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Ring flashes using the example of the Profoto Pro Ring2
Hello, friends!
Last year I started a survey of studio lighting equipment and am now trying to expand on this topic. In particular, describing equipment that is not really covered on the Internet.
There is an opinion that “if you don’t know what this thing is for, then you don’t need it!”. So I strongly disagree with this statement. We know our needs, but we are not always informed about the devices that are designed to eliminate these problems and help us in photographic activity.
Profoto ring flash
For the opportunity to test Profoto Pro Ring2 many thanks to the company PhotoProCenter.
What is ring flash and how it works
Today we will talk about specialized devices such as ring flares and take the ring flare of a famous Swedish company as an example. Profoto — Profoto Pro Ring2.
In addition to it, there is also a younger, more affordable flash. Profoto ProRing(without number 2), which is much cheaper than the older one Ring2 and ring flares from other manufacturers. It works with Acute and D4 alternators.
Ring flares do not exist on their own, but must be connected to a flash light generator. For instance, Profoto Pro-8a Air, which I wrote about and which you can buy at PhotoProCenter.
generator Profoto Pro-8a Air
If your work requires mobility or you just need a cheaper option, then the same ring flash will work with generators of lower power (the ring flash itself is designed for the most powerful 2400 J generator), it connects to any of the PRO line of generators, including to rechargeable batteries (Pro-8, Pro-7, Pro-B4, Pro-B3, Pro-B2 and D4).
In this case, of course, the flash power will be in accordance with the generator on which it is used.
Ring flash appearance
The ring flash has a hole in the middle and the lens goes through this hole. The ring flash is circular not only in terms of the body, but also in terms of the shape of the flash itself - it is the same diameter as the body.
Some sites claim LEDs as modeling light, but this is not the case. These are 10 halogen lamps with a power of 20 W each, which stand around the perimeter of the lamp (200 J in total!). Such a modeling light shines very brightly, and you can shoot a video.
On the back of the flash (we are currently looking at a ring flash Profoto, other systems are different) there are holes for the bracket, which in turn attaches the flash to the camera. In system Profoto the adjustment in height (screws 1 and 2 in the photo) and back and forth (item 4 in the photo), as well as moving the camera left and right (screw 3), has been thought out so that you can install a ring flash on almost any camera.
Profoto Pro Ring2 Specifications
| Power | 2400 J |
| Modeling light | 200 W (10 halogen lamps, 20 W each) |
| Flash lamp | Quartz flask |
| Power output at 600 Joules (f-stop at 2m, at ISO 100/21 °) | without reflector: 32.6 Diffuser: 22.0 PR Softlight Reflector: 45.4 PR Close-Up Reflector: 45.0 PR WideSoft Reflector: 22.1 |
| Cooling | active, 2 fans that turn on depending on the temperature |
| Length of cable | 4m |
| Compatible generators | Pro-8, Pro-7, Pro-B4, Pro-B3, Pro-B2 and D4 |
| Diameter | external: 20cm inner: 10cm |
| The size | 20 x 21 x 23 cm |
| Weight | 2.2 kg including bracket |
What are ring flares for?
So, what is a modern (and I have a modern new flash in my review) ring flash.
It is a small light source, about 15 cm in diameter. Even without a reflector, it is sized to deliver fairly soft and uniform light at close range onto a person's face. Optimally, this is 1.5-2m.
In the case of a ring flash, we do not have the ability (as it is supposed) to move the light source separately from the camera, and therefore, “forehead light” is often recorded in its disadvantages, which kills the contrast and makes the photo “flat” ( at the same time, no one bothers to remove the ring flash in case of emergency and use it from the top-side, getting a contrasting light).
But those who do not understand why ring flares are needed at all say so. Ring flashes are primarily a mobile, uniform light source with compact reflectors. Pay attention to the word "uniform". With just one shot, you get detailed details on both sides of the model's face. If you are using a light source for quick portraits like fashion, you can't imagine a better light.
