Substitute for Ray Flash ring flash?

[jr_senator]

Does anyone make a reasonably priced substitute for the Ray Flash ring flash adapter?

[BPL]

Just found this http://www.ringflash-adapter.com/ wondering about the quality. It's only $99

[Gizmo1985]

looks like a good compairison: http://www.ringflash-adapter.com/comparison

for $200 less ill probably buy it. thanks for the link.

[jr_senator]

I have 420EX and 550EX. Doesn't look like it would fit.

[TMR Design]

I wonder what the differences are, if any, between that ring flash adapter and the Ray Flash. It's considerably less so they must have changed something in the design.

I'd be curious to see sample images to compare the light distribution.

[BPL]

I'd like to see a comparison also. The site just shows the physical differences.

[jr_senator]

I wonder what the differences are, if any, between that ring flash adapter and the Ray Flash. It's considerably less so they must have changed something in the design.

How about that Ray Flash had the only bar in town?

[Franko515]

I wonder what the differences are, if any, between that ring flash adapter and the Ray Flash. It's considerably less so they must have changed something in the design.

I'd be curious to see sample images to compare the light distribution.

From Strobist by David Hobby

NOTE TO EVERYONE WHO HAS TRIED TO POST COMMENTS ABOUT THE "CHEAPER" VERSION OF THE RAY FLASH:

FWIW, this is a counterfeit of the Ray Flash design. They basically stole the design, altering only the flash mount. The main body of the ring flash is a detail-for-detail rip off. It is cheaper because they did not have to do the expensive design and testing.

I do not feel comfortable having this site serve as a springboard for companies who engage in that kind of behavior, so I have chosen not to moderate into publication those comments which talk about and point to knockoff products.

My thinking is that if we reward the unscrupulous companies that bypass the R&D process merely to rip off someone else's design, we contribute to the decreasing viability of making cool new products in the first place.

Thanks for understanding.

And from the Strobist Flickr by David Hobby

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/47/buddyicons/31454864@N00.jpg?1175830567#31454864@N00 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidhobby/)http://l.yimg.com/g/images/icon_member_admin_white.gif strobist (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidhobby/) http://l.yimg.com/g/images/badge_pro.gif.v2 (http://www.flickr.com/upgrade/) says:

It is less expensive because they did not have to do the R&D for the main design of the light channelling tubes and, for that matter, most of the design of the product. They just ripped off the design from the people that took the risk and designed the Ray Flash.

Supporting unethical companies like this just lessens the possibility that the next cool light mod item would ever get built in the first place.

It was a big risk to pay for the mold design for a product like the Ray Flash (or the Orbis, which is totally different, for that matter.) Companies that come in and rip off the work have a distinct price advantage simply because they ripped off the work.

I think that sucks, and will not support it. It also puts me in a very difficult position of conflict between that stance and wanting to keep free discussion flowing here.

[Hellbelly]

I've played with the Chinese Rayflash copy. On the plus side, because of the way it attaches to the flash, it fits more flashes (although it is a bit fiddly to attach).
On the negative side, it seems a bit cool WB wise (equiv. to a quarter CTB maybe) and I'm not convinced that the light distribution is as even as the real deal.
It has prompted me to pick up the real thing though.

[Strobing-fool]

Looks like they updated their website with pictures taken with the ring flash and a light stops lost compare page. Interesting...

photos taken with ring flash:
http://www.ringflash-adapter.com/gallery

Light stops lost difference:
http://www.ringflash-adapter.com/faqs/35

[TMR Design]

Looks like they updated their website with pictures taken with the ring flash and a light stops lost compare page. Interesting...

photos taken with ring flash:
http://www.ringflash-adapter.com/gallery

Light stops lost difference:
http://www.ringflash-adapter.com/faqs/35

That's a bit disappointing. Most often when ring flash samples are shown they do fashion-type shots or single subject, tight shots and head shots. The samples shown on the site are just not good and very poor marketing if you ask me. We need to see real ring flash samples and not just some candid snapshots using the ring flash as a standard flash.

[Strobing-fool]

Yeah, I agree about the gallery section- it leaves alot to be desired.

The stop loss compare page was helpful. What did you think about that page TMR?

[Johnny V]

Geez the light quality is not "ring-like" but more like two tight copy lights that produce double shadows.

Where's the dark halo around the subject?

[TMR Design]

Well, the light loss is as expected and look to be a bit more loss than the Ray Flash. I'd be curious to see the materials and build, the mirrors used and construction, and of course evenness of light.

Even if you didn't lose all that light it still would be good in certain applications but won't give the flexibility of a pro quality ring flash. The results I've seen from the Ray Flash and orbis at close range have been beautiful, so as long as the light is even then I'm sure it can produce some really nice results too.

[scorpio_e]

Love the gallery the people have RED EYE *LOL*

http://www.ringflash-adapter.com/gallery