maxlieberman Loc: 19027

I have recently seen ads on Facebook for a ring flash by Prima for $39.95 which looks too good to pass up. Does anyone have any experience with this? Is it any good, or a piece of crap? My general experience in buying from Facebook advertisers has not been satisfactory.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I’m always up for a bargain, but that doesn’t seem like enough $ to build and market a quality flash.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

This one? If it is, I'd be leery about the $40 one...

https://primaphotographyco.com/products/flash

maxlieberman Loc: 19027

That's the one. $69.95 in this ad, but $39.95 on Facebook. That's why I'm leery, also.

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

I'd be leery. If you want a ring flash, buy from a reputable source like Adorama or B&H. You'll pay more but, at least you can sleep at night.

maxlieberman Loc: 19027

I think you are correct.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Know nothing about your ad but we shouldn't always reject items just on price - it also depends what you need it for and how often it will be used. I needed one for a project, bought this one for under $30 (and good reviews) and been very satisfied to point of using it more often.
https://www.amazon.com/Emiral-Display-Control-Adapter-Diffusers/dp/B07HJXN6DM

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Lucky?

Rick36203 Loc: Northeast Alabama

I have (or had as I discovered today) a similar product, the Bolt VM-160. It is not like a speedlite strobe. The flash mode briefly turns the leds on and off again. I think the most common use would be for macro work in any mode except 'flash'. I tested mine a bit the day I bought it. I then removed the batteries and left it in a drawer until today when I saw your post. Took it out, put in new batteries and it failed to power up. No big loss. After it hits the trash can there will be more room in that drawer for the never used Wacom tablet.

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

Depends on what you want. I have Zeiko ring flash units. Four, in fact. Found them $10 delivered. TTL or manual flash. Quick recovery on four AA batteries. They work great. I usually use two, slaved remotely.
I bought one, then four more, one to a friend. She had no complaints. They now run forty and up.
I am strictly an amature with no desire to pay for pro gear when good substitutes are avalible for less.
Most sale sites are guaranteed, so not much danger of losing your money.
Bill

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

No, after 35+ years in Sales & Marketing I know the difference in a good Price and good Value. Many people, including photographers, don't. Did my due diligence, guaranteed returnable ppd, why wouldn't I?

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Is it a triggered flash, or a continuous LED ring light? Hard to tell from the ad.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Both - use as flash or continuous, plus can just turn on right or left side if wishing to "shadow" an object. Scroll thru the photos, explains all.

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

Like @Rick36203 above, I too bought the Bolt unit (on sale at B&H) - just posted my review of it on B&H actually - and will say it is mediocre at best (again, no shock for the price paid). Two issues with it, at least for hand-holding while shooting macro:

First, it does not put out enough light in continuous lighting mode to allow for a small enough aperture to achieve decent depth of field without dropping to very slow shutter speeds (thus making hand-holding impossible).
Second, as Rich stated, the "flash" function is very slow - whereas a traditional xenon-tube flash has a duration of anywhere from 1/1000th down to 1/10000 of a second (or less) when this is in "flash" mode it is as if you switched a flashlight on and off as quickly as you can - i.e. - a duration of 1/4 second or so. Again, if freezing motion is a goal, this is useless.

If your use will always be with a tripod and unmoving subjects, then slow shutter speeds and long "flash" durations are moot - it may well work for you.

In my case (I have a gallery of macro shots in my website - url in my signature below) I use traditional flash with a Ray-Flash ring adapter which enables me to use small apertures even while handholding the camera while at, say, a botanical garden.