Stefan Schwarzer , Sep 06, 2010; 02:58 a.m.
Hi there,
I'd like to buy a ringflash for macro photography. I saw that most of the flashs come with an additional body for batteries; or most with a larger body like this one; I found only one with a smaller one. As I would like to carry as few things as possible, I have the tendency to get the smaller one, knowing that it would take more of the camera-battery and perhaps that the flash isn't that strong.
Can you advise me on this point? What are your experiences? I am only an amateur photographer, so no need for a professional setup.
Thanks a lot!
Walter Schroeder , Sep 06, 2010; 05:15 a.m.
"As I would like to carry as few things as possible, I have the tendency to get the smaller one, knowing that it would take more of the camera-battery and perhaps that the flash isn't that strong."
Stefan it would not use the battery of the camera. So if you use a flash with smaller batteries you will have to carry replacement batteries in your bag. Makes the flash smaller but you will still have to carry the extra weight unless you only need a few flash actuations.
I use a flash similar to the one in your first quote. There are a large number of different brands offered near 90 euro- all look very similar and probably are from the same source. These "ring" flashes are not really ring flashes but contain two tubes. When i bought my flash unit it gat a poor contact and misfired occasionally. For 90 Euro a good deal but do not expect a pro-equipment for the low price. I recommend to buy local if possible.
Sem Svizec , Sep 06, 2010; 09:13 a.m.
Are you sure you need a ringflash? A $10 foldable lens-mounted diffuser (with the pop-up or flash or the external flash on camera) may work sometimes even better and is way more convenient for carrying around. Try with kitchen paper if not sure.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1025&message=35870560
Which camera and lens, what do you intend to shot, at what distances?
Michael Kohan , Sep 06, 2010; 02:31 p.m.
Sem, I just followed your link and ordered one of those diffuser (US $15.29). I've been searching for a simple compact macro light and even set up an elaborate dual flash holder, but that diffuser looks ideal. Thanks very much for your suggestion.
anda m , Nov 19, 2010; 05:54 a.m.
Sem, many thanks for your suggestion, I found the topic by searching for ring flashes and found the link you posted. I immediately ordered the diffuser from Adorama, I put its name below, to save search time for the following reader. Thanks a lot.
Interfit Photographic Large On Camera Diffuser for Cameras with a Shoe Mount Flash. (SKU PASTR110)
Free shipping!
$11.95)
Simon Crofts , Nov 19, 2010; 11:50 a.m.
These "ring" flashes are not really ring flashes but contain two tubes
Some of them are ring flashes some aren't. The first one in Stefan's link looks like it is a ring flash - you can more or less see the circular flash tube. The ones that aren't ring flashes but have two tubes instead are usually called 'macro flashes'. eg. the ones made by Nikon, Canon and Sigma are macro flashes, don't have circular flash tube all round the lens and are therefore not ringflashes.
Sunpak made two small ringlashes that were true ringflashes - I have the larger one of them, and it works very nicely. On Stefan's link you can see not only the Dorr one that on the face of it looks like it is a true ringflash bit also this Bilora one (note the circular flash tube).
A diffuser for the flash is OK in its way, but gives a very different effect from ringflash.
