On 29 August 2017, Canon announced its new external flash unit designed for close-up and macro photography—the Macro Twin Lite MT-26EX-RT. The new flash unit incorporates radio transmission capabilities as well as a lower minimum light emission, providing better control over light intensity even during multi-flash photography. (Reported by: Makoto Suzuki (Digital Camera Watch))

 

Up to 1/8,000 second high-speed sync

An external flash unit designed for macro photography, the Macro Twin Lite MT-26EX-RT is equipped with support for wireless radio transmission, and high-speed sync is possible up to 1/8,000 second.

Featuring a maximum guide number of approximately 26 (both-sides firing. Single-side firing: approx. 19.9, both in metres at ISO 100), the firing angle of each of the two flash heads of the Macro Twin Lite MT-26EX-RT can be individually adjusted. This feature is similar to the Macro Ring Lite MT-14EX-RT (maximum guide number: 14), Canon’s existing ring-shaped flash unit.

A camera attached with the Macro Twin Lite MT-26EX-RT

 

Flash coverage is approximately 65 degrees per side, both vertically and horizontally. E-TTL II autoflash, E-TTL autoflash and manual flash are all supported, and there also is a wireless master function.

 

 

The flash ratio control between the left and right flash heads can be kept at up to 8:1 in ½-stop increments. Flash output can be adjusted in 1/3-stop increments, and lowered down to as little as 1/512.

The flash unit uses 4 AA-size batteries as its power source, and is capable of approximately 100 to 700 flashes when alkaline batteries are used. It can also be used with with Compact Battery Pack CP-E4N.

External dimensions are 62.3mm × 55.8mm ×49.1mm (flash unit), 69.5mm × 112.5mm × 90.0mm (control unit) and 136.6mm × 91.1mm × 29.9mm (mount ring). The weight is approximately 570g (control unit weight, without batteries).

 

Compatible lenses
EF50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro
EF100mm f/2.8 Macro
EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM (requires Macrolite Adapter 67, sold separately)
EF180mm f/3.5L Macro USM (requires Macrolite Adapter 72C, sold separately)
EF-S35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM
EF-S60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
MP-E65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo
* Cannot be attached to the EF-M28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM

 

Macro Twin Lite MT-26EX-RT in use

 

For more information about macro lenses, check out the following article:
Uncover a Whole New World with Macro Lenses

For tips on using an external flash, visit the following page:
In Focus: The Basics of External Flash Photography

 

---

---