LED macro ring flash

Matt

Matt

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does anyone use one of those? Im thinking that £40 for one of these for close lighting may be ok, anyone got any experience?
 
Surely its a continues light not a flash as it doesn't flash its always on ?

correct me if I'm wrong.

Would need some really powerfull LEDs as I've just replaced my bulbs in my flat for LEDs and they are really dull.
 
yes its continuous, some new LED setups are pretty bright, for closeup work it would be enough I think, but thats why im after user reviews...to make sure it is..
 
Saw something similar at Focus. I think it might be workable, but only at pretty close range and maybe high ISO. They quote a guide number of 15, but that is utterly meaningless for continuous light without quoting a shutter speed... :thinking:

Big advantage of flash for macro is the very short duration which pretty much kills camera shake, which is a major problem. Something like the Marumi ringflash is only £100 and also does auto-TTL exposure control.
 
hmm i might check those out..
 
I know this is an older thread, but I thought you still might want to know that I have ordered one of those earlier this week. I got a notice about it being shipped yesterday, so I hope to get it some time next week.
This is the one I ordered:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330429861464

I bought this as well:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350339480118

I hope it'll be as useful as I hope it will be for macros where I can't use a tripod or a monopod.

Should I make a small review when I get them?
 
I would be interested in how much reach the lights had as it could solve an on going problem I have taking photos in dark places. I reguarly use a torch to illumiate the area so the AF focuses and then I take the picture.
 
DrRusty said:
I would be interested in how much reach the lights had as it could solve an on going problem I have taking photos in dark places. I reguarly use a torch to illumiate the area so the AF focuses and then I take the picture.
Click to expand...

I'll try that out. Some of the sellers mention that it's usable up to one meter, as it's primarily meant for macro, but I'll see how strong the light is for myself, as I might end up using it for the few indoor events I tend to attend.

I have a hunch that a LED array panel will be better for that, though:
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_kw=126...lstpos=&_sc=1&_sop=15&_sticky=1&_stpos=&gbr=1
http://shop.ebay.com/easysupply/m.h...ksid=p3911.m270.l1313&_odkw=&_osacat=0&bkBtn= (didn't find this seller listed in the first link).
There are also panels with less leds on ebay and there might be some with more, but the panels with 126 LEDs seem to be in the price/performance sweet spot (for me). I might buy one later this year, but probably not earlier than during the winter.
Here's a small thread about them:
http://fxhome.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=41530
 
I am somewhat concerned about the light quality off these LEDs. Usually they are narrowband which would have an adverse effect for the IQ.

I wonder if anybody has some sample photos, test on colour charts, or even scientific wavelength measurements?
 
Only found this thread and I use one of these from Amazon for 39.99.

It's useful for me for keeping the iso nice and low - on the 4/3rds sensor iso is a big issue even at 400. I find when shooting macro and using Aperture mode, and going for say, f10 in normal light and iso 100, the shutter speed drops to 1/30 or so, not the best for handholding, but with this little rig, then shutter speed jumps to around 160-200 depending on ambient light and distance, etc.
 
any reviews anyone wants to make are worthwhile. I bought a macro ringflash from WHE and a coco ringflash adaptor in the end, which i will get round to reviewing at some point...
 
I got the thing today, tried it out briefly. I'll try to post my findings tomorrow in a separate review post, but the first impression is: macro only (as the seller stated in the description).
It was raining when I got home from work today and the daylight was kind of weak. Might try to take it with me this Saturday to get some flower macro action :D

A little teaser (with a poor photo).
Light from top and behind: daylight.
Light from the front: the ring48 (says on the box it arrived in).
Shot in raw, converted with Rawtherapee 3.0a.

Without any correction of exposure, just resizing and sharpening:
dsc1589l.jpg


Exposure corrected (my fault it had to be corrected, really):
dsc15891.jpg


The light from the LED ring is nicely soft, as you can see.
 
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