Macro photography accessory advice wanted.

[Ant]

Hi guys, its been awhile since I last posted. Right now I am considering getting some accessories to make macro photographs easier or better. I want to but these four items and want to know your opinion of some of the photographers on this board. My budget is about 150, but I can go a little over or under and not including shipping costs. My camera body is a canon rebel xsi.

http://www.amazon.com/Macro-Flash-LED-Light-lenses/dp/B0031AQ302/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_cart_1
Its the only flash I can find that I can afford, and I was hoping it would help in situations like this. The ant should have been red and the IOS is already set at max and shudder speed of 200.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001G445Q4/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=AG1FKBNAQKSKJ
I want these to attach my 70-300mm to my 28-50mm or vice-versa, but I am not sure if I would get the magnification either way or if the set is worth it with only owning 2 lenses.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001G4PA36/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=AG1FKBNAQKSKJ
This I want to reverse only my 28-50mm lens (filter size is a 58) and I want to make sure its a good buy.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030C2W4C/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=A1P9QRDRYY6FXL Finally I want to get these extension tubes for both my lenses to give some more options.

Also I would be interested to find out about some other good low cost lenses I might want to get later.

 

[larry]

Flash is extremely important, but I'd stay away from those crappy ringlights that amazon and ebay sells. Other than a decent flash, get the extension tubes! They'll give you increased magnification. Also, get the 50mm 1.8 if you don't already have it, fantastic lens for very little money.

 

[James H]

If you want macro photos on a tight budget I would go with the extension tubes first, get a macro filter set second that way you can use a good standard lens. The combination should get you some nice photos. The more inexpensive ring flashes that you can get have little to no adjustment to them. They fire full strength every time.
I have the Phoenix Smart Flash RF46C Macro Ring Flash and I do like it but I have to be careful when shooting in areas that are getting decent lighting already. It will wash out the photo. Still a nice mid range option between the cheep ones on amazon and ebay and the really high end Canon MT-24EX.

 

[Ant]

Well, it says it is a continuous light source, so shouldn't I be able to adjust the IOS and shudder speed and depth to prevent the wash out? I don't really have more then 40 dollars to spend on a flash at the moment, but when I get a job I will look into more expensive flashes.

I already have a set of macro filters that I love to use. The ant picture was taken with them.

@Larry, thanks for the lens suggestion. I will be sure to look into it.

 

[James H]

You can adjust the camera on your end with the shutter speed, and ISO, some of the flashes out there have adjustments on them as well so that you can use the flash to cast less light on your subject so that you do not need to adjust your camera as much. I just take more test photos when I use mine to really dial in the shutter speed for the photo that I want.

 

[larry]

If that flash is always on, it won't be powerful enough when you're shooting say f/9, 1/200 sec, ISO 100. Save up for a decent flash, don't skimp on this very important piece of equipment.