[Blue]

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Clinton, I did have to buy the 77mm ring as an option. I also picked up a 49 to 55 step up ring. The Sigma does come with a nice cordura storage bag and 55 & 58 rings.

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Last edited by Blue; 06-08-2010 at 07:19 AM.

[Digitalis]

The pentax comes in a very nicely presented box. with all the step-up and step-down rings supplied. It even has a niche for a spare set of batteries.

[eva2000]

haven't tried the ones you listed i went with a different approach https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/camera-studio-accessories/102255-step-up-...ing-flash.html. I'm using alot more the LR3200 ring flash as it's much brighter and definitely helps on macro close ups

my original choice was the sigma but for the price i thought i'd try these other 2 heh

LR3200 ring flash in action

https://www.pentaxforums.com/gallery/index.php?n=18693
https://www.pentaxforums.com/gallery/index.php?n=18694

[Digitalis]

I dunno, right at the moment in my mind the Sigma is kind of winning out due to the ability to use 77mm filter size lenses. (Thanks Blue)

Now that I understand the lighting, I see why the Pentax flash gives more uniform light, but it's maximum filter size of 62mm is a hurdle for me. I would like to be able to use this on a few lenses that have 77mm filter sizes, specifically my A*/135, but also perhaps my DA* 16-50 (more at the 50 end I expect)

I would not recommend using a ringflash with a zoom lens, unless the zoom lens is an internally zooming and internally focusing. Because ringflashes put weight on the front of a lens and can cause mechanical wear on parts that were never designed to take such weight. K,A,M and certain FA lenses should be fine due to their high construction quality, and optical characteristics... don't say I didn't warn you.

[eva2000]

I would not recommend using a ringflash with a zoom lens, unless the zoom lens is an internally zooming and internally focusing. Because ringflashes put weight on the front of a lens and can cause mechanical wear on parts that were never designed to take such weight. K,A,M and certain FA lenses should be fine due to their high construction quality, and optical characteristics... don't say I didn't warn you.

Never really put any thought into that until you mentioned it, just looked up my Digislave LR3200 ring flash weights ~227g and mainly use it on sigma 18-50mm ex 2.8 macro, pentax 35mm 2.8 macro and 105mm sigma ex 2.8 macro lens

[Digitalis]

incidentally,the Digislave LR3200 is a ring light, not a ring flash. There is a significant difference between the two.

[Horst-Helmut]

As I have said before about Metz 15MS-1 and D FA 100mm 2.8 macro is not a good combination. I can't focus manually because of the weight, focus ring just turns but nothing happens unless I tip the lens up or down. Autofocus sounds like the motor is in pain.

I also don't like the dual shadows the Metz makes. Works ok with a small umbrella.

[eva2000]

incidentally,the Digislave LR3200 is a ring light, not a ring flash. There is a significant difference between the two.

doh yeah ring light!

[Digitalis]

As I have said before about Metz 15MS-1 and D FA 100mm 2.8 macro is not a good combination. I can't focus manually because of the weight, focus ring just turns but nothing happens unless I tip the lens up or down. Autofocus sounds like the motor is in pain.

The pentax AF160FC comes with an adaptor tube for the DFA100 and FA 100mm macro lenses which fits on where the lens hood does, and allows the lens to extend during focusing without running the risk of damaging anything. the flash to clips on at the end preventing you from having to mount the ring flash directly onto the front of the macro lens and causing the problems you have experienced, and that adaptor comes in the box with the AF160FC.

as you can see, pentax pretty much thought of everything with this flash.

[Russell-Evans]

In all this talk of ring flashes, I'm surprised no one has brought up the flash converters. The ebay versions have gotten really cheap now.

Macro O Flash Ring items - Get great deals on Cameras Photo items on eBay.com!



Thank you
Russell

[Digitalis]

"turn your flash into an O-flash" pfft, amazing grasp of photographic terminology there, looks more like a U flash to me. I love it how they managed to blank out the Canon tag on the camera, but still kept the 5D part visible.

with marketing like that, not to mention the obvious product design blooper; there are good reasons why we haven't mentioned those shoddy converters in here.

[Miguel]

In all this talk of ring flashes, I'm surprised no one has brought up the flash converters. The ebay versions have gotten really cheap now.

I've seen a few surprisingly effective shots taken with these clever tools--maybe not this particular brand, but something similar.

I think this is a cheap, low-risk approach for testing out whether ring-light photography is worth pursuing, as long as the photographer is aware of the design and quality limitations. To me, light needn't be branded to be usable.

M

[Horst-Helmut]

The pentax AF160FC comes with an adaptor tube for the DFA100 and FA 100mm macro lenses which fits on where the lens hood does, and allows the lens to extend during focusing without running the risk of damaging anything. the flash to clips on at the end preventing you from having to mount the ring flash directly onto the front of the macro lens and causing the problems you have experienced, and that adaptor comes in the box with the AF160FC.

as you can see, pentax pretty much thought of everything with this flash.

Nice to know that, I spent quite much time checking few different units but bought the Metz 2nd hand, Pentax was a bit too expensive for me at that time.

[Russell-Evans]

Saturn Ring Flash $89


Coco Ring Flash Adapter US $50



Some more option below $100.

Thank you
Russell

[Russell-Evans]

"turn your flash into an O-flash" pfft, amazing grasp of photographic terminology there, looks more like a U flash to me.

The U shape is a practical consideration as it lets the AF assist on the flash work. The more solid round versions block the AF assist beam.

Thank you
Russell