I’m going to the Solomon Islands soon, and the diffuser is a bit cumbersome. Can you take good macro photos without a diffuser?

Yes, I do have a diffuser that folds. But it’s just annoying taking photos with it. Like, I use manual focus, and I can’t even adjust properly because the diffuser is covering that part. Not to mention I’m not even sure if I’m using the diffuser properly.

I use a ring flash with no diffuser and the result are generally ‘meh.’ Areas of brightness interspersed with areas of shadow. Post processing can fix a lot of it but they are still not as good as I would like. I ordered a ring flash diffuser three weeks ago from Germany but all they have done so…

It really depends on what you want to do and what you consider a “good” photo. A diffuser is bulky sure, and if your interested in photographing everything, not just macro, it can get in the way. But the difference between no diffuser and diffuser is this [original (7)] No diffuser to this [or…

I may use the diffuser more in the future after I return from the Solomons. In reality, I’ve only received the flash and diffuser this week, so I’m not familiar with them. I will probably only be using the macro setup at night, so I need to know whether it’s fine to take photos with diffuser at nigh…

Those two photos do not demonstrate the difference between “no diffuser” and “with diffuser”. They are in completely different styles at very different magnifications — they are not comparable. (For what it is worth, I find the “no diffuser” photo more aesthetically pleasing and I think it tells a…

They are quite different styles and magnifications but those differences were to an extent dictated by the set up. I would never be chasing a flying bee with a big ole diffuser on. And I could never get the close up sharp detail of the second without a diffuser. FWIW I like both photos but the seco…

Much more difficult at night. You’ll have the problem of the lens shadow and the flat lighting. One of the big jobs a diffuser does is bring the light from the flash down past the lens and onto the subject. In sunshine that’s not a big issue but at night you’ll struggle to light the subject. If you…

It’s Friday today and I’m going on Sunday. I won’t have a lot of time to practice. I might just take it there and practice there.

Have a wonderful time. I’m sure you’ll see some amazing stuff

It depends. Generally, I find that the closer to the subject you want or need to be, the more essential a diffuser becomes. So if you are taking photos of “larger” creatures (honey-bee-sized and up), it’s absolutely no problem to shoot without. For small stuff, like ants, springtails, not having a…

Macro without Diffuser?

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Macro without Diffuser?

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