Ring-Flash

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Arkady

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Rob
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OK...did the search (to no avail), now I'm going to do the classic newbie-thing...

Looking at getting a ring-flash for 'glamma'-type portraiture - some work has come up where this effect would be ideal and may lead to more of the same - or it might not...(which is why I haven't bothered with getting one previously).

It needs to be compatible with Nikon D3 and D3x and ideally would also link in with Nikon's CLS system. The filter-size of all my lenses is 77mm...

I had a look at Nikon's own Commander Kit R1C1, but that looks to be geared towards close-up photography and in any case wouldn't deliver the trade-mark circular catch-lights that the client would be looking for...

Saw one that was about £700 and while that's do-able in the event of repeat work, it's a bit steep for a one-off job that might not be repeated.

If anyone has any recommendations, I'd be interested to hear from you and also if this kind of kit is available for hire in the Greater London area, as I'd probably go that route initially.
 
For a one-off and for CLS compatibility, you could go for a RayFlash or Orbis ring flash (or one of the cheaper copied versions) - these convert a standard hotshoe flash into a ring flash at the cost of about a stop and a half of light loss.

Not going to give you quite the same look or power as a separate ring flash, but should do the job.

From what I've heard, the Lencarta ring flash is a good option if you want to go for a manual light.
 
I had the ray flash one and next to a proper pro spec one it's pants lol :)

Swapped it for a manfrotto head :)
 
BouncyMelons said:
http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/rentalCalumet Rob, just round the corner from Euston Station in Drummond Street, you can hire profoto from them but be prepared to fall in love with profoto :)
Click to expand...

Yeah - £150 for the day as opposed to £1,200 for the unit itself seems reasonable...until you consider it's a fairly low-rent shoot which might not lead to anything...I'll be taking a three-head Bowens kit with me anyway, this was just one idea that popped up.

I might just fork out for the clip-on Ray-Flash for the SB900 for £120...even if it is pants, it'll give the client an idea of what can be achieved (and why they need to hire me properly, full-time for ££££'s).
Then I can invest in some more durable kit.

I've seen what they've had done previously - and paid a lot for up-front - and frankly it was so shockingly bad that I couldn't believe I was worried about trying to make a living in the 'real-world' after a life in green.
 
I too would be interested in knowing if these stick on ring flashes are any good. Will watch with interest.
 
This might be interesting reading for people (and see part II as well - link at the end of part I)
 
If you want CLS compatible, I don't think there is any alternative to a clip-on ringflash for your Speedlight (apart from a Nikon macro jobbie).

The main drawback of these things is power when used at anything more than normal portrait distance, but you have so much ISO capability with your Nikons that's not going to be a problem - and you obviously lose a lot of the ringlight effect if you move back anyway.

Also, none of them gives a perfectly full circle of even light - there's a darker patch at either the top (RayFlash) or the bottom (RingFlash Adapter). It's slight though, and doesn't affect the light significantly. The only time I've noticed it is when you shoot in portrait mode and that casts a slightly darker shadow on one side than the other. If you want fully circular highlights in the eyes, shop it ;)

For the price, they are unbeatable IMHO, and my Ringflash Adapter works very well - portaits and macro. That's Canon fit only though I think. And the whole thing is quite vulnerable to damage, cheaply made and not at all robust.
 
Thanks - that tells me everything i needed to know...looks like the Ray-Flash will be the one to go for as it produces exactly the cheap, tacky look I'm after...
 
This all sounds interesting. I will have to work on my home made twin flash, putting another tube horizontally at the top. It might improve it.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
The O Flash ones aren't - I've got one :shake:
Click to expand...

They're not that bad Graham... I picked one up very cheaply at Focus yesterday and had a mess about with it last night. I'll get a picture or two posted into this thread a bit later on.

It loses about 2 stops of light so it might just be necessary to up the ISO a little but I found the light to be quite even. :)

Cheers,
Si
 
I've also been looking at the Sigma EM-140 DG Macro Flash, which Warehouse Express are knocking-out for £300-ish - that would allow enough auto-functionality for me, providing it was bright enough - TBH I'd be shooting from less than 10 feet anyway and the vignetting from the light fall-off is a desired feature for the sort of shots I'll be taking...

Comes with a 58mm adapter ring which is no good for my longer lenses, but will be OK with my 50mm f/1.4 which is probably what I'd be using for these particular shots.
 
Sigma is guide number 14 I think. Same as most pop-up flashes. Same as the Marumi for a third of the price ;) http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-marumi-drf14n-ring-flash-for-nikon/p1026072 That Marumi has a good rep and should do the job - light is smaller diameter than the ring-flash attachments though.

I wouldn't expect lighting fast recycle times though. With a regular big hot-shoe gun plus RF adapter, if you've got decent ISO you can turn the flash down to get fast recyling, or plug in one of those cheap battery packs.

