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Thinking of getting a ring flash. Couple of questions though. I am assuming they will fit on any camera as long as the thread size is right? That is it will fit on the D90 plus the Pen ? I see a lot of LED units? I guess they are not so good going by the price of them?
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Just because cliches are cliches does not make them wrong. I do like walking in the rain. -
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Re: Ring flash
The advantage of LED is that the light can be used to focus and compose. They are also generally cheaper than ring flash units. You may get more consistent shadows with a ring flash though, if that is important.
IanFounder/editor
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Re: Ring flash
Thanks guys. So the LED ones are basically a light as opposed to a flash Ian? That makes sense I guess. I will have a look at the Sigmas Patrick. I was looking to get away from dedicated ones so as I could use it on both cameras hence I was looking at non Nikon or Olympus.Just because cliches are cliches does not make them wrong. I do like walking in the rain.Comment
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Re: Ring flash
Not sure but I think Sigma only make dedicated ring flash.Originally posted by TheBull1875 View Post
PatrickComment
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Re: Ring flash
Yes - not like LED 'flash' on mobile phones; LED lights for photography act as a continuous light source and so are also useful for video recording. This looks like it's good value:Originally posted by TheBull1875 View Post
(order from that page and DPNow gets a small commission!)
IanFounder/editor
Digital Photography Now (DPNow.com)
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ian_burley
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Re: Ring flash
Hmmm, more complicated than I thought then. Things to ponder. For sure I will use the link if I go for this Ian. Thinking about it, I guess the LED one would mahe more sense as I could use it on both cameras whereas if I go for a non LED I would ahve to get one for each. Wee bit overkill I guess.
Originally posted by Ian View PostYes - not like LED 'flash' on mobile phones; LED lights for photography act as a continuous light source and so are also useful for video recording. This looks like it's good value:
(order from that page and DPNow gets a small commission!)
IanJust because cliches are cliches does not make them wrong. I do like walking in the rain.Comment
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Re: Ring flash
spookily, i had an LED one delivered 2 days ago. it can be used in flash or continuous light mode. that said, the power isn't up to much, but for £20 it was worth a punt. for people shots i'd be more tempted to use it in constant mode, coupled with off camera strobe units. the ring light would be there purely as a catch-light source - which was always my intention.Comment
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Re: Ring flash
Yes these LED units can't match the power of a Xenon flash but this should not be a problem for macro work.
IanFounder/editor
Digital Photography Now (DPNow.com)
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ian_burley
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/dpnow/
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Re: Ring flash
LED advantage constant light, (any idea Ian on the light output of these units Ian)Originally posted by TheBull1875 View Post
LED disadvantage may be lower light output so either a wide aperture, or slow shutter speed or even both depending on ambient light.
Flash advantage more light control, short flash duration the equivelent to 1/1000 sec or faster, and the ability to use smaller aperture, both depending on subject matter could be valuable, particularly the ability to stop down and use small aperture for maximum depth of field, which will be extremly narrow with macro work. The closer you get the narrower it becomes.
If extension tubes are used extra light becomes even more important as the inverse square law kicks in and light reaching the sensor is heavily reduced still further.
Lots to think about, it all of course depends on the type of macro work you intend doing, which is the main reason for ring lighting in the first place. Ring flash works fine for portrait, (can't say for LED without known light output) but you are restricted to head & shoulders only, due to the lower power of ring flash. Perhaps if you indicated the type of photography you intend using the flash for we may e able to offer more focused advice.
They do make studio ring flash, big bulky expencive things but powerful, also ring flash adapters for conventional camera mounted flash guns, they are not cheap either and I doubt suitable for macro work.
PatrickComment
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GrahamComment
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Re: Ring flash
Graham, that looks brilliant
! I am afraid my technical skills run to picking up the phone and calling for help
Flash to be used for mainly macro but also portraits if possible PatrickJust because cliches are cliches does not make them wrong. I do like walking in the rain.Comment
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Re: Ring flash
It really is VERY simple... Much like a "Blue Peter" productOriginally posted by TheBull1875 View PostGraham, that looks brilliant! I am afraid my technical skills run to picking up the phone and calling for help
Flash to be used for mainly macro but also portraits if possible Patrick
No where near enough light output for portraits. The range is about 2ft maximum with optimum lighting within the range of the 35 & 50mm Macro Lenses in Macro mode.
If you want lots of light, to work at a distance, then something like this will do the trick.
But make sure the person knows just how powerful the flash will be.
Even "normal" ring flash can be a bit bright for a lot of people, in much the same way as bare on-camera flash.
Softening the light gives by far the better results.GrahamComment
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Re: Ring flash
Yikes, eek and every other expletive I can think of but cannot write! That is a monster.
Just because cliches are cliches does not make them wrong. I do like walking in the rain.Comment
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