DIY: Macro Ring Flash for DSLR (Easy/Cheap/Durable) - The "Fring"

SF1 · **1 Like**

DIY Macro Ring Flash for DSLR (Easy/Cheap/Durable) - The "Fring" - Fibre Optic Ring Flash adaptor for pop-up flash. I tested it on a K20D w/SMC DFA 100 2.8 and Classic Tamron 90 2.5 w/matching 2X converter. Design can probably be adapted for other lenses/systems. Cost $5.00 to make using items from a dollar store, tape, and a pair of scissors.

Update: the web-page that had the "how to" has expired. Here's a PDF containing the directions: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/do-yourself/43784d1253748654-...ring-fring.pdf

Enjoy!

rburgoss · 08-11-2008, 02:15 PM

Very impressive DIY work. I would sure give it a try someday.

Thanks

RB

timbo13 · 08-11-2008, 04:11 PM

nice job! I might build this!

**Ash** · 08-11-2008, 04:41 PM

Cool idea - and very practical.
Thanks for sharing.

k100d · 08-11-2008, 09:26 PM

neat solution there. how effective is it compared to a real ring flash?

**Douglas_of_Sweden** · 08-12-2008, 01:33 AM

Maybe Pentax will finally make a new ring-flash when they see what extreme solutions their users are forced into...

ftpaddict · 08-12-2008, 01:36 AM

Originally posted by Douglas_of_Sweden

Maybe Pentax will finally make a new ring-flash when they see what extreme solutions their users are forced into...

As always, I believe Pentax are limited by resources, not by their own stubbornness.

SF1 · 08-12-2008, 07:55 AM

I'm sorry but I haven't used a "real" ring flash. The one that I made is only good for very close work (I'd say about 2-3 feet is max.) Actually get surprisingly good coverage with the popup flash alone when the subject is more than a couple of feet away. I may try making another one to be powered by my 540 FGZ --- but I like how compact the original one is. Will post some more photos as I get a chance to use it --- my macro-focusing rail arrived today - yay!

roy · 08-12-2008, 08:28 AM

I've had a ring flash and have a DIY LED ring light.

I'm not happy with either. to me, macros just seem to be too flat when using either. of course if you can turn off one side then you would get some shadow detain to give the shot some depth.. just my 2¢
this is a good idea and i'll probably make one.. congrats on an original concept and build.

SF1 · 08-12-2008, 05:13 PM

Thanks Roy - You got me thinking that maybe if I deliberately mask part of the "Fring" I could create a bit of natural-looking shadow. I'm not sure how well this will work for artistic shots - but I did want to put some old coins on ebay and at least I can now take good detailed pictures of them. I think LEDs are great - used colour ones for some funky aquarium lighting - and recessed some into a shelf beneath a vase holding a beta fish - looked good. A bit of creative DIY is good for the soul.

aamir515 · 08-12-2008, 09:36 PM

Necessity is the mother of all inventions......

oshua · 01-27-2009, 11:45 AM

Wonderful Idea! Found you through Digg, and Digital Photography School. I won't do this project yet because of my lack of a dedicated macro, but once i have one i'll be sure to try it out. And sorry for bumping this dead post.

trublubiker · 01-29-2009, 04:23 PM

Bloody great idea mate !

Particularly for retirees like me on a limited budget. The price of macro flash units is ludicrous.

I was checking the forums for ideas and came across yours.

Thanks

**dadipentak** · 01-29-2009, 04:47 PM

Bravo, dude! (I only stuck the "dude" in there to make the message long enough to post ;~)

mattdm · 01-29-2009, 05:45 PM

That's really great. (And funny.)

One thing that would really help is to use smaller-size source images rather than using big images with small width and height attributes. As it is, each image is a full six megapixels, which is why the site is so slow to load and to scroll through.

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08-12-2008, 07:55 AM	#8
SF1 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Toronto Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 41 Original Poster	Fring Flash effectiveness compared to "real" ring flash. I'm sorry but I haven't used a "real" ring flash. The one that I made is only good for very close work (I'd say about 2-3 feet is max.) Actually get surprisingly good coverage with the popup flash alone when the subject is more than a couple of feet away. I may try making another one to be powered by my 540 FGZ --- but I like how compact the original one is. Will post some more photos as I get a chance to use it --- my macro-focusing rail arrived today - yay!

08-12-2008, 05:13 PM	#10
SF1 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Toronto Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 41 Original Poster	Thanks! Thanks Roy - You got me thinking that maybe if I deliberately mask part of the "Fring" I could create a bit of natural-looking shadow. I'm not sure how well this will work for artistic shots - but I did want to put some old coins on ebay and at least I can now take good detailed pictures of them. I think LEDs are great - used colour ones for some funky aquarium lighting - and recessed some into a shelf beneath a vase holding a beta fish - looked good. A bit of creative DIY is good for the soul.

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08-11-2008, 02:15 PM	#2
rburgoss Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, Costa Rica Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 972	Very impressive DIY work. I would sure give it a try someday. Thanks RB

08-11-2008, 04:11 PM	#3
timbo13 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northboro MA, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,007	nice job! I might build this!

08-11-2008, 04:41 PM	#4
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Cool idea - and very practical. Thanks for sharing.

08-11-2008, 09:26 PM	#5
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	neat solution there. how effective is it compared to a real ring flash?

08-12-2008, 01:33 AM	#6
Douglas_of_Sweden Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,374	Maybe Pentax will finally make a new ring-flash when they see what extreme solutions their users are forced into...

08-12-2008, 01:36 AM	#7
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	Originally posted by Douglas_of_Sweden Maybe Pentax will finally make a new ring-flash when they see what extreme solutions their users are forced into... As always, I believe Pentax are limited by resources, not by their own stubbornness.

08-12-2008, 08:28 AM	#9
roy Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: D/FW area, Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,710	I've had a ring flash and have a DIY LED ring light. I'm not happy with either. to me, macros just seem to be too flat when using either. of course if you can turn off one side then you would get some shadow detain to give the shot some depth.. just my 2¢ this is a good idea and i'll probably make one.. congrats on an original concept and build.

08-12-2008, 09:36 PM	#11
aamir515 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NE Ohio Photos: Gallery Posts: 103	Necessity is the mother of all inventions......

01-27-2009, 11:45 AM	#12
oshua New Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 22	Wonderful Idea! Found you through Digg, and Digital Photography School. I won't do this project yet because of my lack of a dedicated macro, but once i have one i'll be sure to try it out. And sorry for bumping this dead post.

01-29-2009, 04:23 PM	#13
trublubiker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Hunter Valley NSW AUSTRALIA Posts: 143	Bloody great idea mate ! Particularly for retirees like me on a limited budget. The price of macro flash units is ludicrous. I was checking the forums for ideas and came across yours. Thanks

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01-29-2009, 04:47 PM	#14
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Bravo, dude! (I only stuck the "dude" in there to make the message long enough to post ;~)

01-29-2009, 05:45 PM	#15
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	That's really great. (And funny.) One thing that would really help is to use smaller-size source images rather than using big images with small width and height attributes. As it is, each image is a full six megapixels, which is why the site is so slow to load and to scroll through.