Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
02-23-2010, 07:59 AM   #1
Inactive Account




Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Coral Springs, FL
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 5,216
Another Dummy Question: Sigma EM-140 Ring Flash

My department's purchasing agent told me my "stuff" will arrive any day now--kx kit, Tamron 90mm macro, above flash ring, and more.

I'm setting up to do macro work, but I've been reading that this lens is also widely used for portraiture. Is a ring flash a good tool at all for portraits?

My head is about to explode just reading the KX manual, and the flash's manual is pretty sparse. (But thank God for THAT.)

02-23-2010, 01:19 PM   #2
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Miguel's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Near Seattle
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 2,743
Ira,
Not a dummy question at all.

Basically there are two types of ring flashes. The larger Alien Bees type of ring flash is intended for portrait use. A small ring flash, like the Sigma, is for closeup and macro work.

You can certainly use the Sigma for portrait-type of work, but realize that the index number of the flash is quite small. You will have to get more in the face of the subject literally and that may be uncomfortable.

Also realize that the shots below were taken with 35mm and a 60mm macro lenses respectively. A 90mm may force you to stand far enough away to lose the effect of the light. But there is nothing stopping you from using another lens with the flash.

My kids, being my kids, have suffered my grabbing a few snapshots with the Sigma and I really like the effect. My wife framed the one of my son below. Not for everyone's taste, but different.





M
02-24-2010, 06:44 AM   #3
Ira
Inactive Account




Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Coral Springs, FL
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 5,216
Original Poster
Thanks Miguel! Helpful stuff!
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
flash, lighting, macro, photo studio, strobist
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Pentax Ring Flash Question 8540tomg Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 9 11-15-2017 05:20 AM
Sigma EM-140 Macro Ring Flash - Opinion? raider Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 14 09-29-2010 04:22 PM
Macro Ring Flash Question 8540tomg Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 4 08-01-2008 09:05 AM
Question about rare macro lens w/ring flash Duh_Vinci Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 8 04-16-2007 05:53 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:59 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top