Come on now - we all know the truth here! The deer is being beamed up to the Enterprise!
I have a 3051 that I do not use and would be happy to sell for 200 BUT the shipping on it would be, I'm sure, way too much. It is a beast as was previously stated.
If anyone in Michigan is interested, let me know.
Buy a sheet of polarizing filter from B&H
(
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/45130-REG/Rosco_101073001720_Polarizing_7300_Filter.html)
to put over (cut to fit BTW) your two lights at the 45 degree angles. Make sure that you have marked the direction of the polarization on each sheet and that they line up the same for both lights. Then use a 'regular' polarizer on your lens - may take a minor amount of test shots to verify the proper cross alignment that has minimized all the glare. Then shoot.
I have used this method for decades and it is the best!
Since a 'reflection' was brought up, I am definitely thinking that that is the most likely cause - especially since it was only on a set of connected images (BUT it could be the 'Enterprise' trying to 'beam up some fall foliage'). LOL
Seriously though, what was the length of time between the first and the last shots where the 'ring' showed?
Does the relative position of the 'ring' with respect to the table seem to change? (either vertically or horizontally?)
This one is really messing with what's left of my brain.
I have always believed that filters and lens hoods are cheap insurance against this sort of incident.
Glad that your lens, and your palpitations, are fine.
Just got my D800 back from Midwest Camera. I've never had any problems with them.
I am in metro Detroit south. If you're close, maybe we can meet up and go over the usage of the camera for your exact needs.
Isn't there a Hudson place in Ypsilanti, Michigan?
1929. You can see it when you download the file.