Canon MR-14EX TTL ring lite w/ Sigma 18-50mm 1:2.8 EX Macro lens

<p>Simple question...maybe? I have a Canon T1i with a Sigma 18-50mm 1:2.8 EX Macro lens. I want to get a decent ring lite and I am looking at the Canon MR-14 EX TTL Macro ring lite. Will this light work well with this lens or is there another ring lite that would work better? I believe there is a fit issue also? I thought about the Ray Flash ring flash adapter but I hate to spend $200 and use it on my Canon 430EX flash. Especially when I am saving funds to get a Canon 580EX II flash (Ring lite has to come first). Suggestions?<br>

Thanx!</p>

<p>The MR-14EX is designed to clip onto the end of Canon's macro lenses. The Sigma lens you mention is not a true macro lens, despite its misleading marketing, since it can't achieve 1:1 magnification. And I doubt Sigma designed the end of the lens to accommodate the Canon flash unit. I guess it's possible, but it seems unlikely to me. In any event I'd test first before buying.</p>

It should be possible using one of the microlite adaptor rings, these screw into the lens filter thread and provide the lip for

the flash to mount to.

 

As noted your lens it not the best choice for macro work, I would recommened one of the around 100mm macro lenses,

and if you can aford it the twin flash for macro work.

 

But you have not told us what sort of photography you are planning to use this kit for so it is difficult to help more.

<p>The MR-14EX is a very fine macro strobe, and also does well in alternative service. I do not own the Sigma lens you mentioned, but if it has a filter size supported by the MR-14EX system, it will work just fine, and you will be very pleased with it's performance.</p>

<p>I used that same strobe with a variety of lenses for quite awhile. It is a very capable, and very accurate performer by any standard. I replaced it a few years ago with the insanely expensive MT-24EX strobe, as I really liked the concept of dual, fully movable flash heads that were able to be assigned different channels in the ETTL II world view, as well as allow setting to independent ranges in full manual mode. After the sticker shock passed, it has proven to be a fantastic deal.</p>

<p>Back to the MR-14 though, it is just as capable in standard trim as the MT-24. You can not only use it for macro work with a high expectation of exposure accuracy, but you can use it as a "beauty light" type of source for other situations as well.</p>

<p>Here are a few shots taken with the MT-24 version. One is a true macro shot, and the other is a shot taken of a bride during wedding prep, with a crop of the same pic for a closer view. Both were shot with the EF-s 60 mm f/2.8 lens, but the lighting and metering are exactly what you can expect with the MR-14EX strobe. The ring light type of strobe offers a new tool to your lighting kit with a different look, and the MR-14 has the right control software to make it easy for you to get it right. . Enjoy!</p>

<p>The macro shot of the tire/wheel is the left front wheel of the Subaru STi model shown here..<br>

<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4539856290_2a9ab8db07.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="333" /></p>

<p><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4541844087_7b34258c21.jpg" alt="" width="333" height="500" /></p>

<p><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4542504666_4333a0a6b3_o.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="659" /></p>

<p><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2752/4539425773_f1ef6c4520_b.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" /></p>

<p> </p>

<p>Canon Macrolite Adapters are available for 52mm, 58mm, 67mm and 72mm filter threads. I do not know what the filter size of your lens is, but I assume it will be quite large, since it is a fast standard zoom for 1.6-factor. Even with a Macrolite Adapter and, if necessary, an off-brand step-up or step-down ring, you are very likely to find that vignetting is caused, quite possibly at all focal lengths. The same would be true with the ring supplied with the MT-24EX, but with that flash you might be able to find some alternative way of mounting the heads, which simply clip to the ring rather than being an intgral part of it as they are with the MR-14EX. </p>

<p>Yeah, the lens has a 72mm filter and I was afraid of vignetting. It only makes sense. I have been looking at maybe just biting the bullet and getting the Canon Telephoto EF 100 f/2.8 USM Macro lens (not L series) and mating it to the MR-14EX ring lite. I would be doing some general macro stuff (flowers, bugs, small items) and some jewelry stuff. I know jewelry is tricky and I have a soft box and other lights to help me out with this task. My son has a Canon Rebel XS and he wants my T1i, so I might jump up to the 7D in a year or so. That being said, I just don't want to have to spend more later to get good pictures.</p>

<p>If my memory does not fail, you can use a Cokin ring A of the apropiate size instead of the Canon Macrolite adapter</p>