RingFlash Resource

Sigma EM-140 DG Macro Flash

Press Release:

Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new EM-140 DG Macro Flash for Sony and Pentax SLR cameras.

The EM-140 DG Macro Flash is designed to work with both AF 35mm film and digital SLR cameras.  It is ideal for photographing subjects in fine detail when the shadowless mode is used and is extremely effective for scientific and medical applications.

Dual flash tubes can fire simultaneously or separately. Using only one flashtube creates shadow, which can give a three-dimensional feeling to the subject. The flash features a guide number of 14 w/ISO 100. The modelling flash function makes it possible to check for reflections and shadows before actually taking the flash picture.

A wireless flash function is also available, when the EM-140 DG is used as master and the EF-530 DG SUPER as a slave unit for creating fine shadow details. High Speed Synchro and Exposure compensation functions are also available for advanced flash photography.

For more information please visit the Sigma Imaging website.

Pentax AF160 macro flash

Pentax have developed a new Pentax AF160FC dedicated auto macro flash. This ring flash unit ties in with the automatic exposure control system of Pentax digital SLR cameras making it easier to shoot advanced close-up photography.

The AF160FC’s main features include: uniform lighting to minimise unwanted shadows, making it useful for close-up subjects.

It has a P-TTL auto flash system to ensure correct exposure. It does this by measuring the flash’s pre-discharge with the camera’s image sensors and assessing the subject’s lighting condition with the camera’s multi-pattern metering system.

The flash has a maximum guide number of 16 (ISO 100/m) and user-friendly operation, There’s a single control dial on the back panel to simplify flash-mode changes and discharge-level adjustments.

Advanced flash applications, including contrast-control auto flash and independent switching between two flash bulbs.

Marumi LED8 Macro Ring Light

Press Release:
Kenro has announced the UK release of the LED8 Macro Ring Light from Marumi. This new addition to the extensive Marumi range has been specifically designed for macro photography. Built-in flashes are unsuitable for close-up photography as they can cast shadows and fail to properly illuminate the subject.

The LED macro light uses eight LEDs that position in front of the lens using a flexible cord. This enables the user to position the flash directly between lens and subject providing shadow-free illumination. The battery box is easily attached by screwing the power unit into the camera tripod socket, which makes the unit ideal for use with compact cameras.

Paul Kench, Kenro’s Managing Director says “At such a low price point, this is a cost-effective and flexible way to light your close-up images, allowing you to take full advantage of the closest focus setting on your camera.”

The LED8 is compact, lightweight and flexible and utilises long life white LED lamps that generate natural daylight quality light. The light is powered by three standard AAA batteries.

The LED8 Macro Ring Light is available now with an RRP of £65.80. The unit has the product code MA704014.

Kenro is the official UK distributors for the range of Marumi photographic accessories, including filters, lens hoods and flash guns.

Since Flaghead Photographic launched the Ringflash Adapter in February 2007 this unique product has become a runaway success. Demand has outstripped all expectations!

The Ringflash Adapter is a unique lighting accessory which creates the same lighting effect normally only available from ringflash units made by studio flash equipment manufacturers, which are expensive, heavy and tethered, i.e. have a cable from the ringflash to power pack.

The Ringflash Adapter creates a very special lighting effect: it produces a virtually shadow-less look on the front of your subject, while a soft even shadow appears around the edges. The use and application of this type of light is wide ranging, from fashion and beauty photography to portrait, wedding, reportage and, of course, close-up and macro photography. The Ringflash Adapter can be used not just as the main or only light source, but is often a very useful tool as a fill-in light, specially when the photographer is on the move!

Five models are available to fit the Nikon SB800 and Canon 580EX MKII:

In addition to the Nikon SB800 & Canon 580EX MKII there are many other flash units that fit or can be easily adapted for use, for instance the Nikon SB600 & Canon 580EX MKI, as well as some Metz, Sigma & Minolta units. The original Ringflash Adapter SIRC for the Canon 580EX MKI is also still available! Visit the Flaghead Photographic website for information.

