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03-22-2012, 10:59 AM - 1 Like   #1
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The $50 Vivitar DR-5000 Macro Ring Flash - Review

Hey all.

Just got my brand spankin' new Vivitar DR-5000 ring flash today... for $50! Considering what used units and inferior new LED ring lights (most are not really flashes as it turns out) on eBay are selling for, I decided to take a gamble on this one. Here's a review I posted, in case any other macro shooters on a budget are interested:

Vivitar DR-5000 Macro Ring Flash reviews - Pentax Camera Accessories: Database and Reviews

Spoiler: I think it's a pretty killer macro flash for as cheap as it is.

Cheers,
Bobbo :-)

03-22-2012, 11:33 AM   #2
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The question is, was this a score for you, or is there somewhere we can also pick one up? If there is, please share!

Edit: Google already answered, Adorama!
03-22-2012, 11:38 AM   #3
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Here's where I got mine:

Vivitar DR-5000 flash at Datavision for $52.99 and free shipping.

The free shipping sealed the deal.
03-22-2012, 12:20 PM - 1 Like   #4
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Don't know if this is the same one, due to no other info, but it's less than $50 shipped from Amazon.

03-22-2012, 12:30 PM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by mr.b.snowden Quote
Don't know if this is the same one, due to no other info, but it's less than $50 shipped from Amazon.
These tech details from Amazon match the other sites:
  • Color Temperature 5600
  • Recycling Time Approximate 2-3 sec.
  • Included Rings 52mm, 55mm 58mm, 62mm & 67mm
  • Guide No: 18m (ISO 100) with Auto Sensor
  • Power Source 4x AA Batteries
Looks to be the same product at a lower price, and with the benefit of Amazon fulfillment.
03-22-2012, 02:04 PM   #6
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Yeah I bought mine from Amazon after reading Gibby's post on another thread. Killer deal!
03-22-2012, 08:15 PM   #7
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Well... Of Course you guys are gonna find it for less than what I paid for it right after I buy it! Ain't that always the way it works? LOL ;-)

03-23-2012, 04:32 AM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by GibbyTheMole Quote
Well... Of Course you guys are gonna find it for less than what I paid for it right after I buy it! Ain't that always the way it works? LOL ;-)
Absolutely!
03-23-2012, 04:37 AM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by GibbyTheMole Quote
Well... Of Course you guys are gonna find it for less than what I paid for it right after I buy it! Ain't that always the way it works? LOL ;-)
I'm sure it's one of the corollaries to Murphy's Law.
03-23-2012, 04:56 AM   #10
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Question : does it allow manual tuning of the output power? Like 1/2, 1/4 power?
03-23-2012, 05:04 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by kenafein Quote
Yeah I bought mine from Amazon after reading Gibby's post on another thread. Killer deal!
Did another Amazon search and came up with these:
Anybody care to explain pros/cons of ring flash vs ring lights?
03-24-2012, 06:21 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by bdery Quote
Question : does it allow manual tuning of the output power? Like 1/2, 1/4 power?
Nope. But if you use the flash in auto mode, it sets output automatically, so it's not a problem. In auto mode, you can stop down or open up the aperture for exposure compensation.

In manual mode, you can always stop down or use an ND filter.

QuoteOriginally posted by song_hm Quote
Anybody care to explain pros/cons of ring flash vs ring lights?
Flash units usually put out more light, have better color temperature, and they freeze action. Some also claim that LED lights add a weird color shift with digital cameras, but I don't know about that. But, a continuous LED light could be handy for focusing in low light.

Cheers,
Bobbo :-)

Last edited by GibbyTheMole; 03-24-2012 at 06:27 AM.
03-24-2012, 06:27 AM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by GibbyTheMole Quote
Nope. But if you use the flash in auto mode, it sets output automatically, so it's not a problem. In auto mode, you can stop down or open up the aperture for exposure compensation.

In manual mode, you can always stop down or use an ND filter.



Flash units put out more light, have better color temperature, and they freeze action. But, a continuous LED light could be handy for focusing in low light.

Cheers,
Bobbo :-)
Add that the continuous lights have a different color temperature and that they can be more useful for video. Still, flashes are generally better for macro photos and product photos.
05-05-2012, 04:52 AM   #14
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HI Gibby -

I was wondering what the filter thread is on the Vivitar? My macro lens has 62mm, and I do a lot of 1:1 flora stuff, so don't want to get any distortion in my piccies

I was also wondering, now that you've had the flash for a month or so, do you still have the same opinion? I, too, want a cheap solution for a ring flash (ah, if only we all had money to burn...) and it really has come down to the Vivitar or the Saturn Flash adaptor. Are you finding the inability to reduce the power of the flash a pain?

Anything you can tell me would be SO appreciated.

Cheers
Kath
05-05-2012, 07:47 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by cardikat Quote
I was wondering what the filter thread is on the Vivitar? My macro lens has 62mm, and I do a lot of 1:1 flora stuff, so don't want to get any distortion in my piccies
It comes with all filter ring adapters through 67mm except 49mm, for some weird reason. I have a macro lens with 49mm filter threads, so I just use a 49mm to 52mm filter step-up ring to adapt it to the included 52mm ring. Works great.

You should have no problems using it with your rig.

Cheers,
Bobbo :-)
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