Ringflash advice/samples if you can :)

cosmix3

cosmix3

David Sullivan
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Stuart
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Hi,

For awhile now been toying with the idea of getting a ringflash of some description for portrait/fashion shoots, would need be suitable to use both in and out of the studio, i.e on the streets etc. so in sunlight (when we get some), but am not sure what to look at, have seen things like these Linky, but also been thinking of the Lencarta Safari, or Bowens Ringflash converter Linky, as I have the 500R heads (but unsure on size for using out side, so was wandering if anyone that has experience of any of these units could share there thoughts on them, and if possible show some examples of the stuff they have shot (Portraits/Fashion if possible), and anyone who has thoughts feel free to answer, main questions are:

Will something like the Rayflash for a spped light have the power for outside stuff.

Has anyone who has used the Bowens found in un-practical on location due to size.

And are there any alternatives I have not thought of.

Main reason for wanting the Ringflash is to give high end fashion light to an extent, without having to set up loads of lights on location, as don't have an assistant or 2 to help keep an eye on them when shooting on the streets.

Did have a search on here, but didn't find anything that answered my questions, and would prefer to hear real life experience form pepes on here than trust what comes up in Google :) or on manufacturers web sites :)
 
Rayflash will see you really struggling for power, in my opinion they suck at anything other than on axis fill.

The bowens converter is seriously clumsy, but up to you whether you can deal with that. Re-composing and re-framing with all that gear in one place = ball ache.

For anything fashiony you'll want some more power if you want a "ringflash effect" rather than just a fill. Consider the safari ringflash as a budget option, and will work for what you want.

Alternatives are available from all your well reputed lighting brands, just depends on your £$£$£$

ps - models hate them
 
Thanks Danny, was what I was thinking with the Rayflsh, didn't think the power would be available from a speedlite :) the Bowens I am concerned re bulk, but thinking as I have the heads, may have been a good budget option, but bulk would be an issue,

Out of intrest you say models hate them, can I ask why, as a few I work with seam to like them :shrug: so another point of view may help :)
 
Why in the world would they like them????

You try looking straight into a 1000w flash tube over and over again, they'll soon be seeing stars!! lol
 
Mahoneyd187 said:
Why in the world would they like them????

You try looking straight into a 1000w flash tube over and over again, they'll soon be seeing stars!! lol
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See your point, but know a few that like and at least one who loves them, onther consideration to put in the pot for me :)
 
I have the original RingFlash Adapter, which is very similar to the RayFlash (and other similar devices) and shares its drawbacks. Basically, it's usable for close range studio work but not enough power for outside. Also, the light is not even all round - far from it actually.

It works though, and it's really handy to have E-TTL and stuff - good for macro - but I think you'll be needing one of those studio jobbies.
 
Some models don't like them because the flash duration is much longer than with an 'ordinary' flash (because of the length of the flash tube) so the flash appears to be much brighter.

I haven't used the Bowens one myself, but although I'm sure it will work perfectly well it's a pretty clumsy bit of kit and a bit of a throwback to the days when everything was done at a much slower pace.

The Lencarta Safari is really your only viable option at a reasonable cost, and the price has now been reduced to £700.
 
Garry Edwards said:
Some models don't like them because the flash duration is much longer than with an 'ordinary' flash (because of the length of the flash tube) so the flash appears to be much brighter.

I haven't used the Bowens one myself, but although I'm sure it will work perfectly well it's a pretty clumsy bit of kit and a bit of a throwback to the days when everything was done at a much slower pace.

The Lencarta Safari is really your only viable option at a reasonable cost, and the price has now been reduced to £700.
Click to expand...

:thinking:

Not that fact they're looking directly into it for anything from 1-300 frames during a shoot? :shrug:
 
HoppyUK said:
I have the original RingFlash Adapter, which is very similar to the RayFlash (and other similar devices) and shares its drawbacks. Basically, it's usable for close range studio work but not enough power for outside. Also, the light is not even all round - far from it actually.

It works though, and it's really handy to have E-TTL and stuff - good for macro - but I think you'll be needing one of those studio jobbies.
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Thanks for that Richard, think that has made my mind up, the Speedlite adapter is out :)

Garry Edwards said:
Some models don't like them because the flash duration is much longer than with an 'ordinary' flash (because of the length of the flash tube) so the flash appears to be much brighter.

I haven't used the Bowens one myself, but although I'm sure it will work perfectly well it's a pretty clumsy bit of kit and a bit of a throwback to the days when everything was done at a much slower pace.

The Lencarta Safari is really your only viable option at a reasonable cost, and the price has now been reduced to £700.
Click to expand...

