A cheap macro flash alternative.

[bilzmale]

I'd love a dedicated macro ring flash with TTL metering but cant justify the expense. I have a manual ring flash but setting correct exposure is trial and error. Arrived today is my latest 'toy' - it is an LED ring light - light rather than flash because it is always on. This lets the camera set the exposure and the results so far I'm happy with.

The rig on my GH1/45mm PL lens.
View attachment 151930

Some test shots:

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More on Flickr here: Macro Flash - a set on Flickr

The flash unit comes with a range of adapters from 49mm to 67mm to suit a range of lenses. I use a 46>55 step up ring on the 45mm.

It runs off 2 AA cells for walk around or a supplied AC adapter for indoor work. Batteries have a 90 minute 'life' and you can switch on left or right side LEDs for different effects.

I bought on eBay: Macro Ring Flash LED Light Fr Canon/Sony/Nikon LENS E4D - eBay, Other Accessories, Photographic Accessories, Cameras. (end time 02-Oct-10 11:36:55 AEST)

 

[Herman]

Congrats Bill on your new led light. Great shots you took. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Narnian]

I just picked up one myself from Amazon - it came today and it looks just like yours.

Amazon.com: Macro Ring Flash LED Light! Works with Canon/Sony/Nikon/Sigma lenses!: Camera & Photo

Inexpensive and useful - I actually like the always on LED versus a flash because it makes focusing easier.

 

[bilzmale]

I just picked up one myself from Amazon - it came today and it looks just like yours.

Identical and cheaper. The list price of $129.99 with a 72% discount to $35.95 is a bit of a joke. Notice seller is an affiliate, not Amazon itself whom I think is above that sort of thing.

 

[angloasturian]

LED light

These were on sale during the summer when I was over in England. I thought they might be a good idea for a simple fill-in flash for sunny days. As they were just 3.99 GBP/ 4.50€/6.4 USD each ( LIDL) I bought two - but I haven't used either yet.

 

[pxpaulx]

I just picked up one myself from Amazon - it came today and it looks just like yours.

Amazon.com: Macro Ring Flash LED Light! Works with Canon/Sony/Nikon/Sigma lenses!: Camera & Photo

Inexpensive and useful - I actually like the always on LED versus a flash because it makes focusing easier.

I have the same macro ring 'light' too - got mine from a US seller on ebay for about $35 bucks as well. Nice little light, only problem is it has a funny reflection, such as:

View attachment 151209

I have been meaning to wrap it with some translucent tape, but haven't got around to it yet!

 

[Narnian]

Thanks for the heads up. I have only shot a few test pics with it and have not seen that yet since I have not shot anything shiny, but I am sure I will sooner or later.

I think they did not make the cover more opaque because it looks "cooler".

 

[Ulfric M Douglas]

Oh so that's where those wierd lens reflections come from! : I was wondering.

 

[Narnian]

Of course the LEDs are usually behind the lens ...

 

[pxpaulx]

Of course the LEDs are usually behind the lens ...

Haha, it was a trick shot I swear!

Actually it was taken with my Pentax SMC-F 50mm F2.8 Macro - possibly verifiably the sharpest lens known to man (you wouldn't believe the detail you can see at 100%!)

 

[Narnian]

I have the Pentax-M 50/4.0 I recently picked up and am learning it, along with a Micro-Nikkor 105/4.0. And a new Induro tripod (my old one was a J.C. Penny!). The money is flying out the door. I have to start selling all of my older Pentax bodies and zooms I will never use again to start getting some $ back.

This ring light seemed like $35 well spent. After I ordered it the dermatologist put one of my wife's moles on "watch" so I can now take portraits of it!

 

[deirdre]

Thanks for the ring flash tip, I bought one.

Thought I'd show the ring flash vs. some other means of photographing the same thing.

1) Older camera, flash. Bad! (Colors are pretty accurate, though)

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2) GF1 w/45mm Elmarit, light cube, photo light. Color is washed out and grey-yellow.

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3) PS Autocorrect on #2, still unsatisfactory:

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4) Ring flash, no photo light, but still using the light cube, really accurate color, no PP except straighten and crop:

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