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

[shuttersky]

hey sorry for just jumping into like that but Roy you did a great work man hope i can became  pro like you someday
wow , after read and watching those Big Engineer , finally i build mine i will up some macro asap

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30820563@N03/?saved=1

thanks Roy

[dglphoto]

I think this is a great tutorial. I will be checking out possible parts over the next few days. I see the possibility for some enhancements. Also, any suggestions for folding options for a "full bodied" camera? I am liking the large clamp light, but was thinking about making one of these babies to hold two sb-800's. one on top and one on bottom. Any thoughts on that? too heavy? I have a lot of thoughts for this, and will add them as I build. I am not concerned about heft, as I would only use this for portraits, and not for any huge length of time.

Any thoughts?

[motleypixel]

I think this is a great tutorial. I will be checking out possible parts over the next few days. I see the possibility for some enhancements. Also, any suggestions for folding options for a "full bodied" camera? I am liking the large clamp light, but was thinking about making one of these babies to hold two sb-800's. one on top and one on bottom. Any thoughts on that? too heavy? I have a lot of thoughts for this, and will add them as I build. I am not concerned about heft, as I would only use this for portraits, and not for any huge length of time.

Any thoughts?

First, welcome and thanks for replying.  You can certainly bend the bracket to fit a "bull bodied" camera or one fitted with a battery grip.  You will just need to make your own custom bends...be patient and measure 3 to 5 times before bending.

Two SB-800's holy cow dude...yes you could certainly do this, but it may be too much light power and it would certainly be very heavy.

Although I love my ring-flash for macro, I've just invested over $500 in a used Canon MT-24EX Twin Light Macro flash.

Good luck and be sure to post your setup and samples here please.

-Roy

[Antti]

Hello Roy,

Many thanks for great instructions and implementation.

I have made similar constructions using plastic bowls because I have not found such a nice aluminium reflector. Did you use Coleman Cable #05939 10" Clamp On Light?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BQUKBM/ref=asc_df_B000BQUKBM755846?smid=AHXN72Y9VINW&tag=shopzilla_rev_273-20&linkCode=asn
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000BQUKBM/ref=dp_image_text_0?ie=UTF8&n=228013&s=hi

I have also several ring flashes, fluorescent and led ring lights and RayFlash reflector.

However, the problem with professional macro ringflashes is that the power is small, which gives long flash time and shake to the macro shot.

Canon 450D + 60mm macro and 580EX II gives much more light, shorter flash and sharper hand held photos. The custom made large ring flash gives also light to the background. Maybe it is too simple and low cost solution for the Canon, Nikon and others to take into product arsenal

One problem with this system is that Canon needs quite a lot manual flash exposure compensation. Similar Sony A350 system worked much better with custom made ringflash.

Antti

[motleypixel]

Antti,

Yes, this will work perfect...thanks for posting it!  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BQUKBM/ref=asc_df_B000BQUKBM755846?smid=AHXN72Y9VINW&tag=shopzilla_rev_273-20&linkCode=asn

You are very clear and correct...you need good power and light close to the subject to minimize flash duration to get sharp/crisp captures.

There are certainly a few big drawbacks to this ring flash:

1.  Heavy and bulky
2.  You can't manual focus the lens eaisly.

Other than that, I've produced some damn nice shots with it.

-Roy

[moby4444]

I was wondering... both builds of this type, (yours and the one on "The Flickr" forum) use the 580EX flash. Would there be any reason that you would know of that I couldn't use my 420EX?  Perhaps not enough light output?

Another thought I had was the possibility of using a raised compression sleeve over the focus ring extending back to enable manual focusing access. Any thoughts?  I don't believe that the manual focus issue is insurmountable, although your results beg the question... What for?

I also wondered if placing the flash port further back on the reflector dish might help to alleviate the "hotspot" on the lower portion possibly eliminating the need for the double layer of diffusion material.  It would necessitate a different bend design for the bar stock mount but a more forward facing design might even up the light distribution from top to bottom.  I believe I'll try a few placement options to see what works best.  Yeah, pretty sure I'll have to build one, (or two), for myself.

And one last question; are all the pics you posted on Flickr without the use of extension rings?  My Canon 100mm Macro should arrive tomorrow.  Gotta get me a flash ring going.

Great job!  Kudos for your ingenuity and inventiveness.  I love that kind of shit!

[motleypixel]

I was wondering... both builds of this type, (yours and the one on "The Flickr" forum) use the 580EX flash. Would there be any reason that you would know of that I couldn't use my 420EX?  Perhaps not enough light output?

