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But the low guide number is not really a problem for the intended use of the MR-14EX, which is close-up and macro photography. It can even serve as a master controller for off-camera Canon Speedlite flash units. To mount it on the new Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM 1-to-1 Macro Lens, a Canon Macrolite Adapter 67 is required. It also provides two smaller lamps to aid auto-focusing in dim conditions.
I have not used it, but it seems to be well regarded. I have done this with a Tokina AT-X 100mm f/2.8 PRO D Macro Lens using a Kenko 55mm Step-Up Ring to 58mm. On some other lenses, it can be mounted with reasonable stability simply by attaching an appropriate 58mm step-up ring to the lens. As the model number indicates, it has a guide number of 14, which means that its effective range is about 14 meters (or 46 feet). This is only slightly more powerful than the built-in flashes in Canon's low-end DSLRs (which have a guide number of 13), and considerably weaker than Canon's other external flash units (the effective range of which varies from model to model, from 22 meters to 58 meters). This avoids the harsh shadows that are commonly seen in pictures when a single flash unit was pointed directly at the subject.The MR-14EX allows each of its two semi-circular lamps to be adjusted individually, allowing one side of the subject to be illuminated more strongly than the other if desired. It is powered by four AA batteries; rechargeable NiMH batteries are recommended.The MR-14EX mounts easily on the Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro Lens, the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens (now discontinued), and the Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5X Macro Lens.
Other lenses will probably require different rings to step up from their native filter size to 58mm.Canon also offers the somewhat more expensive Canon MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite Flash, which also mounts two lamps on the lens, but instead of a ring the MT-24EX provides two small lamps that can be positioned independently. The Canon MR-14EX Macro Ring Lite is a great flash unit for use at fairly close range. By mounting the Macro Ring Lite on a lens, the subject of a photograph is made to seem to be illuminated equally from all directions. To mount it on the Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM Lens, a Canon Macrolite Adapter 72C f/ML-3 is needed.
Great product, BUT against as stated in product description, it won't fit directly to new Canon 100mm 2.8 L macro lens, and adapter from 58 to 67mm is required. I received both, Canon 100mm 2.8 L and this lens, just to see that spend US$38 more is require, and worst, need another week to start using those products.
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. I have sometimes hand held it in place, but this risks wiggling the rig during exposure. There is no easy way to mount the MR14EX on this lens. 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 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). The ring is specifically designed to snap onto only the 50mm and 180mm macro lenses.
I have it mounted to my 100mm macro lens. I use this for taking photographs of my orthodontist patients. Perfect.
Very usefull for Marco pictures. a must have item if you can afford it.
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