But that's not all. If the light is harsh for you, then you are offered as many as four light modifiers:
Diffuser (diffuser, I didn't have it in the kit)
PR Softlight Reflector (reflector with a silver inner surface, trapezoidal in profile)
- PR Close-Up Reflector (reflector with a silver rounded inner surface)
- PR WideSoft Reflector (reflector with white matte inner surface)
three plate-type reflectors together
The advantages of a ring flash
Very high mobility (small size and weight, small reflectors)
- uniform light, no "knocked out" glare and no "failed" shadows
- the ability to shoot at low power if necessary; all light goes to the model from the shortest distance
Disadvantages of ring flash
Light "on the forehead"
- works only with generators PRO series
- modeling light from halogen lamps (not LED)
My students and friends helped in testing the ring flash: Sasha and Zhenya (Zhenya, unfortunately, remained behind the scenes :)).
The distance to the model is about 2m, the distance to the background is about 1m.
Without reflector
Here is the same uniform light that was discussed and a blurry shadow that repeats the contour of the model. The shadow in the form of a contour spoils the photo in my opinion, and therefore I would recommend shooting away from the background. In our case, the model is deliberately standing close to the background so that you can appreciate the quality of the shadow.
It is also worth noting that this is not at all such a harsh shadow as from a normal "naked" flash, here it is much more "soft".
When you shoot a model in ¾, the lack of contrast in the photo and, accordingly, its "flatness" is especially noticeable.
On the other hand, some of those who shoot with a ring flash think this is a plus. Such a photo is an ideal semi-finished product for strong computer processing. Since there is no contrast, then you can process it quite strongly without losing the quality of the picture. In this case, the photographer then adds contrast where necessary with the help of "curves" in Photoshop. An example of such processing
The glare on the forehead is soft, the shadow on the background is completely blurred. Basically - an ideal option for a "photo for documents" :)
Unsurprisingly, the matte white reflector produced the softest shadows.
RingFlash Softlight Reflector
When the guys helped me, we took a picture on Softlight didn’t, so I then filmed myself. There were no models "at hand" :(. Not very clear in comparison with other reflectors, because my skin shines stronger and it is just visible on it that the light is not very soft, although much softer than a camera flash.
I must say that this type of documentary photography is not very pleasant for the model. I tried it on myself - another fifteen seconds after the flash a gray "donut" floats in the eye. This does not happen with other types of flash.
You can see the size of the reflector in the pupil of the eye - it has become a little larger than the "naked" ring flash. This and its shape affect the distribution of the shadow - it has become more diffuse. But I would not count on this much and would suggest that the model move away from the background, especially since the model can move a little closer or a little further from the background and therefore the "halo" around the portrait is ensured.
One of the advantages of installing a reflector is a softer highlight on the forehead. But in this case, the surface of the reflector is silvery, which gives a greater contrast and the shape of the reflector is focusing (it is declared that the beam of light is collected 50 cm in front of the reflector).
The purpose of this reflector is macro photography, as its English name suggests. Yes, you heard right - macro photography!
And where else can a high power of a lighting device, a short pulse of light for "freezing" and compactness be needed more?
I could not ignore this topic and tried the ring flash "in action". By the way, I invite everyone to. Those who are interested will be able to learn a lot from this forum thread, and beginners will learn how to make beautiful macro photos without a lot of investment. One of the readers, Eugene, proved by his own example that this is possible!
And I modestly shot this dragonfly with a ring flash. The goal was to assess how convenient and possible it is.
It turned out to be both convenient and possible. The glare in front is a little hindering, so maybe you still need a matte white surface on the reflector. But in general, it took a little power, I took a few shots handheld.
conclusions
I really enjoyed working with the ring flash. This is probably the most compact and lightweight solution for a full-fledged studio, more or less soft light for a professional photographer.
I see the use of this flash in reportage photography. Remember how in many films people walk out of a courthouse or other government office, and around the crowd of photographers and flapping magnesium flashes. It is easy to imagine instead of the old magnesium - ring. Moreover, this is a sight specifically for a fast and fairly well-lit photo, which must be subject to some processing in Photoshop.
Second application in fashion industries where the essence of using flash is exactly the same. Quickly remove and immediately processed. The next morning, already release some fashion magazine.
