Recommend Macro Ring Flash for K7

[reaction]

Can anyone recommend a Macro/Ring Flash for the K7?

I know there's the PENTAX AF-160 FC Ring Flash, but at $5-600 I'm looking for a cheaper alternative. Looked on *bay, there were so many types. I'm guessing the $70 2 battery LED ones won't be bright enough for chasing insects. I don't know how much GN I need, or how truthful those claims are.

Any good ones for chasing insects out there? I want enough power to be doing f10 at ISO400 or lower. At close distances using my tamron 90mm macro, this should be reasonable?

[Kym]

There are those that clamp onto your 540 and redirect the light to a ring - not tried one of those, but maybe a low cost alternate

[reaction]

I saw those, they are behind the lens a bit, so may not be perfect for macro. Also I heard you lose 4-6stops of light for knockoffs.
(1-2 for real $300 one)

[reaction]

Anyone use these:

http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/1830176/art/metz/metz-mecablitz-15-ms-1-di.html
looks like it may be weak, only 2xAAA

the only other I found
http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/20163/sigma-macro-flash/

doesn't say how GN is measured and the 1st doesn't have it at all

[MattC]

I can't help you with ring flashes, but have you thought about getting a second flash and some wireless triggers? Mount these on a bracket, and it may give you more control than a ring flash.
Even the cheap ebay flashes and triggers by Yongnuo might work well?
Have a look at this (http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?t=40058) thread for some more info.

[reaction]

I went the Metz. At $4xx it was reasonable and flexible.

[Gregpen]

went the Metz also, can't fault it.... But it isn't a cheap alternative..

[NextPagePhoto]

If you want a P-TTL ring flash the Pentax, Sigma and Metz are your only options. I f you are willing to go manual flash look for a Sunpak DX-8R or (preferably) DX-12R. These are a very flexible, good quality and affordable option. I have the 12R and after a few test shots for trial and error I can get the exposure right and get some great results.

[reaction]

nothing's cheap for Pentax these days...

[Othrelos]

I use the Pentax AF160FC ringflash, I agree it is expensive but the quality of light is WORTH it. The sigma and Metz aren't really ringflashes in the classical sense because they use two smaller flash heads and use a reflector to spread that light out. which means they really aren't all that effiecient. the pentax AF160FC uses two 120mm flash tubes with a diffuser on top of them to provide even,soft light that I have used for portraits and macro photography and the pentax has plenty of power behind it, which is necessary for macro photography when obtaining as much DOF is critical. But it can also be used at lower power settings where shallow DOF is needed. My biggest gripe with the Pentax AF160FC is that it doesn't have more manual power settings it only has : 1/1,1/4 and 1/16 power levels. In P-TTL mode it has full range of 1/1 down to 1/64th power.

[MattC]

I use the Pentax AF160FC ringflash, I agree it is expensive but the quality of light is WORTH it. The sigma and Metz aren't really ringflashes in the classical sense because they use two smaller flash heads and use a reflector to spread that light out. which means they really aren't all that effiecient. the pentax AF160FC uses two 120mm flash tubes with a diffuser on top of them to provide even,soft light that I have used for portraits and macro photography and the pentax has plenty of power behind it, which is necessary for macro photography when obtaining as much DOF is critical. But it can also be used at lower power settings where shallow DOF is needed. My biggest gripe with the Pentax AF160FC is that it doesn't have more manual power settings it only has : 1/1,1/4 and 1/16 power levels. In P-TTL mode it has full range of 1/1 down to 1/64th power.

I would be interested in seeing some macro shots taken with the Pentax ring flash.

[doppelganger]

Adding to this thread for those who might be looking at the Pentax AF160FC ringflash. I'm new to digital photography and enjoying the macro realm and it didn't take long to discover that as far as macro goes......the sun is the holy grail. I looked at a few options (Metz and Sigma) and decided on purchasing the Pentax AF160FC ringflash ( au $540.00 delivered from B&H in the US ). Why did I decide on the Pentax?, impulsiveness, it's looks and build and the fact that you can adjust power from left and right flash tubes. I'm more than happy with this ring flash and can now get those shots irrespective of light conditions.

If any experienced forum members own this flash, hints and tips would be appreciated.

