Used Canon MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite Flash Unit with E-TTL .

2016-09-26T20:00:00

I have had this flash unit for 5-6 years and have never had a problem. I chase bugs and therefore handhold. Would be impossible without this flash. I have Kirk and RRS flash brackets for my 580 and 600 but they are bulky and hard to maneuver in tight spots. And the bracket set-up is heavy. I can carry the MT24 on a 180mm and 7D MkII for hours. I have fallen in a river and submerged it and my 7D MkII and 180mm. All survived unscathed. Certainly not recommended but proves it durability. Camera and flash fell 4 feet to the floor and still functions perfectly. Takes great images. As to the adapters, expensive but necessary annoyance. If I have a complaint it is that once in a while I see a shot that is 10-12+ feet away and the flash won't reach that far... but it is not supposed to. After I tried to drown and then drop the flash I decided I couldn't live without it and purchased a back-up unit. Worth every penny.

MacroShooter

Originally posted at

2016-04-22T20:00:00

I've used the MT24 on the 5D2 and the 5DsR for the past few years. It works well on the MP-E 65, the 180 Macro and the Zeiss 100 macroplanar. Adjustment options with angling light, ratio control, rotation, are all working fine. For the MPE65, at >3:1, the flash rather illuminates the background because the flash-heads cannot be angled sufficiently steep/brought sufficiently close to the lens barrel. Then it is better to mount them on independent supports (Wimberley lamps. The flash also performs well with z-stacking; I routinely shoot 60-120 frames stacks at about 2 second intervals using a Cogynysis Stackshot motorized rail. The light is rather harsh, so a Stofen diffuser attachment is necessary, possibly even add further softening diffusors. Canon has no diffusors available. With MPE 65 at high magnifications, the coiled cables connecting the flatheads to the controller are a bit short. 50% longer would not hurt at all. In such cases, I connect the flash with a TTL cable, and move the controller unit forward. One let-down is that with around 10-20K flashes, it needed repairs twice because one of the flash head stopped firing. The long-term reliability is not what I would expect from such a rather pricey flash. I would think on the order of 200K flashes would be a reasonable time when a flash needs some TLC.

LADan

Originally posted at

2015-06-09T21:00:00

I know this is a lot of money for a flash only used for macro. But you can't take serious macro images without it. I use it on my Canon 180mm macro.(A superb lens by the way)There is no problem with vignetting with the required adapter ring. Buy the Canon adapter ring specifically for this flash. 72mm in my case. There is a groove on it that is needed to attach the flash ring to. I had been using a ring flash before this ,but there is no comparison. Unless you want your photos to look like police evidence shots. You can rotate, angle, or remove the flash heads to suit your every desire. It will also fire a remote wireless speedlight if you want background illumination I recommend getting the diffuser kit made for this flash. It softens the light to almost natural. You can also vary the output of each flash, or just fire one or the other. Nice! It does an excellent job at freezing motion out in the field and allows you to use low ISO speeds which is critical for the sharpest shots. It is very well made, easy to understand and use, and mounts in seconds. The deal I got included 4 rechargeable batteries and a charger. You would need to buy this anyway. Bottom line is there is nothing else out there like this and you will get over the expense after you see your macro images using this flash. Absolutely fantastic.

ROBERT S.

2014-08-04T21:00:00

This is a wonderful light. HOWEVER, it does not come with all of the parts necessary for its use. You will need to purchase a Macrolite Adapter sized to the lens with which you plan to use it.

Jennifer O.

2013-12-16T19:00:00

Taking macro and close up photos with side lighting giving the depth and softness almost like a pro. Wish it would fit my 77 mm lenses, but that has not stopped me from learning and having fun

GREGORY M.

2013-12-02T19:00:00

For years I have used a single flash with my macro lens to photograph frogs, lizards, geckos and snakes. Now I am getting the lighting I wanted all along.

GREGORY M.

2013-08-26T21:00:00

My first macro results are very encouraging.

