O-Flash - cheap Ringflash adapter?

[Jark89]

Errr...so I came upon this Ringflash adapter called the "O-Flash". Its like a cheap knockoff of the Orbis. Has anyone heard of it? Or used it? Thoughts?

http://cgi.ebay.com.my/RF175-Flash-Ring-Light-For-Canon-580EX-EX-II_W0QQitemZ320375768652QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigital _Camera_Flashes?hash=item4a97e2464c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A835%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A2%7C2 40%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A24

http://item.taobao.com/auction/item_detail.htm?itemID=6da2772fc61783fc0816e37040a 851d5&ali_refid=a3_419252_1006:380368025:6:%C0%E0%C4%BF% C6%A5%C5%E4:f4a59f560c80aab76d546dc32508a410&ali_trackid=1_f4a59f560c80aab76d546dc32508a410

[Scooter B]

I just ran across this too with a used one advertised on the local Craigs list as a ring flash.

Newbie question alert: If it fires of the hot shoe can you use it crudely (no programing options) without a speedlight or other accessory flash?

[jeromego]

I just ran across this too with a used one advertised on the local Craigs list as a ring flash.

Newbie question alert: If it fires of the hot shoe can you use it crudely (no programing options) without a speedlight or other accessory flash?
I think you have to attach it to your hot shoe flash unit.

[RiaGurl]

just searching ebay and came across this. any news on this. anyone else tried this?

[dmward]

This looks like a Ray Flash knockoff.
There are threads here discussing the Ray Flash pros and cons.
This unit probably would have similar.
It does appear, as the Ray Flash, to require a speedlite.

[RiaGurl]

ya i know. speedlites i have. not a problem. just wondering about it's effectiveness for the price. they are like $36 shipped from ebay. wondering if it would be good for some macro photography work, as opposed to getting canon's for a million times price. not serious work...just casual...getting into it. but still don't wanna spend that if it doesn't work like it sounds like it is supposed to.

[DerekW]

Word id that you loose at least 2 stops, as opposed to the 1 stop with the ray flash. zIt also doesn't give a perfect circle of light, but for the price.....

[RiaGurl]

i figured it for fill light.

[RiaGurl]

wouldnt that still be powerful, even if it was 3 stops loss at 1/8 power? especially within a foot of the lens, making it effectively more powerful than 1/8?

[Saphire]

I have one of these and it works very well with my 100mm macro, the photos can be a little flat so I have found if I put some extra tissue paper on one side it creates a little bit of modelling.

[RiaGurl]

thanks. that's with the o flash?

[Saphire]

thanks. that's with the o flash?

Yes it is, if you like I will take a photo tomorrow pointing at a mirror so you can see the effect and take some photos of some flowers.

[RiaGurl]

yes yes, before and after would be great.

[Saphire]

Its raining hard here so had to take the flower photo indoors.
The 580 ex flashgun was set on manual 1/4 power, the photo of the flash in the mirror was done at F9 the flower photos were taken at f5 still on 1/4 power.
First two photo's without the tissue. I will have to make a proper diffuser so its easier to fit.

[Saphire]

Second two with tissue, it just gives a bit of modelling to the flower.

[dmward]

Christine,
I like the idea of adding directionality using a tissue to filter light on one side.
The shots into the mirror show the light is fully circular. The pictures of the device show a significant gap at the top. How does the light fill that gap?

[Saphire]

It does work very well considering the price. I nabbed this one of my son-in-law when he came to visit, he had to order another of ebay. LOL!

I will be making a proper diffuser to attach the tissue was a quick fix for the flat lighting.
If you set the flash on ettl then the ring isn't quite so even because it takes control of the power, in the mirror shot it wasn't showing all the ring as being evenly lit.
I have found if I set the flash in manual and get the power to how I want it in this case it was a 1/4 power for the flower, this gave me plenty of room to experiment with f-stop if I want to have a really good f-stop say f11 I can up the power more on the flash.

This photo I have just taken with my cellphone of the setup.

