Product ReviewsCanon MR 14EX Ring Light/Macro Flash for Canon

Gets The Job Done

This macro ring flash unit wasn't purchased for macro photography or for use on a macro lens. It was bought to attach to a Canon 18-135 STM lens for use in photographing products for our design business. We wanted to achieve flat lighting, and this macro flash unit does just that.

The macro flash unit was easy to set up after reading the instruction manual. It is useful that the two flash tubes can be either used at the same flash output (A:B, 1:1) or by using the ratio button and the left or right arrows, A can be increased and B decreased or vice versa.

The unit can be set to E-TTL mode whereby the unit automatically emits a brief pre-flash measurement. This is done to assess the duration of the flash based on the aperture, shutter speed, ISO and flash to subject distance, to ensure even illumination.

Alternatively, the unit can be set to manual mode. In this mode, the flash output can be adjusted from 1:1 (full) to 1/64 power in full stop increments for greater light control. In manual mode—although you will have greater control of the light output, the macro flash unit/camera combination will not help you. You will have to determine the correct flash exposure yourself, either by using a light meter, or by doing test shots.

What are the downsides? This macro ring flash is designed for use on Canon’s macro lens: EF 50mm f/2.5, EF 100mm f2/8 USM macro lens, EF 100mm f/2.8 macro lens, and MP-E 65mm f/2.5 1-5x. The unit is attached to a grove in the front of these lenses. In my case, using a Canon 18-135mm STM lens—there is no groove, therefore you have to buy an adapter which screws into the filter thread. This adapter contains the groove to attach the macro flash unit to. This adapter is quite expensive, but well made. When the macro ring flash is attached to the lens, a lens hood cannot be used.

One further downside—if it can be called that—the macro ring flash unit can move freely in the groove on the lens or adapter—it cannot be set and locked at a predetermined position.

Overall this is a really great macro ring flash. It is well built, reliable, has a multitude of settings and gets the job done. I highly recommend it.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: quagmargolf

Expensive, but you get what you pay for.

I read customer reviews of every ring flash I could find before buying this one. The biggest complaint for cheaper flashes was that they broke down after a short time. There were NO such complaints about this flash! As a professional photographer, I need reliable equipment.
It has given me perfect exposures every time, using ETTL. It works with my Bolt external battery pack, so no problem using up batteries. I like the focusing lights (the small lights at top and bottom) I am very happy with my purchase.

There are a couple of drawbacks, though:
1) the LED display is dim and low contrast (mine is, anyway), and I don't see a way to change it. Hard to read in normal light, even with backlight on.
2) the ring light needs an adapter to fit most lenses, which are sold separately. And even with the lenses that don't need an adapter, it won't fit if you have a filter on the lens.Read full review...

Well worth the money!

I had previously bought a less expensive (~$100) ring flash that broke after less than 6 months of use. Additionally, it provided only mediocre lighting compared to the Canon Ring Light.

After using the Canon MR-14EX for only a day, I wish I had spent the money (saved my money) and bought this ring flash in the first place. It is great for macro and shadowless photography. It's wide array of settings makes it usable by both pros and amateurs. It provides ample light in most situations.

My only complaints are the build quality (the plastic hotshoe mount and battery door seem cheap for such an expensive flash) and the need for an adapter if you want to mount it to a non-macro lens. Otherwise, I am happy with this flash, use it several times a week, and recommend it to others.Read full review...

MR14EX fix

I've owned 5 of these flash units and use them for close-up photography and training. My oldest (15 years old) unit is still working. For some reason one of my newer units had a flash bulb that burned out -- only half of the ring flash worked. Not an easy fix either-- I started by taking apart and found the internals are as tightly wound as a watch. Fortunately I found a broken flash for sale at a good price. Took a few parts from my broken flash and fixed the eBay purchased broken flash -- half to a quarter of the cost of a factory repair and I am back in business.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Sold by: centralvalleyau...

Definitely a "specialist" accessory

This is not something you would slap on your digital Rebel for shooting the family outing or a birthday party (actually, it would work, but there are so many better alternatives). It is a trifle cumbersome to mount with TWO mounting points and a connecting cord but that is the nature of the beast. It is a bit odd clipping your flash unit to your lens and the adapters can slip if not screwed in firmly (but not TOO firmly - no torque wrench required here). It is not lightweight but most would use a tripod or some other form of stabilization rather than attempt a hand-held shot with this beast. I find it a well built and reliable unit and like any specialist accessory, there is a learning curve. If you use Canon equipment and wish to venture into macro photography, this is a nice bit of gear but it ain't cheap. I do have a complaint. Why are the wretched lens adapters so expensive? A bit of light alloy with a threaded section SHOULD cost peanuts!Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: robinsonscamera

Nice product with reasonable price

This is a nice ring flash which can enhance the color and details for your picture.Compare the results between 580 EXII and MR-14EX,this ring flash can deliver appropriate lighting for an object.
Also I love that you can pair with your 580 EXII as well,you can combine 2 different lights in the picture,which can create a nice picture.You can take some portrait as well(Combination of 2 flash).Read full review...

Canon MR-14EX ring flash

I am happy with this flash as I saw it at first on the TV show, CSI Miami.
I also was lucky to have the Macro 100mm 2.8 lens that the flash was made to be used with.
I have been practicing with the flash, and have no problems getting the photos to come out the way I need them to.
It is a great made flash.Read full review...

Workhorse

I’ve used this flash unit in my orthodontic practice four days a week for 17 YEARS! That’s a wet and messy intra-oral environment full of young children, who are often erratic and uncooperative subjects, and with a bevy of small-handed, non-photographer assistants behind camera.

I’ve only had one major mishap—where it was dropped, body, macrolens and flash—out of hand to the floor by a new assistant who had yet to fully embrace our strict neck strap policy. The plastic hot shoe mounting plate (the Achilles heel of this unit) broke and I had to repair it on the spot with cyanoacrylate. That was three years ago. It hasn’t skipped a beat since.

I’ve now purchased a second unit as a backup, realizing that day how vulnerable the practice was for new patient intake without our decidedly non off-the-shelf ring flash. Hopefully I’ll never need it. I fully expect to retire and take this thing into my rose garden with me still fully functional.Read full review...

Verified purchase: No

Plenty of light for macro

Great light on my mp-e 65. easy to use adjustable light ratios modeling lights aid in focusing
Cons only fits a few canon lenses

Nice features

Easy to set up and use. Great light output.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: wcrowan