This month's issue gives an overall description of the Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX, an autoflash designed specifically for close-up photography, and the EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM, an autofocus lens for macro shooting. Both products were released with the EOS-1V.
 Photo 2 MR-14EX (front view)  Photo 3 MR-14EX (back view) |
 Photo 1 EOS-1v mounting EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM and Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX |
Macro Ring Light MR-14EX: Overview and characteristics
Overview
The EOS Speedlite system has greatly improved electronic flash photography: first with A-TTL autoflash and TTL autoflash, to the latest wireless multi-unit E-TTL autoflash, but the ML-3 close-up flash has had only TTL autoflash control for thirteen years without change. Canon developed the MR-14EX autoflash for close-up and macro applications in response to user requests and included the E-TTL autoflash control to widen the applications of the unit.
MR-14EX Composition
The MR-14EX is composed of a lens-mounting ring-type flash head, a controller unit, and a spiral cord connecting the two units. The spiral cord is fixed. The controller unit, which has a built-in shoe lock mechanism, is mounted onto the accessory shoe of the camera. The flash head can be mounted directly onto the following lenses;
[1] EF 50mm f/2.5 Macro
[2] EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro
[3] EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
[4] MP-E65mm f/2.8 1-5X
[5] EF 180mm f/3.5 Macro (connected to the lens through Macro Lite Adapter 72C)
Note: Filters cannot be attached with lenses 3 and 4 above due to their design structure.
The flash head can be rotated freely. Four AA-size alkaline batteries in the controller unit supply power. The unit is also equipped with a socket for an optional external power source (see Fig. 1).
Fig. 1 System composition of MR-14EX |
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Characteristics of MR-14EX
[1] Compatible with E-TTL Autoflash
Professional close-up flash photography becomes as easy as normal AE shooting when the MR-14EX is mounted onto any EOS system camera that supports E-TTL metering (i.e., Type-A EOS cameras). The E-TTL system emits the perfect amount of light, optimally balancing flash output and ambient light to ensure a natural balance. The MR-14EX also has advanced features such as High-Speed Sync (FP flash), Flash Exposure Lock (FEL), a Flash Exposure Compensation (up to +/- 3 stops) and Flash Exposure Bracketing (FEB, up to +/- 3 stops in 1/3-stop or 1/2-stop increments).
When the MR-14EX is used with a Type-B EOS camera that does not support E-TTL autoflash control (e.g., EOS 1N, 5, 10), TTL autoflash control is used. In this case, Flash Exposure Compensation, FEB and manual flash exposure controls are available.
[2] Twin-tube ring flash - Max. Guide No. 14
Like the current ML-3 model, twin-tube ring flash composition has been adopted because of its excellent light distribution. The twin-tube ring flash is composed of two arc-shaped xenon tubes placed symmetrically on the left and the right. The flash coverage angle is approximately 80 degrees both vertically and horizontally. The guide number has also been increased to 14 when either one or both tubes are fired, while the guide number of the ML-was only 11 (at ISO 100/m).
[3] Minimum autoflash control distance of approximately 20mm from the flash head
Autoflash works as close as approximately 20mm from the front of the flash unit, out to a maximum distance of 5m with an aperture of f/2.8, using ISO 100 film (approximately 10m when using ISO 400 film).
[4] Switching between the right and left flash units and controlling the lighting ratio
The flash head can be rotated so the flash tubes are positioned horizontally or vertically or at any position in between. The flashes can also be fired together or independently. When mounted onto EOS-1V and EOS-3 units, the flash ratio control between the tubes can be preset (8:1 to 1:1 or 1:1 to 1:8), in thirteen 1/2-stop increments (See Fig. 2). These advanced features ensure the perfect illumination of both subject and background.
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[5] Supporting wireless multiple flash shooting
The MR-14EX has a built-in master flash mechanism that is capable of activating the E-TTL autoflash system of the Speedlite 550EX used as a slave flash for back lighting or accent lighting. Please note that under the multiple light setting with the 550EX, the right flash tube of MR-14EX is regarded conceptually as unit A, the left flash tube as unit B, and 550EX slave flash as unit C. Units A and B are indicated on the backside of each unit. In this case, shooting is automatically controlled so that the sum of exposures A and B determines the correct exposure for them, while the exposure for C is determined independently.
