Dual flash – why should I?
Kris Chmielewski
08-10-2016
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
What would be your suggestion for the magnification to be used when set the bracket at 45• for shade taking?
And where do you recommend to position the flash in relation to the lens (in fornt, same level, or rear) to it. And why? .. or does every position serve a different purpose and there is no ideal postion?
High Kris…. can I be sure, that Nissin i40 are working well with commander SU800?
Thank you for your answer.
Tomas
what should i do if i don’t have dual or ring flashes ?
is it right if i use the LED lights as a light source ?
and where i have but my lights ?