Another thought I had was the possibility of using a raised compression sleeve over the focus ring extending back to enable manual focusing access. Any thoughts?  I don't believe that the manual focus issue is insurmountable, although your results beg the question... What for?

I also wondered if placing the flash port further back on the reflector dish might help to alleviate the "hotspot" on the lower portion possibly eliminating the need for the double layer of diffusion material.  It would necessitate a different bend design for the bar stock mount but a more forward facing design might even up the light distribution from top to bottom.  I believe I'll try a few placement options to see what works best.  Yeah, pretty sure I'll have to build one, (or two), for myself.

And one last question; are all the pics you posted on Flickr without the use of extension rings?  My Canon 100mm Macro should arrive tomorrow.  Gotta get me a flash ring going.

Great job!  Kudos for your ingenuity and inventiveness.  I love that kind of shit!

Good questions and thanks for asking.  You will love the Canon 100mm macro lens...very good all-around performer.  Yes, all my shots are w/o ext. tubes, but I have a set now and I'm starting to use them, but only because I now have the use of the Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX ;-)

A 420EX will work, but the only thing I wouldn't like about it is that it is E-TTL only aka no manual...not sure you would get a consistent flash output.  I recommend at least a 430EX to give you full manual control.

The extension ring thingy for AF might work...you would have to give it a try.  I've been very successful in AF with my Canon 100mm 2.8 macro; however, other using say the Siggy 105mm 2.8 may have a harder time using AF.

It's possible that you could move the flash head back a bit, but then you start minimizing the space between the flash head and the inner reducer ring.  You would have to experiment.

Cheers,
Roy

[carlosv]

Hello Roy,

Can you produce one for me? I have a canon rebel and use a canon 580 ex II flash. Please let me know if you can make one for me, and the price it will cost, it will help me a lot since im not very skilled with tools

Thanks

- Carlos

[motleypixel]

Carlos,

I wish I was more setup, esp. with time, but I just don't have time right now.  Perhaps you have a friend or family member that could help you out?

-Roy

[JhnRX7]

Roy,

First off, Thank you so much for creating this tutorial!

So I went out today and purchased all of the materials to make the ring light.  I spent the day putting it together, and it is just about done now.  Just letting the JB Weld cure.

Do you possibly have a picture detailing the shape of the extra diffuser material you added to help the hotspot at the bottom?

I am a little worried about having a bad hotspot on mine because I accidentally cut a little too close to the edge on my opening for the flash.



Thanks,
John

[motleypixel]

John,

I think you will be okay, but you will need to add extra diffusion towards the bottom, possibly one extra layer and then a layer of paper towel.  Here's a shot where you can clearly see where I added the extra layer of diffusion material.  Please post some sample shots once you get used the the rig.  Oh yea, and don't forget to wrap the outer portion of the reducer with reflective vent tape.


Thanks,
Roy

[JhnRX7]

Thanks for the shot showing the extra layer.  So you added a layer of paper towel in there as well?

I actually did already wrap the reducer with reflective tape.  Home Depot had a very slim selection reflective tape.  The reducer itself was actually more reflective than most of the reflective tape they had.  I ended up getting the only one that was shinier than the reducer, however it has some writing on it.  You can se what I am talking about if you look closely at my previous image.

I will be sure to post pictures when I am done.  I am currently waiting for my off shoe cord to arrive, so I cannot finish the bracket until I receive that.

[JhnRX7]

More Progress.  Still waiting on Off shoe cord.

I decided to use Vacuum tubing to protect the flash head from scratches.  It seems to have worked out well.

[motleypixel]

Nicely done...has a nice polished finish...yep I added a layer of paper towel too.

-Roy

[JhnRX7]

It is finished!

Roy, you have already seen it, but I figured I would post anyway.


Here is the final product.  Unfortunately, I do not have another camera to take pictures of the entire thing assembled, so this will have to do.


I love how the "430EX II Speedlite" shows perfectly from the front.



I added foam around the opening for the lens to protect it from scratches and nicks.  I also added foam to the bracket to protect the bottom of the camera from scratches and keep if from spinning.


Here is the first shot I took with the finished product. My roommate haha.  This shot is straight out of the camera, and I used the XSi kit lens.  Pretty fantastic results...  I love the lighting effect the ring light creates.



One thing I have noticed is that I did not do enough to prevent the hot spot.  There is a shadow that is visible above the subject which is created from more power at the bottom of the light.  I am going to do some more testing and see if I can make it any better.

Future plans:
I will eventually replace the 1/4' thumb screws with more professional looking bolts as they are a little too long and require the use of multiple washers.