The flash coverage range is approximately 5m indoor and approximately 3m outdoor when the alignment of the master and slave units is within 80 degrees. Further, it is possible to use the right and left flash tubes of the MR-14EX as slave flash, assigning the 550EX as master and units A and B as slaves, and setting C.Fn-5-1 (see Table 2). In this case, the E-TTL autoflash system controls each unit as a group (i.e., group A and group B).
[6] Built-in modeling flash mechanism permits confirmation of lighting effects before shooting.
When mounted onto EOS-1V or EOS-3 units, the MR-14EX enables users to confirm lighting effects before shooting. By pressing the depth-of-field preview button, a modeling flash fires showing the lighting ratio (one-second burst at 70Hz).
Modeling flash with lighting ratio is not possible on other EOS models. However, a modeling flash with a uniform one-second burst among slaves is possible on all EOS bodies, by pre-setting the custom function C.Fn-6-1of the MR-14EX and then pressing the test-firing button (See Table 2).
[7] Built-in focusing lamps
The focusing lamps are located at the top and bottom in the space between the flash tubes. They are compatible with all the aforementioned macro lenses.
Upon depressing the <LAMP> button, the focusing lamps glow for approximately 20 seconds, which assists in adjusting focus sharply even in the most difficult lighting conditions.
[8] External power source for quick charge
The built-in power source is 4 size-AA alkaline batteries installed in the controller unit (Lithium, Ni-MH and Ni-Cd batteries can also be used). Using any of the external battery packs for the 550EX as listed below, flash shooting with quick charge is possible.
• Compact battery pack CP-E2
• Transistor pack E
• Laminated pack E315
Flash interval and flashing times per respective power source are shown in Table 1.
| Table 1 Flash interval and flashing times per respective power source | |||
| Power source | Flash interval (sec.) |
Flashing times (times) |
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| Body | Size-AA Alkaline battery | approx. 0.1-7 | approx. 120-800 |
| Size-AA Ni-Cd battery | approx. 0.1-4 | approx. 50-350 | |
| Outer power source | Compact battery pack CP-E2 (Size-AA Ni-Cd battery) |
approx. 0.1-4 | approx. 400-2500 |
| Compact battery pack CP-E2 (Size-AA Alkaline battery) |
approx. 0.1-2 | approx. 140-900 | |
| Transistor pack E (Size-C Alkaline battery) |
approx. 0.1-4 | approx. 400-2500 | |
| Transistor pack E (Ni-Cd pack TP) |
approx. 0.1-3 | approx. 330-2000 | |
| Laminated pack E315 (0210 type) |
approx. 0.1-3 | approx. 460-2700 | |
[9] Seven-step manual flash control available
While the ML-3 is a close-up flash for totally automatic operation, the MR-14EX enables users to set flash output in seven-steps in manual mode (1/1 - 1/64 range, full steps).
[10] Seven Custom Functions
A set of seven Custom Functions, now a well-known feature of the EOS series, has been incorporated in the MR-14EX (see Table 2). The default setting for each function is zero (0). Custom Function C.Fn-6 is for users who frequently check depth-of-field but don't want to execute a modeling flash each time, while Custom Function C.Fn-7 is for users who want to minimize consumption of the internal batteries when using an external power source (i.e., to prevent loss of control functions when the internal batteries die.)
