Digital Camera World » ring flash

Nissin MF18 Macro  RingFlash review

jmeyer — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 14:00:56 +0000

An alternative to the macro ringflashes made by major manufacturers, this model allows the light from each of its sides to be controlled independently.

It offers a guide number (GN) of 16m at ISO100, and is compatible with Nikon, Canon and Sony TTL metering algorithms, and provides support for wireless shooting by acting as a master to a number of slaves.

Nissin has also thrown in six adapter rings for use with different lenses as standard, although its USP is its Fine Macro function, which allows output to be adjusted from 1/128 to 1/1024 in 1/6 EV steps.

Users of Nissin’s more conventional flash units should find the rear of the model familiar, with its colourful graphic user interface and simple four-way pad.

The unit itself is only a shade smaller than an entry-level flashgun, although the LCD screen, being only slightly larger than a postage stamp, could be bigger.

Despite its all-plastic construction, the unit’s overall build quality is impressive, with a metal hotshoe at its base and no creaking under pressure or any noticeable weaker parts.

The flash locks into position with a ridged locking wheel, and you can quickly switch control between the ring’s left and right section.

Operation is straightforward enough, and much can be worked out without recourse to the manual. Recycling times are excellent, and operation is essentially silent. The only sticking point is with responsiveness, with faster button presses sometimes not always registering.

Price: £300
Buy: www.nissindigital.com

SCORE: 3/5

6 top macro flash units reviewed and rated

jmeyer — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 01:00:17 +0000

Macro photography requires nice, even light in order for your subjects (and all their wonderful textures and detail) to be well lit. We’ve chosen 6 specialist macro flash units and tested how well each will give you controllable and highly effective lighting for macro shots.

Nikon Close-up Speedlight Commander Kit R1C1

Price: £600
Buy: www.europe-nikon.com

The R1C1 macro lighting kit contains a wireless commander, two SB-R200 remote Speedlights, close-up positioning adaptors, five adaptor rings (52/62/67/72/77mm) and various diffusers, colour filters and accessories, all in a large carry case. All the power, sophistication and versatility you could want, but it can be fiddly to set up.

Score: 4/5

Sunpak AUTO 16R PRO Ringflash

Price: £338
Buy: www.intro2020.co.uk

The AUTO 16R PRO offers auto flash exposure, but works better in manual mode using its good range of control buttons and clear LCD. It’s compatible with all SLRs, although an adaptor is required for Sony models. The 360-degree flash tube gives even, shadow-free lighting, and it comes with 58/62/72mm adaptor rings.

Score: 4/5

Metz Mecablitz 15 MS-1 Digital

Price: £296
Buy: www.metzflash.co.uk

The 15 MS-1 is compatible with most SLRs via its infrared trigger, which clips over the pop-up flash. It offers manual power adjustments or TTL flash metering. Its pair of small-ish flash tubes can be independently adjusted for even or differentiated lighting, and the unit is lens-mounted via filter thread adaptors (52/55/58mm rings included).

Score: 4/5

Canon Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX

Price: £460
Buy: www.canon.co.uk

A pair of flash tubes that are independently controllable between 1/8th and full power give you the option of even macro lighting or lighting with shadows of variable depth. Automatic TTL metering and manual modes are adjustable, with intuitive controls and a helpful LCD info screen.

Score: 5/5

Marumi Ring Flash DRF14

Price: £122
Buy: www.kenro.co.uk

Available in Canon, Nikon or Sony versions, this fully automatic ring flash offers TTL metering, but has no manual power options or other onboard controls. Flash exposure compensation therefore has to be adjusted via the camera. It mounts directly to a 52mm filter thread and comes with 55/58/62/67mm step-up rings.

Score: 3/5

Sigma EM-140 DG Macro Flash

Price: £320
Buy: www.sigma-imaging-uk.com

Canon, Nikon and Sigma versions of this macro flash work well in TTL auto and manual modes, with two flash tubes that can be fired separately or together. Two adaptor rings are included (55/58mm), with 52/62/67/72mm rings available. Good value, but could be more intuitive to use.

Score: 4/5

Ring flash demystified: common questions answered

jmeyer — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 13:00:50 +0000

What is a ringflash?

