RingFlash Resource

A new ring flash from Nissin has just been announced. It’s the MF18 Macro Flash for Nikon and Canon users.

This new addition to Nissin’s acclaimed range of flash equipment allows photographers to achieve an even spread of light from their macro work which means an end to overexposed images and removes the problem of ugly shadows.  The MF18 Macro Flash is particularly suited to portraiture, either in a studio or on location.

The flash boasts an impressive high power guide number of 16m (100 ISO) and the power ratio can be adjusted down to 1/1024 in the Fine Macro mode.  The MF18 also provides a Wireless TTL function enabling the addition of slave flashes. Firmware updates are available directly from the Nissin website via the unit’s USB connection.

The flash head extends in diameter and will fit lenses from 49 to 82mm with mount adaptors. 52, 58, 62, 67, 72 and 77mm adapters are included with 49, 55 and 82mm being available as optional extras. The flash is powered by four AA batteries and is also compatible with the Nissin PS300, the Canon CP-E4, the Nikon SD-8A and the Nikon SD-9 power packs.

Kenro managing director Paul Kench made this comment on the release: "Ring flash can be an expensive luxury, but now, thanks to the MF18 Macro Flash, it is within reach of every serious photographer. I’m delighted Nissin have introduced this unit, it’s easy to use and produces very impressive results."

The MF18 is available with either a Canon or Nikon fit and has an RRP of £359.99.

To view Kenro’s full range, or for details of your nearest stockist go to www.kenro.co.uk – alternatively call Kenro’s head office on 01793 615836 for further information.

Here’s a really interesting conceptual use of ring flash. The photographer, Scott Jarvie, asks his subjects to poke their heads through a large ring flash.

He shoots with an ultra wide lens so you see the tube, and get a comically distorted face. His subjects pull faces to make the whole thing even more appealing.

Because of the closeness you get a lovely large catch light ring and the light on the face is excellent modelling.

See more of the photos here. The Jarvie Window Experience

Photo copyright Scott Jarvie

Thanks to Hardy at Flaghead Photographic Limited for the link

There’s a review of the Ray Flash on ePHOTOzine here: Ray Flash Adapter Review

In the review Peter Bargh says it’s "solidly built and much better than the lower priced Chinese copies that have emerged" and goes on to summaries by saying "The Ray flash Adaptor offers a low cost alternative to a studio unit for those who’ve already invested in on-camera Speedlites and similar. It’s really easy to use and provides a much better output than the macro flashes that are a similar price. If you want to create a ringflash style lighting this is recommended. The light is direct and evenly distributed, giving much better shadows than the light  coming direct from a hot-shoe mounted unit. Be prepared for manual focusing in low light as the flash assist beam is blocked."

Are you looking for an instruction manual for an Elicar TTL AF Auto Ringflash? If so you’ve come to the right place.
To download right click on the link below and save to your computer. 

Elicar TTL AUTO Ringflash instruction manual

Are you looking for an instruction manual for an Elicar Auto Macro 8? If so you’ve come to the right place.
To download right click on the link below and save to your computer.

This book will also suit people looking for the Doi Auto Circle Flash as it’s from the same factory.

Elicar Auto Macro 8 instruction manual

Are you looking for an instruction manual for a Centon MR20 Ringflash? If so you’ve come to the right place.
To download right click on the link below and save to your computer.

This book will also suit people looking for the Vivitar Macroflash 5000 or  the Starblitz 1000 Ringflash or the Cobra Macroflash as they are from the same factory.

Centon_mr20_flash_instructions

The Sunpak GX8R is a compact ring flash head with a separate battery pack. This design makes the actual flash part much lighter in weight so there’s no strain on the lens. It’s an important thing to consider on modern autofocus cameras lenses where the construction may be a bit flimsy to be supporting a flash of the likes of the Centon MR20 or Vivitar MacroFlash 5000.  

The flash was originally sold in the early 80s and comes in a case along with three lens adaptor rings to suit  49mm, 55mm and 58mm filter threads. You could attach it to smaller or larger filter threads using a step up or down ring. Care should be taken using the flash on filter threads larger than 58mm as the hole through the centre of the flash tube is just 50mm so vignetting would occur if a wide-angle is used. The ring screws into the rear of the flash on a rotating flange. This allows the flash to rotate on the lens.

At the base is a small protruding section with a built in cable that connects to the battery pack and a detachable flash sync cable. There’s also a flash ready indicator and a shorting plug. You can test fire the flash by pressing the flash sync cable against this. The flash tube diameter is  approx 7cm.

The battery pack is an upright cylinder measuring 6x6cm and a height of 17cm plus 5mm for the top dial.  The pack takes four C size 1.5v batteries, and can also be powered by the included detachable 22mA AD-17 power adaptor. A carry strap is provided so the pack can be hung over your shoulder.

The overall build doesn’t feel quite so robust as some Sunpak units but it’s fair.

Sunpak GX8R Performance
The unit has a fairly slow recycling time compared with modern unit. When mains powered it’s about 8secs on full power and this doesn’t improve as you reduce the power. With batteries it soon starts to slow down and become annoyingly slow.

The top dial adjusts the flash output in settings for full, half or quarter power although the dial doesn’t have click stops so the flash can be used at any point in between these three settings and the power is set accordingly so finite adjustments can be made. It’s one of those flashguns where the model number indicates the guide number of 8 (ISO100/m)

A leaflet was included to show the flash provides the following coverage:

Full (F), Half (H), Quarter (Q) power

The light coverage is even and neutral. Overall quality is very good and certainly on a par with models from the camera manufacturers.

Photographs taken with the Sunpak GX8R

	This shot displays the classic ring flash shadow around the subject
	Even illumination and bright
	No harshness and even light makes this good for document copying
	This macro flash is good for close ups of cameras and jewellery

Things to check when buying a used Sunpak GX8R
Battery pack for previous leaks and corrosion, Check the springs in the pack and the contacts in the removable battery compartment. Make sure the ready light lights up and the filter ring mount thread isn’t damaged. Also check the tube has no damage and the mains adaptor works correctly. Make sure the power reduction dial is not damaged and the shoulder strap lugs are still solidly fixed. Try the sync cable plugged into a camera to make sure the flash fires.

Photo Answers magazine has given the Marumi DRF14 Ringflash a 5 star rating when it reviewed it on line here:

Marumi DRF14 Ringflash

There’s a review of the Bowens Ringflash Pro on ePHOTOzine where it receives an overall rating of 8 out of 10.

See the review and verdict here: Bowens Ringflash Pro

Here’s a really quick lighting technique using an LED type ring light. You could do it with any ringflash that has a modelling light, but it may work best with an LED one as the light is even all the way around. 

1 Place the light on a table switched on.

2 Put an object in the centre

3 Take a photo from a low angle so you are more or less head on to the object but have a small amount of shape to the circle below. The camera can be on auto. Meter for the object – ideally with spot metering mode.

If you shoot in low light (preferably in the evening with the room lights off)  the background will be black like the paint tube photo below.