Flash ring

bscott · 03-30-2023, 04:33 PM

I can buy a used Godox flash ring for 100.00 but I'm not sure if I would use the flash very much and If it would produce better photos than an off camera flash. I would appreciate any comments on the benefits of the ring flash and the best type of photography for a ring flash.

**seventhdr** · 03-30-2023, 04:55 PM

For small ring flashes that attach to the front of a lens they are usually used for macro photography and providing even light around he subject being photographed.

Larger ring flashes are sometimes used in the studio and for fashion photography, particularly for the cicrular reflection of the ring flash in a model's eyes.

Regards

Chris

Lord Lucan · 03-31-2023, 03:33 AM - **1 Like**

Ring flash was originally meant for medical and dental photography. It produces a functional image with no shadows and it is the ultimate form of direct flash. It is also good for small natural history subjects, but not so good for reflective subjects such as coins, stamps and even documents because of specular reflection back from the subject. You can use it for close portraits and head shots for artistic effect. The Guide Numbers of ring flash units are deliberately low because they are for close subjects.

I would not pay £100 (or $100) for a used ring flash. I might pay £30-£40 for one with Pentax-compatible p-TTL. Not long ago I payed £10 for a Sunpak DX-12R Sunpak Auto DX 12R Ring Light reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database and another has just been sold on Ebay for £17, to give you an idea of the price bracket of a relatively modern (c2000) and high quality ring flash. Budget units like the Vivitar 5000 can be picked up for around £5 - the postage would probably cost you more. It is a buyer's market right now.

Unless you get one with p-TTL (assuming you are using a modern Pentax DSLR) any other form automation is not much use with macro - a sensor on the flash ring body is out of line with the lens. I get the exposure right by experience : changing the manual level (the DX 12R has five) and and/or lens aperture, followed by chimping (ie trial and error), which a digital camera allows you to do.

bscott · 03-31-2023, 08:16 AM

Thanks for your comments and I'm going to pass on this flash.

125px · 03-31-2023, 03:41 PM

A ring flash and a Pentax LX can be a good combination for up-close stage photography with film. Caveat that flash is NOT encouraged with stage unless express permission. I have the Pentax version not sure of the model.

03-30-2023, 04:33 PM	#1
bscott Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 482	Flash ring I can buy a used Godox flash ring for 100.00 but I'm not sure if I would use the flash very much and If it would produce better photos than an off camera flash. I would appreciate any comments on the benefits of the ring flash and the best type of photography for a ring flash.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Viltrox JY670 ring flash - K5iis can only fire flash once, K7 is fine	RobG	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	30	01-14-2018 03:43 AM
Ring flash / ring light for macro	tcom	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	5	07-28-2007 10:26 AM
Opinions: Ring light or Ring Flash	Peter Zack	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	8	07-14-2007 07:44 PM

03-30-2023, 04:55 PM	#2
seventhdr Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,440	For small ring flashes that attach to the front of a lens they are usually used for macro photography and providing even light around he subject being photographed. Larger ring flashes are sometimes used in the studio and for fashion photography, particularly for the cicrular reflection of the ring flash in a model's eyes. Regards Chris

03-31-2023, 03:33 AM - 1 Like	#3
Lord Lucan Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: South Wales Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,963	Ring flash was originally meant for medical and dental photography. It produces a functional image with no shadows and it is the ultimate form of direct flash. It is also good for small natural history subjects, but not so good for reflective subjects such as coins, stamps and even documents because of specular reflection back from the subject. You can use it for close portraits and head shots for artistic effect. The Guide Numbers of ring flash units are deliberately low because they are for close subjects. I would not pay £100 (or $100) for a used ring flash. I might pay £30-£40 for one with Pentax-compatible p-TTL. Not long ago I payed £10 for a Sunpak DX-12R Sunpak Auto DX 12R Ring Light reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database and another has just been sold on Ebay for £17, to give you an idea of the price bracket of a relatively modern (c2000) and high quality ring flash. Budget units like the Vivitar 5000 can be picked up for around £5 - the postage would probably cost you more. It is a buyer's market right now. Unless you get one with p-TTL (assuming you are using a modern Pentax DSLR) any other form automation is not much use with macro - a sensor on the flash ring body is out of line with the lens. I get the exposure right by experience : changing the manual level (the DX 12R has five) and and/or lens aperture, followed by chimping (ie trial and error), which a digital camera allows you to do.

03-31-2023, 08:16 AM	#4
bscott Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 482 Original Poster	Thanks for your comments and I'm going to pass on this flash.

03-31-2023, 03:41 PM	#5
125px Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 86	A ring flash and a Pentax LX can be a good combination for up-close stage photography with film. Caveat that flash is NOT encouraged with stage unless express permission. I have the Pentax version not sure of the model.