Saturn Ring Flash compared to Ray Flash

[hamidlmt]

I posted a few sample shots the other day, but wanted to get a few more thoughts down.

A first ordered the Ray Flash. It's beautifully packaged and carefully crafted. However, the attachment head is far too limiting and doesn't fit my Pentax AF-540 flash. After an email exchange, they have no plans to produce a model that does. I did enjoy the gummy frogs before I shipped it back for a refund.

So, I ordered the Saturn Ring Flash (part # SATRF165) and received it quickly. It came in a box roughly half the size of the Ray Flash and arrived in perfect condition. Nothing fancy about the packaging. It made me realize the Ray Flash uses excessive packaging... just not environmentally conscious.

The fit and finish is close to the Ray Flash. They don't put as much attention to detail into the logo. The logo on the front is also smaller, and perhaps less in-your-face than the Ray Flash. The part number is just taped on crooked, underneath some clear plastic, beneath the logo. Doesn't bother me a bit, just gave me a little chuckle seeing the crooked part number slapped on there.

The Saturn has a far more versatile attachment head that tightens with a hook-and-loop strap. If fits the AF-540 snugly and I feel no danger of it falling off. Atop, the K20D, the entire combo works quite nicely. Obviously, it's a bit more cumbersome than I'm accustomed to, but I'll get used to it.

With the Pentax DA* 16-50mm 2.8 lens, it all makes for a great combination. With smaller lenses, like the FA 31mm 1.8 Limited or FA 77mm 1.8 Limited, the ring flash needs to be held in place with a spare finger, as it's weight will turn the swivel head of the flash when changing camera orientation. Not a big deal, but something to be mindful off. But, on the 16-50 zoom, the ring flash stays in place nicely. I have yet to try it with the DA* 50-135mm 2.8 lens.

So... the Saturn may have a bit more light loss than the Ray Flash, but it fits my gear. The fact that it's $120 less than the Ray Flash doesn't hurt either. For Pentax, the Saturn is the only game in town (OK... so, there's the Orbis, but I'm NOT holding onto that thing!). One other note.... I'm told by the Ray Flash folks, ExpoImaging, they have a model that fits the AF-360 head, but might be too tall or short (don't remember) atop the K10D or K20D.

There will be a bit of a learning curve for me with the ring flash. Other off-camera lighting and on-camera bounced flash is pretty darn easy. No worries... I'll get the hang of it.

Just a quick test shot I took the other day of my sister-in-law...

[YJD]

Thanks for the information, I'll love to get a ring flash... got to measure my AF-280T to see which one will fit.

Could you post a picture of your camera, flash and ring flash from the side? I what to see how far the ring flash is from the end of the lens.

Thanks again man!

[jfsavage]

That's great information - I've been reading up on the two units and I'm very interested in any other shots you would be able to publish.

Many thanks,

Jonathan