Ringlite Blues

[bigsexy]

Hello all,
I hav e a canon EF 50mm F2.5 lens and a Canon Ringlight (I think it's the MR-14 EX, but I'm not sure). Anyway, I loved using these items together, until recently I started getting Error 001 messages on my D60. Whenever I got the Error message the camera would fail to take the picture and I would have to turn the camera off and then on again to proceed. I'm guessing that the Error message is in relation to a communication problem between the camera and lens. My problem is that the Ringflash is really only compatible with the 50mm F2.5 if I want to stay even remotely wideangle with it. Rather than buy another 50mm F2.5 lens (I'm not sure they even make these anymore) I'm considering switching to a better ringlite. So.....can anyone suggest a great model? If this posts seems like it has meandered quite a bit, it's because it has. Sorry about that. Take care and I hope to hear from ya'll soon. David

[chris maddock]

I don't know if it's of any help, but you can hang a MR14EX off any lens you like, it doesn't have to be a Canon macro lens with the right grooves around it for the ringflash to grip. Basically you have two options;
1) Buy the appropriate adapter from Canon.
2) Buy a 58mm Cokin A-series filter holder adapter ring (it must be Cokin, other brands are too thick for the MR14 lugs to grip securely) and screw it to a 58mm filter ring, with or wthout glass - I knocked my glass out of an old filter. That will clip securely to the MR14, and can be fitted to whatever lens you like using steprings to change the filter thread.
With a range of steprings, I can mount my MR14 on anything from 49mm up to 72mm thread lenses..

HTH
Chris

[Yance]

If it is a communication problem, the problem may be easy to fix. Try cleaning the contacts on the lens and the camera with a q-tip and rubbing alcohol. Does the lens seem loose when it is attached to the camera? Perhaps it loses electronic contact and needs to be held in place more tightly somehow. I guess you want to make the problem is with the lens before you go out and try to find a replacement.

[leony]

I'm using the same ring flash with my $70 canon 50mm II lens - just no macro, i'm using macro rings for close ups. The filter thread is 52mm, so I got a 52-58 step up ring, and a ring with groves from canon (Canon 58C Macrolite Adapter) to hook flash to. works like a charm!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=details_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=12860&is=REG

you can put the flash on any lens, theoretically, but not on a f/2.8 lens 'cause the opening in the ring lite is only for a 58mm filter thread.

Hope this helps.

[chris maddock]

leony wrote:

you can put the flash on any lens, theoretically, but not on a f/2.8 lens 'cause the opening in the ring lite is only for a 58mm filter thread.

Hope this helps.

Not quite correct - because I use mine on my 50mm/f1.8, that's a 58mm thread IIRC ;-)

On a D30/D60/10D you can actually use it on a lens up to at least 72mm filter thread - the 1.6x FOV crop eliminates any vignetting.

KRs
Chris

[leony]

Chris,
right on! the 1.6 crop of 10D will let you use it on other lenses. i wasn't clear enough - i meant those "L" lenses with 77mm filter threads - the flash is just not big enough to fit those monsters... though with digital it's easy to find out by trial and error... just put a lens on the camera and shoot - will know right away :-)

Sunpak makes a ring flash with almost same guide number that will fit 77mm lenses, but it is TTL (NOT e-ttl) and can only be used in manual mode - sort of like a studio ring light. It is about 1/2 the price of the MR-14EX.

[leonardogalavis]

VIVITAR 6000AF RING FLASH!!!!
Does anybody know how to get this flash ring to work with Canon EOS 20D?? Thanks a lot
LG