Ray Flash Redux
There were lots of questions following the earlier review of the new Ray Flash Ring Flash Adpater.I have tried to answer them best I could -- and found a video to boot -- after the jump.
_________
Ring Flash Q-n-A
Q: This is pretty neat with one exception. The design of it and the way it flops down, won't it block the infrared focus assist on the SB800?
A: Yes, it will block the AF-assist light on the SB-800. But FWIW, I am not sure that this thing is that much of a run-and-gun light source. (At least, that is not the way that I would use it.)
Q: What is this? No Konica-Minolta/Sony flash units? That's a pretty poor business choice... (Ditto other question, re: Sunpak/Vivitar)
A: Dunno which other flashes are coming, but you have to understand that Nikon and Canon comprise the vast amount of the DSLR market. They have to go where the numbers are, at least at first.
Q: A quick search for "Ring Light" or "Ring Flash" on eBay lists a lot of ring flashes that sell for less than $100. So what's the advantage of a ring flash adapter over such an eBay flash? Are the eBay ones restricted to macro photography?
A: I actually have bought, tried and discarded a couple of those types of flashes. They are far too weak (and the light source size far too small) to be very useful for subjects other than macro.
Q: Looks like this would block the front of the flash body. any idea if it kills the built in wireless flash capability of say a Canon 580exII? Could I use this unit and still fire another canon flash off-camera?
A: It does block the front of the flash, because it channels it to the ring light area. Being a Nikon guy, I tried it in SB-800 Commander mode to see if it would control other flashes wirelessly. It did.
Q: By saying "But they counter it by not releasing the light fully until they are an inch or two from the top of the ring, going around. Seems to work great." ... Do you mean that the light output is evenly distributed around the whole ring?
A: If the light were emitted all of the way around the ring, it would definitely be hotter up top, which would be closer to the flash. They balance this out by not starting to release the light until it is just a little bit of the way around the circle. The end effect is a pretty even lighting effect around the ring.
(You can see a good, albeit brief, visual example of this in the video below.)
Q: Okay, I'm operating on zero sleep, but what if you want to use your PWs in addition to the ringlight? Are you out of luck?
A: That depends on whether or not your camera will trigger a PW from the PC jack when a hot-shoe flash is mounted. Some will, some won't.
Q: Who wants to bet that there will be a $29 knock-off available in/from Korea within 3 months? It looks pretty backwards engineerable.
A: I'd eat my hat. This thing has a pretty complex light distribution system. Second thought, I would not be surprised to see a piece-of-crap knockoff. But this thing is actually more complicated that it looks from a distance.
Q: I've noticed it's $50 cheaper if you're a Canon user yeah!
A: FYI: That appears to be the older model. It is not as efficient as the new, thinner model.
Q: I'm sure the Gadget Infinity folks already have a prototype in the works.
A: We actually gave them an engraved invitation to create one about six months ago, and they pretty much dropped the ball. Shame, too.
Q: I'm a bit confused - is this the same product as that: ( http://www.ringflash.cz/en_index_go.php? )
A: That's the older, less efficient model. Same principle, though.
Q: I would like to see some evidence that this attachment wouldn't overtstress the the plastic hot shoe, otherwise add a new 580 EX II to the price package.
A: Can't speak for the plastic hot shoe flashes, but on my SB-800 (with a metal hot shoe) there did not seem to be much stress at all on the shoe or the foot. I would think that they would already know it if flashes snapping off were a problem. Having used it on mine, I am not worried.
Q: It looks a little small. I think you'd need something a lot larger (maybe 12-14" across) to get the proper ring light "look".
A: It is a little smaller than the ABR or other big-powered ring flashes. But at portrait distances, it seems to fine. Personal preference, tho.
Q: Anybody know where these are available in the UK, only one I managed to find was on Amazon.co.uk but it was a Nikon fit and I have canon 580EX II.
A: Yup. EU Types will want to look at Flaghead Photographic.
Q: Looks exactly like my Flaghead ring flash that I got for exactly 292 dollars US from Bob Rigby in the UK. They are fun to use and handy beyond. I use it with my G-9 and a canon speedlight. Needs a 1/4 CTO, just a tad bit cool straight out the cow.
A: (As if on cue.) Thanks for the gel tip. I'll try it!
Q: Does it work with high-speed (FP) flash?
A: Yes -- remembering that it is totally passive. It'll handle close-in portraiture outside using the FP synch stuff.
______________
For a better look at it's size, thickness, how it attaches, etc., check out this YouTube video, which we have conveniently dubbed for our readers from The Netherlands. Please bear in mind that this man is not a professional actor, but merely a normal photographer person such as yourself:
Subscribe to Strobist: via RSS | via Email
Browse: Reader Photos | blogs who link to us.
Feed your brain: Great Lighting Books
by David, at 12:00 AM.
19 Comments:
I bought one 4 weeks a go, that is th ray flash, nice tool. The gadget freak I am...could not resist.