The third application is shooting fast processes in nature and in other places where there is no access to an outlet. This is the smallest possible kit along with a battery generator to get the generator power and the convenience of a compact studio flash.
Compared to a "naked" studio flash from the same Profoto, then there is a smaller size and softer light initially, and with WideSoft the reflector is fundamentally softer. For a normal flash, at least a small octobox is required ... And it will be out of the camera, so it's better to have an assistant as well.
By the way, about the assistant. We don't forget about wedding photographers here either. Weddings are different, and when using a small battery generator in conjunction with a ring flash, you can do without an assistant, while getting a studio-like view of bright pictures even in the shade of trees, even in cloudy weather. Also, great opportunities for shooting in backlight at sunset, etc.
Good pictures to everyone, and I hope this article will at least broaden your horizons, or maybe help you decide on a flash and a flash light system!
Bonus
Profoto Pro Ring2 manual
- Profoto Light Shaping System (illustration of all light modifiers from Profoto - large sheet)
- Profoto Light Shaping System (complete brochure)
- pictures of an analogue of the ring flash from the Broncolor company (Switzerland), which is now in my testing
- Profoto Battery Generator Brochure
- additional pictures not included in the article
Profoto Pro Ring2 manual
Profoto Light Shaping System (large sheet illustration of all Profoto Light Modifiers)
Profoto Light Shaping System (complete brochure)
Pictures of an analogue of the ring flash from the Broncolor company (Switzerland), which I now have for testing
ring flash by Broncolor
There are ready-made solutions.
In modern dental practice, dental photography is already well integrated. After all, this is not only digital technologies for demonstration to patients, but also a document, like a patient card, if the photographs are taken in Raw format. The dental kit includes a camera, macro lens and flash.
This review will focus on outbreaks.
The simplest solution is a ring flash.
There are many of them, but those that are worth paying attention to
Canon MR-14EX and its copies Viltrox j670, Yongnuo YN14M, and other ring flashes such as Brilliant macro flash, Nissin MF 18, Sigma EM-140DG, Metz MS-1.
The most budget-friendly good ring flash is the Viltrox jy670. Price in Russia from 9,000 rubles.
The ring flash is minimally sufficient for recording in daily practice. But this option is not suitable for transferring color to the laboratory, since the light travels forward, coaxially with the lens. Also, if you need to get "artistic" photos, then you need to remove the flash from the lens and move it aside and "play" with light. But the hard wire pulls it back, which is extremely inconvenient, it is impossible to cope without an assistant. Metz wireless has an advantage in this regard.
Bipolar flares are needed to transmit information to the laboratory.
There are ready-made solutions.
Nikon SB-R200 KIT R1C1: Su-800 + SB-R200 + SW11 (from 50,000 rubles).
Canon MT-24EX (from 48,000 rubles).
Yongnuo YN-24EX Macro TTL for Canon. Price in Russia from 14,000 rubles.
Sony HVL-MT24AM (Minolta Macro Twin Flash 2400).
Sony is now only available in a used version or in a used version of Minolta, but such a flash will work only through an adapter on new cameras, since now the connector is not used for Minolta, but a new multi interface shoe. What sets it apart from Nikon and Canon flashes is the off-camera flash horns.
By the way, according to the research of a group of scientists, bipolar flashes like Nikon R1C1 and Canon mt24x work as bipolar ones on the native ring mount only with 60 mm lenses, regardless of which camera is used, and at 105 mm they give the effect of a ring flash. Therefore, it is recommended for them to buy mounts for extending the flash farther from the lens. These mounts allow the flash units to be positioned in front of the lens at an angle of 45 ° for the most natural light distribution and more accurate color reproduction for the laboratory.
Here's what's available for purchase for the R1C1 and mt24ex bipolar flashes.
Photomed R1 - Was only for r1c1, discontinued.
Photomed R2 is out now for both r1c1 and hot shoe. There are options with a hinge mount or more rigid. Price from 280 $ without delivery. Price in Russia from 27,500 rubles.
