DIY Ring Light Pics - this thing rocks!!

[Axton]

Been scouring the web ( and this forum) for DIY instructions to build a ring light... I saw a pic somewhere, think it was on flickr?, of this wicked circular flourescent ring light, but no instructions. HAD TO HAVE ONE! just put it together. here's a couple of the first shots. What do you think?

[Digger]

Nice! I just finnished mine out of 2 540 flashes take a picture of the rig for us, why don'tcha

[Axton]

Nice! I just finnished mine out of 2 540 flashes take a picture of the rig for us, why don'tcha

I'd like to see some pics with your set up! mine below. If you want any details on it, let me know. Also threw in another pic with the light ring.

[nufan]

I would like to know the set-up! Is the ring parallel with the plane of lens?

[lycan]

looking good.

[Digger]

good job on the rig. here's mine http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=377922

[Axton]

I would like to know the set-up! Is the ring parallel with the plane of lens?

This was SOO easy to put together... After searching for all the different parts that I would need, I came upon this light fixture at Home Depot. (first pic). I took the aluminum housing off and the ballast even had it's own bracket! All I did was attach a bendable piece of flat punched metal to the two screws that were already on the ballast. The only electrical work I did was to attach the 3 wires from the ballast to a standard 3-prong plug.

The light is a bright 40watts and sits parallel to the plane of the lens. The camera attaches to the metal bracket with a tripod mount. It's totally mobile or I can attach the bottom of the bracket (I will extend it) to a tripod. Just going to pretty it up a bit so it doesn't look so rigged...

Light fixture cost $44.95 The plug and metal strip a couple bucks, so all-in-all under $50 and works to great effect.

http://www.birnstill.com/pics/rl1.jpg

http://www.birnstill.com/pics/rl2.jpg

http://www.birnstill.com/pics/rl3.jpg

http://www.birnstill.com/pics/rl4.jpg


http://www.birnstill.com/pics/IMG_2910rt.jpg

[JimT]

excellent DIY project! thanks so much.

nice job on the pics too, perfect effect. :)

JT

[Axton]

excellent DIY project! thanks so much.

nice job on the pics too, perfect effect. :)

JT

Your welcome, JT! and thanks for the compliment. Had to throw in one more pic. Background is livingroom wall. Obviously some pp here... This is my new favorite toy!!

[nufan]

I think I will make one! Are you hand holding it in the mirror shot?

What kind of exposures are you getting and how far away are the subjects?

one more question! what gear are you using (camera, lens, etc.)

[Axton]

I think I will make one! Are you hand holding it in the mirror shot?

What kind of exposures are you getting and how far away are the subjects?

one more question! what gear are you using (camera, lens, etc.)

Yes, hand holding it in the mirror shot. I'm shooting in manual at 1/25, 4.5, ISO 200, no flash. I push the curves a little in PP to brighten things a little. In the shots in this thread I'm standing about 3 ft.

I'm using a Canon S3 IS.

[scokar]

is it safe to have that exposed metal bracket?

[Axton]

is it safe to have that exposed metal bracket?

Yes. The unit is completely grounded by way of ground wire to 3-prong plug (it is actually the same thing as the original cover the light came with, just a different shape). I am going to cover it with material so it looks nicer/more comfortable to hold...

[spirit7628]

it's leaving a reflection in everyone's eyes. O O Maybe some kind of make shift defuser?

[digidiva]

it's leaving a reflection in everyone's eyes. O O Maybe some kind of make shift defuser?

I believe it's supposed to.

[tkoutdoor]

I believe it's supposed to.
Yeah, but in this case it's disturbing to the final product. So long as the reflection in the eyes weren't a factor the lighting seems good. It's why some folks prefer umbrellas to softboxes (round catchlight to obvious square catchlight), however this is in a whole 'nother ballpark. It would be great for macro, but this isn't its forte.

[tkoutdoor]

it's leaving a reflection in everyone's eyes. O O Maybe some kind of make shift defuser?Hey, I just noticed something. This may be controllable with the environment provided you're shooting portraits with it. It would be interesting to experiment with.

Compare the catchlight in the eyes of the guy in post number 2 to the others of the woman in post number 1. The reflection in the man's eyes seems acceptable to me (probably better than a square softbox), the reflection in hers doesn't. There appears to be a key factor involved that is controllable. Her pupils have dilated more, which may mean that the size of the reflection coming off the back of her eye is allowed to come out larger because the "window" to her "iris?" is open wider. This is because she has been left in a dark environment, which allowed her eyes to dilate to begin with. In a portrait setting (if this is properly diagnosed) the photog could make sure that the area is lit well enough between shots to help offset this. I think this is what the issue is as the reflection doesn't seem to go outside of the pupil area. I know that won't be much help in many "real life" situations, but it may still be usable in some situations. It would be up to the photog whether or not it's worth doing, but it might be an option still to those devoted to this flash when it comes to shooting things with eyes. :-) Actually this is probably something to keep in mind for those who like the square softboxes as well (with the square reflection).

Incidentally isn't this one of the preliminary things cops check for to see if drugs/alcohol are involved with someone? I think they shine a light in someones eyes as a test because the pupils either don't respond to the light or barely respond. The person may be more responsive to the light because the eye doesn't help protect the vision as well. I'm not really familiar with this firsthand, but for some reason I think that's what they do.