Nikon SB-29 TTL Macro Speedlight

The first thing you notice about Nikon products is their quality of build and this ringflash is no exception. It feels sturdy in the hand and the overall finish inspires confidence. I have used it with my F90x for over a year now and it has always delivered excellent exposures time after time. In fact I would go so far as to say I can't remember a single over or under exposed shot other than my own errors, ie not checking the flash was sufficient at the time of exposure. I shoot primarily reptiles and amphibians on a Tamron 90mm macro and my results are always evenly lit. Another thing I like about this gun is that the ringflash isn't actually ring shaped but rather two lights either side of each ohter. This makes for less distracting catchlights in the subjects eyes and gives a more natural look, and with a little practice you can determine exactly where you want those catchlights to appear.It's also easier to take them out in a photo workshop should you so desire. It comes with a set differing filter threads and once you've fitted the one for your lens then it is simply a matter of attaching the ringflash in the same way you fit a lens cap over the end of the lens. That fact coupled with its fast charging/recharging time means that it is a fast piece of kit to get up and running. Yes it is expensive but when you set this off against the longevity, reliability and overall quality of the build then I feel it is good value for money.

Spot on exposures. Rugged. Reliable. Well made.

Pricey. No flash confirmation actually on the gun itself.

Centon.

Good for photographing geckos with the 60 mm f/2.8 micro Nikkor AF. The working distance is about half as much as it is with the 105 mm f/2.8 micro Nikkor AF. The result is a more brighter reproduction when using the TTL setting. The working distance of the 60 mm f/2.8 micro Nikkor when photographing geckos measuring approximately 60-200 mm in total length is about 80-150 mm. I set the lens at F22 and the result is good.

More easier to use than the SB-21 and other types of ring flashes.

Too bulky in backpacks and should be made of carbon fibre like most Nikon cameras.

Sunpak Ring Flash

This was a bit of a disappointment at first as it does not work in TTL with the D1X. However, it has produced some ecellent results in manual mode. Considering its price, the range of controls is poor. It is solidly built and does the job. Very expensive for what it does.

Does the job. Neat, solid, clean.

Bulky, very expensive, limited controls, only manual mode with the D1X

SB28DX

Not used

If you are serious on macro photography, or you like to take macro easily. It is the one.

Accurate TTL, even a reverse 24mm for macro is used.
Easy to use and handling
More accurate TTL than Sunpak DX-12R.
Enable flash compensation(controlled by camera)
Accept Multi-sensor Balanced Fill Flash, center-weighted Fill Flash and spot Fill Flash metering.
With 3 seconds modelling light

Model light is helpful but quite dim.
Mainly designed for Nikkor macro lens.
Just Multi-Sensor Balance Fill Flash with CPU lens, no 3D fill flash even a D lens is used.

Sunpak DX-12R

not tried

A very nice product with some very good features. It's the ultimate choice if you have a Nikon!

2 seperate flashes which gives some depth to your picture. The preview function (short stoboscopic flashes) is very nice. You can adjust the output level between the 2 flashes a little bit.
You might use it as kind kind of ordinairy flash on top of the camera.
Very good flash results1

Low GN (11). The preview light (not the stoboscopic flashes) is a little dim. Like all macro flashes the flashes are too close together if you use a long lens, you can't flash from the side with it.
The filtersizes are a little bit limited (only nikon sizes) so I'd to make a work around for my superb Tamron 90 mm...
Finally the price is high, due to the fact that it is a specialized piece of equipment, and above all, it's a Nikon, so it's another 30% more expensive!

Minolta Macro flash 1200, suntax ringflash.

Not needed