Thanks Gary, do you have any shots using the Safari outside by any chance that I could see :)

Mahoneyd187 said:
:thinking:

Not that fact they're looking directly into it for anything from 1-300 frames during a shoot? :shrug:
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Would be interested to know the answer to that as well, but would say on that sort of shoot, don't take that many in one go :)
 
EdBray said:
This looks good value for money.
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That's interesting, especially the bit about buying it 10 years ago - he obviously forgot to mention that it must have been very old when he bought it:)
Thanks Gary, do you have any shots using the Safari outside by any chance that I could see
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Sorry, but I don't think I've ever used the ringflash outdoors - but plenty of TP members have this kit so I'm sure that someone will be able to help
 
EdBray said:
This looks good value for money.
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Thinking that not looking to portable for location stuff Ed :lol: :D

Garry Edwards said:
That's interesting, especially the bit about buying it 10 years ago - he obviously forgot to mention that it must have been very old when he bought it:)
Sorry, but I don't think I've ever used the ringflash outdoors - but plenty of TP members have this kit so I'm sure that someone will be able to help
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Thanks againg Garry, will wait and see if any post :)
 
Hi Stuart,

The following image is from the initial light test prior to the main shoot. ok, it's not outdoors, but it's still representative
Lencarta Safari Ringflash, with a 70x100 folding softbox way off to the left for a little fill behind Emma. Therefore, the Safari output was divided between the two heads (300ws each) and set to about 1/2 power if I recall.

SafariRing.jpg


Camera : D3 ISO100 1/160th sec 24-70mm f7.1
 
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Michael Sewell said:
Hi Stuart,

The following image is from the initial light test prior to the main shoot. ok, it's not outdoors, but it's still representative
Lencarta Safari Ringflash, with a 70x100 folding softbox way off to the left for a little fill behind Emma. Therefore, the Safari output was divided between the two heads (300ws each) and set to about 1/2 power if I recall.

SafariRing.jpg


Camera : D3 ISO100 1/160th sec 24-70mm f7.1
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, all helps, and starting to think Safari is the way.

kiteninja said:
Heres 2 i've got online


Debra-6 by Kiteninja (Morgan Lee), on Flickr


Debra by Kiteninja (Morgan Lee), on Flickr
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Thanks, they with the Lencarta Safari :)
 
cosmix3 said:
Hi,

Has anyone who has used the Bowens found in un-practical on location due to size.
Click to expand...

The Bowens Ringflash Converter is a hopeless lump! It's virtually impossible to use properly and I think even Bowens suggest using it separated from the camera these days!

Garry Edwards said:
The Lencarta Safari is really your only viable option at a reasonable cost, and the price has now been reduced to £700.
Click to expand...

Also look for the new Elinchrom Quadra Ranger kit, which is a little better spec'd than the Lencarta - and comes in at about a grand including the RX battery....info here: http://www.theflashcentre.com/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-eco-ringflash-kit-i7703.html
 
andygrif said:
The Bowens Ringflash Converter is a hopeless lump! It's virtually impossible to use properly and I think even Bowens suggest using it separated from the camera these days!



Also look for the new Elinchrom Quadra Ranger kit, which is a little better spec'd than the Lencarta - and comes in at about a grand including the RX battery....info here: http://www.theflashcentre.com/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-eco-ringflash-kit-i7703.html
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What I actually said was that the Safari is the only viable option at a reasonable price, obviously there are plenty of other good ones out there too, but at a much higher price.
Originally Posted by Garry Edwards View Post
The Lencarta Safari is really your only viable option at a reasonable cost, and the price has now been reduced to £700.
Click to expand...
The Safari Classic ringflash kit is £700
The Safari Li-on ringflash kit has a very similar spec to the Elinchrom but without the (extra cost) remote, and costs £850. The Elinchrom actually costs £1200, not £1000. All use exactly the same ringflash head, so I very much doubt whether the flash duration figures given by Elinchrom are correct, or to put it another way, I think that they must refer to their S & A heads, not to their ringflash head
 
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Garry Edwards said:
What I actually said was that the Safari is the only viable option at a reasonable price, obviously there are plenty of other good ones out there too, but at a much higher price.
Click to expand...

I'm not suggesting that your equipment is not good value. I've never used any of it - so can't comment.

I have, however, used the Elinchrom Quadra Ringflash - and that is also, in my opinion, also a reasonable cost. It's good that the O/P can be made aware everything that's out there and available yes?

Garry Edwards said:
actually costs £1200, not £1000.
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Sorry to confuse - I was quoting the ex-VAT price.

If you want to send me your ringflash kit, I'll stick it through the paces in the studio for a week like I did the Eli and give you an honest comparison :)
 
I have used a Safari ringflash outside - plenty of power. Not sure if it's worth posting the shots though as I was using it off-camera - through a brolly, or as a naked fill light off-axis.

I can confirm that it will blast enough power out to overpower the sun though.


Phil
 
I use the Lencarta Safari Ringflash - great bit of kit.

Here's a 'before' and 'after' of a magazine shot I took around 18 months ago with the kit.

