Has anybody got any experience of the LED ring lights for macro shots.....I am hoping to get a macro lens soon mainly for just the odd shot here and there so don't want to spend the thick end of £200 for a ring flash....the LED ring lights are about £30.00 and I know the old adage of "you get what you pay for" probably "rings" :2funny: true here....just wondered if any CCer's had bought one of these and if they are a worthwhile investment or do I stick with the Jessops flash gun...and maybe get a flash cord to use it off camera for about £20.00 (from amazon not the extortionate Sony £65.00 version)
Never tried a ring light but i have had some success with a home made bracket, 2 yongnuo flash guns & some cheap wireless triggers.
http://cameracraniums.com/forum/index.php?topic=1402.0
Probably around £100 new but you already have 1 flash so knock off £30+.
The first 9 in here where taken using it
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bones615/sets/72157622671869621/
I find it ideal, fast shutter speeds, smaller aperture, power adjustable from either side & directional.
Simon
Experience of LED ring lights? No, none whatsoever.
First thought, you may be ok with a tripod and static (and I mean static) subject, that will allow you to choose your apature to get the DOF your going to want/need.
If you use some sort of flash with an "Auto" facility you will be able to achieve exposure durations (A bit like shutter speeds.) in the order of 50,000 sec which will freeze the wings of most things you likely to find in your garden.
So it depends on what you intend taking pics of. If I had use of one I'd be playing with it as an experimental "Portrait" light, maybe outside at dusk and mixing light sources, that kind of thing. As a macro light? I don't think so.
Graham.
Seen these Keith? 7dayshop.com do these ones. http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_1&products_id=109451
If you look at the more images link, you'll see you can stack them together in various combinations. Or put one each side of the camera etc. That said, they are £20 a throw.
There's also loads of different led torches / camping / work lights etc around now. some you might be able to modify to your needs.
Thanks for the replies guys may try the LED stack from 7dayshop (had some good stuff from them in the past) and for £20.00 not the end of the world if it's no good...can always use it as a light in the cupboard if need be.....nice bracket rig Bones....not sure I am engineered enough to make one myself...and would then need a multi flash cable for the Sony which are extortionate...(seem to come in at about £40.00 and that's a bit too much money for the use I'd put it to)
There is one other possibility I've just thought of HERE (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Macro-Flash-Ring-Olympus-Sony-Pentax-Minolta-Metz-/350214170187?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraFlashUnits_JN&hash=item518a64264b)
I have one of these and use it sometimes. It's obviously built down to a price and is much more unwieldy than a proper macro flash attachment, but it does work. I use it with my Metz 58AF flashgun - there are various sizes, so if you go for one, ask them first to confirm that the model supplied will fit your current flash.
Thanks for that Howard I might give that a bash it's that or the LED light rig from 7dayshop I think, both are within my price and both are the sort of thing I am looking for....the ring mount may be an issue as I have a Jessops flashgun for the Sony not a genuine Sony one but can't be that different I guess and there's always velcro if necessary.... ;)
If you measure the flashgun and send them the dimensions they'll let you know which is the correct model.
But as you say there is always velcro, and as long as you can get the flash head to meet the start of the reflector it'll work. It does lose a few stops mind you, although TTL works, of course.