KX-800 First Impressions
Aug 9, 2015 01:53:37 #
I just received the Kuangren (Venus) twin speedlights, and had a little time to play around with it.
SOOC jpegs with all settings zeroed out one my D800e at ISO 200.
Sigma 105mm at 1:1 mag, 1/200sec at f/16
I took a few shots without any diffusion with the lights about 6" from the subject. Then with diffusion made from some experimental material, spaced about 7" from the material to make it approx. 11" from the subject.
All I had was a moldy Robber fly to shoot for now and hope to find one of my jumpers on Sunday so I can see what the catch light looks like in the eyes :wink:
These are just quick, down and dirty captures but, I know enough so far that I'm certain this set up will yield great results once I get the diffusion material worked out.
Also, I love the LED focusing lamp. I even used it through the diffusion material in 3 & 4 :thumbup: :D
SOOC jpegs with all settings zeroed out one my D800e at ISO 200.
Sigma 105mm at 1:1 mag, 1/200sec at f/16
I took a few shots without any diffusion with the lights about 6" from the subject. Then with diffusion made from some experimental material, spaced about 7" from the material to make it approx. 11" from the subject.
All I had was a moldy Robber fly to shoot for now and hope to find one of my jumpers on Sunday so I can see what the catch light looks like in the eyes :wink:
These are just quick, down and dirty captures but, I know enough so far that I'm certain this set up will yield great results once I get the diffusion material worked out.
Also, I love the LED focusing lamp. I even used it through the diffusion material in 3 & 4 :thumbup: :D
1). Without diffusion #2 power setting
(Download)
2). Without diffusion. Note the glaring highlights #2 power setting
(Download)
3). With diffusion #4 power setting
(Download)
4). With diffusion. Note less nasty highlights #4 power setting
(Download)
Aug 9, 2015 02:48:11 #
First quick set up, that I'm sure will need some refining to say the least.
I used a fitting from a ring flash that had a groove in it to attach the foam with jewelry wire. It's simply screws off and on :-) I also use some of the aluminum wire on the edges to keep it ridged and I can very easily shape it to suit.
I think I may end up using this set up with the 150mm/800 for the reach and use the 105mm with a soft box on the 7100. That way I have a good reason to buy another camera for general photography ;) :D
I used a fitting from a ring flash that had a groove in it to attach the foam with jewelry wire. It's simply screws off and on :-) I also use some of the aluminum wire on the edges to keep it ridged and I can very easily shape it to suit.
I think I may end up using this set up with the 150mm/800 for the reach and use the 105mm with a soft box on the 7100. That way I have a good reason to buy another camera for general photography ;) :D
Aug 9, 2015 07:40:19 #
I like the way you attached this. I slit my SL and used velcro to attach to end of lens. After field testing and illumination test I ended up moving it back half way up the lens to keep the end of the diffuser near flush to the end of the lens with a full set of tubes and fully extended. I'm unable to move my flash so I got better lighting/lower settings, moving it back. It also kept it out of the bushes. Your catch light should be wonderful in a jumpers eyes, but in the field you may be limited on subjects to approach. Can't wait to see the results.
Aug 9, 2015 13:51:29 #
I realize these are early results
so grain of salt here
.
I'd like to see more, but I'm (personally) not enamored with twin highlights. This is also what I contend with my R1C1 rig. What really intrigues me is the ability to use one of these lights for more oblique side-lighting and for backlighting. Not sure this would work with skittish creatures, but small wild-flowers might be kinda cool with a warming gel to emulate sunlight. (In the forest here, some of our wildflowers are 4-6mm in diameter.) The LED, although helpful for focusing presents the same "problem.
I'll be curious to see how it works as you refine the diffusion. I may order this myself.
I'd like to see more, but I'm (personally) not enamored with twin highlights. This is also what I contend with my R1C1 rig. What really intrigues me is the ability to use one of these lights for more oblique side-lighting and for backlighting. Not sure this would work with skittish creatures, but small wild-flowers might be kinda cool with a warming gel to emulate sunlight. (In the forest here, some of our wildflowers are 4-6mm in diameter.) The LED, although helpful for focusing presents the same "problem.
I'll be curious to see how it works as you refine the diffusion. I may order this myself.
