The Nissin MF18 Macro Ring Flash was selected by Professional Photographer Magazine as a 2020 Hot One.
Nissin MF18 Macro Ring Flash: An Easy-to-Use TTL Macro Ring Flash for Canon, Nikon, and Sony Cameras
The Nissin MF18 Macro Ring Flash delivers incredible light control with an intuitive and user friendly interface for close-up macro photography. Its bright color LCD display features large, easy to read numerical values that make flash compensation and manual power adjustments easy, even when shooting in bright daylight.
The Nissin MF18 is a powerful macro flash preferred by dentists for intra oral dental photography. Unlike LED ring lights that produce a weak constant light, the Nissin MF18 delivers the flash power required to use apertures f/16-f/32 for maximum depth-of-field when shooting close-up with 100mm+ long macro lenses.
The Nissin MF18 is fully compatible with Canon, Nikon, or Sony's TTL systems. When ordering the MF18 select the Canon, Nikon or Sony compatible model.
Nissin MF18 Macro Ring Flash Features:
COLOR LCD WITH USER FRIENDLY INTERFACE - The MF18’s intuitive and bright color LCD display features large, easy to read numerical values that are easy to read, even in bright daylight
A POWERFUL RING FLASH - With a guide number of 16 (m) the MF18 delivers the power to achieve maximum depth of field for close-up nature photography and dental photography, i.e. f/32 with 100mm macro lenses
PRECISE POWER CONTROL - The MF18 offers Manual power from 1/1 to 1/64 in 1/3 EV steps, Fine Macro power from 1/128 to 1/1024 in 1/6 EV steps, TTL compensation -3.0 to +3.0 in 1/3 EV steps, Auto
LED MODELING LIGHTS FOR LOW LIGHT FOCUSING - The MF18 includes 4 built-in LED modeling lights that help you to quickly focus on difficult subjects in challenging low light conditions
HIGH-SPEED SYNC (HSS) TO 1/8000 - With high-speed sync you can shoot with larger apertures for a shallow depth of field, even in bright sunlight, i.e. f/2.8 @ 1/8000 second
Nissin MF18 Macro Ring Flash Compatibility
Nissin MF18 macro ring flashes are available for Canon, Nikon, and Sony camera systems. Confirm compatibility with your camera model via our Nissin Flash Compatibility Search page.
The Nissin MF18 Macro Ring Flash Delivers Soft Diffuse Light with Incredible Light Control
The Nissin MF18 is an essential lighting tool for professionals who require precise light control and consistent 5600K color. Its well-diffused ring produces a soft, balanced light that wraps around your macro subjects.
- A:B (left:right) adjustment in Manual or TTL shooting modes
- TTL compensation -3.0 to +3.0 in 1/3 EV steps
- Manual power from 1/1 to 1/64 in 1/3 EV steps
- Fine Macro power from 1/128 to 1/1024 in 1/6 EV steps
The Nissin MF18’s precision control, diffused and balanced light, and consistent 5600K color distinguish it from other macro ring flashes, and have helped to make it the preferred solution for dentists, medical professionals, engineers, forensic photographers, and commercial product photographers.
Read about why the Nissin MF18 Macro Ring Flash is the best solution for dental photography.
The Nissin MF18 is also ideally suited for hobbyists and nature photographers who delight in capturing close-up macro images of flowers, insects, and small collectibles.
The Powerful Nissin MF18 Macro Ring Flash is High-Speed Sync (HSS) Capable
The MF18 is high-speed sync (HSS) capable to 1/8000 second when shooting in TTL or Manual mode (1/1 to 1/64). HSS gives you the freedom to shoot with larger apertures when a shallow depth of field is desired, even when shooting in bright sunlight.
With a guide number of 16 (meters) the MF18 is also powerful enough to give you the freedom to stop down your lens and shoot with smaller apertures when a greater depth of field is required, even when shooting with long macro lenses.
