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My $20.00 DIY ringflash.
I tried using a ring flash sometime ago and did not care for it at all. But recently I just had an urge to play with one again. Sure, I could've gone four miles away and rented one but it also seemed like a good excuse to tinker. I love tinkering with stuff. So I got jacked up on espresso and wandered around Home Depot for a while. eventually found this tin pail and some sort of ducting piece. Total was about $17.00.  I cut a hole in the side of the pail where the flash would stick up through. Obviously this might not work with a strobe design that uses a giant flash tube. Then I cut a hole in the back and glued the duct piece in. I used Shoe Goo. I meant to cut the ducting piece shorter but forgot to and had already glued it in when I realized it. It works for an 85mm lens but a 50mm will see some of the edge.  The White Lightning strobes use four prongs that are spring loaded with outward pressure to hold a modifier in place. So this baby just snaps on perfectly. Obviously this is not a super mobile unit as you basically are holding the camera and shooting through the can as it sits on the strobe on a stand. But hey, cool for monkeying around. Sports- no. Stationary subjects- sure.    A little cardboard in front of the flash tube cuts down the hot spot. In my highly unscientific guestimation, I would say this ring bucket soaks up about 1.5 stops. I should probably measure it sometime. Chip Morton, reporting for M/M. Over and out.  Jun 26 12 05:15 pm Link Love it, inspiring. Jun 26 12 05:23 pm Link Thanks, man! San Diego power!! Jun 26 12 10:20 pm Link DOSENT LOOK LIKE A RING FLASH SHOT TO ME Jun 26 12 10:27 pm Link P-Studios wrote: Possibly due to the shooting space being a tiny all white room. Jun 26 12 10:47 pm Link This is my home made 'ring flash'.. A salad bowl, a 4" to 6" AC duct adapter and some kitchen cutting mat.. $50 including the paint!..   And I get results like this from it.. https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 5#24829805 18+ Jun 27 12 03:45 am Link "I cut a hole in the side of the pail where the flash would stick up through." Sounds easy -- is hard. You didn't mention exactly how you cut that sorta round hole, but for the less experienced tinkerers let me suggest an Adel Nibbler tool for cutting big holes in non-flat thin metal thingys. About $35, but believe me, it works. DISCLAIMER: I have absolutely no connection to Adel. I've used their neat tool for something like 40 years (not continuously) and tried other methods of making big holes in non-flat thin metal thingys and there ain't nothing neater. Jun 27 12 07:03 pm Link toesup wrote: After looking at your example image, I have come to the conclusion that I have no idea what a ring flash is used for. I thought they were for the look it gives the models eyes. Jun 27 12 11:48 pm Link Contribute it to mm library ? Jun 28 12 03:34 pm Link Scott Petersen wrote: LOL..I had to laugh ..reminded mePeter Sellers in pink panther movies.."you have lovey..eyes" Jun 28 12 03:45 pm Link Very cool. I would put a thin layer of white paper or cloth to even out the light coming out. Jun 28 12 08:07 pm Link Brian Diaz wrote: Thanks, Brian. Good idea! The Effective Image wrote: Effective you are quite correct. A nibbler would've been awesome for that job Jun 28 12 10:19 pm Link Scott Petersen wrote: Ring flash is intended to reduce or eliminate shadows from the subject (by providing an equal illuminations from all sides). Jun 29 12 01:28 am Link Scott Petersen wrote: Must focus on the eyes.. must focus on the..... erm... eyes.. Jun 29 12 08:26 am Link This is a shot with a ringflash on a white background... Notice the shadow is even all the way around, the other images all had shadows that aren't even all the way around.  Jun 29 12 08:46 am Link ACPhotography wrote: That was one thing I noticed when playing with the ring bucket is that you could throw the shadows off a little by shooting slightly up or down or whatever when pointed through the bucket. I thought it was actually pretty cool and an advantage. Jun 29 12 08:55 am Link Andrew Somers wrote: I had to take a second look to notice the carpet. Jun 29 12 08:57 am Link I find when using the ring flash without the modeling light on I get the worst red eye ever! Jun 29 12 09:03 am Link I'm gonna try making this  coooolJan 11 14 09:57 am Link If you could rig a light to revolve around the camera axis, shoot long exposures, and have the model hold still you'd get some nice ring light effects. Might not be worth the trouble, though. Jan 11 14 10:51 am Link Congratulations to both of you for creativity and resourcefulness! Jan 11 14 10:56 am Link |