The before is OOC, and before the retouchers made a right pigs ear of it :shrug:

dani%20org.jpg


dani%20mag.jpg
 
Thanks all, the samp,es are a great help, will have a look at the Elinchrom,

The Safari does it have model light on it, thinking not but thought best to ask :) specs don't mention it.
 
cosmix3 said:
Thanks all, the samp,es are a great help, will have a look at the Elinchrom,

The Safari does it have model light on it, thinking not but thought best to ask :) specs don't mention it.
Click to expand...
Ahh...
The Safari Classic has a modelling lamp on the 'ordinary' flash head but it isn't very bright.
The Safari Li-on has a modelling lamp on the 'ordinary' flash head that's extremely bright - 44% brighter than the Elinchrom Quadra,

Neither have a modelling lamp on the ringflash. You will have to ask The Flash Centre whether the Quadra ringflash has a modelling lamp, but as their ringflash head is exactly the same as the Lencarta one I very much doubt it:)
 
Thanks Garry, didn't think it did, and to be honest, didn't know if there would be a point :)


Garry Edwards said:
Ahh...
The Safari Classic has a modelling lamp on the 'ordinary' flash head but it isn't very bright.
The Safari Li-on has a modelling lamp on the 'ordinary' flash head that's extremely bright - 44% brighter than the Elinchrom Quadra,

Neither have a modelling lamp on the ringflash. You will have to ask The Flash Centre whether the Quadra ringflash has a modelling lamp, but as their ringflash head is exactly the same as the Lencarta one I very much doubt it:)
Click to expand...
 
I'm loving the Lencarta one but not used any others. I would lend you it if you were a little closer. I've also had some good results with the Lencarta ring flash using it for macro but I did have to add two rings of 4 stop film behind the diffuser :)
 
cowasaki said:
I'm loving the Lencarta one but not used any others. I would lend you it if you were a little closer. I've also had some good results with the Lencarta ring flash using it for macro but I did have to add two rings of 4 stop film behind the diffuser :)
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Thanks Darren :) got time to make a decision, as not in a hurry :)
 
I've used a Lencarta ringflash a few times and tbh, I loved it.

At the moment my shooting doesnt justify the outlay, but it will be the unit of choice when the circumstances change.
 
digitalfailure said:
I've used a Lencarta ringflash a few times and tbh, I loved it.

At the moment my shooting doesnt justify the outlay, but it will be the unit of choice when the circumstances change.
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There's always one up the road if you want one :)
 
cosmix3 said:
Thanks Brian


I have been using a friends Bowens unit running off a 1500Kj quadpack and it really does pack a punch, but god,its heavy and cumbersome and if truth be known after about 30 h/held shots its got to be put down cos yer knackered!

Staff edit: Removed part of your post. Wanted posts are not allowed outside of the classified section.
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Roy, the Lencarta ringflash comes up fairly often in the classifieds, as they tend to be bought with great expectations, but without the correct application and opportunity, owners tend to want to switch to standard heads. Of course this can mean they want to hold onto the battery pack.

Keep your peepers peeled. :thumbs:
 
Thanks guy, sorry for late reply, thought I already had :)
 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Macro-Light...GNSO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314600396&sr=8-1

Ringflash/light

DON'T laugh, many professionals use this, I have one, and whilst no professional I am into nature photography and have been a photographer for 40+ years, and this is not to be underestimated, this is the 21st century, this is LED and can do what no flash can, it comes complete with all the necessary adaptor rings for a wide range of lens sizes, runs off standard batteries, I use NiMh.

Half the lights either side can be on at any time variable through SIX power settings, or all the lights variable, constant light or flash again BOTH variable power 6 settings.

And if you don't like it, what a small price to pay.

I have one on my 60Don both my 28-125 and evn my Sigma 120-400 and my son on his Nikon and Nikkor 28-300
 
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Jeremy, your indicated LED system is quite likely suited for macro type work etc, but wouldn't have the power for model or portrait work, which is the OPs requirement.
Interesting piece of kit though, and certainly cheap as chips :thumbs:
 
Michael Sewell said:
Jeremy, your indicated LED system is quite likely suited for macro type work etc, but wouldn't have the power for model or portrait work, which is the OPs requirement.
Interesting piece of kit though, and certainly cheap as chips :thumbs:
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To be honest I have to say thgat I have never tried it on portraits, though it is certainly enough for driving licence photos as I have done mine with it.

It is one of those things that you (I bought) to "see", ands ended up getting another for my son as for the price it is beyond question, superb. Had it been £60-100 I may have thought again, but at this price.
 
Anyone interested in a ringflash would do well to take a serious look at Ed's offering. Not as much power as those already talked about such as lencarta, Eli etc, but that's a great price and it's still 400ws to play with, which is more than enough.
 
As said, thinking the led system would struggle with what I want it for, Luxor fashion in the main, that one looks good Ed, funds not there for me at tne mo net though (though am tempted)
 
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