Flash that surrounds lens?

[katekev04]

New to photography and was noticing these flashes that are surrounding the camera lens-they are a full circle.
What are these called? Are they any good? Why would you shoot with these instead of strobes,boxes, etc.etc.

Thanks

[EricNY]

New to photography and was noticing these flashes that are surrounding the camera lens-they are a full circle.
What are these called? Are they any good? Why would you shoot with these instead of strobes,boxes, etc.etc.

Thanks

Its called a ring flash

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/search.php?searchid=13007320

[EricNY]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_flash

[katekev04]

Thanks, Does anyone use them? I was watching some photo shoots and noticed these flashes. What is the difference between these and speedlites?

[sapearl]

Once upon a time they were heavily used in medical photography and forensic work. Some do a lot of macro work with them. They've been around in one form or another for at least 30 years; can be very effective for very nice, even, close-in lighting without hotspots.

Thanks, Does anyone use them? I was watching some photo shoots and noticed these flashes. What is the difference between these and speedlites?

[Psychobiker]

Search and Google are the differences.Without being facetious...seriously, these questions have been answered 1,000x

[katekev04]

Now that I know what they're called I've been doing some reading. So, I can hook up my speedlite to these ring flashes and it prevents shadows? I found one called Orbis.

[sapearl]

You don't connect your flash to these ring lights - you connect your camera to the ringlight.

Now that I know what they're called I've been doing some reading. So, I can hook up my speedlite to these ring flashes and it prevents shadows? I found one called Orbis.

[katekev04]

Thanks for your help, I came across one that connects to the camera and you put your speedlite in it. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, I've got some time at work to read up on these ring flashes

[katekev04]

Search and Google are the differences.Without being facetious...seriously, these questions have been answered 1,000x
I can't do a search if I don't know what there called-RIGHT? I bet your one of those "little" bike boys?
Why would I go to Google if I can find an answer-a very good one, from people that have used them and take great photos on this board? Isn't helping people one of the things this board does? Share the knowledge!

[sapearl]

Kate - is there some particular application you have in mind for the ringlight?

They do work very well in the right circumstance - I believe near subjects - but if you want to use them for more conventional all-around general purpose work, you would be better served by a conventional flash. I'm not real sure how effective they are beyond about 10'..... confess to not really knowing, seem to recall that from somewhere.

[thebishopp]

I use a rayflash knock off (like the orbis) sometimes for portrait or product work. With portrait work though I use it in conjunction with other light sources (flashes, etc.). It can produce a nice look but if you are using an ringflash adapter like that you have to watch out for red eye. It can be removed in post but since it is an on-axis light it is pretty common with using ringflashes/ringflash adapters.

There are a couple techniques that help reduce it (other than post) such as shooting on an angle, or using a constant light source that is bright or near enough to constrict the pupils... etc.

Here is a set I did for a young lady using the a rayflash knockoff (it was 50 bucks compared to the 300 it costs for a rayflash or the 200 or so it cost for an orbis) - not that some of the photos may be a little NSFW (no real nudity but I marked them restricted on my flickr and they are in an 18+ folder on my zenfolio):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/donswain/sets/72157622387135637/

The only complaint I really have is that the rayflash knockoff covers the af assist (not a problem if you have enough available light) but am thinking of building some type of adapter (like the orbis "arm") or something to either position the flash in such a manner that the af assist is still available or build a seperate LED af assist light (like that fellow who built one out of an old shutter release cord for his nikon) as I would like to try using it for more low light work (nightclub stuff as it is a pretty compact little setup)... in fact an LED assist light may help reduce the red eye effect if it is bright enough to help with the pupil problem.

[katekev04]

Thank you guys for all your help. I recently bought a speedlite (430EX II). I was watching some photoshoots and noticed the photographer using this. I saw this ring flash used again on some magazine shoots and couldn't understand what this was and why they didn't use a speedlite instead. Well, now that I now what this is called I'll do my reading. I heard that it was good for not casting shadows. The only reason I thought I'd ask is curiostiy and to find out more info from people that actually use it and are not trying to sell me one. Thanks once again.

[spikeystitch]

Kate, I use my rayflash for some portraits. It's obviously not usable for everything but it helps with some edgier photos plus the catchlight is killer.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3436/3959701137_a4307a5099.jpg