From what you've said Rob, Rayflash would be my choice :thumbs:
 
This is a shot taken last night when I got back from Focus with the 'O' flash...




Image Info:
Canon EOS 7D
EF 24-105mm F4L IS USM @ 70mm
1/125 sec at f4.
ISO 200

'O' flash attached to Canon 580EXII on manual at 1/1 power (subject distance - 1.2m)
 
RayFlash it is then - now to find a dealer who actually has one in stock...

Cheers for posting that Si - that's exactly the look I'm after...
 
Arkady said:
RayFlash it is then - now to find a dealer who actually has one in stock...

Cheers for posting that Si - that's exactly the look I'm after...
Click to expand...

No Problem Rob. :)

I took a couple of 3/4 length shots of Ayesha as well but in all honesty, that's really pushing the capabilities unless you're happy to push the ISO a bit. If you want to see what a 3/4 looks like, let me know and I'll get one of those posted too. If you can get to Focus, that 'O' flash is £43... cheap enough that it doesn't matter if it only gets used occasionally. :)

Take care,
Si
 
Annoyingly the only UK dealer is Robert White who are asking £129.99 plus VAT...:cuckoo:

Against £43 for the O-Flash?

Mind you the Ray-Flash does make a complete circle as opposed to the 'teardrop' shape of the O-Flash...
 
Hi Rob,

One 3/4 length shot... Ringflash can also give rise to some quite nasty red-eye but that's not a major issue. If you're going to grab one of these things, you'll need to specify which camera/flash setup you'll be using (just like the Rayflash).



Image Info:
EOS 7D
EF24-105mm at 28mm
1/125sec at f4. ISO 200
580EXII with 'O' flash on manual at 1/1 power.
 
I have used the strap on type "O" flash, a studio profoto one and the portable Lencarta type, of the 3 the Lencarta is best for my style of work, I can use it in and out of the studio, full power gives f16, it is extremely portable, easy to use and will fit 77mm no problem.
 
Toxic said:
I have used the strap on type "O" flash, a studio profoto one and the portable Lencarta type, of the 3 the Lencarta is best for my style of work, I can use it in and out of the studio, full power gives f16, it is extremely portable, easy to use and will fit 77mm no problem.
Click to expand...

If this pans out then I'll no doubt consider a ProFoto or Lencarta one, but the fat-end of £800 is too much to lay down on a speculative job.
 
Spiritflier said:
This is a shot taken last night when I got back from Focus with the 'O' flash...




Image Info:
Canon EOS 7D
EF 24-105mm F4L IS USM @ 70mm
1/125 sec at f4.
ISO 200

'O' flash attached to Canon 580EXII on manual at 1/1 power (subject distance - 1.2m)
Click to expand...

thats pretty good tbh.:thumbs:

any processing involved in the photo?

also is this 'O' flash the same one as the ebay specials?
 
oli said:
thats pretty good tbh.:thumbs:

any processing involved in the photo?

also is this 'O' flash the same one as the ebay specials?
Click to expand...

Hi,

I ran it through Portrait Professional 9 last night (picked that up at Focus as well :)) but didn't do anything to the actual lighting.

Just had a look on ebay and there are quite a few of this particular model in China and Hong Kong for less than I paid for mine. I only got mine 'cos it was cheap and at least if it doesn't get used much, it's not cost me a fortune. :)

Si
 
Spiritflier said:
Hi,

I ran it through Portrait Professional 9 last night (picked that up at Focus as well :)) but didn't do anything to the actual lighting.

Just had a look on ebay and there are quite a few of this particular model in China and Hong Kong for less than I paid for mine. I only got mine 'cos it was cheap and at least if it doesn't get used much, it's not cost me a fortune. :)

Si
Click to expand...

Hi Si

thanks for the info. So from a quick look and compare to the ones on ebay you'd say these were the same product? Reason I ask is because i'm contemplating this or the Orbis but for the price I think it might be a useful addition. :)
 
oli said:
Hi Si

thanks for the info. So from a quick look and compare to the ones on ebay you'd say these were the same product? Reason I ask is because i'm contemplating this or the Orbis but for the price I think it might be a useful addition. :)
Click to expand...

The ones I saw on ebay had the same design and were the same shape as the one I got yesterday... even down to the logo and text. I took a good look at the Orbis ringflash yesterday and whilst I liked the effect and the build quality, I was less than impressed with the bracket it all hangs from and the price made me wince a little too. The Rayflash is undoubtedly the one to get if you're going to get a lot of use from it but this 'o' flash unit works fine for me. :)

Si
 
Had a look at the RayFlash today at Focus. Didn't try it but it actually looks quite well made and robust, better than I expected compared to my own RingFlash Adapter. It's also quite light :thumbs:

I have to say that looking at Rob's settings for the O-Flash (only f/4 ISO200 at 1.2m with a 580EX flat out) it's losing a heck of a lot of light somewhere :eek:
 
Hi Arkady, from what iv seen of your photography its great; you post on here allot indicating its your true passion in life... in short spend the money!! you only live once and im sure youl get allot of use out of it.
golden rule.. if it makes you smile spend it and grin!
 
