Orbis + arm for event photography

[alphonsis]

I'm looking for samples and experiences with using the orbis + arm for event photography. I'm interested in using the ring flash as an alternative to bouncing flash for venues such as parties and nightclubs. The questions I have are as follows:

1) red eye, does it happen? I would think so given the geometry of the light versus the lens

2) focus assist. I'm using a canon 580exII, it seems that it would shoot the beam fairly low, does it still help for low light fa? I normally only use center point.

Lastly, if anyone could provide samples, that would be greatly appreciated. I'm very much on the fence about purchasing a set.

I searched the people photo sharing section, and looked through the nightclub thread. Saw some event photos using the abr800 buy a guy named jbaz, but nothing with orbis.

Thanks!

[TMR Design]

I actually like the Orbis and the light if creates. I don't own one but have tossed around the idea of getting one. I had been following the development and release of the arm and I'm sure some people love it but I think it's a beast. I realize that I should just be looking at functionality but I can't get past the monstrosity it creates and all the added bulk on the camera. It also blocks the display and controls on the flash so unless you've got a remote controller like in the case of Nikon's SU-800 I don't see it as practical despite the fact that you can use E-TTL.

[alphonsis]

I wonder how well it would take to taking a angle grinder to it and cutting out a window to access the flash controls.

[TMR Design]

I wonder how well it would take to taking a angle grinder to it and cutting out a window to access the flash controls.

It would weaken the aluminum too much to maintain the strength and stability in my opinion.

If I were designing or modifying the arm I would have it go to one side of the flash rather than behind it. It wouldn't be that difficult and solves the problem.

[TheHoff]

Check out the Strobies beauty dish. It goes on the hotshoe but it gives a wrapping ring-like effect if used from a distance (ie, longer distance than you should for a beauty dish of this size). It isn't a sub for a real ring-light but it certainly is less fiddly than the speedlite versions seem to be.

[R-C-G]

Any reason why you couldn't just turn the flash around so the controls face the front?

[TMR Design]

Any reason why you couldn't just turn the flash around so the controls face the front?

Sure, because that's just as inconvenient. With the arm, flash and Orbis mounted that's just one big pain in the arse to have to turn the whole contraption around just to make adjustments or review settings.

[thebishopp]

The problem with these ringflash adapters is that they block the af assist light. Not a problem if you have enough lighting to begin with.

The orbis is the closes I've seen to being able to use the af assist light if you arrange those arms in the right manner, but imo it makes the whole thing too big and unweildy, way to clunky for the nightclub scene.

I have a rayflash knock off that I attached an enegizer flat led light to aid in focusing. Works ok but have to leave it turned on. I also don't use it much as I have to use it with my 24-70 as my 17-50 tammy is too small (doesn't extend far enough out from the camera to use with it).

There is a DIY led assist light build which uses the cable from a shutter release so that whenever you press the shutter halfway it lights up. I might give that a go so that I don't have to have the led on all the time.

One positive about using the constant on led (or building the diy one) is that you will reduce the redeye that is common with ring flashes.

Jbaz uses what is fondly referred to as his "ghostbuster" rig. Personally I think that is over kill for a nightclub environment and a bit bulky but he does put out some nice shots.

Generally speaking, if you wish to use a light modifier, a lumiquest pocket bouncer (for those places with dark or too high ceilings to bounce) or stofen style is more than enough. Some even use direct flash though personally I don't like DF.

[TMR Design]

If you're using a ring flash as intended you really won't be in situations where there isn't enough light for the camera to focus properly. If the environment is so dark that the AF assist (camera or flash) won't work then chances are it's the wrong situation to be using a ring flash.

[alphonsis]

@bishop yeah, I've been doing the turbodude-style stofen with a hand bounce thing for event photography for a while now. I don't imagine the bulk to be a problem since I almost always hold my camera over the crowd to avoid the much too frequent spilled drinks.

I'm just wondering what else is out there. Especially since I'm about to go back to one of my yearly holiday gigs and thought it'd be interesting to try something new for a different look.

@Robert main reason for looking at the orbis is that it allows me to use the AF assist on the flash.

Oh well, I guess it's more of the same-old.

[thebishopp]

@bishop yeah, I've been doing the turbodude-style stofen with a hand bounce thing for event photography for a while now. I don't imagine the bulk to be a problem since I almost always hold my camera over the crowd to avoid the much too frequent spilled drinks.