One of the advantages of this mount is excellent control over the distribution of the light flux in relation to the subject. On the downside, there are too many moving components, which makes it difficult to set up for a daily protocol, especially if many doctors and assistants use the camera in the clinic.
OwlBracket. Similar to Photomed R2, but improved by adding a scale with degrees of rotation, which simplifies setup. Price from $ 300.
Albatros Medical Close-Up Bracket "Scorpion" (125 euros). There are difficulties with delivery to Russia, on the site when buying this is a constructor - you collect what you need, for those who are just starting out and do not know what is needed may not be very convenient.
Now the mount from Miladinov Milos - MOLARIS (320 euros) is also on sale. The mount is nice, but the ergonomics are broken, as it extends beyond the rear edge of the camera.
Axis by spectrolab (200 euros). The mount has a rigid 45 ° flash fix, but comes out right under the camera grip, which compromises the comfort of the grip. The plus is only suitable for frontal photographs.
All these options are basically only for Nikon and Canon flashes. The cost of a set with flashes ranges from 60 to 90 thousand rubles.
Can also be used as bipolar flash sets from the Canon 270 EX II compact flash units, which can be connected either directly to the camera or via the Canon ST-E2 transmitter. The cost of such a kit is from 28,000 rubles.
The Nissin i40 also connect to the built-in transmitter, but not all cameras have built-in flash control. Cost from 28 thousand for a set of two flashes.
Viltrox JY-610 - analogue of Canon 270 EX II. The most affordable bipolar flash option. There is a version for Nikon, Canon and a universal one with ignition on the central contact for Sony, Pentax, Olympus cameras. If your camera does not have the ability to control the flashes from the camera, then you still have a way out. Viltrox flashes are ignited either through radio triggers or from a third flash mounted on the camera through a built-in light trap. The cost in Russia is on average 8,000 or 12,000 rubles. for two or three flashes, respectively.
But if with flashes everything is quite simple and clear, then with mounts everything is different.
Not much can be found in Russia, the main thing is foreign online trading platforms.
O-Ring. The picture looks more neat than it actually is. In fact, these are two C-Brackets connected together. Everything comes disassembled and cannot be assembled without effort. The mount is very cumbersome. The cost is 700 - 1,000 rubles.
There are many options with "mustaches". All Chinese mounts are long and quickly deteriorate. Price 1,000 - 2,000 rubles.
From parts on Ebay, you can assemble an analogue of the Photomed R1.
It will be extremely budgetary, in fact - difficult. The horizontal bar unfolds. This option is not applicable in everyday practice. Price up to 4,000 rubles.
TwinBracket. The mount is designed and manufactured in Russia. And today this project represents a whole ecosystem for photography in medicine and dentistry in particular.
The TwinBracket mount is universal, compact, ergonomic, and allows optimal placement of standard flash units.
There is also a TwinBracket with an extended base for Nikon R1C1 and Canon MT24 EX, but you can also use this version for other flash units.
The most interesting product in the range is TwinLight, a versatile bipolar flash system that will work with all cameras that have a hot shoe for flash mounts and a built-in flash.
With movable hinges and flip-up flash heads, they can be easily deployed along the lens to capture crisp distal oral photos with or without a mirror, replacing your standard ring flash.
The kit includes a universal TwinBracket mount, two manual flashes with a light pulse ignition mode, an infrared filter for the flash built into the camera, and two light diffusers. The price for the set is 20,000 rubles.
But since the whole project is a separate ecosystem of products, the authors of the project have also added polarizing filters to the product line to cut off glare and transmit information to the laboratory.
Ring flash is not limited to macro photography. Ring flashes are really popular with renowned fasion photographers and find application in portraits. Some photographers use ring flashes even in reportage work.
19.02.2008
Dmitry Bashkov
Ring flashes for portrait photography
There is no need to search for examples of fashion photography with a ring flash - it is enough to purchase the next issue of Esqure. There is a series of pictures of Hollywood stars taken by photographer David LaChapelle using a ring flash and a wide angle.
The “ring flash effect” has three components:
Ring flashes allow you to achieve uniform illumination of objects in any interior. The ring flash either complements the studio flash kit (acting as fill light) or can fully replace studio flashlights.