Lawrence P.

2013-02-16T19:00:00

If you know macro, you know you need serious light. All the people on the Internet that have a problem with the 65 mp-e (boohoo no AF) and this flash (ermahgerd its so harsh) don't know macro. It's a totally different beast. You need this if you're serious about macro. If you wanna take pictures that make the viewer wish they could shrink to the size of a grain of rice to ride on a bee like Falcor from the Neverending Story, get it and a serious macro setup.

Macroman

Originally posted at

2012-04-15T21:00:00

The ability to adjust the location of the heads gives me a lot of freedom in lighting the subject. Exactly what I was looking for. It comes with a nice quality pouch for storage when not in use. My only gripe is for the price, it should have included adapter rings for standard canon filter sizes instead of making me buy them separate (the flash attaches to Canon brand Macro lenses, other lenses need adapter) I really like the 58mm thread it has allowing filters (and lens cap) to be attached to the mounting ring.

MICHAEL P.

2012-01-29T19:00:00

I got this , it is very simple to use! And with this, you can catch the details from a very small object even in a windy day!

YANG Z.

2011-09-10T21:00:00

This was my first Macro light so I have nothing to compare it to but, I do have a lot of time in the studio with strobes and constant lighting. The control these little lights give is amazing. It is literally like having a little studio at the end of your lens. It is a heavy unit and kind of bulky but worth it. I did a lot of research before purchasing this. there are a few cheaper alternatives out there but it comes down to what level do you want your macro photography to be at. If you have the budget for this light set I don't think you'll be dissappointed.

STEVE G.

2011-09-03T21:00:00

This is almost a must for macro photography. It was a hard choice between this and the Canon Ring Flash especially since this costs more. I chose this unit because of the ability to adjust the flash position and the ability to detach the heads. It's pricey but well built and works well with the Canon macro lenses. It does get warm if you are shooting rapidly.

DOUG T.

2011-03-12T19:00:00

I couldn't decide between the 14 ringlite and the twinlite. After much research and carefull consideration I ended up with the 24. I think I made the right choice. I was worried about lite control but when i applied my current knowledge of studio lighting I'm amazed at the output. You have a mini studio attached to the end of your lens. Doesn't get better than that. I was not to happy about the price but I believe it's worth every penny.

STEVE G.

2010-09-20T20:00:00

Costly paper weight. Canon did not publish good data as to what lenses it could be used with.

Dhunger

Originally posted at

2009-11-11T19:00:00

Great flash to use for macro work, but I wish that adaptor rings could be made available to use with other lensed especially now that the new macro lens that was just announced.

elbamboo

Originally posted at

2009-10-23T20:00:00

Very good product, Would be nice if it would not need a step-down adapter for the 180mm lens. Would also be nice if that adapter would be included either with the lens or the flash unit.

Macro f.

Originally posted at

2009-02-05T19:00:00

Canon's macro system is without peer, both in available options, quality, and ease-of-use. As an amateur, I was able to pull this sophisticated flash out of the box, mount it, and adjust the ringlight flash to my new 50D within minutes ... and fire-off crystal-clear macro shots at the end of my 100 mm USM macro lens. This is an incredible piece of equipment and yet easy to use if you just read the instructions and follow them.

Wonderful

Originally posted at

2008-08-02T21:00:00

One thing that wasn't obvious is that the Canon macro lenses have an extra lip to engage with this flash. In order to use the 70 - 300 mm zoom with it, one must buy an adapter ring that screws into the 58 mm thread of the lens. Aside from the expense, this is no more than a minor surprise. Another issue with this particular lens is that the front rotates while focusing, so the flash rotates (rather heavily) with it.

ARLEN B.

2008-06-26T21:00:00

Unit supplies the perfect amount of light...no shadows , no glare.....bathes the subject in illumination......

the c.

2007-11-01T21:00:00

goes great with my 180mm canon macro lenses. good control on flash and highlights.

Rev T.