I'm just wondering what else is out there. Especially since I'm about to go back to one of my yearly holiday gigs and thought it'd be interesting to try something new for a different look.

@Robert main reason for looking at the orbis is that it allows me to use the AF assist on the flash.

Oh well, I guess it's more of the same-old.

I've been on that thread for awhile, though I rearranged my flickr so my old photos got the red x on them now, I really need to repost since there seems to be a lot of new fellows starting to participate in the thread.

Later tonight I will take a photo of the coco ring flash adapter with the energizer "AF assist" led light I put on it and post it to this thread so you can see what it looks like. Basically it works pretty good and kind of acts like a constant on video light. Since it is an led battery life is a long time and it takes AAA batteries so it is still conventient. It is also flat so it actually works pretty well.

I looked into the orbis but to make it so the af assist light works it was way to bulky.

[alphonsis]

@bishop thanks!

[thebishopp]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2570/4121881570_52e6e31d40.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2511/4121881002_90534d7544.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2711/4121108415_775b3bc092.jpg

The light can be aimed up or down so it works pretty good as an af assist, also the beam is fairly bright so it helps in shrinking the iris to reduce red eye. I usually tape a bit of surgical tape over the led lens which difuses the bright led light so it isn't so blinding. The batteries are easily changed via the flip top above the light so it's pretty convenient. Of course I would only use the led for extremely low light situations.

Below is the adapter in action (in a studio without having to use the led "af assist" light I made) so you can see what a photo using the adapter looks like:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3483/3978843497_18faca1a0a_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2535/3978835171_c427914227_b.jpg

[manipula]

I wonder how well it would take to taking a angle grinder to it and cutting out a window to access the flash controls.

As highlighted it'll knacker the thing up. You're aware of course when using a lens of any decent size with the Orbis and the arm you can access the controls fine?

If you're using a ring flash as intended you really won't be in situations where there isn't enough light for the camera to focus properly. If the environment is so dark that the AF assist (camera or flash) won't work then chances are it's the wrong situation to be using a ring flash.

Word.


I've had my Orbis since January and love it, used it loads and loads and really felt I can exploit what it does. (I've even got my work in their website gallery.) Got my arm recently and have started to use it with a 5D and 24-70 combo, and my only comment is the overall weight, but frankly, unless you've got arms like glass, you kinda just get on with it, and concentrate on shooting.

Got a birthday party with it soon and I can't wait frankly.

[philllie1]

I like the light of the orbis, although some things are troublesome, i.e. changing from manual to af etc. haven't bought the arm yet, and am not sure, if I should.
My impression is, that I loose quite a bit of light compared to bare-flash. did nobody else run into this problem?

[alphonsis]

I've had my Orbis since January and love it, used it loads and loads and really felt I can exploit what it does. (I've even got my work in their website gallery.) Got my arm recently and have started to use it with a 5D and 24-70 combo, and my only comment is the overall weight, but frankly, unless you've got arms like glass, you kinda just get on with it, and concentrate on shooting.

Got a birthday party with it soon and I can't wait frankly.

Could you point us to any shots you have of event photography with the orbis?

Thanks!

[manipula]

Could you point us to any shots you have of event photography with the orbis?

Thanks!

Honestly, not currently no! :lol:

The few bits that would come under the event bracket I've done with the arm so far are for private functions/clients (if you wanna call them that) and any more mainstream stuff is taking a wee backseat currently while I give myself a breather from regular pictures and move house.

Soon though, hopefully. :)

As for the comment about how much light it uses, I guess yeah it probably does. Can't say I've ever really noticed mind. I use a 580 EX II into mine and even on bright sunny days because you're generally under-exposing the ambient light down a bit, I've never felt the need to be going up over full power on the gun. It's also worth mentioning if you're shooting at a close enough proximity to make the round catchlight noticeable, then you're almost on top of the person and will most likely be powering the flash right down anyway.

The shot that's on the Orbis site (see below) was from memory at as low power as the flash would go, to try and balance things with the ambient light in the city of an early evening.

Clicky for the Flickr link (http://www.flickr.com/photos/manipula/3584695112/in/set-72157615706791753/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3557/3584695112_1453f050cd_o.jpg

[alphonsis]

thanks for the info on the power levels for the shot.