Remember that the harsh directional light of the ring flash when shooting portraits must be compensated for by choosing the “correct” lens, soft filters, or image processing.
| How much the resulting "effect" will be noticeable in the photo depends primarily on the diameter of the ring. Typically, for fashion photography, more powerful and expensive options are used than ring flashes for macro photography, although the latter are much easier to find on the market. |
Ring flares
There are macro ring flashes on sale - both proprietary (Canon MR-14EX, Olympus SRF-11, Sony HVL-RLAM) and compatible (Bower SFDRL14, Dot Line DL-DRF14, Sigma EM-140 DG, Phoenix RL-59N, Sunpack Dmacro).
| These options are close in price, features, and power, but have little use for portraits. This is due to the small diameter of the ring: which is sufficient for shooting small objects, it does not give the same result when shooting larger ones. |
The American company AlienBees offers a kit that includes an ABR800 ring flash ($ 400) and a Vagabond II portable power supply ($ 300) for about twice the money. Such a set is more consistent with the goals of fashion photography, but it has drawbacks: being by no means as mobile as option number one, it does not differ much from macro flashes in terms of power and ring diameter. No TTL automation. We'll have to resolve the issue of delivery, which will affect the final cost.
| The most "professional", heavy and expensive option is the ring flash based on the generator system (Balcar, Bowens, Elinchrom, Hensel, Profoto). Such flashes are expensive in themselves (from $ 800) and are used with a generator unit, which increases the already considerable price by 2-3 times. Add to this amount the services of an assistant (the final set comes out not at all portable) and you will understand why the masters of photography are so fond of using them. |
Ringflash Adapter
Another class of devices is flash attachments, which allow you to turn a regular flash into a ring flash. Until recently, the only device available on the market was the Rekam RFR-010 inflatable nozzle. There is no need to talk about the professional use of such a "lifeline", but its price is correspondingly low.
| Due to the lack of any alternative, some photographers themselves made more serious versions of ring attachments, which had many drawbacks (as a result of the "handicraft" origin), but more successfully solved their tasks. |
However, it is only in industrial production that such important qualities as mechanical reliability and ease of use are achieved. But there are also photographic nuances - the need to maintain color temperature and reduce light loss.
| That is why it is worth checking out the Ringflash Adapter, the only ring flash on the market designed by a professional photographer from the Czech Republic to meet the needs of professional photography. The patented design uses flash light and distributes it around a ring, transforming your flash into a ring flash without the compromise of ring adapters. |
The Ringflash design provides several benefits:
Ringflash is available in two versions - for Canon Speedlite 580EX and Nikon SB-800. With a slight modification, it is possible to install it on low-end flash units (550EX and SB-800). The Canon version can be used with select models from other manufacturers (Metz 58 series, Minolta 5600 HS, Sony FLV-56AM).
Attaching the adapter to the flash takes a few seconds. The ringflash slides over the front of the flash and is secured with a rotary lock (Lock / Unlock) to provide the required level of rigidity. Since the adapter is not attached to the lens thread and does not require the use of adapter rings, the threat of vignetting is completely eliminated. When attaching and removing the adapter, check the position of the lock, making sure the flash is unlocked.
Practical use of Ringflash has shown that only in the lower segment there is a slight decrease in brightness, which does not affect the shooting results. Note that this common disadvantage of ring flashes is practically not manifested in the case of Ringflash. Whereas in many ring flashes, only two lamps are installed and the light distribution is usually noticeably worse.
A correction value of 2 Ev, even with an inexpensive guide number of 36 flash, allows you to get enough power for most tasks. Moreover, in portrait photography, open apertures are often used. With combined lighting, the correction value may fluctuate slightly in both directions. Therefore, it is recommended to check the result using a digital camera histogram or flash meter.
At first glance, Ringflash may seem like an expensive accessory - after all, its cost is not much lower than that of Sigma or Sunpack macro flashes. However, this adapter should be contrasted with the much more expensive ring flashes designed for shooting people rather than insects. Therefore, the price is 100% justified.
