Ring light suggestions

[bledsoe]

Hi,

I have a Canon XT and would like to soon get a decent ring light. I don't need top of the line, but don't want a pos either. Can you all steer me in your opinion of the right direction....
Also a question.....everywhere I look, it states "Macro Ring Light" Is that what I want? I would think that would be more for insects and flowers.
What I want to use it for is close up portrait/model photography. To produce those 'catch lights' in the eyes......

Thanks,

S

[GRASPUTER]

AlienBees: Illuminating the Galaxy with Professional Photographic Lighting Equipment

[bledsoe]

Yes, I heard about alienbee, but i dont exactly want to spend $400. I dont need the latest greatest here, and I dont want to spent more than 150-200. I heard there are 2 versions of the alienbee, but on that website, I can only see 1

[swampler]

I'm in the same boat as you, except I want good, cheap lights for home portraits instead of ring lights. Trouble is, the cheap stuff doesn't qualify as good, IMO.

[W.Smith]

You tend to get what you pay for . . .

OTOH, if you're into creepy crawlies, flowers, and other miniature goodies, you may want to try this 3 cent device:



Also, I seem to remember reading somewhere not too long ago that those catchlights that look like ring lights are actually faked, insofar that they cannot be achieved with your 'standard' ring light (not really surprising as those are intended for macro), but require purpose built, much larger diameter ring lights.

Happy New Year!

[bledsoe]

Swampler, I bought a starter studio lighting kit with just two lights and setup off ebay from Steve Kaiser....they are acutally pretty good lights. Search for his lights on google or ebay. Good luck.
Smith, thanks for the tip. Thats a let down if those catchlights arent real.....

[cyclohexane]

You need a pretty large ringlight to make those catchlights; the Alien Bee's too small to get those catchlights you want.

I think Benji made his own ringlight that was large enough after trying the Alien Bee and discovering that it didn't give him the catchlights.

[J T Smith]

Originally Posted by bledsoe

Hi,

I have a Canon XT and would like to soon get a decent ring light. I don't need top of the line, but don't want a pos either. Can you all steer me in your opinion of the right direction....
Also a question.....everywhere I look, it states "Macro Ring Light" Is that what I want? I would think that would be more for insects and flowers.
What I want to use it for is close up portrait/model photography. To produce those 'catch lights' in the eyes......

Thanks,

S

Anything 200 or less is going to get you the macro ring light. Not sure what you want but you are not going to find a manufactured traditional ring light for less than the ABR price. Those macro ring flashes basically have no power and you will be struggling to shoot at 2.8 with any decent portrait lens.

J T

[nyschulte]

As already mentionned above, the ringflash will give you the same kind of catch light as a strobe with a simple reflector. As there is normally no modelling light, you have to take care as well for red eyes, i.e. you need an additional small continuous light for the eyes.
A ringflash is usually mounted around the lens. Profoto have now a version with modeling light, the Profoto ProRing2

To achieve the particular catchlight you want you have another option, which is a 'beautydish' with an central reflector very close to the model.


Nicolas

[bledsoe]

Smith,
Good to know.....I did not know that. So, everywhere I look, it states MACRO, where do I look and what exact words do I search for?
Nysch, thanks for the information, very useful!

[zero rc]

unfortunately there are no cheap soliutions here, bledsoe. like the others have said, the ringlights you have seen are for macro work and dont throw off that much light. the alien bee is a good ring light but probally wont give you the catchlights you are looking for. they have another model called the zeus (google it, but i think its like $400 bucks), but even that may not be quite what you are looking for. like schulte' said, what you want is probally a modified strobe to get teh "ringflash" look in the eye. what i ahve seen recently are soft box accessories to create a circular catchlight. the ones i saw were by "norman" and they have a variety of speed rings so they should fit almost any major brand. but these will probally cost a few dollars for just the modifier (not counting the strobe itself). in the buck fifty to two hundy catagory, you are pretty much left with accesories to existing strobes or a DIY project. maybe try e-bay or your local craigslist and see if there are any deals out there.

[bledsoe]

Well, this wont be happening for a while.....thanks for all the information guys. Never thought a ring light would be so expensive!
S

[zero rc]

dont get bummed, steph. yes, a ring flash is expensive, but i think its better to buy one thats worth your hard earned dollars and be happy wiht it, than to buy a pos and wish you haddent wasted your money. the sad thing is, these (alien bees/zeus) ARE the cheap ones! ( this is in no way a comment on alien bees/ white lightning or any of paul buffs stuff; i use white lightnings myself!!) but you get what you pay for and they are built to last and work right! seriously, if you really want a ring flash keep saving!! work on other aspects of your photography in the meantime and when the time is right you can buy the one that will make you happy.

[bledsoe]

Thanks zero! You boosted my hope. I have a start on saving,(was going to buy the 24-70L), but bought the Tamron 17-50 instead. So, I could either buy a ring light, or a 70-200 f/4 L......hmmmm.......

[cyclohexane]

Stephanie, just in case you're curious, and maybe to distract yourself for a few minutes while saving, here's some discussion on the Alien Bees products that you can read: SportsShooter.com - Anybody using Alien Bees ring flash?

[bledsoe]

Thanks

[grsphoto]

Originally Posted by bledsoe

I could either buy a ring light, or a 70-200 f/4 L......hmmmm.......

buy the 70-200 L.

The ring light effect can be achieved several different ways, and likely it is something you will grow tired of quickly ( your subjects will..it hurts their eyes)

The 70-200 is great piece of glass that will last you awhile.

Glenn

[bledsoe]

your right...
anything inexpensive i can do to get that soft light with catchlights for head shots??