Modeling Light for Low Light Focusing
The Nissin MF18 includes 4 built-in LED modeling lights that help you to quickly focus on difficult subjects in challenging low light conditions.
Connect an External Battery Pack for Rapid Recycle Times or High Volume Shooting
The Nissin MF18 macro ring flash will connect to an external battery pack (not included) when rapid recycle times or high volume shooting is required. The MF18 uses a power cable compatible with a particular camera brand. For instance, the MF18 Nikon uses a Nikon compatible power cable.
The Nissin MF18 Macro Ring Flash Fits Different Lens Sizes with Included Metal Adapter Rings
The Nissin MF18 for Canon and Nikon includes 6 anodized aluminum adapter rings for the following size lenses: 52/58/62/67/72/77mm.
The Nissin MF18 for Sony includes includes 6 anodized aluminum adapter rings for the following size lenses: 49/55/62/67/72/77mm.
Additional adapter rings can be purchased separately for the following lens sizes: 49/52/55/58/62/67/72/77/82mm.
Note, Nissin’s adapter rings are a custom design created to quickly and securely mount the MF18 ring flash to the lens. Standard photographic step rings cannot be used to mount the Nissin MF18 to your lens.
Nissin MF18 Macro Ring Flash Compatibility
Nissin MF18 macro ring flashes are available for Canon, Nikon, and Sony camera systems. Please refer to the following Nissin compatibility chart for the latest camera compatibility information (.pdf file).
Nissin Flash Compatibility (.pdf file)
| Camera System Compatibility | Canon, Nikon, Sony (select camera model at check out) |
| Power Output | GN16 meters (52 feet) at ISO100, 82.7 watt seconds |
| Color Temperature | 5,600K |
| LED Modeling Light | 4 LED |
| Recycle Time | 0.1 - 5.5 sec |
| Left/Right Flash Ratio Control | Yes (TTL only) |
| Left/Right Flash Tubes Extendable | Yes (extend to prevent vignetting, change the angle of light) |
| Shooting Modes | Manual, Fine Macro, Auto, TTL, Optical |
| Manual | 1/1 - 1/64, 1/3 EV step (left/right tubes can adjust individually) |
| Fine Macro | 1/128 – 1/1024, 1/6 EV step (left/right tubes can adjust individually) |
| Auto | E-TTL, E-TTL II (Canon), i-TTL / i-TTL (Nikon), ADI / P-TTL (Sony) |
| TTL | E-TTL, E-TTL II (Canon), i-TTL / i-TTL (Nikon), ADI / P-TTL (Sony) |
| Optical Commander | Canon Optical, Nikon CLS, Sony Wireless, 4 channels, 3 groups (A, B, C) |
| EV Compensation on Flash | -3.0 to + 3.0, 1/3 EV step |
| High Speed Sync (HSS) | Yes (TTL, Manual 1/1 - 1/64 power) |
| Rear Curtain Sync | Yes |
| Control Screen | Color display with auto rotation |
| Number of Flashes | 120 - 800 (depending on usage) |
| Power Source | 4 x AA batteries (alkaline, NiMH rechargeable 1.2V) |
| External Power Pack | Connects to external battery pack Nissin PS8 (sold separately). Requires power cable compatible with a particular camera brand (Canon, Nikon, or Sony). |
| X Terminal | Yes |
| Flash Duration | 1/700 sec (1/1 power) - 1/30,000 sec (1/1024 power) when A and B tubes flash together, 1/300 sec (1/1 power) when A or B tube flashes individually |
| Energy Save Modes | Stand By (30 sec display off) |
| Auto Power Off | (10, 15, 30, 45, 60 minutes) |
| Fits Lens Sizes | Adapter rings included: 52mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, and 77mm Adapter rings available for purchase separately: 49mm, 55mm, and 82mm |
| Size | Body: 4.5 x 2.6 x 3.3” (115 x 65 x 85mm) Ring Flash: 4.7 x 5.3 x 1.6” (120 x 134 x 41mm) |
| Weight | 16 oz without batteries (446g) |