DIY Ring-Flash with build imgs and sample shots...

[motleypixel]

Here's a well-built and somewhat easy DIY Ring Flash:  DIY Ring Flash  So I decided to make my own.  I didn't follow his instructions to the "T" but the result is just about the same.  Diagram and BOM here:  Parts List

Here are two complete build-videos:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b-Jozf7CAA" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b-Jozf7CAA</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfvKH68NVnc" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfvKH68NVnc</a>

Sorry about the volume of images, but it should help explain the "cause and effect".















All the samples below were taken with the ring flash and it was my first time using the ring-flash.









Conclusion:

Well, it's not for every situation, but it's certainly a good piece of equipment to have in your lighting arsenal.  With this ring flash I found that I can certainly shoot f/10+ at 1/200th+ most of the time...ambient BG exposure is somewhat difficult.

-Roy

Props go out to flickr user omegamanha for posting his thorough DIY tutorial

[Jay Henley]

Roy,

I am going to try and make one of those.  What did you use for your diffusion material?

[motleypixel]

Jay,

Welcome!  If you have a Target Supercenter near-by, then you'll want to pickup a pack of this:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigwhitephotography/2231219909/in/set-72157603816045949/

Inside of it you'll find a white sheet...works good.  I layered another piece on the lower half where the flash comes up through so knock down the strength coming out of the lower portion of the ring.

Good Luck!
Roy

[Jay Henley]

thanks Roy.

[Jay Henley]

wow.  439 views and only 3 posts..........okay, 4 now.

[waltx4]

AWESOME!!!
I am going to make me one.  Now just one question.
Since I have a manual focus Nikon macro lens, how do I adjust the focus ring for macro?  If the lens is placed too far into the lens "tunnel" I wont be able to reach it?!?!?!?!  (help!)

[motleypixel]

AWESOME!!!
I am going to make me one.  Now just one question.
Since I have a manual focus Nikon macro lens, how do I adjust the focus ring for macro?  If the lens is placed too far into the lens "tunnel" I wont be able to reach it?!?!?!?!  (help!)

Unfortuntanely yes, the lens is not accessible for MF.  I use mine 50/50 manual and auto with my 100mm 2.8 macro lens.  In MF I usually dial in a little less than 1:1 and just look and shot when in focus...the ring does a fabulous job.  Here's a sample from my macro flickr set using this ring-flash.  There are many more examples there too.







Cheers,
Roy

[tazuk]

wowwwwww dam good pics  and flash looks big but does the job well done i love  the pics

    tazuk 

[motleypixel]

wowwwwww dam good pics  and flash looks big but does the job well done i love  the pics

    tazuk 

Thanks and welcome to the forum.

-Roy

[photoman1966]

Hi Roy, I must say excellent work  on the tutorials and the macro shots. Hopefully I will try and make one of your ringflashes early  2009. Just have to  source the parts here in the UK.

Have you tried using the flash  for any portrait shots. I would be interested in  see some if you have.

Thankyou

Photoman1966


PS: http://www.motleypixel.com/public/posts/diy_ringflash_07.jpg did make me smile....lens cap!!!! DOH...Bit of a Homer Simpson moment. 

[BooLee]

Hey, these Macro shots are awesome. You have inspired me and I can't wait to get out there and try some.  I have a 20D, 100mm Macro, and I am in the middle of building this ring flash. I have the main body done, the hole for the flash is cut out, and I have the diffuser cut and ready to be attached. What I haven't done yet is the bracket. I have ordered my off-camera sync cord and I don't want to bend the bracket till I have it in my hand and can get the measurements exactly right.

I have a question for you.  The little screws you have for fastening the camera to the bracket and for fastening the off-camera sync to the bracket, what are they and where did you get them?  The one for fastening the camera has a plastic wheel and the other one seems to have been made for holding a flash or sync.  I'd like to find some like those. 

[motleypixel]

Hey, these Macro shots are awesome. You have inspired me and I can't wait to get out there and try some.  I have a 20D, 100mm Macro, and I am in the middle of building this ring flash. I have the main body done, the hole for the flash is cut out, and I have the diffuser cut and ready to be attached. What I haven't done yet is the bracket. I have ordered my off-camera sync cord and I don't want to bend the bracket till I have it in my hand and can get the measurements exactly right.

I have a question for you.  The little screws you have for fastening the camera to the bracket and for fastening the off-camera sync to the bracket, what are they and where did you get them?  The one for fastening the camera has a plastic wheel and the other one seems to have been made for holding a flash or sync.  I'd like to find some like those. 

His BooLee...thanks for stopping by.  These are readily available...I just used some from on old tripod...you can find them in this search:  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?shs=flash+screw&x=0&y=0&O=jsp/workaround.jsp&A=search&Q=*&ci=0&bhs=t&InitialSearch=de

-Roy

[Scott_M]

Roy,

First off, great site and great thorough tutorials. I have a few questions about the ringlite build.

Can you use shorter primes with this set up for portraits such as 85mm, 50mm ?

How did the extra layer of diffuser material work for dampening the strong light at the bottom.

I am currently in the process of making one now. I was thinking for the bracket where the flash and Camera mount to the bracket to cut a 1/4" slot instead of a single hole to allow for adjustment of different lenses.

again, thanks for the great DIY and an excuse to finally buy a dremel.

[Scott_M]

Roy,

First off, great site and great thorough tutorials. I have a few questions about the ringlite build.

Can you use shorter primes with this set up for portraits such as 85mm, 50mm ?

How did the extra layer of diffuser material work for dampening the strong light at the bottom.

I am currently in the process of making one now. I was thinking for the bracket where the flash and Camera mount to the bracket to cut a 1/4" slot instead of a single hole to allow for adjustment of different lenses.

again, thanks for the great DIY and an excuse to finally buy a dremel.

[motleypixel]

Scott,

Thanks for your questions and welcome to The Motley Pixel forums.  That's a dandy idea about have an adjustable slot for moving the camera. 

I tried a Canon EF-S 60mm macro lens in the same position as what I used with my 100mm and the lens was set wayyy back, but I was really surprised to see zero vignetting.  I think the slot would be good for different lenses maybe not so much because of possible vignetting, but because if the end of the lens is set too far back, the surface plane of the Ring-Flash would be wayyyy too close to the subject at 1:1 mag.  I'm actually considering making my 100mm stick a little bit further out towards the end of the Ring-Flash so that the Ring Flash is further from the subject at 1:1.

I recommend testing the slot idea out on a scrap piece and see how it holds the camera when tightened down.

-Roy