Doing close-up photography? Whether you take pictures of miniature figurines, flowers, crime scenes or dentistry, you may find yourself in the market for a macro ring flash. Yongnuo has just released the YN-14M with all manual LCD controls.
Shenzhen-based Yongnuo already sold a ringflash, the Macro Ring Lite YN-14EX, but the YN-14M dispenses with any form of proprietary E-TTL control, making it simpler to use and more compatible with other brands of cameras (Pentax, anyone?). However, if you want something to put out the right amount of light automatically then you’ll still want the EX version. And so far it doesn’t look like you really save much money by going for the “M”.
The YN-14M recycles in 4–5 seconds, has a guide number of 14 and fits onto almost any diameter camera lens with included adapter rings. Using the hotshoe-mount controller you can select ratios and toggle the auxiliary LED lamps. It’ll also sync via PC port.
Note that if you’re keen on the “ring flash effect” Ã Â la fashion photography then you probably want a considerably bigger and more expensive ring light than this one.
The Yongnuo YN-14M is available now on eBay for around US$100–110. For more information visit the manufacturer’s product page.