Canon MR-14EX Macro Ring Lite for Canon Digital SLR Cameras by Canon Cameras US
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Digital camera reviews of Canon MR-14EX Macro Ring Lite for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Digital camera Review: A very good close-range ring flash
Summary: 4 Stars
The Canon MR-14EX Macro Ring Lite is a great flash unit for use at fairly close range. As the model number indicates, it has a guide number of 14, which means that its effective range is about 14 meters (or 46 feet). This is only slightly more powerful than the built-in flashes in Canon's low-end DSLRs (which have a guide number of 13), and considerably weaker than Canon's other external flash units (the effective range of which varies from model to model, from 22 meters to 58 meters). But the low guide number is not really a problem for the intended use of the MR-14EX, which is close-up and macro photography. By mounting the Macro Ring Lite on a lens, the subject of a photograph is made to seem to be illuminated equally from all directions. This avoids the harsh shadows that are commonly seen in pictures when a single flash unit was pointed directly at the subject.
The MR-14EX allows each of its two semi-circular lamps to be adjusted individually, allowing one side of the subject to be illuminated more strongly than the other if desired. It also provides two smaller lamps to aid auto-focusing in dim conditions. It can even serve as a master controller for off-camera Canon Speedlite flash units. It is powered by four AA batteries; rechargeable NiMH batteries are recommended.
The MR-14EX mounts easily on the Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro Lens, the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens (now discontinued), and the Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5X Macro Lens. To mount it on the new Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM 1-to-1 Macro Lens, a Canon Macrolite Adapter 67 is required. To mount it on the Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM Lens, a Canon Macrolite Adapter 72C f/ML-3 is needed. On some other lenses, it can be mounted with reasonable stability simply by attaching an appropriate 58mm step-up ring to the lens. I have done this with a Tokina AT-X 100mm f/2.8 PRO D Macro Lens using a Kenko 55mm Step-Up Ring to 58mm. Other lenses will probably require different rings to step up from their native filter size to 58mm.
Canon also offers the somewhat more expensive Canon MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite Flash, which also mounts two lamps on the lens, but instead of a ring the MT-24EX provides two small lamps that can be positioned independently. I have not used it, but it seems to be well regarded.
Digital camera Review: Awesome flash unit
Summary: 5 Stars
This flash unit is by far one of the best camera accessories I've purchased...macro shots are much easier with this flash and I don't have to worry so much about blurry pictures. The bulbs can be set to fire at different ratios and it's possible to turn one side off completely, allowing for nice shadows that give your images more depth. The ring itself can rotate, so the flash can highlight any side of the subject. It has two small focusing lamps that illuminate your subject while you focus, which makes it a lot easier to see what you're doing. It even comes with a nice padded carrying case. This flash gets a lot of use and it's now a major asset to the rest of my gear...it's definitely worth the money.Digital camera Review: Awesome for intraoral shots
Summary: 5 Stars
I use this for taking photographs of my orthodontist patients. I have it mounted to my 100mm macro lens. Perfect.Digital camera Review: Canon MR-14EX
Summary: 5 Stars
Excellent ring light. Easy to use. You get good shading effects with the variable bulb output.Digital camera Review: Canon MR-14EX Macro Ring
Summary: 4 Stars
The only reason I gave a 4 instead of a 5, is because of the price. It is expensive. But it is very well made, and I can't find something to complain about. It has a lot of features. Very flexible. You can't go wrong with this one.