The exclusive distributor of Ringflash Adapter is Natix Photo Consulting. www.ringflash.ru
In almost all cases, when you have to shoot subjects from a macro distance, you will have problems with the quality of the lighting of the subject. To get out of this situation, the so-called ring flash for macro photography will help you to get an image of a brightly lit object against a dark background.
Original image
Edited image
General Pershing Day-Blooming Tropical Lili
The following equipment was used: a Canon EOS D60 camera mounted on a tripod, a Canon lens with an aperture ratio of 1 / 2.9 and a focal length of 100 mm, a Canon Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX attachment, aperture ratio of 1/9, 0, photo size - 2 MB, format - JPEG, resolution - 2048 × 3072 pixels.
So what is an annular flash? This type of flash is specially designed to optimize illumination for subjects very close to the camera lens and is worn directly over the lens.
To avoid unnatural display of the subject, you should use a ring flash with two separate parts that can be independently controlled so that the photographer can get more natural shots. In the image below, as an example, you see the Canon Macro Ring Lite MR-14 EX, which consists of two parts. You've probably noticed two assist lamps, which are used for more accurate focusing in low light situations.
Photographers also praise another manufacturer's ring flash, the Nikon SB-29 TTL Macro Speedlight. Both of these devices enable the photographer to more accurately control the operation of individual parts of the flash units using the provided control unit.
When is it advisable to use a ring flash for macro photography?
Of course, you can give preference to natural lighting, especially in the process of filming nature. But it often happens that the photographed objects are partially or completely located in the shadow, and, moreover, are small in size, as a result of which the photographer or the camera lens covers them with its shadow. Don't forget the fact that it is quite difficult to achieve a uniform depth of field in macro photography.
Usually, the photographer tries to solve this problem by setting a small aperture value and a slow shutter speed, but this method threatens to "blur" the image of the photograph.
But first things first…
So, first, let's pick a moment for your macro photography.
It should be a moderately sunny day, preferably with the presence of light clouds. Bright light usually brings two problems - the bright colors in the image will simply disappear under the "light", and the dynamic range due to the presence of bright and dark areas will be quite wide, while the presence of clouds in the sky makes the sunlight more diffuse and softer.
It is this kind of weather conditions that are suitable for using a ring flash, which will complement natural lighting.
In macro photography, you can apply these settings. For example, as in the case of colors in question, great results can be achieved by setting the aperture to a small value, thereby ensuring the maximum available depth of field. Selective focusing at high apertures will give your work an artistic touch. You can experiment with the shooting angle, which will ensure that the main subject is smoothly blurred into the background. Also, using a telephoto lens, you can achieve not only a pleasant blurring of the background, but also a great depth of field, due to which the flower seems to "dissolve" in the background.
The photographer shooting a water lily chose the following shooting conditions: set a small aperture value, a high shutter speed, and also activated a ring flash, thanks to which the snow-white flower will appear on a completely black background, at the same time, the light from the flash will give sparkle to the drops on the lily leaves ...
Ring flash installation
To fix the ring flash, using the example of the Canon Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX and Canon lens (focal length 100 mm), first screw on the Canon Macro Lite Adapter 58c, then fix the flash using the two fixing buttons. Now you will be able to rotate the flash, choosing the desired position of the lamps in relation to the lens. All that remains is to insert the flash control unit into the Hot Shoe port located on the camera.
Camera setup
Set the aperture priority mode in the camera settings so that you can choose the aperture value you need in your particular case. For example, Canon D60 supports macro mode, but in the case of the lily, the author's main task was to display the flower as clear as possible, and therefore the value of the relative aperture was set to 1/9 and the shutter speed was 1/200.
Layout and filming
In macro mode, it is best to set the focus to manual. This will give you the confidence to choose the best focus. After you set the focus, compose the shot and press the shutter button to activate the attached ring flash.
Study of the result and re-exposure
The resulting images can also be viewed on the camera's LCD screen, and do not forget to study their histograms as well. In case you need a little more light, make adjustments manually and take the picture again. Continue until you get photos with the exposure you want.