Macro Your favourite ring flash

bdery · 11-20-2014, 06:29 AM

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Hi there!

for all of you using ring flashes, what is your favourite unit? And why? I'd be interested mostly in a flash with good manual controls, but interested in hearing all the options.

Maybe I should ask this question in the lighting subforum, I'll see how many answers I get

Nass · 11-20-2014, 07:18 AM

AF160FC - better than others I've tried. Pricey though.

aoeu · 11-20-2014, 08:46 AM

Originally posted by Nass

AF160FC - better than others I've tried. Pricey though.

My other ring flash is the AF080C but it is only half as powerful, lacks PTTL, and lacks side control. It worked well on my *istD

Neither has a sensor on the front so the first generation of flash automation is not supported.

aoeu · 11-20-2014, 09:50 AM

Originally posted by aoeu

My other ring flash is the AF080C but it is only half as powerful, lacks PTTL, and lacks side control. It worked well on my *istD

Neither has a sensor on the front so the first generation of flash automation is not supported.

One positive feature of the AF80C is that it fits in a much smaller bag.

SOldBear · 11-20-2014, 10:29 AM

Sunpak DX-8R.

It's inexpensive, reliable, solid. I don't use ring flash very often, can't justify the Pentax AF160FC. Besides, I also use cameras of other brands for which the Pentax flash would be just the same as the Sunpak.

**blackcloudbrew** · 11-20-2014, 10:58 AM

Originally posted by Nass

AF160FC - better than others I've tried. Pricey though.

Totally agree with this statement. I will say that the AF160FC + the DFA100 (either version) are really well suited for each other and make a great team in the field. Yes, it's pricey but it really is the way to go IMHO.

bluestringer · 11-20-2014, 11:50 AM

Sunpak DX-8R...........Manuel and auto settings, power setting from full to 1/16. Cheap. And it's the only one I have.

I shouldn't say cheap, it's a solid flash. Like SOldBear said, it's inexpensive.

bdery · 11-20-2014, 11:51 AM

for those recommending the Sunpak... it this flash still available? I can't seem to find it (but this particular connection seems to have problems with location, maybe a search from another computer will yield more results).

bluestringer · 11-20-2014, 11:56 AM

It is not still available new, but you can find used ones on ebay and at KEH.

---------- Post added 11-20-14 at 01:59 PM ----------

https://www.keh.com/355532/sunpak-dx-8r-ringlight-52mm-w-ca2d-module-for-a1-...n-manual-focus

Pay no attention to the Canon thing, the module will work on a Pentax in manual mode. I use a Nikon module on mine.

aoeu · 11-20-2014, 12:24 PM

Originally posted by blackcloudbrew

AF160FC + the DFA100

My favorite combination when using my small box. Dog with snoot. That said my DFA 100 at a distance of 15 Inches with a K-5 with the body flash has worked well.

At the range of half a meter I don't pull out the big box flash.

bdery · 11-21-2014, 01:18 PM

Does that Sunpak come with manual controls? It seems to be auto-thyristor but manual isn't clear.

bluestringer · 11-22-2014, 05:42 AM

Originally posted by bdery

Does that Sunpak come with manual controls? It seems to be auto-thyristor but manual isn't clear.

Yes it has manual controls.

Here's some photos of one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sunpak-Auto-DX-8R-Ring-Light-Thyristor-/251703633217...item3a9ab4a541

And here's the user manual for it.

http://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes_meters/sunpak_auto_dx8r.pdf

SOldBear · 11-22-2014, 12:13 PM

Originally posted by bdery

manual isn't clear.

I think the manual (link in a post above) is pretty clear.

Page 24: AUTOMATIC OPERTION
Page 30: POWER RATIO (MANUAL) OPERATION

bdery · 11-24-2014, 07:39 AM

Originally posted by SOldBear

I think the manual (link in a post above) is pretty clear.

Page 24: AUTOMATIC OPERTION
Page 30: POWER RATIO (MANUAL) OPERATION

Sorry, I meant "it isn't clear from the product images I've seen that it has manual controls"...

