Ring Lights

[Melody]

OK where are you experienced lighting guys again??

I've been reading how some guys are just thrilled beyond words with this http://www.larson-ent.com/products_detail.php?id=295 Gary Box I believe developed it (he's over on pro4um).

Now others talk about how they just love a ringlight for models, however the one above is supposed to be less harsh and more forgiving for the look of the say average subject.

Quite a bit more expensive then just buying a ringlight at about $800 or something for my profoto lights since I've already got the power sources etc. question is anyone here ever use a ringlight for people shots? Was it too harsh? I know you can get round softboxes so I'm assuming a typical ringlight just gives you more ease of moving and flexibility since that type is actually on the camera.

Melody

[Swampy]

Am I missing something here? It sounds like you're comparing a Macro ringlight with that light from Larson, which looks like a full sized light with a ring type "soft box".

Never really tried using my ring flashes for people, but a friend of mine who does portraits who can't afford one wanted so desperately to try mine out one day. Not sure if it's any good at all though. Macro ringlights are usually lower power.

[NZDoug]

Heres a ringlite shot Ive posted.
http://theswampbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6287
The one Ive got is manual only, but thats no big deal.
For people, a knees up to over the head crop, is about f2 on asa 100 on film, but f4 asa 100 on s2pro/50mm lens.
Any shots with greater distance would require asa 200 or 400 to get any depth.
It makes a pleasant fill light.
Red eye is common.
Ive used Balcar and Broncolor ones, the ring is about the size of a wheel barrow tire and it puts out a distictive "fashion" looking light quality.
A bit specialized for day to day, but distictive if you want a "look".
Try before you buy, as it can be an expensive dust collector.

[Tom V]

I did some shots years ago of a model using something like ring light. It looked great! It was on film, so I don't have images I can post.

I used my regular soft box, with the front diffuser removed, and the camera shooting through the middle of it from next to the flash head. The lens was in the soft box. It made a very direct light, with a soft shadow all the way around the subject. The subject was wearing shiny spandex, so the reflection on the fabric was centered. I think I got red-eye on some shots. Use a really good lens shade to keep the light off the lens.

Store-bought ring lights are much smaller (harder light), and might be able to mount to the camera via a bracket, which allows you to move around a bit. My light was on a stand, and I handheld the camera in the back of the soft box.

[Melody]

Am I missing something here? It sounds like you're comparing a Macro ringlight with that light from Larson, which looks like a full sized light with a ring type "soft box".

Never really tried using my ring flashes for people, but a friend of mine who does portraits who can't afford one wanted so desperately to try mine out one day. Not sure if it's any good at all though. Macro ringlights are usually lower power.

Nope not a macro one, here is the ringlight http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=195053&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Here's what they say about it:

Popular with fashion photographers for freely positioned, direct, and detailed light without harshness. Excellent for small interiors, or table top applications.

The ringflash fits all Acute power packs, and is an entirely moblile source of light. The adjustable tripod mount bracket and wide interior (100mm diameter) allows for fitting all types of cameras and lenses in many formats.

Optional Softlight Reflector increases the size of the light source, with fewer sharp shadows. Optional Close-Up Reflector focuses the light source 20" (50 cm) in front of the camera lens. With smaller objects, the effect is completely shadow free.

Maximum firing rate is 9600 w/s per minute, equal to 4 flashes per minute at 2400 w/s, 8 flashes at 1200, 16 at 600, 32 at 300, or 64 flashes per minute at 150 w/s. A power supply for this flash head is required.


Now it does fit sort of like the ringlight your talking about however it's connected to the powerpak for the uh POWER that Dougie so loves :lol: However it gives you mobility that a softbox won't, however then if I'm getting this right you also have very harsh light. That's why the one I showed above is so popular in that your shooting through it but it is bigger and softened.

Well I think I'm figuring it out anyway...

Now Tom it sounds like you were doing very similar to what Gary designed above for Larson, and uh neither one of you thought to go ahead and do the patent SHEESH! Gary said he just didn't have the time, Larson did it and gave him the lights or whatever.

So Doug, you know me and finding a 'look' ;) now I'm very intrigued...wonder... drats and I was just at Samy's and Calumet not 2 hours ago! I've gotta see if they rent the darn things to try it....one is $800 the other $1300 which is darn pricey for then having to pay what $2000 or more for the power source? Good thing I've got that... Darn and I'm booked till next week all with girls who would be great subjects to try it on! :mad2:

Melody

[NZDoug]

Maximum firing rate is 9600 w/s per minute, equal to 4 flashes per minute at 2400 w/s, 8 flashes at 1200, 16 at 600, 32 at 300, or 64 flashes per minute at 150 w/s. A power supply for this flash head is required. [/I]
! :mad2:
Melody
Hey Mel,
4 flashes per minute means you can go KABOOM!!! every 15 seconds.
You could take a smoke break between pops!
See what F stop you get before the cash register goes KA-CHING!!!
:)

[Melody]

I will Doug, just checked Samy's they've got the Profoto RingFlash only $35.00 daily rent however it's only the 600watt, the ones at B & H are the 2400watt. I'll call tomorrow and check it out, would be fun to play with, and since Howard went with me today he knows where it is. I can send him down to get it while I shoot in the morning ;) Then I can Play tomorrow night :getdown: and then try it on the girls Friday, blast I shoot outside the studio Thursday :baldy:

Melody

[deMille]

Melody,

A wonderful tool! For people, you'll want POWER. The macro units are excellent but designed low power for very close distances. The Profotos are great, and an old Hershey ringlight works well, Ascor used to build an add-on for their 1600 handle mount flash that I modified to work with a lot of different flash sources. (Difficult to find one now, out of production for a long time.)

There are a lot of pretend and make-do configurations that people have developed to try to get the look of a ring flash or to tailor it to their own taste. Nikon calls their two flash head unit a "ring light" because it has two flashes on a ring that mounts on the lens ... not the same. A true ring light has a flashtube that is round and the reflector it is in has a hole in the center that the lens shoots through. It produces a very distinctive lighting style.

Been a long time since I've shot stuff with one, Have to look around for some images.

[Melody]

Thanks Dale, well I've got the power source and if I can find the right ringlight, I'm a little concerned about the difference shown for the rental Samy's has compared to the ones shown on the B&H site.

However thanks everyone I'm very intrigued and anxious to see some shots, so share please if you can find them until I can try one! ;) Of course then your gonna have to go through the painfull part of me figuring out just how to use one correctly :lol:

Melody

[NZDoug]

The wifes making me throw out old samples so the last 30 years of my life, especially old girl friends, are going in the bin.
I spotted a ring flash sample from my days in Montreal.
Shes looking at herself in a mirror in a nite club.
This was shot in 1977 for NOUS magazine. 85 mm ringflash, probly on Nikon f and trans.
I did a quick copy thru the lamination, plus its 29 years old. :)

[Melody]

Thanks Doug it's different then what I've seen samples of in use with the ringlights however it's much closer then those I've seen as well.

Now your not supposed to keep stuff that bothers your wife, strange I've never been the jealous type. I can get hurt much easier then most though, as long as you value what matters to her you'll be just fine! :) Toss away! :getdown:

Melody

[S_Leeper]

Its a one way street with my wife... she has numerous albums of her old beaus.

Of course, since I lived in isolation ;) I have no pictures to throw out... at least not in NJ.