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Anyone have a ring flash?? What do you think of it?

ProfJohn

ProfJohn

Lifer
So while researching flashes I read up on a ring flash.

Seems like a nice addition to my new and sure to be expanding collection of lights.


Just wondering who has one and what they think of it??

Is it worth the money? (they aint cheap)

What do you use it for??
 
I have one. Its voltage is too high for any of my digital cameras. It WAS cheap as it was a sunpak. It worked great for macros.

I'm happier with off camera flashes.
 
i've been tempted to buy this one from dealextreme
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.33291

but their compatibility statement is kinda odd. says it works with sb800 on a d80, or an sb600 on a d70. I realize its probably dealextreme being retarded...but wtf

also, deal extreme ripped me off on a big order last year and i'd prefer to never EVER EVER give them another dime
 
I'll say that it's just "OK". It depends on what you're trying to achieve.

If you're trying to shoot portraits and have the ring reflection in your subject's eyes, this can only be done using a Wide or UW lens up close. From a decent distance away, by using a 50+mm lens on a crop, the ring on your subjects eyes won't be noticeable. Either way, the effect isn't up to snuff IMHO.

If you want the halo around your subject, then it will do it decently, but your background needs to be dark enough, and depending on lighting, you have to go full power on the flash to do a whole body shot, or get closer to your subject. For better quality, i would suggest getting a unit that runs off of strobes like the AlienBees. Mine is attached to an SB-600, and i think a more powerful flash would would work better.

It does work well for some macro-type photography where shadows are an issue.
 
virtuamike said:
Which one?
Click to expand...

I can't find it. I did find the pack of about a trillion batteries I couldn't believe I lost so the search wasn't a total waste.

There are a lot of cheap ones available over at adorama (and other places, they just came up first in the search) that are probably worth trying. $70 to see if you'd use one isn't a bad investment.
 
rootaxs said:
For better quality, i would suggest getting a unit that runs off of strobes like the AlienBees. Mine is attached to an SB-600, and i think a more powerful flash would would work better.
Click to expand...

Alienbee offers a ABR800 , basically the same power as the AB-800 but is a Ringflash.

I'm guessing this is the one the OP is talking about since he just purchased some AB himself.
 
I was talking about a nice one like the Alien Bee one.

Seen some nice pics online taken with ring flashes. Then again you might be able to get the same results with just normal flashes.

Right now I have a TON to learn with my new flash kit. Took a few tonight and they range from WOW to ugh!
 
ProfJohn said:
I was talking about a nice one like the Alien Bee one.

Seen some nice pics online taken with ring flashes. Then again you might be able to get the same results with just normal flashes.

Right now I have a TON to learn with my new flash kit. Took a few tonight and they range from WOW to ugh!
Click to expand...

Ring flashes are the hardest to mimic without having one. I've seen people's McGuyver setups, but it's ringflash-esque. Especially where they show multiple shots where you can see it worked for a few, and the rest look like poo.
 
Dark Penguin said:
I can't find it. I did find the pack of about a trillion batteries I couldn't believe I lost so the search wasn't a total waste.

There are a lot of cheap ones available over at adorama (and other places, they just came up first in the search) that are probably worth trying. $70 to see if you'd use one isn't a bad investment.
Click to expand...

Sorry, that was meant for ProfJohn, I should've quoted.
 
ProfJohn said:
I was talking about a nice one like the Alien Bee one.

Seen some nice pics online taken with ring flashes. Then again you might be able to get the same results with just normal flashes.

Right now I have a TON to learn with my new flash kit. Took a few tonight and they range from WOW to ugh!
Click to expand...

There aren't any alternatives to the AB in that price range. There are vast differences in quality and handling with the nicer ones, but they're significant investments (and usually not the first thing you buy). Buddy has a Hensel. I'm trying to find a cheap one to convert to Speedo.

Ringflashes have a very particular look. If it fits with your shooting then go for it. AB has a great return policy.

Though again, ringflash usually comes later.
 
My experience with ring flashes tells me they are very good for mncro work - especially hardware and other technical things. I have never used on with a digicam.
 
I own an Alien Bees Zeus ringflash but I always use it as my main light instead mounting it on my camera. Wanna buy my Alien Bees powerpack and ringflash? LoL
 
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