Anyone using a Ray Flash or Orbis ring flash adaptor::::

[Lani]

I have been looking at the Ray Flash and Orbis ring flash adaptors for speedlights.
Interesting comparison here (http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/10/ray-flash-vs-orbis-vs-alienbees-abr800.html), but was wondering if any AP members were using them, and what their quality ( both build and light quality) and durability was like.

[ehor]

I've got the orbis, it's really well built and will take a knocking.
The plastic is not the cheap thin plastic you'll associate with ebay stuff from HK.

[Lani]

Thanks for that, do you hand hold it or have you got the bracket for it?

[oldfart]

I own a Ray Flash, possibly the most useless piece of plastic ever devised.

[Lani]

I own a Ray Flash, possibly the most useless piece of plastic ever devised.

Any particular reason? ....it's quality or fitness for purpose?

[ehor]

Thanks for that, do you hand hold it or have you got the bracket for it?
I hand hold it from underneath, pop my lens through it and let it rest on the orbis.
The biggest differences between the ray and orbis is the hands free operation of the ray.
The orbis does have a bigger diffusion area though.

[oldfart]

Any particular reason? ....it's quality or fitness for purpose?

The external metering sensor and the AF-assist beam emitter of the flash unit pointing straight into the black plastic rear face of the Rayflash unit. The only way I've ever got useful images from mine was to use it off camera, with the 580exII and the Camera in full manual.

[abitfishy]

the AF-assist beam emitter of the flash unit pointing straight into the black plastic rear face of the Rayflash unit.

Thats something I've never thought of. :eek:

[ehor]

check out some of the rayflash rip offs, the ring towards the top has a v for the AF assist beam to come through.

[abitfishy]

check out some of the rayflash rip offs, the ring towards the top has a v for the AF assist beam to come through.

Great idea, I was browing fleabay and there were some at ridiculously low costs from HK.

[Tricky]

Lani

I've been using an "O-flash" bought on eBay for approx $45. I suspect its similar in perfomance to the more expensive Rayflash, and is also shaped to allow my 580EX2 flash unit's AF assist system some clear space to a subject.

Note that I have been using the O-flash only for macro photography - can't comment on its application for other types of photography (eg studio shots, which I know ringflashes are sometimes used for). Provided you're not expecting the O-flash to match the performance of a dedicated macro flash such as an MT-14 or MT-24, then I think you will be pleased: it serves a purpose for very limited outlay.

Couple of pictures below of the O-flash linked up to my macro rig - happy to answer any queries you might have.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Tricky999/Macrokit_Xmas2009_2_sm.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Tricky999/Macrokit_Xmas2009_1_sm.jpg

[Lani]

Thanks Richard, sounds like a better option (especially in terms of $$$$) to try. I was mainly looking at using it for macro, the only thing I had read was that the light quality wasn't necessarily as consistent as the pricier models....but that may have been from people who would prefer to sell those ones. ;)
Which ebay store did you use, if you can remember?

Thanks for the set-up shots, I appreciate you taking the time. :)

[abitfishy]

Yes, thanks for that. Thats the exact one I've seen, about $39 now with free postage. How the heck can you go wrong????

Hope I'm not asking too much, but have you any macro shots taken with this as the lightsource you may like to show?

[Tricky]

Which ebay store did you use, if you can remember?


I think it was this place....

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Macro-O-Flash-Ring-For-CANON-580EX-II-Nikon-SB-900-F175_W0QQitemZ320392583398QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Cameras_Photographic_Accessories?hash=item4a98e2d8e6

I've got the longest (175mm) of the three different sizes offered for sale (the other sizes are 155, 165 and 175, I think, all comes down to which flash/camera combination you're using).

[Tricky]

Yes, thanks for that. Thats the exact one I've seen, about $39 now with free postage. How the heck can you go wrong????

Hope I'm not asking too much, but have you any macro shots taken with this as the lightsource you may like to show?

Sure, pretty much ubiquitous through my macro threads over the last 4-5 months, for example:

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?t=45198

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?t=46867

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?t=46645

You can see the ring reflection in some of the pictures :)

[abitfishy]

Mate, for the price they sell at, I think they are a worthy addition to the kit bag. Very nice shots. Although I assume it was just used for a bit of fill flash in most of the shots.

[Tricky]

Mate, for the price they sell at, I think they are a worthy addition to the kit bag. Very nice shots. Although I assume it was just used for a bit of fill flash in most of the shots.

I think that's a fair comment. I like to have a bit of colour in my backgrounds, so tend to use the flash primarily for fill. As with any macro flash, if you're entirely reliant on the flash then your background tends to turn out black (which works sometimes, but...). I recall Greg / Steadyhands talking about using the tripod lens collar on his 180L to mount a second flash (in addition to his MT24, used for the subject itself) to give the background some light... now you're talking!

What the O-flash is allowing me to do is to raise the shutter speed to the 1/100 to 1/200 range, which allows me to handhold, when the camera's metering would otherwise be reading 1/4 or 1/20 etc....

[Brad]

I have an Orbis and have been pretty happy with it. Have shot some glamour with it and the light has been quite nice