Orbis Ring Flash Kit: Product Reviews: Adorama Photography TV

[trevorpinnocky]

Seems amazingly cheap for the functionality you get. That was lovely light in those portraits btw.

[procokal]

useless expensive shit

[zendejg]

are you ever going to do a review of the olypmus E5?

[andyshrestha]

you don't really look comfortable holding that ring flash kit while shooting the model. were you?

[jco87]

nice... she looks like Penelope Cruz, yes preeze ;P

[evergeendata]

Secondly, another beginner question, if wanting to compensate for light loss thru the modifier, should the shooter increase exposure compensation via the camera +/- compensation or override the flash power to deliver more light to give the high key look?

[essellar]

@evergeendata You'll be doing TTL (through-the-lens) metering, which means that the camera/flash system is already compensating for the loss as far as it can. Once the flash is at full power, though, you can't force it to go any higher, so you can get too far away from your subject for the amount of light your flash can throw. You would need to increase the ISO sensitivity to be able to work at a greater distance with the same amount of light.

[evergeendata]

Beginner slightly off topic question - if doing a portrait shot such as in the video example, what would be a preferred focal length? In my gear (DX format) I have a 35mm prime which would be my pick, but is it too wide? I read that on DX format the 35mm is similar to around 50mm full frame. I guess it depends on the subject and the wanted effect, but as a rule of thumb, is something closer to 85 or 105 preferred? My other lens choice would be kit 18-70 or 55-200. thanks

[djviet2000]

@evergeendata an 85 is what i use and i love it. if you want to stay in primes, 35, 50, 85 or good budget primes. nikon or canon?

[rafvaldemoro]

Nice review very useful. I think it is expensive though. Greetings from Spain.

[ryusenkai]

You compared this to your prophoto kit, but i'm curious how you think it compares to the Alien Bee Ring Flash which is only $400

[devonmale69]

You get FLAT lighting when Photography is all about good light and this mean shadow as well. if you give full on flat light you lose so much that's why it best to have off camera lighting

[essellar]

@devonmale69 The effect is different, but the light isn't absolutely flat. Surfaces reflect less light back to the camera when they're angled away from the parallel, so axial light (like ring lighting) produces distinct outlining of rounded forms. And when used as a fill light, ring lights have no peer -- a ringlight will not produce secondary shadows or anomalous highlights. There's a reason or two why working professionals pay serious money for these things.

[devonmale69]

@essellar But here it was use as main and only light.......

[essellar]

@devonmale69 And, as I explained at the beginning of my comment, there are shadow patterns specific to ringlights that are appealing for some uses. A huge number of fashion and celebrity/portrait images made over the last couple of decades (most notably the SNL guest host pictures) were made using just a ring flash for lighting. Don't get locked into any kind of "one and only way" thinking in any creative endeavor -- you're just needlessly restricting your artistic vocabulary.

[tomkalbo]

Wouldn´t the Ray Ringblitz adapter 580EX be a better option? Dont need the arm-thingy then...

[essellar]

@tomkalbo The Ray Flash needs to be a perfect fit for the flash and camera to get the lens properly centred in the ring and the unit securely connected to the flash, and it is kind of sensitive to position (it really can't be used pointing down on many flashes since it will tilt the flash head). It *is* a good product, but it, too, has its compromises.

[WylunCustoms]

another great review! constructive criticism!! looks like a nice product.. but ya, def. looks really front heavy! 

[rticknor]

With the light coming from so close to the lens, do you risk 'red eye'?

[essellar]

@rticknor Yes -- if you use the flash in a dark environment. But remember, this isn't a flash, it's just a modifier for the flash you already have, so if your flash has a red-eye reduction mode, so does this rig. It's not ordinarily a problem in the studio, though, since there's enough ambient light available to close down the subject's pupils to the point that the ring is far enough from the lens to prevent red-eye.

[RLJSlick]

Great review Mark!

[CovesPhotography]

For quality, which one comes out on top, between a Ray Flash and the Orbis unit?

[oevt]

@CovesPhotography Hard one imho I did some research before buying my Ray Ring Flash. Check them @ you tube. easier fit less hassle..imho...regards..O

[CovesPhotography]

@oevt Thanks for the reply!

[oevt]

@CovesPhotography on contraire...I will use it more of it.....lol...regards...O

[genebrowder]

I like the price. But, it looks like a bad design. If this is heavy as you say, then maybe this should be on a tripod but the holder prevents it from connecting to the head. I don't want to hold a ring flash for an hour during a photo shoot. If the ring flash connector to the off camera flash was at 90 degrees. I could bend the flash. But, the weight/torque would then be on the cameras connector.

[ocabj]

@genebrowder A friend of mine uses an Orbis for running and gunning to get promo model photos at shows/conventions. It works well for that.

[oevt]

The Ray Ring does attach to the flash regular port. It cost 199.99. I like the way you manage your review very objective. But the Ring flash do work well like you stated and you add the arithmetics to get the best use of it. That probes you so honest I like you to be my youtube 'sensei'...lol..regards...O

[MrCoolAttitude]

I'm happy mark mentioned the weight problem cause I don't see myself doing portraits with a 70-200 with this attached

[ocabj]

@MrCoolAttitude If you want to talk heavy, I use an Alien Bees ABR800 ring flash with a gripped 5D Mark II and 70-200 f/2.8L IS II handheld quite often.

[oevt]

@ocabj and how heavy it becomes..does it use a batt grip??..just curious...regards..O

[ocabj]

@oevt I weighed my Canon 5D Mark II + BG-E6 + 70-200 f/2.8L IS II + ABR800 at my local UPS Store using their shipping scale and it came out to 10.48lbs.

[oevt]

@ocabj 4.760 kg. Well you got to be 'big'...lol...I use the rig flash with a T2i the 580exII and either the 15-85mm or (I like how they come out 8mm sigma wide wide rectilinear no batt grip. Still gets a bit of a burden but a few weeks a go did a wedding 1400 with a 5d a 24-105+ a 70-200 a 580 exII and a Gary Fong sort of flash attachement it was ym test...lol..regards...O

[oevt]

As ususal I think a link to the product would be such a hit and a sales tool....2 cents...regards...O

[geomox4]

Do you think it would fit on an SB600?

[cbtorneros]

Thanks Guys. Happy New Year All.

[kaisar1]

whats the difference between using a ring flash kit and using a soft box when it comes to take beauty shots or low key portraits? Are these both sources of light are alternatives to each other?

[DCuerpoJr]

@kaisar1

The difference between a ring flash and a soft box is the angle in which light is cast onto the subject. The ring flash is straight forward while soft boxes are usually to the side at or above the subject's height, thereby casting a different shadow.

[kaisar1]

@DCuerpoJr thanks for answering but the confusion still remains once the difference between the two is established according to your answer. Why would someone still buy a ring flash when the difference between a regular flash and a ring is just the soft impact of light if one is using a ring flash. There are other ways to soften the light of a regular flash light using diffusers and what not. And then ring flash is no substitute to soft box because it serves the same purpose as normal flash

[oceandrew]

@kaisar1 The main difference between a ring flash, a bare flash and a soft box is depth of light. On camera flash is harsh and produces slight directional shadows as it is ever so slightly off axis. Only a large soft box can be placed to shoot on axis if you're in front of it, beside it you're off axis again and creating a slight shadow depth. The ring flash is dead on axis and a bit softer than bare flash. The light is very flat, no shadows - except against the background, ringing subject.

[metallizone]

Great product and review but I find its price too much.

[altitudealchemy]

Good review, thanks Mark!

[artawesome]

nice effect but just seems really cumbersome.