tomhansonphotography Posted December 5, 2008 Share Posted December 5, 2008 I am wondering if any of you have the Gary Fong Ring Flash unit. I am trying to find a ring flash but do not have a fortune to spend. Is the fong unit any good? if any of you have any ideas I would appreciate the input. If there is another unit I should be looking at I will welcome the ideas. I want to use the flash for portrates and macro. Thanks for your help. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobiasfeltus Posted December 5, 2008 Share Posted December 5, 2008 i don't know about this specific unit, but he does indicate that it only has full power and auto-ttl, and depending on whether it is compliant with ittl/ettl, this may mean that you have no control over the output/ambient balance. rated at 14 metres, there are a lot of other and older ringlights in the same power range that have more manual control. i have a couple but have not experimented enough with them. but one has a dynamic output knob. an old Sunpak. check on ebay. but be careful of sync voltage. t Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted December 5, 2008 Share Posted December 5, 2008 I'd look at the Alien Bees ABR800 (http://www.alienbees.com) instead: modeling lights (so you can see what you are doing); greater maximum power; faster recycling; has the capability to use light modifiers like softboxes, different reflectors and diffusers or no diffuser, and a grid spot. Not expensive but good quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_sirota1 Posted December 5, 2008 Share Posted December 5, 2008 Or if you want one for your speedlight, look to the <a href="http://www.expoimaging.net/product-detail.php?cat_id=8&product_id=15&keywords=Ray_Flash:_The_Ring_Flash_Adapter">Ray Flash</a> or <a href="http://www.orbisflash.com/">Orbis</a>. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted December 5, 2008 Share Posted December 5, 2008 on his site, http://store.garyfonginc.com/p04261.html, Fong says his Ring flash is designed for macro work. In other words: not very powerful; but I bet my dentist would like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomhansonphotography Posted December 5, 2008 Author Share Posted December 5, 2008 The ABR800 looks very cool! Even though it is a bit more money I think the control would be well worth the cost. It looks lik it is well built. Even thought Fong indicates the flash is for macro his demo is all about portraites. I tink that less is less in this case. Thanks for your help with this, I appreciate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_skomial Posted December 5, 2008 Share Posted December 5, 2008 Ray Flash and Orbis are just plastic attachments to a flash. Ray's at $299 price is an insult to photographers. Even Orbis at $169 seems too expensive for what it represents, as it is priced close to Fong's discount price. I wonder how Fong's unit works in the "Semi-automatic" mode? - and if there is any in-camera support for flash semi-automatic mode? How well it integrates with latest Nikon DSLR iTTL cameras in Auto iTTL mode? We do not know what the semi-automatic mode is for? Why provide the "semi-automatic" mode if there is full auto iTTL ? If possibly iTTL cannot be trusted?, then there is a Manual mode. Sounds like another option for those not satisfied with the Auto iTTL? or for compatibility with older cameras? Fong's flash makes more sense for macro work than the plastic expensive attachments. Not sure if it has sufficient power beyond macro, and if is any good for fashion photos use? Of course ABR800 is the best of all mentioned here, very capable for portrait and fashion, and is reasonably priced, but much more powerful than Fong's, is bigger and heavier - so may not be the best for dental close-up work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garry edwards Posted December 5, 2008 Share Posted December 5, 2008 Macro flashes are for macro use, whatever the sellers may say. They're not suitable for portraits/fashion/glamour, not only because they have inadequate power but also because they are physically far too small to create a proper 'ringlight effect' at the distances at which they need to be used. Real ringflashes have a BIG ring. I haven't seen all of the various different hotshoe flash adapters, those I have seen are a clever idea spoilt by very poor build quality. A tool that drops to bits in normal use isn't a lot of use, regardless of how well it does the job. The ones I have seen are usable with great care, and with cameras that produce good results at high ISO but are a poor substitute for the real thing - as with all 'studio' attachments for hotshoe flashes, the power is inadequate. The real thing is a ringflash that plugs into a generator unit (pack & head in the U.S) - Elinchrom, Bowens, Profoto, Lencarta. I've never used the Alien Bees ringflash but I had a good play with one. I'm impressed with its versatility (the modifiers Ellis mentioned) , not so impressed with the build quality or design but it's good value for money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomhansonphotography Posted December 5, 2008 Author Share Posted December 5, 2008 With all that being said; I am wondering if there is a good quality portable ring flash. I dont want to pack a generator around while shooting on location (ABR800 needs 110 power) I have a generator but it seems like it would be distracting to the client. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted December 5, 2008 Share Posted December 5, 2008 Tom, if that is the case get the Alien Bees Vagabond II battery for the ABR800, or get a Broncolor Mobil, Profoto 6b /7B or Elinchrom Ranger for thousands $$$$ more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_tye1 Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 I have a Sunpak Auto DX 12R which I picked up from ebay for just over £100. It's powerful enough for portraits and group shots. You need to buy a specific adapter for your make of camera though, or just a single pin one for 120 or old 35mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnagex_carnagex Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 Its like all his other chinese made products. He just is using an off the shelf brand and relabeling it. Its the same macro flash that Phoenix sells. (just check ebay for macro flashes, youll see it there, and cheaper too.). </p> <p> <img src="http://www.omegasatter.com/storage/P04261-2-1196866184.JPG"> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomhansonphotography Posted December 10, 2008 Author Share Posted December 10, 2008 <p>Thanks for all your help.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d_g5 Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 <p>Hey, they're right. Its just rebranded crapola. Your best bet is if you do have the money and work near a power outlet or can afford the portable power source as well, get the alienbees ringflash. ABR800 ($399) and the Alienbees Vagabond ($299)<br> If money is an object try this, go get the Orbis flash NOW while its only $169. Then get a hotshoe flash and off camera shoe like the $40 shots on ebay. I have one for my Sony Alpha and am waiting for my Orbis. I'm mating my orbis flash with my Sigma EF 500 DG Superflash. I'll have more power than the Fong rebrand and it will give me better ring flash results cause its a bit larger.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now