I also got my new radio poppers in. Like them very much.
http://kblawson.wordpress.com/
See here. Thanks for the wonderful help with strobes
Affectionately SB800
Ken from KY
Wicked. Dank u vel!
Hi David, being a pro for 16 years, I am truly addicted to your blog since i found it a week ago! Very good stuff! opened up a new way of thinking (and buying).
One thing though, lately I do a lot of society parties and receptions. hard to have the flash off the cam or on a boom. I basically have to stick with on-cam flash. Any ideas or suggestions to improve?
Thanks and keep up the great work
Regards Vincent (dutchie living in southern spain)
http://www.holandaluz.com
Wow, dutch movie.... but pretty much identical information to what is said in the post. Loving the gadget but alas: Minolta/Sony photographer so back to the diy for me.
I bought one and was going to test it at a society party, ended up not using it at all. it is a neat thing but I think David is dead bang on (well he always is but you know what I mean) it isn't really a grab and go use it for main source - at any distance I felt when not set up with a model against a wall like it was just a nice diffuser. not exactly giving me the va-voom I wanted.. the customer service though at expo is out of this world, I may not recommend the flash unless you want to play with something different for fun (and at 300 bucks...) but I wish all companies were as great at communication and as polite!
What kind of table is that? ...I want one! I searched for "light table" and found nothing like that.
Thx
Debbi
Does the guy in the video remind anyone else of the swedish chef from the Muppet Show?
Whahaha, great way to find my video back again.
This is funny. I am a great fan of Strobist, and I am the so called swedish chef who appears on the video. I made this video for my website, www.dslr.nl, but i like to see it here on strobist.
On toppic, I realy like the RayFlash, it's worth every penny.
Now that's what I call a gadget! Pity it doesn't seem to do the job, as you say, past macro distances. Always a problem, if you want lots of bang, you need lots of bucks. About the lighting table our 'swedish chef' is using, Calumet do one, about £50. Good quality, and it folds up, too! I highly recommend it. I think that Calumet have outlets just about everywhere.
Dude, his english sucks! I can barely understand him.
;)
Dean, LOVED your post, cynic! How's your Dutch?
In the video he shows examples against a black background, which would hide the hard shadow ringlights are meant to suppress. Would much rather see the items shot with a white background.
Thanks for addressing the Ray Flash again. I bought one after reading the availability announcement on strobist. It functions well enough, but am I the only one who gets a severe 'lean' of the light? It's nowhere perpendicular to the axis of the lens...probably a good 20-25 degrees off that. I fix mine sith a little wadded gaffer tape between it and the flash housing, but I was disappointed in the fit for $300. I'm using it with a SB-800 on a D200, and neither has seen all that much use, so wear isn't a factor.
Let's say I want to do shoots from 2 to 3 meters from a subject like a press conference or a Red Carpet do you recommend this Ring Flash?
just a thought, to retain ettl or wireless on a cannon system couldn't you turn it upside down... mount it to a lightstand with a flash and fire it via an st-e2 or ettl cord... yeah it looses some of the portability that way but you'd be using it like a normal ringflash that way anyway
Hey, the table ain't no Calumet table, it's a YourTable lightning table with build-in background lightning (selectable between continous light or flashlight with build in trigger)
One of the best product tables one can imagine.
These are also sold by Rittz with the name FST-1, but then there is no lightning system build in. Thats done by a Dutch company, but they don't excist anymore, unfortunately.
Hello Brian, assuming you are THE Brian. Sorry if I put your nose out offering Debbi a source of a SIMILAR table. You can't see the whistles and gongs in the photo, or the price!! I suspect it's way more than the Calumet model. Pity we can't all be rolling in it! I thought, in keeping with the Strobist mentality, that with a Calumet type table and a bit of 'off camera' flash, Debbi might get SIMILAR results. I say similar because, from what I've seen, these Strobist shooters might even get BETTER results. I only wish two things,1) I was as good as the majority of Strobists, and, 2) I could afford even the Calumet table. Some of us are REALLY strapped for cash, and believe me THAT SUCKS! One day, maybe, one day. Until then, I console myself with the thought, most of us Strobist fans (you included?) are amateurs/semi-pro shooters on a shoe string, but photography is a broad church with room for us all, either the rich types (wedding photographers, maybe?) who use all the latest gear, or the not so rich (disabled photog's like myself, for instance?) who muddle along with home-brew gear copied from the big guys, and we all get the same enjoyment at the end of the day, and that's what matters. (BTW. if you still got your OLD light table, and you're looking for a good home for it, I know one!)
Meanwhile, keep shooting, and show us what you got!
I have 2 questions.
Would the Ray Flash give approximately the same results on a flash bracket? That would free up the autofocus assist on the camera.
Where did you get metal feet for your SB-800? And who installs it.
Please bear in mind that this man is not a professional actor, but merely a normal photographer person such as yourself:
Normal photographer? Isn't that a contradiction in terms?
Post a Comment
<< Home