Due to it’s large inner diameter (103mm), the Ringflash Adapter will work with almost all lenses from Canon & Nikon and the extra weight (max 495gr) is comfortably held by the on-camera flash unit, making it a totally portable and allowing the photographer to be mobile in any situation!

Exposure control is easy: all TTL functions, except the IR assist beam function, and manual mode work as usual.

Light output is excellent! Circular acrylic light channels distribute the light from the flash unit very evenly around the unit and loose surprisingly little in intensity, as seen in the following exposure guide:

The Ringflash Adapter is a very affordable way to achieve typical studio ringflash lighting quality normally only available to studio flash equipment users and it is highly portable for mobile use!

For more product information, images taken with the Ringflash Adapter and a list of dealers visit www.flaghead.co.uk

The Ringflash Adapter is made in the Czech Republic by RayFlash and distributed world-wide by:

Flaghead Photographic Ltd
Tel: 01202 733 123 [email protected]

Marumi DR14 Ring Flash

Press Release:
Kenro have announced the UK release of a new Marumi Ring Flash, the DRF14.

The Marumi Ring Flash is the perfect choice for the photographer who requires shadow free illumination. It is designed for close up, macro, medical, scientific and forensic photography as the flash light source is positioned directly between the camera lens and subject providing an even illumination.

The DRF14 is available with either a Canon fitting (DRF14C) for Canon cameras that use the E-TTL/ E-TTL11 system or a Nikon fitting (DRF14N) for Nikon cameras using the iTTL system.

The unit is compatible with Canon Models: 5D, 20D, 30D, 300D, 350D, 400D, D30 and D60. It can also be used with the following Nikon Models: D40, D50, D70, D70s, D80, D200, D2X, D2Hs, D2x, D2H, D300 and D3.

The standard mount is 52mm and step up rings to 55mm, 58mm, 62mm and 67mm are included, along with an adapter. The unit incorporates direct hot shoe synchronisation and has a flash duration of 1/7000th second and a recycling time of four to six seconds.

Kenro managing director Paul Kench believes the new Marumi Ring Flash is ideally suited to those looking for high end results on a limited budget: “We have all seen those amazing fashion shots by the world’s top photographers with models posed against a wall and the lighting jumps right out at you. Yet there is a softness to the shadows, which envelop the subject. Ring flash is normally an expensive luxury, but now it is within reach of every serious photographer, courtesy of Marumi. It’s easy to use and very effective.”

The DRF14 is available now at a RRP of £128. For further information and details of your nearest stockist please call Kenro on 01793 615836 or visit their website.

Photo by Mark Cleghorn

Press Release:

Several hundred adapters for the Canon 580EX sold in just one week and not just to owners of the Canon 580EX, but also to many photographers who where able to ingeniously adapt the devise to flash units of various other makes. The attractive price and excellent performance combined with a lightweight construction make this unit very attractive indeed for use in fashion, beauty, portrait and even reportage photography.

The following information will answer frequently asked questions:

Delivery of the Nikon version:
The ringflash adapter for the Nikon SB800 (Code: SIRN) has been delayed and deliveries for this product are expected to commence in Mid-June 2007. We apologise sincerely for the unforeseen delay.

Compatibility with other flash units:
There have been many requests from owners of flash units other than the Nikon SB800 and Canon 580EX to make use of this unique product. At the moment there is no time schedule for further models of the ringflash adapter. However, feedback from happy users of the ringflash adapter shows that the current model can be used with a variety of other flash units.Ringflash adapter for Canon 580EX (code: SIRC) will fit perfectly to:

• Canon 580EX
• Metz 58 Series
• Minolta 5600 HS
• Konica/Minolta 5600 HS (D)
• Sony FLV-56AM

The recently released Canon 580EX MKII will not fit the current model. Canon have changed the front dimensions of the 580EX MKII (approx. 2 mm larger). A new model of the ringflash adapter is in preparation.

Ringflash adapter for Nikon SB800 is a perfect match to the SB800. So far we have no further information on potential use with other flash units. We do know that the Nikon SB600 is slightly smaller than the SB800 and therefore will not hold the ringflash adapter safely in position, but could easily be adapted.