Is there such a thing as too much fash for Macro?

Funny question perhaps but I'm wondering...

I'm shooting a Canon 5D and typically shoot WA with dual Ike SS200s (old skool)

I will be headed to Southern Sulawesi and expect at least 50% macro.

I have access to a Canon 100mm Macro lens and I believe that there is space to get the two strobes on either side of the lens. Now for the question...

I intend to set my shutter at 200 and my aperture as small as it might go and then use the aperture dial on the camera to moderate the exposure. I'm assuming that I should have enough light that I'll use diffusers on both the units.

I'm assuming that I'll be able to get decent DOF this way but I've never tried it... Then again the strobes only fo 1/8, 1/4 , 1/2 and Full. Maybe not the optimal settings?

Any suggestions (other than new strobes) ??

yes, Mark, that should work perfectly. you will get great DOF.

ISO 100, 1/250th, change aperture as needed. definitely use the diffusers.

I used full power on my YS-110's for small apertures, 1/2 power on your SS 200's should probably work fine, since they are stronger strobes, but try a couple of different settings to find the ones that give the apertures you like

good luck

scot

These strobes are very wide and very good at lighting up the background when shooting macro. This means that it can be hard to see the subject in the photos 'cuz it's lost in the background.

That's why I prefer narrower beamed strobes for macro - like something with a single straight tube like the Ike DS51's

Cheers

James

To quote what Franklin Viola said to me way back when as I ventured into to morass of underwater photography, "It's dark down there. Take as much light as you can carry."

I used to shoot SS200's for macro. Granted, at ISO50, big light helps. You will be able to do whatever you want with those babies.

Personally, if I get the aperture of my choice, I like f/22. If you can get the right strobe power setting for f/22, then you hit the best compromise between DOF and diffraction. Of course, it depends on what you are shooting. Just my opinion.

In addition to the preceeding comments, there is also the warmer color temp of the 200s. I shot 2 of these for both macro and W/A for several years until I compared some of my shots to my wife's identical subjects that were shot with Ike 50's. In a side by side comparison, the ones shot with the 200's were too warm, sometimes looking reddish or rusty. I got a set of 50's and used them for macro and the 200's for W/A. We now shoot digital with 240 Inons for both macro and W/A. They are a good comprimise and a lot smaller/lighter than the 200's. Still for a great W/A strobe, the 200's are hard to beat!

These strobes are very wide and very good at lighting up the background when shooting macro. This means that it can be hard to see the subject in the photos 'cuz it's lost in the background.

 

That's why I prefer narrower beamed strobes for macro - like something with a single straight tube like the Ike DS51's

 

Cheers

James

How about using one of those "tubie things" I saw someone mention in a past posting... this could help narow the beam I'd imagine.

In addition to the preceeding comments, there is also the warmer color temp of the 200s. ...

Interesting.

I experimented WA in the past with a cc20 red filter and a cyan filter on the strobe.

Do you think a filter on the stobes to cool down the light would be helpful? Or do I simply adjust the Raw image after the fact?

I went diving on the Pelagian out of Wakatobi last October (SW Sulawesi).

I shot my Canon 5D, 100mm Macro using both DS-125s and Inon Z-240s. There were instances where I wish I had just a bit more flash. With the ability to adjust power settings on your 200s, you'll be fine.

Since I had a cracked Ikelite port lock I ended up shooting the 100mm macro the entire trip. Of the ~32 dives, I only missed the WA on about 3 dives. I'd be surprised if you didn't shoot WA 2/3 to 3/4 of the trip.

I went diving on the Pelagian out of Wakatobi last October (SW Sulawesi).

 

I shot my Canon 5D, 100mm Macro using both DS-125s and Inon Z-240s. There were instances where I wish I had just a bit more flash. With the ability to adjust power settings on your 200s, you'll be fine.

 

Since I had a cracked Ikelite port lock I ended up shooting the 100mm macro the entire trip. Of the ~32 dives, I only missed the WA on about 3 dives. I'd be surprised if you didn't shoot WA 2/3 to 3/4 of the trip.

huh?

Did you mean to write: "I'd be surprised if you didn't shoot Macro 2/3 to 3/4 of the trip" ?