A flash unit that is mounted to the end of the lens in order to evenly light up the subject and provide a subject that is shadowless.

A macro flash unis is generally is a flash unit that is formed in a ring. The camera lens can be poked through the middle of the ring to take the shot. Alternatively the flash is mounted on the lens and flash is set in an ‘around-the-lens’ position. This flash unit shares many of the common features of an ordinary off-camera flash and can be controlled by ‘through-the-lens’ technology where the camera takes control of the unit and calculates the best flash for the shot based on the normal exposure settings of ISO, aperture and shutter speed.

The macro flash unit is commonly used for close portraiture and macro work. Both benefit from the ring of light that is generated by the flash. The idea is that the ring provides an image without shadows or Modeling, especially for smaller items in the shot.