Quote Originally Posted by CaraRose
I've been thinking about getting an inexpensive ($150 or under) ring flash. Phoenix and Bower are both in this range. Anyone know if these brands make decent flashes or would it not be worth it to go with the cheaper brands?
Before you buy a ring flash you might want to consider another option. Your gear list shows body and lenses but not what you have in the way of lighting now. I was looking at the Canon ring flash for macro, both the MR14 and the MT24. Pretty expensive for what is for the most part a single use item.

I already had a 580 and knew that I needed at least one more so I ended up getting another 580 and a macro flash bracket with two independent flash arms. I am able to use the two 580's for macro work and they will do everything the MT24 does, while allowing me more lighting for things other than macro. Granted, it weighs a bit more than a ring flash, but I can put both flash heads on either side of my 100mm macro lens just like the MT24 with equipment that is much more usable in general. Just my 2 cents on the question.