Dual flash is one of the flash types designed for macro photography. The main difference between a ring flash and a twin flash is the flexibility in flash heads positioning. The ring flash has flash tubes permanently built-in into a ring, which is attached to the lens. Dual flashes are constructed differently: they have two flash heads, which are mounted on a separate ring, or on a bracket.
(Fot.Ring and Dual Flash.)
There are several advantages of dual flashes. I’ll try to list them in accidental order:
– Light direction control
– You can fix them on a dedicated bracket
– A flexibility of positioning of the flash heads. You can set them close to the lens axis to obtain light direction similar to a ring flash or position them in a distance to gain more information about texture (when in use with a bracket).
– Optimal positioning of the flash heads for color transfer in digital dental photography (setting correct position – 45°)
[Fot Bracket 45degrees]
– More options for light modifiers (bouncers, diffusers) used in dental photography
(Fot.Dual Flash with Lumiquest]
Dual flash is available with wireless communication or with classic wires.
Available options for Canon users:
Canon MT-24EX Twin Lite + bracket (optional)
Wireless options:
2 x Canon 270EX II + wireless transmitter Canon ST-E2 + bracket
Nissin i40 + wireless transmitter Canon ST-E2 + bracket
Available options for Nikon users (wireless):
Nikon R1C1 (Nikon SB-R200 + commander SU-800) + bracket (optional)
2 x Nissin i40 + commander SU-800 + bracket
Available options for Sony users:
Sony HVL-MT24AM Macro Twin Flash Kit
Options for Olympus users:
Olympus STF-22 Twin Flash Set with FC-1 TTL Controller
If you have wireless flashes you can control them in two ways. Some of the cameras’ models have a built-in commander. Others will need a separate commander attached to the hot-shoe of your camera body.
I prefer to use an external commander instead of a built-in one (even if my camera has it).
The advantages of the external commanders/transmitters are:
– rigid and stable mount with the hot-shoe on the camera (no clips or risk of accidental damage of the pop-up flash, no wobbling of the clip)
– fast and easy access to manual settings of the flash power in the Manual Mode
Resources:
www.dentalphotomaster.com
www.photomed.net
www.bhphotovideo.com
You can find related lessons in our Dental Photo Master online platform:
Canon MT-24EX T
Canon 270 EX II
Nikon R1C1