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Led ring lights for 60mm f2.8
4 months ago
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Hi there. Anyone have a recommendation for a small led ringlight for the Olympus 60mm?
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Not a ring light...
In reply to farrukh,
4 months ago
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But this might work for you
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/755142-REG/Olympus_260547_Macro_Arm_Light_MAL_1.html
Olympus Macro arm light. Mounts right onto the camera accessory port and much cheaper than a ring light.
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Re: Led ring lights for 60mm f2.8
In reply to farrukh,
4 months ago
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Better start this with IMO, you need to be careful with LED ring lights that you can get enough light when the lens is stopped down. At F/8 it might be alright as an example, but you can't get enough light to stop down further without starting to raise the ISO. Its always better to shoot as low an ISO as you can with macro...... IMO.
With a ring flash it makes life a little easier. It can look quite harsh though, so a diffuser is useful. With a ring flash you can shoot at ISO 100-200 and stop the lens down to around F/16 - F/22 while still having a low ISO set.
There are a lot of different LED ring lights around now days, so have a good read up on them and hopefully someone has good info on them in here. I would sooner get a ring flash, just a personal choice.
Danny.
--
Birds and macro. NEX and m4/3
http://www.birdsinaction.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nzmacro/
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Re: Not a ring light...
In reply to alolywu,
4 months ago
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But this might work for you
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/755142-REG/Olympus_260547_Macro_Arm_Light_MAL_1.html
Olympus Macro arm light. Mounts right onto the camera accessory port and much cheaper than a ring light.
Hi, many thanks for the suggestion, however I'm more inclined towards some sort of ring light. The arm light may be practical but all I can think of is an octopus when I see it - silly excuse, I know. In any case I'm looking for some sort of shadowless lighting...
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Re: Led ring lights for 60mm f2.8
In reply to nzmacro,
4 months ago
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This is what I'm hoping to do, particularly when shooting fashion week in a couple of weeks. Backstage, using a widish lens, with a diffused ring light of some sort.
I've seen a few, one which interests me is the Doctors Eyes, the small one looks quite practical, but shame about the price!
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Re: Led ring lights for 60mm f2.8
In reply to nzmacro,
4 months ago
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nzmacro wrote:
[A ring flash] can look quite harsh though, so a diffuser is useful.
This has not been my experience, nor ever reported in reviews I've read on how they perform. They are well-known for producing soft lighting, the closer you are to your subject the softer it gets. This is because the larger relative to the subject in the frame, the less harsh an electronic flash is on the subject. The analogous example is bouncing the small flash off a wall or ceiling to eliminate harshness. You get harshness when the area of the flash is small compared to your subject. In a ring flash, the area of the flash is often larger than the area of the subject.
I experimented with the diffuser that came with my Metz 15 MS-1 macro flash and soon stopped using it entirely, as I didn't see how it improved the illumination. I get joyful and soft lighting with the Metz coupled with my 60mm macro lens at close-focusing distances. Of course the Metz costs a fortune, but it's an amazing, extremely light weight source of soft, even lighting.
--
Frank Paris
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If you're feeling handy...
In reply to farrukh,
4 months ago
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You might try modifying something like this to fit around the 60mm lens
Bought one of these a while back for this purpose, but wound up using it as a light for my shed.
--
Art P
"I am a creature of contrast,
of light and shadow.
I live where the two play together,
I thrive on the conflict"
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Re: Led ring lights for 60mm f2.8
In reply to farrukh,
4 months ago
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If you're looking for something very basic to experiment with and are willing to use manual exposure, you can get an LED ring flash on eBay or Amazon for ~$30.
Using it on my 20mm Panasonic lens for portraits at f5.6, the lighting is even and the color balance and recycle time very decent. I read that the flash duration is 1/100th of a sec, so a bit long to stop fast motion, but again, fine for my purposes.
You'd have to use manual exposure, since it has no Auto or TTL capabilities. It allows setting flash brightness and also allows using only half the LEDs for top or side-lighting effects. The description says that it can also be used for video as a continuous light source, but I have not tested this.
Model is RF-550D Macro LED Ring Flash.
eBay listing number: 300776097053
Another option that seems clever and allows the use of a TTL flash is called O-Flash - a ring that attached to an existing flash unit, guiding and distributing the light through a plastic unit that circles around the lens.
