Ring flash for beginner macro?

Hi guys,

I'm looking to have a go at 'true' macro this year and invest in a lens and a ringflash. The choice of lens is fine and meets my budget but I don't think the Pentax ring flash is going to be budget friendly. Has anyone had any experience using third party ring flashes? What's available for Pentax that will work? I already have a Metz 44. It seems like with the canikons you can just whack any old third party unit on and it will work and not so much with the Pentax. Any ideas would be very helpful

Paul, I have successfully used a Starblitz 1000 Auto on a K20, K30 K5 and K3- it is an auto thyristor unit. I have two, although one appears to have packed up, and I got them both off e-bay - about £15-20 IIRC - just looked on e-bay, there are loads, about £25-30 now! I use stepper rings but have no problems with my Samsung (=Pentax) 100mm macro with a 49mm thread - see my gallery for the latest photo taken! You will need a PC socket and the dedicated pc lead for the flash - make sure it comes with this. If you haven't got a PC socket then you will need a hotshoe adaptor - again easily available via reputable sellers on e-bay

Edit - Trigger voltage 2.9v according to http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html
So should be absolutely fine with any Pentax DSLR

As above. I have a Centon MR20 ringflash, which I believe is the same unit under another label, and it works fine with my old MF Sigma 50mm macro. I find this focal length is a little short for extreme macro and you end up virtually touching the subject, although it's manageable. I expect PJ has gone for something in 100mm range, and that would be a lot better. These cheap second-hand ringflashes are a great starting point and are capable enough for most projects.

Thanks for the info! I'll probably go for a 100mm Pentax if budget allows or 105 sigma... I'm going to go into basics now just for my clarity. Doesn't my k5ii have a PC output on it? Would this mean I just needed the flash unit and I would then connect using a PC lead like this one? Would that be all that is required to get the flash to fire?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30cm-Flash-Sync-Lead-Male-to-Male-Flashgun-Cable-PC-Co...

My recommendation would be a cheap manual wireless trigger. That would enable you to use any off camera manual flash. Most of the led ringflashes are pretty useless..

[quote:3496ace15f="Pjwebbs"]Doesn't my k5ii have a PC output on it? Would this mean I just needed the flash unit and I would then connect using a PC lead like this one? Would that be all that is required to get the flash to fire?

]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30cm-Flash-Sync-Lead-Male-to-Male-Flashgun-Cable-PC-Co...

If the K5II has a PC socket (and I believe it does), all you'll need is the EBay cable, although one will probably be supplied with the flash. The Starblitz/Centon units have traditional flash tubes rather than LEDs.

I used to use a 100MM DFA Pentax with a sigma 140 ring flash but the pentax used to struggle to manual focus due to the quick shift clutch and the weight of the ring flash which was a bit of a pain.Now use a Tamron 90mm AD 2 72B F2.8 and an M 100 F4 and they are great.

On the cheap for Pentax there is only one ring flash you need to look for......

Viltrox JY-670

also discussed in this thread.

See my PM of this morning