Canon MR-14EX Macro Ring Lite for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Canon MR-14EX Macro Ring Lite for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Canon’s Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX for close-up and macro shooting comes equipped with many features and capabilities. Utilizing E-TTL (enhanced through- the-lens mode) technology, it takes full advantage of the flash performance of the Canon EOS-1V, EOS-3, and other E-TTL cameras, and also supports E-TTL wireless auto flash, when used with at least one Canon 550EX Speedlite flash. The circular twin flash tubes of the MR-14EX can fire at even power, or vary between themselves over a six-stop range. The controller unit has an illuminated LCD panel, and the MR14-EX also accepts optional high-capacity battery packs.
The MR-14EX attaches directly to Canon’s EF 50mm f/2.5 compact macro, EF 100mm f/2.8 macro (both versions), and MP-E 65mm macrophoto lenses, and can also be used with EF 180mm f/3.5L macro USM via the Macrolite adapter 72C.
Technical Details
- Illuminated LCD panel for easy flash settings in any setting
- Supports E-TTL wireless auto flash
- Twin-tube ring lite designed for close-up photography
- Flash tubes can fire together or independently
- Compatible with all EOS bodies
Canon MR-14EX Macro Ring Lite for Canon Digital SLR Cameras Review
The Canon MR-14EX was a perfect addition to my macro photo equipment. It snaps onto my 50mm compact macro lens quickly and easily and illuminates extreme closeup subjects that a regular on-camera flash could not reach, and it saves futzing with an off-camera extension flash.
My only beef is that the inside diameter of the ring is too small to fit larger diameter lenses (I often like to use my sharp Canon 24-70mm lens with macro rings for extreme macros). There is no easy way to mount the MR14EX on this lens. I have sometimes hand held it in place, but this risks wiggling the rig during exposure. The ring is specifically designed to snap onto only the 50mm and 180mm macro lenses. That said, the small ring diameter does allow you to deliver light onto smaller, closer subjects.
The diverse selectable features of this flash unit allow you to tailor the results to your specific macro needs. The price tag is an eye-popper, but if macro photography is an important part of your photographic repertoire, the MR14EX will expand your creative possibilities considerably and give terrific results.
