Pixelbum Loc: FIRST in flight, Ohio

Have any of you used the Orbis ring flash as an amateur or prof?
Am considering purchasing one and am very interested in learning of the "lighting" characteristics of such. Is it to be used only for close-up portraits or could it possibly be used for a small group shot as well(tho I have my doubts on this latter thought due to uneven coverage towards the corner of the frame?).

Any thoughts, suggestions, pokes, ridicule, kudo's, etc., et al, would be appreciated before I spend money on this? I have an SB-800 that I could use with it as one power source and would probably use it primarily for single-subject portraits within the 6-ft range.

Thanks hoggers! -PB

Orbis ring flash

Leitz Loc: Solms

I wouldn't expect direct flat lighting to be particularly flattering for portraiture, unless employed as a fill light.

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

I do use the RayFlash ring light adapter, which makes more sense to me than the Orbis design.

The concept of the ring flash (or ring light, for that matter) is to have the illumination source surround the entire lens - in other words, the device is such that the lens "pokes through" the center of it. This can make for an interesting catchlight in the subject's eyes in a portrait, and also can make for some nice overall lighting in general there.

To see what I mean, look at some "real" ring lights:
http://www.paulcbuff.com/abr800.php
http://www.litepanels.com/ringlite_mini_daylight_flood.php

I have been using a RayFlash (which also attaches to your hot-shoe-mounted camera flash) with some success in the macro world - many of the macro shots on my website were taken with that setup, which I find nicer than the macro ring flash units I used to own.

Anyway, the Orbis, to me, eliminates the entire reason for ring flash - that is, having the lens poke through the hole in the middle.