Aug 9, 2015 15:12:35 #
martinfisherphoto wrote:
I knew that El Cheapo ring flash would come in handy for something :wink:. What's nice about this SL is that it's so easy to adjust the lights to where you need them, regardless of the length of the lens, working distance or distance from the diffusion material.I like the way you attached this. I slit my SL and... (show quote)
I think I have enough material on this diffuser to trim it back some on the bottom and leading edges....we'll see :-)
Aug 9, 2015 15:36:55 #
LoneRangeFinder wrote:
I thought twin lights might work well 'if" I could get them right where I wanted them. Restricted positioning is what kept me from buying the R1C1. Being able to easily get these lights right where I need/want them is huge to me. I don't see, at least at this point, how the focusing light will be anything but very useful.I'd like to see more, but I'm (personally) not ena... (show quote)
The big 6x8 SB scares critters too, even though it's not as big but, I have learned to be less scary with it. I expect that over time, with a few refinements, the diffuser can be minimized to some extent. Even if I scare of more subjects to get fewer, better shots, it's a price I'm willing to pay. I still have yet to see any area in photography, where a gain here isn't a loss somewhere else :wink:
So, at this point I am very please with this product and expect to be even more so as improvements are made to my diffuser. I have very little doubt that would not have been satisfied with the R1C1.
Aug 9, 2015 17:31:29 #
Flyextreme wrote:
Yeah everything is a choice and a tradeoff. My larger diffuser is now gathering dust. Not ready to sell my Yongnuo
yet. I thought twin lights might work well 'if" I ... (show quote)
I'll be curious to see what kind of concave diffuser you come up with. I use a cone-design not quite concave. I started out using my SB-200s on arms extended much like this kit-- and used the IR to trigger the units. I have so many variations already . Sometimes I experiment too much. ;-)
Aug 11, 2015 03:05:33 #
I almost forgot to mention that I fired off 6 shots in about 2 seconds with no hesitation on the 3rd (1/32) power setting and the light output stayed consistent. I will need to test it further in this area but, it looks very promising for field stacking. I miss the recharge whine :|
Aug 12, 2015 22:42:50 #
dag gone -- this looks very useful and easy to set up (except for the diffuser). Wouldn't make a photographer out of me, but it would be much easier to try! Looks very adjustable and easy to work with. Thank you very much for posting this!
Aug 13, 2015 01:58:50 #
pfrancke wrote:
I really like this rig. You can easily and quickly get the light right where you want it no matter what the working distance.dag gone -- this looks very useful and easy to set up (except for the diffuser). Wouldn't make a photographer out of me, but it would be much easier to try! Looks very adjustable and easy to work with. Thank you very much for posting this!
This may be on of the best purchases I have made for macro.
Aug 13, 2015 03:22:35 #
I know I need some better diffusion material but, experimented with repositioning the lights some. I found a highly reflective subject, with lots of compound curves to test on. I wasn't to concerned with focusing, just wanting to see how the highly reflective surfaces would turn out.
Not too bad considering how thin and see through the material I'm using is. These are at 1/32 power with the lights backed way off from the diffuser. Plenty of settings left for experimenting.
I expect that once I get the diffusion material worked out, this unit is going to produce some great lighting....we'll see ;)
You kinda need to view the download ;)
Not too bad considering how thin and see through the material I'm using is. These are at 1/32 power with the lights backed way off from the diffuser. Plenty of settings left for experimenting.
I expect that once I get the diffusion material worked out, this unit is going to produce some great lighting....we'll see ;)
You kinda need to view the download ;)
Aug 14, 2016 21:18:47 #
martinfisherphoto wrote:
You may have seen this already. A simple layer of paper towel in between the foam sheets did it. I think I like the catch lights. The size of the diffuser doesn't seem to be an issue with the 150mm lens, though I did trim it back slightly. It's nice because I can completely change the shape of it, quite a bit. This set up is very versatile and seems to not feel the slightest bit awkward to handle.I like the way you attached this.
Aug 14, 2016 22:15:05 #
Macronaut wrote:
love it.....You may have seen this already. A simple layer of paper towel in between the foam sheets did it. I think I like the catch lights. The size of the diffuser doesn't seem to be an issue with the 150mm lens, though I did trim it back slightly. It's nice because I can completely change the shape of it, quite a bit. This set up is very versatile and seems to not feel the slightest bit awkward to handle.
Aug 15, 2016 11:40:45 #
Nice shots, I miss mine: it quit working just before the warranty was up (I would have to send it to china). I procrastinated too long, so now I have a KX-800 that wont fire (the test fire works, but no flash during photo).
Aug 15, 2016 12:32:16 #
tinusbum wrote:
That seriously sucks! Have you contacted them about repairing it anyway?Nice shots, I miss mine: it quit working just before the warranty was up (I would have to send it to china). I procrastinated too long, so now I have a KX-800 that wont fire (the test fire works, but no flash during photo).
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