Question: Comparison between MR 14-EX and Ray Flash Adapter for 580EX

[shutterfiend]

I'm thinking about buying one of these products. I'm sold by the way skin tones come out with ring flashes.

There's of course the MR 14-EX (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/194480-USA/Canon_2356A002_MR_14EX_TTL_Macro_Ring.html) which is $470. It works by itself and be used with any camera.

And then there's the new kid on the the block, the Ray Flash Adapter (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/555767-REG/ExpoImaging_RAC170_2_Ray_Flash_Ring_Flash.html) which needs a 580 and works only with a specific camera. On the brighter side it costs less than 2/3 of the MR 14-EX.

So, does it even make sense to consider the Ray Flash Adapter? Is it better in any regard? If not, why is an adapter that expensive? Also, is there a less expensive alternative? Perhaps even a DIY?

Thanks in advance

[troypiggo]

The MR-14EX is designed for macro work. Check the guide nos. It may not be powerful enough to do portraits, if that's what you want it for.

I have no idea about the Ray Flash Adapter other than it seems horribly expensive for something that I've seen DIY's in here give probably same result.

[shutterfiend]

The MR-14EX is designed for macro work. Check the guide nos. It may not be powerful enough to do portraits, if that's what you want it for.

I have no idea about the Ray Flash Adapter other than it seems horribly expensive for something that I've seen DIY's in here give probably same result.

Thanks. I hadn't considered guide numbers. I've seen some ring flash portraits though that look nice. I'll look for the DIY post. Is that a sticky by any chance?

[sspellman]

SF-

The nice ring flash fashion and glamour pictures you see are made from studio ringlfashes. Only these will have the power for full length or outside use. There are several models available from Profoto, Lumedyne, Hensel, Elinchrome and a few others-all more then $1000. Aliens Bees makes a lower cost studio ringflash with modeling light for just $400. I own one and enjoy using it. Check it out here:

http://alienbees.com/abr800.html

-Scott

[shutterfiend]

SF-

The nice ring flash fashion and glamour pictures you see are made from studio ringlfashes. Only these will have the power for full length or outside use. There are several models available from Profoto, Lumedyne, Hensel, Elinchrome and a few others-all more then $1000. Aliens Bees makes a lower cost studio ringflash with modeling light for just $400. I own one and enjoy using it. Check it out here:

http://alienbees.com/abr800.html

-Scott

Thanks. This is probably what I should look into.

Edit: The ABR800 is powered externally by A/C. It won't be portable. Protability was one thing I was hoping I'd have.

[Chosenbydestiny]

Hmmmmmm, has anyone tried using a ringflash in a nightclub? I wonder how that would look.