HVL-MT24AM

[Dr. Harout]

After a long quest for a suitable ring flash the HVL-MT24AM came out to be a good bet, and so received it today.
On a first glance it's a good one. Made some quick macro snapshots (and the first shot had to be a human eye and surrounding skin) and liked it.
The assembly might take some time but I'm sure anyone can get used to that.
Anyway, enough blablabla... I'll report more details, you know in case someone might be interested or is on a quest for a macro light.
So stay tuned for further details.
(give me some time to make some experiments. I promise not to post disease shots)

[David Kilpatrick]

As long as the eye was still in the socket Doc...

David

[Birma]

Hi Doc - congratulations - I'm looking forward to hearing, and seeing, more on the new flash. I'm hoping for flowers or maybe spiders, rather than anything too medical .

[Javelin]

yes attached and functioning would be ok Doc . although if it can properly expose a specimin on the stainless tray that would be good to know

[KevinBarrett]

I totally forgot that flash existed.

[Dr. Harout]

I will be quite brief (longer the post, fewer readers )

* the base resembles the F36AM (instead of the flash bulb, there are 2 plug in holes)

* the twin flashes are very very light (only a few grams each)

* the material for the support and the extension arms (specially the latter) do not inspire any confidence

* you can play with the ratio of each flash separately

[Dr. Harout]

The assembly of the whole unit takes some time: here are the steps you should take:
1- attach the appropriate ring to the lens (49 and 55 mm included only)
2- mount the base on the camera
3- mount the twin flash holder on the lens ring in #1
4- attach the flashes on the ring one by one
5- plug the cables of the flashes to the base unit
6- adjust the angle of the flashes

And all these without the special diffusers. If you want to use the diffusers (look in the above shots # 2 & 3 in the background, the white square ones)
The diffusers if mounted on the flashes require the arms to be attached to the ring (so that the diffusers do not get in the shot). The arms are shown in picture # 3

The extension arms can either be used on 60 or 90 degrees (in regard to the base of the arm). The material used force you to be quite cautious when using the arm. I'm not sure if they can break easily and I really don't want to know, but you have to be very cautious.

[Dr. Harout]

yes attached and functioning would be ok Doc . although if it can properly expose a specimin on the stainless tray that would be good to know

I don't know if these quick shots might give some notion

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BTW, these are the second and third shot I quickly made after opening the box

As long as the eye was still in the socket Doc...

David

As for the first shot: My friend's eye still in it's socket

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[Dr. Harout]

more shots:
Hibiscus

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and 100% crop

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[Dr. Harout]

These might interest Javelin (2nd lot)

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and 100% crop

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[Javelin]

Thanks Doc they look good. I can see where this flash would be more suitable for faces than bugs although it did pretty well with the shiney button

[Birma]

Very interesting review Doc - thanks for taking the time to talk us through the set up and the pictures.

[Dr. Harout]

Very interesting review Doc - thanks for taking the time to talk us through the set up and the pictures.

Still experimenting, Birma.

[aster]

Hi Dr. Harout,

Congratulations on your new flash kit!

Sorry for being late on this, I can't see all the new postings at once and I had to browse the forums to see your contribution of a review here.

I'm glad that the flash does the job for you even though you find the material to be not so enduring in the long run. You'll need to be cautious and careful when handling them.

I like the amount of light and the way it's diffused around the subjects though. Will probably aid your workflow as a natural result.

Thanks for sharing,
Yildiz

[Dr. Harout]

Thanks, Yildiz.