R8 flash recommendations?

[skasmith]

I've bought my first new camera in over a decade, an R8.  I would love to do macro-photography with this camera, and I am having trouble figuring out what to buy for a ring-light.  canon's website has not given me a clear answer.  Is the Canon Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX Macrolite Flash going to work with this body?  What other flashes are recommended with the R8, for less specialized needs?  Thank you, all! 

[deebatman316]

The Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX will work on the EOS R8. Just slide it in the hot shoe and lock it and it will work and be fully compatible. If it’s the version II you can also control it from the External Speedlite Control Menu in the camera. The older version cannot be controlled this way. All setting changes must be done on the Macro Ring Lite itself. Flash Exposure Compensation can be set with the camera menu though. Below is a picture showing how older speedlites and Macro Ring Lites show settings. Note functionality IS LIMITED with older models. Options grayed out or missing are NOT settable from the camera’s menu screen. 

 

[skasmith]

Thank you!  I appreciate the heads up on the version II, as I decided (for once), to wait for advice before buying. 

[deebatman316]

If you’re new to flash photography I recommend that you get newer versions of Speedlites and Macro Ring Lites. It will make it easier to learn because it can interface with the camera menu. Although it’s not mandatory that it does.

[p4pictures]

To get the MR-14EX II to clamp down properly on the hotshoe of the EOS R8 you need to do one of two things:-

1. Remove the rubber sealing part around the MR-14EX II hotshoe. Easy to refit later
2. Use the AD-E1 hotshoe adapter between MR-14EX II and the camera hotshoe

Note that the MR-14EX II and other Canon macro flashes mount on to the lens, and often you need to use a specific macrolite adapter ring. This screws in to the lens filter threads to give a way to mount the ring flash. 

[deebatman316]

The only ring flash Canon makes that has weather sealing is the MT-26EX-RT so weather sealing isn’t a problem. Nor will the AD-E1 be required unless on the EOS R50. The MT-24EX and the original MR-14EX ring flashes have designs based on the old 550EX. The replacement models the MT-26EX-RT & MR-14EX II are based on the 600EX II-RT. But only the MT-26EX-RT is weather sealed.