Unlike a regular flashgun, a ringflash  has a circular light source that sits around the circumference of the lens’s front element. This connects to the main control unit via an electronic cable, and the main control unit then slots into the camera’s hotshoe.

How do ringflashes work?
Dedicated ringflashes enable through-the-lens flash metering, ensuring the required level of flash power for effective illumination of subjects at varying distances.

Who makes them?
Most camera manufacturers make ringflashes, but they are often very expensive – for example, the Canon MR-14EX costs £465, and the Olympus FS-SRF11 is priced at £610. Good third-party equivalents, such  as the Marumi DRF14C, can work out much cheaper, usually costing about £120.

When should I use a ringflash?
They’re ideal for macro or close-up work, as well as medical and scientific photography in which you need even, shadow-free illumination of subjects. Ringflashes are also popular for photographing jewellery.

How do I attach one to my DSLR?
The lamp section of a ringflash system usually attaches to a lens’s filter thread, although some models fit to the bayonet mount on the front of the lens. This is usually used for attaching the lens hood.

Photo ideas: X-ray photography effects

dcworld — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:23:23 +0000

How to add a cool X-ray effect to your pictures – all you need to give your photography the ‘X’ factor is a digital camera, Photoshop and some dead interesting objects…

Unless you’re a radiographer, you’re unlikely to have access to a proper X-ray machine for creative photography. That’s a shame, as the results can be beautiful. But don’t despair. Please. Don’t. Despair. You can still apply some of the key characteristics of X-ray photography to your digital pictures for a really striking effect. In this easy project, we’ll give you all the photo ideas you need for creating cool X-ray images in Photoshop.

In addition to a DSLR and tripod, you need:

A ringflash

Not essential, but it does add to the effect. The halo-like shadows and even lighting cast by a ringflash give a forensic feel that perfectly suits the X-ray look.

RAW processing software

Photoshop CS, Elements, Lightroom – or your preferred choice of RAW software.

Interesting subjects

Any still-life subject can be shot with this technique in mind. Natural objects are ideal for X-ray photos – shells, flowers, plant specimens, and the skull we’ve used here – as well as man-made ones such as the classic compact camera above. Keep an eye open for everyday objects from your house or garden to use.

How to get X-ray effects with a ringflash and Photoshop:

1. Set up a simple home studio

For the actual shoot all you need is a simple makeshift table-top studio. Use a tripod with its central column inverted to create a copy stand, supporting the camera between the legs. A piece of white paper or card provides the perfect background, as we’ll be inverting the image later. We also used a ringflash to light our subjects, as it provides an even illumination and creates a wonderful halo-like shadow.

2. Camera settings and RAW processing for the X-ray effect

Shoot in RAW for maximum quality and creative control. We took our shots on a Nikon D700, fitted with a 60mm f/2.8 lens. The camera settings for the skull shot above were Manual exposure mode, ISO 200 1/100sec at f/11. Use your DSLR’s self-timer setting to trigger the shutter, ensuring shake-free shots. Once you’ve uploaded the RAW files to your computer, convert them to black and white, tweak the tones and boost the contrast, then open the image in Photoshop CS or Elements.

3. Convert to a negative

Make a negative version of the image by inverting it. Choose Select>Adjustments>Invert (Filter>Adjustments>Invert in Elements) – or hit Ctrl-i (PC) or Cmd-i (Mac). Your white background will turn black. If you want a white background, shoot your original on black card. Finally, add a blue tint. Do this by adding a solid colour fill layer (Layer>New Fill Layer>Solid Colour) and then changing the blend mode/opacity in the layers palette, or add a Hue/Saturation layer, click the ‘Colorize’ box and adjust the Hue slider.

Like this creative photo project? Now try these:

Photo ideas: photographing light spirals at home

Photo ideas: photographing water splashes with flash

Photo ideas: photographing smoke and smoke photo art

Photo ideas: amazing water drop photography

Photo Ideas

In Pictures

Digital Camera World » ring flash

Nissin MF18 Macro RingFlash review

6 top macro flash units reviewed and rated

Ring flash demystified: common questions answered

Photo ideas: X-ray photography effects

Nissin MF18 Macro  RingFlash review