Dimensions of the MR-14EX
Controller unit: 74mm (width) x 125.9mm (height) x 97.4mm (depth)
Flash head: 112.8mm (width) x 126mm (height) x 25.6mm (depth)
Cord length: approx. 25cm
Weight of the unit: approx. 430g
Price: ¥69,000 (excluding tax)
Exposure in macro flash shooting is greatly affected by conditions: the larger the magnification, the greater the effect will be. It is therefore recommended that users take a picture of the subject at as many different exposures as possible under the same shooting conditions.
| Table 2 Custom Functions of the MR-14EX | |||
| Function | Custom Function No. | Setting | Description |
| FEB cancels after three shots | C.Fn-1 | 0 | Enabled |
| 1 | Disabled (continue) | ||
| FEB sequence | C.Fn-2 | 0 | Standard->Minus->Plus |
| 1 | Minus->Standard->Plus | ||
| Flash metering system | C.Fn-3 | 0 | E-TTL autoflash |
| 1 | TTL autoflash | ||
| Test flash button | C.Fn-4 | 0 | Full flash on E-TTL autoflash Flash at preset value on manual flash |
| 1 | Uniform modeling flash | ||
| Wireless slave control | C.Fn-5 | 0 | Slave C only |
| 1 | Slave A, B and C | ||
| Modeling flash | C.Fn-6 | 0 | Enabled |
| 1 | Disabled (depth-of-field confirmation) | ||
| Flash charging with power pack | C.Fn-7 | 0 | Internal & external power source |
| 1 | External power source only | ||
The EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM (see Photo 4) is a medium telescopic macro lens equipped with Ultrasonic Motor (USM), a feature long-requested by users. The new model is a complete redesign of the EF100mm f/2.8 model, which was released in 1991. In addition to incorporating USM, the EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM is completely re-engineered optically to provide superb handling and excellent image quality through the innovative imaging technology.
Photo 4 EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Characteristics of the EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
[1] Continuous focusing, infinity to life size (1X), without accessories for the best image quality
By having a long working distance of 14.9cm at life size (1X), photographers can concentrate on shooting without fear of touching the subject. The distance from the subject to the film plane for life-size shooting is 31cm.
[2] Inner focusing mechanism using three group floating system for excellent image quality at all shooting ranges
The EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM focuses to life-size magnification without accessories. It is the first lens in its class to use an inner focusing mechanism. It employs a three group floating system, in which the second, third and fourth groups move independently when focusing. By incorporating these innovative technologies, aberration fluctuations are minimized giving sharp, clear image quality at any shooting distance from infinity down to life size.
[3] High-performance ring-type USM provides silent, high speed AF
Canon has succeeded in developing this model that satisfies the needs of our users. Needless to say, you are already well aware of its characteristics.
[4] Lens length remains unchanged and front ring fixed
The front of the lens does not rotate or move forward or backward when adjusting focus. This design is the most advantageous for using the Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX, gelatin filter holders or circular polarizing filters.
[5] Full-time manual focus
Full-time mechanical manual focus mechanism is installed because users of this type of lens frequently choose to focus manually when shooting close-ups. Operation with the wide focus ring is excellent.
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[6] Tripod Ring B (B) - ideal for switching between vertical and horizontal composition.
A special order specification for the previous EF100mm f/2.8 Macro lens, the Tripod Ring B (B) is a standard option for the latest EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens. The Tripod Ring B (B), including the Tripod Ring Adapter, was marketed with the lens, at ¥16,000 (see Photo 5). Attaching the collar enables vertical and horizontal composition changes simply and freely, while keeping the optical axis fixed.
The key specifications of EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM are shown in Table 3.
| Table 3 Key specifications of EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM | |
| Picture Size | 24 x 36mm |
| Focus Distance/Brightness | 100mm f/2.8 |
| Lens Construction | 12 elements in 8 groups |
| Minimum Aperture | f/32 |
| Picture Angle (opposite/vertical/horizontal) |
24/14/20 (degrees) |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 0.31m |
| Maximum Shooting Magnification/Picture Range | 1X / 24 x 36mm |
| Filter Diameter | 58mm |
| Lens Hood | ET-67 |
| Case | LP1219 |
| Maximum Diameter x Length | 78.6 x 118.6mm |
| Weight (including Tripod ring) | 600g (750g) |
Photo 5 Tripod Mount Ring B (B) and Adapter for EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
In this report, we focused on the MR-14EX and the updated EF100mm f/2.8 USM Macro lens. We sincerely hope that these new products will make contribution to your creativity and help you realize your unique style of image production.