 

What camera are you using?

Is also HSS working and if yes, does it have enough light?

Can you please give a link to the "quick release"?

 

Thank you, Wolfgang

Edited Friday at 11:01 AM by Architeuthis

[Giancarlo M.]

I mostly used the Canon R7, on my last trip I started using a Sony A1.

 

I have never tested HSS on the MF-2s, the R7 with a manual trigger can get to a syncro of 1/400 without seeing the curtain, even the A1 I can use 1/400 without any problems, so I don't consider it necessary for my use.

 

If you have a Backscatter or UWT trigger you should have no problem using HSS on the MF-2 as well.

 

This is the link of the arms that I use https://www.flex-arm.com/it/bracci-carbonio/bracci-quick-release-sgancio-rapido/braccio-in-fibra-di-carbonio-quick-release-sgancio-rapido-doppia-sfera-25-mm-lung-24-cm.html

 

At the end of April I will leave for Lembeh and I will have on test the new AOI UIS-P1 strobes to their new trigger, I will use them mainly in BW but the trigger should be compatible with the MF-2 and I will let you know if it will work properly and if the power will be good.

 

[wetdreams]

Hi Architeuthis, my rig is not FF, but APS-C (Fujifilm). 

For me, 2 Backscatter Mf-1 have been working flawlessly for macro since my begginings in UW photography.

Like Giancarlo, I have a quick detach arm in one of the strobes, just in case I want to place It off camera (with a long fiber optic cable).

My main subjects are nudis, so plenty of power with the Mf-1s.

With medium macro subjects, like seahorses, no problem too.

Sometimes I shoot bigger subjects (Moray eels, rockfish...) and have to be a little further away (my go-to lens is a 80mm  macro, 120mm equivalent) , then I have to set full Power in the strobes, and remove the difussers.

No experience in FF, but with my actual rig never missed more powerfull strobes.

99% of my pictures were taken with one or two MF-1, you can take a look at @wetdreamsphoto.

Hope this can help.

 

Edited Friday at 03:12 PM by wetdreams

[Dave_Hicks]

8 hours ago, Architeuthis said:

I am currently using two Backscatter HF-1 flashes with my FF rig (A7R5). I have an additional MF-2 with snoot for occasional snooting, but currently I use the HF-1s as main flashes, also for macro (Sony 90mm macro with and w/o SMC-1).

The HF-1 is a great flash but since they are big and heavy, positioning for macro is suboptimal, the small and light MF-2s would be much better in this respect...

 

Is there someone who is using two MF-2 flashes for macro and can write about the experience with a FF rig?

Are there macro techniques where the power of two MF-2s is not sufficient?

(I am thinking of acquiring a second MF-2 and then use two MF-2 as main flashes for macro and let the HF-1s at the surface then (maybe a single off-camera HF-1 for special occasions))

 

 

 

Thanks, Wolfgang

When I shoot macro, I mostly use an MF-2/snoot on the right and an HF-1 on the left. The left side has very long arms. This allows me to use the snoot as a primary light and the HF-1 as fill light. The long arms allow me to place some backlighting behind the subject or from a steep angle to provide some contrast and shadow. If there is a tight spot I can push the HF-1 arm out of the way and just use the snoot. I have 3 Jumbo Stix blocks on the HF-1 arms that nicely balance the rig. The whole thing is nearly neutrally buoyant. 

 

I see no problems with the pair of MF-2s as a good macro setup or CFWA configuration.

 

Edited Friday at 03:39 PM by Dave_Hicks

[Architeuthis]

I thank you all for the great input...👍

 

=> I just have ordered a second MF-2 (plenty of combinations with up to 4 strobes now possible, also for WA)... 😊

Probably I will go for such a detachable arm also, looks very practical...

Edited Friday at 04:37 PM by Architeuthis

[Architeuthis]

59 minutes ago, Dave_Hicks said:

When I shoot macro, I mostly use an MF-2/snoot on the right and an HF-1 on the left. The left side has very long arms. This allows me to use the snoot as a primary light and the HF-1 as fill light. The long arms allow me to place some backlighting behind the subject or from a steep angle to provide some contrast and shadow. If there is a tight spot I can push the HF-1 arm out of the way and just use the snoot. I have 3 Jumbo Stix blocks on the HF-1 arms that nicely balance the rig. The whole thing is nearly neutrally buoyant. 

 

I see no problems with the pair of MF-2s as a good macro setup or CFWA configuration.

 

 

Great rig...

I guess you using the HF-1 as second macro strobe because you need sometimes more light output (e.g. for backlighting)?

[Dave_Hicks]

2 minutes ago, Architeuthis said:

 

Great rig...

I guess you using the HF-1 as second macro strobe because you need sometimes more light output (e.g. for backlighting)?

Backlighting or just fill light at low power. I don't like the "Spotlight" effect you sometimes see in Snoot shots. The second strobe allows you to blend in some surrounding detail without emphasizing the background you are trying to hide with the snoot. 

 

[Architeuthis]

14 hours ago, Dave_Hicks said:

Backlighting or just fill light at low power. I don't like the "Spotlight" effect you sometimes see in Snoot shots. The second strobe allows you to blend in some surrounding detail without emphasizing the background you are trying to hide with the snoot. 

 

 

 

Would a second MF-2, without snoot, also do the job for you?

[Dave_Hicks]

5 hours ago, Architeuthis said:

 

Would a second MF-2, without snoot, also do the job for you?

Probably most of the time. But i don't need two MF-2s, and i do need two HF-1s. Good enough for me.