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Re: Led ring lights for 60mm f2.8
In reply to FrankParis,
4 months ago
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FrankParis wrote:
nzmacro wrote:
[A ring flash] can look quite harsh though, so a diffuser is useful.
This has not been my experience, nor ever reported in reviews I've read on how they perform. They are well-known for producing soft lighting, the closer you are to your subject the softer it gets. This is because the larger relative to the subject in the frame, the less harsh an electronic flash is on the subject. The analogous example is bouncing the small flash off a wall or ceiling to eliminate harshness. You get harshness when the area of the flash is small compared to your subject. In a ring flash, the area of the flash is often larger than the area of the subject.
I experimented with the diffuser that came with my Metz 15 MS-1 macro flash and soon stopped using it entirely, as I didn't see how it improved the illumination. I get joyful and soft lighting with the Metz coupled with my 60mm macro lens at close-focusing distances. Of course the Metz costs a fortune, but it's an amazing, extremely light weight source of soft, even lighting.
-- Frank Paris
Like std flash units, ring flash does get harsh reflections Frank if undiffsued. Even worse on shiny subjects where we end up with circular highlights. As all flash work and especially for macro it does pay to diffuse the flash. I end up with harsh circular highlights even on insects bodies that reflect back.
All the best Frank and IMO, treat a ringflash as a std flash and diffuse the light from it.
Danny.
--
Birds and macro. NEX and m4/3
http://www.birdsinaction.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nzmacro/
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Good but don't expect too much
In reply to farrukh,
4 months ago
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I have one of these (I think the mount doesn't really matter as only triggering functionality is available anyway):
It is reasonably competent, you can adjust the light output and select the illumination from either side or both, have the light on continuously or just use as a flash. It is quite lightweight and comes with 7 adapter rings. The unit clips on these rings so is easily removed and replaced. Unit can be rotated to any position (for lighting above or from side etc)
Big downside is the light output is a fraction of what my ringflash is capable of, and so this really is only suited for extremely close work.
With future improvements with LED performance I would expect these devices to improve, but they aren't really there just yet.
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Re: If you're feeling handy...
In reply to Art_P,
4 months ago
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You might try modifying something like this to fit around the 60mm lens
Bought one of these a while back for this purpose, but wound up using it as a light for my shed.
This is an interesting idea, more a project that a purchase, but for that price, it might be worth doing just on the side. Thanks for the suggestion.
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Re: Good but don't expect too much
In reply to hindesite,
4 months ago
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hindesite wrote:
I have one of these (I think the mount doesn't really matter as only triggering functionality is available anyway):
It is reasonably competent, you can adjust the light output and select the illumination from either side or both, have the light on continuously or just use as a flash. It is quite lightweight and comes with 7 adapter rings. The unit clips on these rings so is easily removed and replaced. Unit can be rotated to any position (for lighting above or from side etc)
Big downside is the light output is a fraction of what my ringflash is capable of, and so this really is
This is an interesting option as well, perfect off the shelf, low cost and not too big either.
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Re: Led ring lights for 60mm f2.8
In reply to farrukh,
4 months ago
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farrukh wrote:
Hi there. Anyone have a recommendation for a small led ringlight for the Olympus 60mm?
Will Crockett over at DiscoverMirrorless is recommending the Omicron QFlash - It looks like a really great unit for video --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQChP7yOhoQ A bit pricey, and the batteries are a significant expense, but it looks really nice.
The range on LED lighting is sigificantly less than that of flash. Also, there isn't a setup that makes use of TTL on Panasonic/Olympus cameras as far as I know. With the GH3, I'd have to use the PC socket and shoot manual exposure - which I normally do on flash work anyway with either a light meter or just the historgram on the camera.
--
Larry Becker
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Re: Led ring lights for 60mm f2.8
In reply to nzmacro,
4 months ago
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nzmacro wrote:
All the best Frank and IMO, treat a ringflash as a std flash and diffuse the light from it.
Okay, I confess I have notice that on shiny surfaces. But a lot of my macro work is done on surfaces that have a matt finish, and so there are no reflections. Even on shiny surfaces, the effect of all the reflections is often attractive, and the lighting between the hot spots is not harsh and the hot spots are so small that they are more interesting than harsh. Sometimes, it's kind of ludicrous, like when you take a picture of person's eye, when you see two white spots from the two tubes.
I'll take my reflector along with me and try it out again. In any case, ring flashes are not "like std flash units," as you start out saying. They give an entirely different impression, a much more pleasant impression in most cases, even in many highly reflective subjects. So I think you overstate your case.
--
Frank Paris
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Re: Led ring lights for 60mm f2.8
In reply to FrankParis,
4 months ago
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FrankParis wrote:
nzmacro wrote:
All the best Frank and IMO, treat a ringflash as a std flash and diffuse the light from it.
Okay, I confess I have notice that on shiny surfaces. But a lot of my macro work is done on surfaces that have a matt finish, and so there are no reflections. Even on shiny surfaces, the effect of all the reflections is often attractive, and the lighting between the hot spots is not harsh and the hot spots are so small that they are more interesting than harsh. Sometimes, it's kind of ludicrous, like when you take a picture of person's eye, when you see two white spots from the two tubes.
I'll take my reflector along with me and try it out again. In any case, ring flashes are not "like std flash units," as you start out saying. They give an entirely different impression, a much more pleasant impression in most cases, even in many highly reflective subjects. So I think you overstate your case.
-- Frank Paris
Aww Frank, I would not shoot macro without one. Its the only way I can crank up the F/stops and keep a low ISO.
Just some of those high lights get to me, ahhh hang on an example .......
So what i do Frank, is use a white piece of plastic cut out and just use that on the ring flash. Also just using a simple bracket we can get it away from the lens to add shadows if needed. Still does a great job though.
All the best Frank.
Danny.
--
Birds and macro. NEX and m4/3
http://www.birdsinaction.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nzmacro/
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Re: Led ring lights for 60mm f2.8
In reply to Lawrence Becker,
4 months ago
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Lawrence Becker wrote:
farrukh wrote:
Hi there. Anyone have a recommendation for a small led ringlight for the Olympus 60mm?
Will Crockett over at DiscoverMirrorless is recommending the Omicron QFlash - It looks like a really great unit for video --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQChP7yOhoQ A bit pricey, and the batteries are a significant expense, but it looks really nice.
The range on LED lighting is sigificantly less than that of flash. Also, there isn't a setup that makes use of TTL on Panasonic/Olympus cameras as far as I know. With the GH3, I'd have to use the PC socket and shoot manual exposure - which I normally do on flash work anyway with either a light meter or just the historgram on the camera.
--
Larry Becker
I watched that video and that guy leaves a lot to be desired.
I am not sure you can have a true TTL LED flash as most LEDs take about 1/1000 second to respond. Camera mount electronic flash units have flash durations as small as 1/30,000. This is why TTL is easy with them.
If you know of a true TTL LED flash, please let me know.
Why would you have to use the PC socket and not the hot shoe?
Allan
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Re: Led ring lights for 60mm f2.8
In reply to Allan Brown,
4 months ago
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Allan Brown wrote:
Lawrence Becker wrote:
farrukh wrote:
Hi there. Anyone have a recommendation for a small led ringlight for the Olympus 60mm?
Will Crockett over at DiscoverMirrorless is recommending the Omicron QFlash - It looks like a really great unit for video --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQChP7yOhoQ A bit pricey, and the batteries are a significant expense, but it looks really nice.
The range on LED lighting is sigificantly less than that of flash. Also, there isn't a setup that makes use of TTL on Panasonic/Olympus cameras as far as I know. With the GH3, I'd have to use the PC socket and shoot manual exposure - which I normally do on flash work anyway with either a light meter or just the historgram on the camera.
--
Larry Becker
I watched that video and that guy leaves a lot to be desired.
I am not sure you can have a true TTL LED flash as most LEDs take about 1/1000 second to respond. Camera mount electronic flash units have flash durations as small as 1/30,000. This is why TTL is easy with them.
If you know of a true TTL LED flash, please let me know.
Why would you have to use the PC socket and not the hot shoe?
Allan
Alan, I think I had a brain freeze... The benefit of using lad lighting is that it is a continuous light source, at least to me... No pc socket or hot shoe necessary for that... the trouble is that LED lights fall off too quickly, so some kind of flash is necessary...
Manfroto has a hybrid LED unit that also has a flash mode: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/761822-REG/Manfrotto_ML840H_Maxima_84_LED_Panel.html. Not a ring flash, but might work. It has no ability to connect with particular brand of camera's TTL flash metering... So it couldn't act as a Canon flash or a Panasonic flash...
Pas far as Will Crockett goes... I kinda enjoy him... YMMV...
--
Larry Becker
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Re: Led ring lights for 60mm f2.8
In reply to Allan Brown,
4 months ago
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Allan Brown wrote:
Lawrence Becker wrote:
farrukh wrote:
Hi there. Anyone have a recommendation for a small led ringlight for the Olympus 60mm?
Will Crockett over at DiscoverMirrorless is recommending the Omicron QFlash - It looks like a really great unit for video --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQChP7yOhoQ A bit pricey, and the batteries are a significant expense, but it looks really nice.
The range on LED lighting is sigificantly less than that of flash. Also, there isn't a setup that makes use of TTL on Panasonic/Olympus cameras as far as I know. With the GH3, I'd have to use the PC socket and shoot manual exposure - which I normally do on flash work anyway with either a light meter or just the historgram on the camera.
--
Larry Becker
I watched that video and that guy leaves a lot to be desired.
I am not sure you can have a true TTL LED flash as most LEDs take about 1/1000 second to respond. Camera mount electronic flash units have flash durations as small as 1/30,000. This is why TTL is easy with them.
If you know of a true TTL LED flash, please let me know.
Why would you have to use the PC socket and not the hot shoe?
Allan
May be he is speaking of that : http://www.ebay.com/itm/Quantum-OMICRON-QF26-Flash-Video-Ring-Light-/140868450654?pt=Digital_Camera_Flashes&hash=item20cc69f95e
It costs as much as a camera and is a constant light for videographers rather than a flash.
--
rrr_hhh
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Re: Led ring lights for 60mm f2.8
In reply to rrr_hhh,
4 months ago
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rrr_hhh wrote:
Allan Brown wrote:
Lawrence Becker wrote:
farrukh wrote:
Hi there. Anyone have a recommendation for a small led ringlight for the Olympus 60mm?
Will Crockett over at DiscoverMirrorless is recommending the Omicron QFlash - It looks like a really great unit for video --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQChP7yOhoQ A bit pricey, and the batteries are a significant expense, but it looks really nice.
The range on LED lighting is sigificantly less than that of flash. Also, there isn't a setup that makes use of TTL on Panasonic/Olympus cameras as far as I know. With the GH3, I'd have to use the PC socket and shoot manual exposure - which I normally do on flash work anyway with either a light meter or just the historgram on the camera.
--
Larry Becker
I watched that video and that guy leaves a lot to be desired.
I am not sure you can have a true TTL LED flash as most LEDs take about 1/1000 second to respond. Camera mount electronic flash units have flash durations as small as 1/30,000. This is why TTL is easy with them.
If you know of a true TTL LED flash, please let me know.
Why would you have to use the PC socket and not the hot shoe?
Allan
May be he is speaking of that : http://www.ebay.com/itm/Quantum-OMICRON-QF26-Flash-Video-Ring-Light-/140868450654?pt=Digital_Camera_Flashes&hash=item20cc69f95e
It costs as much as a camera and is a constant light for videographers rather than a flash.
--
rrr_hhh
Yes, that's what he's referring to- and a constant light source would work for still photos as well... But LED units fall off pretty quickly.
--
Larry Becker
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Re: Led ring lights for 60mm f2.8
In reply to Lawrence Becker,
4 months ago
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The range on LED lighting is sigificantly less than that of flash. Also, there isn't a setup that makes use of TTL on Panasonic/Olympus cameras as far as I know. With the GH3, I'd have to use the PC socket and shoot manual exposure - which I normally do on flash work anyway with either a light meter or just the historgram on the camera.
Excellent feedback, thank you. I'm looking up the Qflash at the moment, though on their site I've just come across the Omicron 3 ring flash. - More investigation from my end it seems...
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