11-20-2014, 06:29 AM	#1
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Your favourite ring flash Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Hi there! for all of you using ring flashes, what is your favourite unit? And why? I'd be interested mostly in a flash with good manual controls, but interested in hearing all the options. Maybe I should ask this question in the lighting subforum, I'll see how many answers I get

11-20-2014, 08:46 AM	#3
aoeu Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 496	ymmv Originally posted by Nass AF160FC - better than others I've tried. Pricey though. My other ring flash is the AF080C but it is only half as powerful, lacks PTTL, and lacks side control. It worked well on my *istD Neither has a sensor on the front so the first generation of flash automation is not supported.

11-20-2014, 10:29 AM	#5
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Sunpak DX-8R. It's inexpensive, reliable, solid. I don't use ring flash very often, can't justify the Pentax AF160FC. Besides, I also use cameras of other brands for which the Pentax flash would be just the same as the Sunpak. Last edited by SOldBear; 11-20-2014 at 12:46 PM.

11-22-2014, 05:42 AM	#12
bluestringer Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Cotton fields of South Georgia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,748	Originally posted by bdery Does that Sunpak come with manual controls? It seems to be auto-thyristor but manual isn't clear. Yes it has manual controls. Here's some photos of one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sunpak-Auto-DX-8R-Ring-Light-Thyristor-/251703633217...item3a9ab4a541 And here's the user manual for it. http://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes_meters/sunpak_auto_dx8r.pdf Last edited by bluestringer; 11-22-2014 at 05:49 AM.

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11-20-2014, 07:18 AM	#2
Nass Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The British Isles Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,402	AF160FC - better than others I've tried. Pricey though.

11-20-2014, 09:50 AM	#4
aoeu Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 496	Originally posted by aoeu My other ring flash is the AF080C but it is only half as powerful, lacks PTTL, and lacks side control. It worked well on my *istD Neither has a sensor on the front so the first generation of flash automation is not supported. One positive feature of the AF80C is that it fits in a much smaller bag.

11-20-2014, 10:58 AM	#6
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	Originally posted by Nass AF160FC - better than others I've tried. Pricey though. Totally agree with this statement. I will say that the AF160FC + the DFA100 (either version) are really well suited for each other and make a great team in the field. Yes, it's pricey but it really is the way to go IMHO.

11-20-2014, 11:50 AM	#7
bluestringer Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Cotton fields of South Georgia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,748	Sunpak DX-8R...........Manuel and auto settings, power setting from full to 1/16. Cheap. And it's the only one I have. I shouldn't say cheap, it's a solid flash. Like SOldBear said, it's inexpensive.

11-20-2014, 11:51 AM	#8
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357 Original Poster	for those recommending the Sunpak... it this flash still available? I can't seem to find it (but this particular connection seems to have problems with location, maybe a search from another computer will yield more results).

11-20-2014, 11:56 AM	#9
bluestringer Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Cotton fields of South Georgia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,748	It is not still available new, but you can find used ones on ebay and at KEH. ---------- Post added 11-20-14 at 01:59 PM ---------- https://www.keh.com/355532/sunpak-dx-8r-ringlight-52mm-w-ca2d-module-for-a1-...n-manual-focus Pay no attention to the Canon thing, the module will work on a Pentax in manual mode. I use a Nikon module on mine.

11-20-2014, 12:24 PM	#10
aoeu Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 496	Originally posted by blackcloudbrew AF160FC + the DFA100 My favorite combination when using my small box. Dog with snoot. That said my DFA 100 at a distance of 15 Inches with a K-5 with the body flash has worked well. At the range of half a meter I don't pull out the big box flash.

11-21-2014, 01:18 PM	#11
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357 Original Poster	Does that Sunpak come with manual controls? It seems to be auto-thyristor but manual isn't clear.

11-22-2014, 12:13 PM	#13
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Originally posted by bdery manual isn't clear. I think the manual (link in a post above) is pretty clear. Page 24: AUTOMATIC OPERTION Page 30: POWER RATIO (MANUAL) OPERATION

11-24-2014, 07:39 AM	#14
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357 Original Poster	Originally posted by SOldBear I think the manual (link in a post above) is pretty clear. Page 24: AUTOMATIC OPERTION Page 30: POWER RATIO (MANUAL) OPERATION Sorry, I meant "it isn't clear from the product images I've seen that it has manual controls"...

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