DIY or off shelf mini ring light for 30mm handheld macro
Feb 16, 2021
I like using the Pan 30mm macro on either my GM1 or GX9 in handheld mode. Outdoors this works mostly well but indoors you often run out of stops if you want to shoot at F8/F11. For this kind of fun I do not want encumbrances like big lighting accessories, tripods etc... I want some thing that fits in the pocket - like the below macro kit!

The problem with ring lights (I have a Neewer model already) is that (1) they are still too bulky for this kit and (2) they project light too far forward for the short 1:1 working distances of the 30mm macros, the ring light actually cast a shadow. I'm not hung up on exactly 1:1 but it's nice to have it when you want it.
I'm thinking of a DIY as I don't see anything on the market. The concept would be a tube, perhaps a PVC tube that fits over the lens or a set of filter step rings to make a quasi-tube. Then apply a tape light to the INSIDE of the tube (see picture below).
I notice these strip lights/tape lights are becoming popular as they are very flexible, and some can be cut and sticky taped to just about any surface. There are cheap USB versions and more expensive photography grade 12/24V varieties.
One benefit of the 30mm macro and the short working distance is that you can get away with less light. Since the light does not have far to go, the old inverse square law lets us use much lower power than we might otherwise need in a ring light. This is why every ring light available is too bulky for this application, they are made for a general lighting scenario that has a working distance of several inches at least. So that makes them bulky and built to project light as far forward as possible.
Anyone see anything like my diagram on the market? Or try this before? I'm handy enough to wire this up but wondering how I might deploy a battery that is small and out of the way. Worst case is I can put the battery on a cold shoe so it can sit there. Despite them being lower quality, a USB tape light might be better as there are probably many more battery and charger options than a high voltage tape light.

One other dpreview thread I found about the topic of lighting for a 30mm macro but the lighting device is too bulky for my application.