However, last week, I dusted off the cheap (less than £20) ring-flash I had bought a few months ago and decided to give it a try whilst out recording moths on ivy. Here's a Large Yellow Underwing taken on auto setting as an example:
On Wednesday, I invited Steve Plume to join Tony and I to see what he could manage. His ring-flash rig cost a little short of £500! He gave me a few handy hints about various settings (which for a change I actually understood). His snort of derision when he saw the 'auto' setting said it all. Here are a couple of images post-5 minute masterclass
Angle Shades
Straw Dot
Brimstone (moth)
I have also started using the ring-flash during the day to erase that shadowing effect you often get. I was pleased with this Dusky-Lemon Sallow (on auto),
whilst this unusually marked Oak Nycteoline was taken after Steve had advised:
