Vivitar VIV-DF-586-CAN Digital Macro Ring Flash for Canon

I'm a huge advocate of flash photography and do quite a bit with mulitple, off-camera flash units. I've dabbled in macro photography but never got excited about it. Knowing how flash can transform other forms of photography, I decided that I "needed" another flash unit. However, since I just dabble, I wasn't ready to plop down $500 or more on Canon's solution. Wanting to support an American standard, I decided to give Vivitar a chance.There are several nit-picks that I have (and are listed below). There is one overwhelming positive that puts this into a strong, good rating.What I like:In a nutshell, fast and accurate E-TTL operation. With macro work, you're working with enough other technical aspects that having one less thing to worry about was welcome. I'm comfortable working with manual flash settings and do so frequently with portraits. With some macro subjects, everything is static, with no time pressure. In those cases, I was (already) using a pair of 580's on stands. But for organic subjects, your hands are full. Having the option for E-TTL was a welcome change. For my tastes, the exposure was a bit "hot" (see below).What I wasn't thrilled about:The unit is very plastic-y feeling. All of my other flashes are Canon brand and quite simply feel a whole lot differently. This one feels ... "cheap". The control unit (in the hotshoe) is definitely in this "cheap" feel category. The coiled cord to the flash head is fine. It's solid and heavy. The head (that mounts to the lens) is ... okay. On the plus side, having something that's lightweight at the end of the lens is more convenient just for the weight savings.The control unit (in the hotshoe) is a rigid piece of plastic that has the top half tilted like it's a tilt/swivel head. It's like it wants to "look like" a higher end unit. There is no hinge; it's just molded that way. I'd rather have seen a more compact design.The E-TTL controlled exposure is a little bit "hot". For most of the shots that I've done so far, none has been above FEC 0. Most exposures are set at FEC -1 down to FEC -3. All work so far has been controlled studio settings with flash being the primary light source. As I move outdoors to bright and natural light, I'll see if that changes.What wasn't clear at first:The flash head is mounted to a 52mm diameter front. I don't have anything that small. My 100mm/2.8 and MPE 65mm both have 58mm threads. The unit comes with adapters, but I was concerned about vignetting. This isn't an issue because the angle of view for either of these lenses is pretty narrow and shoots through the smaller 52mm hole. If someone were going to use a wider angle lens with a close-up diopter and expecting to put this unit on front... Well, I'll have to give that a try.

My husband gave me this for Christamas and loved it. Got it working .. Then ... Nothing. Dead as dead can be. Tried replacing batteries etc but nothing. Talked to Amazon Customer Service agent, Yohen, whom was exceptionally helpful and has sent me a new unit without any questions. Fantastic service, Amazon. The few photos that it worked for are fab! Looking forward to getting the replacement and getting more close up shots of my dogs and various creatures in our back yard. Will load some new photos when it arrives.

I do a lot of Macro photography in my small hobby studio. This Vivitar Flash is of good quality, I just had some issues when photographing shiny items like silver coins or items enclosed in permanently sealed protective cases. Attempting to control the flash bounce was always a laborsome issue. I changed to the LED light ring and it has solved my issue.

Estoy conforme con el artículo y muy conforme con el vendedor. El flash cumplió mis espectativas.Sobre vendedor quiero destacar que es excelente el servivio de post venta. Al recibir el flash, dentro del paquete venía equivocada la medida de uno de los aros adaptadores y cuando me puse en contacto con ellos, de inmediato me fue enviada la medida correspondiente. Lo dicho, excelente servicio de post venta. Muchas gracias

This product came with the loose connector and not user friendly function on the lightening area with connecting part to the lens, although the connector part to the flash site of the camera was damaged and not fixed. I could receive the this after about 10 days and I could not use it and I had to return it back. I don't want to try it again

I read the reviews and almost did not buy this. I read the instructions and have learned more about my Canons TTL than I have in 6 years of using my XSi and T3i. I am learning to use it and well pleased. If it is too bright dial down your TTL.

Do not waste your money in this very unreliable product. I bought it, it works for only two projects, the third time I tried to use it only lasted a few clicks and then it just stopped working. Yes, it is significantly cheaper than the Canon and Sigma, but you will end up anyway having to buy the Canon or Sigma when this stops working, so at the end you will spend more money. Will not recommend. Will not buy again.

works great

El producto me llego en perfectas condiciones, la entrega fue rápida me llego en 3 días. El producto funciona perfectamente y cumple con las características que menciona. Estoy satisfecho. Inmediatamente probé el ring flash con una cámara D7100 de Nikon pude utilizarla con ISO 100 F14 a 125s con un macro Nikkor 105mm y tomo las fotos perfectamente, todo esto para Macrofotografia Dental, su sincronización TTL funciona como debe de ser. Lo que me gusto en particular de este Ring flash es que no es luz led, sino tiene 4 focos que producen una luz mas natural y mejor iluminación, el enfoque automático funciona muy bien y mejor aun cuando lo hacemos manual. Lo que no me gusto del flash por lo cual no le doy las 5 estrellas es el material de su construcción el cual es de plástico, en particular se siente frágil, tampoco me gusto la forma en que se monta el ring al lente pues utiliza los adaptadores en forma de arillos como si fueran lentillas y se tiene que enroscar, eso no hace fácil montar o quitar el Ring Flash del lente y quita tiempo. Sin embargo lo compensa su buen funcionamiento y el costo, pues para su precio tiene una buena relación calidad/precio.

It's ok - main thing it works ....