[rslv]

I got one. Pretty nice considering the low price.

http://club.r2cph.com/solozds-0016.jpg

http://club.r2cph.com/ssx-0032.jpg

Mini-review: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nelsonlai/3525978272/

[DerekW]

Actually instead of the diffuser, you could use some neutral density filter, probably work a little better, maybe? TMR has a review of the ray flash on the forum here, I'll look for it. It has it's flaws for sure, but for the price the knock-offs are, it's a relatively cheap investment, for something different to add to one's arsenal

[DerekW]

Here's the review:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=641386&highlight=review+ray+flash

[c2thew]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nelsonlai/3525978272/

another review

[Saphire]

Thanks for the links, they are very useful.
I am not interested in using mine for model work I use it purely for macro so don't have the problem of being to far from the subject but the tip on using nd gels to create a better output looks interesting.

[dmward]

Christine,
What is the manufacture information on yours?
If you go to the links at the beginning of the thread the unit does not have a closed circle at the top like yours. Rather it has an open v that looks like there is no lighting. They even suggest that the gap is useful for TTL communication.

Based on that I would say yours is a different, and more desirable unit.

Finding a link to a comparable unit on ebay etc. would be useful.

Thanks,

[Saphire]

David, my son-in-law bought them early last year 2009 for £49, its an exact copy of the ray flash. I think it was in the autumn of last year when the design was changed to allow the AF assist beam to fire through the gap.

I have just found some at this store.
http://www.filters-exchange.com/

[RiaGurl]

ya i specifically was wondering about the "O-Flash" not the ray flash, but all input is still appreciated. i will look at those links later.

[Saphire]

ya i specifically was wondering about the "O-Flash" not the ray flash, but all input is still appreciated. i will look at those links later.

Sorry about that Ria, until I read those links I thought they would all work the same.

[RiaGurl]

that's fine. maybe they do. i appreciate the input, but i am not looking to spend $200 on a small ringflash. i may as well get the alien bees or canon brand.

i was referring to the $35 ebay ones, and O-Flash was the one that stuck in my head. it seems to be able to use the assist light since it does not block that like the rayflash.

[RiaGurl]

looks like link here.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Ring-Flash-O-flash-F170-for-Canon-580EX-580EXII-5D-40D_W0QQitemZ260570011599QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera _Flash_Accessories?hash=item3cab2ed7cf

[c2thew]

the ebay ones look promising, but they take away 2 stops of light, which is pretty significant. this means that this is more of a modereate to close range sort of ring flash. i.e. usable with a 85mm and shorter.

i have an itch to try one out, but since i already have the gary fong diffuser, i see no need for this type of creative lighting.

(yes, i'm aware the GF diffuser gets a lot of criticism, but it is still a good close range flash diffuser)

[Saphire]

looks like link here.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Ring-Flash-O-flash-F170-for-Canon-580EX-580EXII-5D-40D_W0QQitemZ260570011599QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera _Flash_Accessories?hash=item3cab2ed7cf

The only difference I can see is the V cut out at the top, the internals look the same.

[RiaGurl]

The only difference I can see is the V cut out at the top, the internals look the same.
did you open them up or something? anyway...the o flash would allow for af assist from the flash if needed. rayflash would not.

[RiaGurl]

the ebay ones look promising, but they take away 2 stops of light, which is pretty significant. this means that this is more of a modereate to close range sort of ring flash. i.e. usable with a 85mm and shorter.

i have an itch to try one out, but since i already have the gary fong diffuser, i see no need for this type of creative lighting.

(yes, i'm aware the GF diffuser gets a lot of criticism, but it is still a good close range flash diffuser)
like i said, i was looking for a cheap flash for macro work, so i didnt have to hold the flash off camera, besides this looks like it could get better coverage than my 580 held off to one side.

[Armen]

I got it too))
My first experience with this))

http://data17.gallery.ru/albums/gallery/180103--48917675-m750x740-u4d61a.jpg (http://gallery.ru/watch?ph=U03-dtpSV)