Has anyone here tried GODOX Flash equipment..

[JFG]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone here has tried or owns GODOX gear?  Since I'm now getting into Macro photography, and the Cygnustech Diffuser I ordered from Cairns, Australia, will take two weeks to arrive, I decided to purchase a GODOX MF-R76C TTL Macro Ring Flash.  Since, I hadn't heard of the brand I did a deep dive research and found to my surprise that it's a highly regarded brand among retailers and photographers and has become a significant player in the photography industry.  GODOX's affordable and high-quality products have disrupted the market, forcing established brands to reevaluate their pricing strategies. and product offerings.  Also, I found that GODOX is not a new brand but was founded in 1933.

Having researched and read various reviews, article and data comparison between GODOX, Canon and various competitors, I like to hear if any here have used their products and what they think of it. I was thinking of purchasing the Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Ring Lite but after doing a comparison, although Canon is the Premium choice, I decided to go with the GODOX as it is comparable to Canon in terms of features and quality at 1/3rd the price.  While charging the battery so that I can give a test run, I decided to write this post and get some insight from you all.  

🤔

[March411]

If you have enabled both depth composite and crop depth comp there is a in camera stack that is built but the output is a JPEG.

R6 Mk II focus bracketing feature allows for focus stacking and depth compositing, creating a single, sharp image from multiple shots taken at different focus distances. Crop Depth Composite is enabled by default and helps correct for minor framing inconsistencies that can occur during focus bracketing due to focus breathing, ensuring the final image fills the frame.

• The in-camera stacked image is saved as a JPEG.
• The individual RAW images used for the composite are also saved to the memory card, allowing for further processing if desired.

Setup is fairly easy, locate the "Focus bracketing" option in the camera's red menu (page six) and set it to "Enable". 

Determine how many images you need to capture the full depth of your subject. A higher number of shots with a small focus increment will create a more detailed focus stack. 

Focus Increment, adjust the focus increment to control how much the focus shifts between each shot. Smaller increments are better for macro and detailed subjects. 

Exposure Smoothing, this setting minimizes brightness changes between shots during the bracketing process, compensating for aperture variations at different focus distances. 

Depth Compositing, this feature combines the individual images into a single, sharp image. It's enabled by default. 

Crop Depth Comp, this option is also enabled by default. It automatically crops the image to remove any distorted edges caused by focus breathing. 

Post-Processing, while the camera can create a composite JPEG image, but you can also use the captured RAW images to achieve more control over the stacking process.

Additionally, if you want the R6 Mark II allows you to create a new folder for focus stacking shots to make it easier to manage.

[JeffXB]

Hi Joe,

After reading and rereading all of the posts (when it comes to tech stuff I’m a bit dense at times and sometimes need to reread things for it to sink in, lol). Anyhow I decided to take a harder look at the MF-R76C. I recall when I first looked into ring lights I think I only noticed the cheaper universal version of this ring light, which only works in manual mode with any camera. 

I also watched a few videos on YouTube. Although you do get spectral highlights, they’re really no different (and no more blown out) than those you’d get using the Cygnustech or any other good quality diffuser. And many of those can be fixed / adjusted  in post using LRC or DPP4. You still do occasionally get the ring shaped reflection in the eyes of some subjects, however it’s much softer and not as prevalent as I’ve seen with other ring lights. 

I did focus stack once in DPP4 and, despite having a fairly powerful MacBook Pro it took forever; somewhere around 25 minutes. I’ve already purchased Helicon Focus and once I learn how to use it I’ll be using that. Below is the first ever in camera focus bracketing shot I took shortly after I purchased the R6 M2 and the RF 100mm macro lens. Handheld (I leaned against my neighbor’s house), at f2.8, ISO 100, 250th/s, 42 stacks, using natural light with a small LED panel light for some fill lighting. The only editing I did was to crop the right side and top a bit as well as darken the exposure just a tad. 

Back to the MF-R76C ring light. Ordered it this morning and should have it Tuesday. I like the fact it comes with the extra adapter rings as I’ll be able to use it with my Laowa 15mm f/4.5 0.5x wide angle macro lens as well. That lens btw is a lot of fun to use, but due to the close working distance in some instances getting proper lighting can be challenging. I think the MF-R76C will greatly help with that. Time and practice will tell. 

 

r. 

[JFG]

Hello Marc,

Great information to know about the R6 Mark II.  I only shoot in Raw, so I didn't bother to check JPEG Stacking features on my R6 Mark II. Thanks for the information.  I'm always learning 😌 

[March411]

Same here, only shoot RAW which is still the output for the frames you program to capture in your stack with one additional frame created, the stacked JPEG.

I still stack through PS using the individual RAW images but the JPEG the camera produces is pretty clean. 

[JFG]

That's great to know, Marc.  I'll have to try it out on my R6 Mark II. 

Thanks again, Marc.