Another Question! Has anyone had experience using a circle light for shooting flowers. Are they worth the money? Don...

bohleber Loc: southern Indiana

Has anyone had experience using a circle light for shooting flowers. Are they worth the money?

Don

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

I think you mean a ring flash.

A decent one works well for macro, but I’ve used on camera flash for flowers with good success.

If you have an on camera flash I’d try it first and see if you like the results.

btbg

If you are talking about a ring flash the answer is yes if you are doing a lot of macro. No if you are shooting at a greater distance. Ring flash provide even lighting without the possible harsh shadows that are often seen in traditional flash photography.

However, they also tend to give such even lighting that you don't get a lot of shadow detail to add dimension to your photos. What I would do is look on line for examples of photos taken with ring flash and see if the results are what you are looking for. It's tough to duplicate the look of a ring flash with more traditional lighting sources, but it is a look that not everyone likes.

btbg

If you are talking about a ring flash the answer is yes if you are doing a lot of macro. No if you are shooting at a greater distance. Ring flash provide even lighting without the possible harsh shadows that are often seen in traditional flash photography.

However, they also tend to give such even lighting that you don't get a lot of shadow detail to add dimension to your photos. What I would do is look on line for examples of photos taken with ring flash and see if the results are what you are looking for. It's tough to duplicate the look of a ring flash with more traditional lighting sources, but it is a look that not everyone likes.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

LWW wrote:

I think you mean a ring flash.

A decent one works well for macro, but I’ve used on camera flash for flowers with good success.

If you have an on camera flash I’d try it first and see if you like the results.

Could also mean ring light??? Doesn't have to be a flash.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Longshadow wrote:

Could also mean ring light??? Doesn't have to be a flash.

Good point.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

bohleber wrote:

Has anyone had experience using a circle light for shooting flowers. Are they worth the money?

Don

Don,I use a ring flash. Nikon makes a special system that makes up two flashes that you can vary the power to create shaping of the flower. I also have a LED ring light that can be used as a flash or continuous light. They come with adapter rings to couple with your lens.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1403805-REG/neewer_10020025_rf550d_marco_led_ring.html

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

bohleber wrote:

Has anyone had experience using a circle light for shooting flowers. Are they worth the money?

Don

A decent one works well for macro, but I’ve used on camera flash for flowers with good success.

If you have an on camera flash I’d try it first and see if you like the results.[/quote]

Any light that you use that is on-axis with the lens and camera is going to give you flat light. For best results off camera light will provide the most interesting results.

If you are shooting coins and stamps, a ring light may be ok.

.

(Download)

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Gene51 wrote:

Any light that you use that is on-axis with the lens and camera is going to give you flat light. For best results off camera light will provide the most interesting results.

If you are shooting coins and stamps, a ring light may be ok.

.

Good advice here. If you do get a ring light or ring flash, I'd advise getting one where you can set it up to provide light from one side at a time or both sides, depending on what you're shooting. I like the look of a ring light turned so that the top half is lit, but you can also try it from various other angles. It adds much more depth than flat, on axis lighting.

Andy

wds0410 Loc: Nunya

bohleber wrote:

Has anyone had experience using a circle light for shooting flowers. Are they worth the money?

Don

Nope.

NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC

I use one occasionally that allows me to use either side or both. It also will let me dim the light to the light level I want and can change the temperature of the light as well.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

I'm a retired dentist and used a ring a lot for photos of teeth. I also used it for flowers. Mine has a ring and side flash. It was made by Lester dine. Wasn't cheap. Excellent results. Tamron macro 90 mm.1 to 1 ratio.

agillot

have a ring lite , it has various power setting , and also if you want you lite up the left or right only side , was cheap , $ 60 . it uses LED s , much less lite then a ring flash .

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

Ring lights can be expensive . So the newer versions of LED soft square lights may be a better choice and they are dimmable but will require a stand or some form of aux. mounting other than the hot shoe of your rig. hey come in several kelvin temp. ratings and there videos about them on youtube.

They require batteries and some models are rechargeable and are best suited for studio use but can be easily used out doors with minimal efforts.

Hope this was a helpful alternative for your search.

Charlie C Loc: North Liberty, IA

You'll get better results with some type of reflector to keep the detail. Rim flashes create an even light.