HoppyUK said:
Had a look at the RayFlash today at Focus. Didn't try it but it actually looks quite well made and robust, better than I expected compared to my own RingFlash Adapter. It's also quite light :thumbs:

I have to say that looking at Rob's settings for the O-Flash (only f/4 ISO200 at 1.2m with a 580EX flat out) it's losing a heck of a lot of light somewhere :eek:
Click to expand...

Wasn't Rob's shot Richard... It was mine! :D

And yeah, you're right. My maths was a long way off (long day yesterday). :)

I know damned well that if I'd fired the 580EXII at full whack at Ayesha, she'd have been blinded and sunburned at that distance! :amstupid:

Saying that though, for £40 I'm not complaining... I'll find more use for it than some of the kit I've bought over the years. :D

Take care,
Si
 
Spiritflier said:
Wasn't Rob's shot Richard... It was mine! :D
And yeah, you're right. My maths was a long way off (long day yesterday). :)

I know damned well that if I'd fired the 580EXII at full whack at Ayesha, she'd have been blinded and sunburned at that distance! :amstupid:

Saying that though, for £40 I'm not complaining... I'll find more use for it than some of the kit I've bought over the years. :D

Take care,
Si
Click to expand...

Apologies Si :)
 
HoppyUK said:
Had a look at the RayFlash today at Focus. Didn't try it but it actually looks quite well made and robust, better than I expected compared to my own RingFlash Adapter. It's also quite light :thumbs:

I have to say that looking at Rob's settings for the O-Flash (only f/4 ISO200 at 1.2m with a 580EX flat out) it's losing a heck of a lot of light somewhere :eek:
Click to expand...

you lose like 3 stops of light with it, i know it says you dont, but you do. results are alright.
 
Arkady said:
Annoyingly the only UK dealer is Robert White who are asking £129.99 plus VAT...:cuckoo:

Against £43 for the O-Flash?

Mind you the Ray-Flash does make a complete circle as opposed to the 'teardrop' shape of the O-Flash...
Click to expand...


Calumet stock (or stocked at any rate) the Rayflash. They (the Rayflash, not Calumet :D) don't get a great reputation for build quality though.
 
Spiritflier said:
I took a good look at the Orbis ringflash yesterday and whilst I liked the effect and the build quality, I was less than impressed with the bracket it all hangs from and the price made me wince a little too.

Si
Click to expand...

I too had a play with the Orbis yesterday at the NEC, (actually tried it out with my camera & flash) the results seemed ok (but I'm no expert) on one hand it was good in that you could use it off camera if need be but awkward on the other as you needed 3 hands (I had a very loose zoom which extends fully as soon as the camera is tilted forward so needed retracting before the next shot which is where the 3rd hand comes in:lol:). But it did seemed a rather expensive plastic moulding.

Rob if this is of any help here are a couple of shots taken with the Orbis, no edits just converted from raw exif intact.

1.
DSC01111.jpg


2
DSC01113.jpg


Si as you stated the O flash seemed a cheaper alternative but as they could not tell me which one would fit my main camera & flash I didn't get one. :bang:
But as your results look pretty good I think I will chance £24 on the O Flash listed on ebay (that you kindly pointed out :thumbs:) now that I have had a chance to measure up.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Wrong link...but appropriate :lol:

Correct one :D
Click to expand...

Hi Graham,

I think I preferred the first link! :D At least we know what the new Nikon will look like! ;) :lol:

That blog post was interesting... I think I'm going to dismantle mine tomorrow and see if I can find some way of making it a bit more efficient. The principle is sound but as with most simple things, there's usually a way to make it better.

I'll report back with any 'improvements'.

Cheers,
Si
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Wrong link...but appropriate :lol:

Correct one :D
Click to expand...

With those reference shots you can really see the light fall-off caused by the 'gap' at the top of the device...it definitely needs to be a continuous circle of light for this to work right IMO...
 
i made my own with an old inspection light took the glass out the middle stuck a flash gun up the bottom hey presto flash ring
 
Afternoon all,

I dismantled my 'O' flash this morning and things are slightly different inside mine compared to Paul Mason's... I reckon someone must have mentioned this problem with the cardboard already 'cos mine's already lined with silver backed paper/card.

I'll do a few test shots later using Paul's example just to see what sort of losses I'm getting from the 580EXII. :)

Si
 
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