The attached photos were taken with the Pentax AF160FC ringflash


http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5237009191_9c196c5de9.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dadoppelganger/5237009191/) IMGP2820.copy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dadoppelganger/5237009191/) by steve b9 (http://www.flickr.com/people/dadoppelganger/), on Flickr

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1232/5153370507_c997e25574.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dadoppelganger/5153370507/) IMGP1610 copy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dadoppelganger/5153370507/) by steve b9 (http://www.flickr.com/people/dadoppelganger/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5210/5237602452_2d2a763b3d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dadoppelganger/5237602452/) IMGP2806.copy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dadoppelganger/5237602452/) by steve b9 (http://www.flickr.com/people/dadoppelganger/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/5169275784_1365611795.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dadoppelganger/5169275784/) IMGP1887.copy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dadoppelganger/5169275784/) by steve b9 (http://www.flickr.com/people/dadoppelganger/), on Flickr

Steve

[tim71]

great photos Steve

[birdsrus]

I have the cheaper sigma "ring flash" however it is realy a twin flash. It leaves a bit of a shaddow with insects etc. So it depends what you want. My preference is to use it maually and use one flash at a quarter and the other an eigth and I adjust apperature.

[birdsrus]

One other matter. Pentax rinflash may not fit on larger sigma macro lenses. To use the sigma flash on my two 49mm filter thread pentax llenses, I needed a 52 to 49 adjustment ring

[MattC]

Very nice photos - I may have to have another look at this flash.

[mongo]

some impressive images ; particularly the freezing of wing movement on #4. Just how fast a shutter speed can be used with this flash ??

[doppelganger]

Thanks for the replys



some impressive images ; particularly the freezing of wing movement on #4. Just how fast a shutter speed can be used with this flash ??

The hover fly was 1/125, f9 ISO 100, I can't get the camera(K20) to shoot any faster than 1/180, I don't know if you can ?



One other matter. Pentax rinflash may not fit on larger sigma macro lenses. To use the sigma flash on my two 49mm filter thread pentax llenses, I needed a 52 to 49 adjustment ring

The flash comes with 4 mounting rings 49,52,58 and 67mm. The frustration when it arrived, the Tamron 90 is 55mm:(..........lightning speed to the camera shop and back in record time,$18.00 lighter of pocket ,55-58mm step up ring in hand and right to go.


I have the cheaper sigma "ring flash" however it is realy a twin flash. It leaves a bit of a shaddow with insects etc. So it depends what you want. My preference is to use it maually and use one flash at a quarter and the other an eigth and I adjust apperature.

I've only used the Pentax flash on manual so far, I find it easier to control. One thing I don't like about this flash is the refection, although on occasion it looks appealing, it's a bugger to photoshop( I'm learning) out if required.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=473746565635&set=a.473746505635.267500.629460635

[Dark Mist]

You can use a faster than 1/180 shutter speed with your Pentax DSLR as long as the flash supports it.

All bodies since the K10D allow you to select Hi Speed flash synch if a flash with that function is mounted. The Pentax 540 and 360 flash units both do it and so do some Sigma and Metz units. Not sure about the ring flash but check the specs.

How it works is to strobe the flash for an extended period so that you get the full frame despite using a faster than flash synch shutter speed. Without it you would 'chop off' one side of your frame.

Hope this is of some help.

[Dark Mist]

BTW the best way to avoid reflections is to use a polorising filter. However, this will cut down the light reaching the sensor so your flash will have to put out more light. A bit of a catch 22.

You could try diffusing the light by placing some very thin tissue paper over the flash unit.

[MattC]

You can use a faster than 1/180 shutter speed with your Pentax DSLR as long as the flash supports it.

All bodies since the K10D allow you to select Hi Speed flash synch if a flash with that function is mounted. The Pentax 540 and 360 flash units both do it and so do some Sigma and Metz units. Not sure about the ring flash but check the specs.

How it works is to strobe the flash for an extended period so that you get the full frame despite using a faster than flash synch shutter speed. Without it you would 'chop off' one side of your frame.

Hope this is of some help.

Any tips on getting it to work -especially in wireless mode? I have found it to be an exercise in frustration, and now just shoot at 1/180th.

[Othrelos]

BTW the best way to avoid reflections is to use a polorising filter. However, this will cut down the light reaching the sensor so your flash will have to put out more light. A bit of a catch 22.

Using a polariser also makes the viewfinder darker, which makes manual focus much more difficult. I only use manual focus with my sigma 180mm f/3.5 - though to use the AF160FC ringflash I had to use a step down ring from 72mm to 67mm I was concerned about vignetting however even on full frame there isn't a problem with using the step down adapter in conjunction with the adapter rings for the ringflash. The Sigma 180mm f/3.5 APO EX DG can be a difficult lens to use hand-held with the pentax system in light of the 1/180th synch speed, I don't advise using HSS(high speed synch) with macro lighting because it really kills the power of the flash and for true macro work, HSS is functionally useless because of the reduction in flash power. With macro work in general, maximising DOF is very important and I need all the flash power I can get,incidentally the PENTAX AF160FC is a [I]very powerful flash considering it's competition.

here are a few of my sample images, both were taken with the Sigma 180mm f/3.5 APO [IF] EX DG Macro.

http://www.pentaxforums.com/gallery/images/15921/1__IGP3656.jpg

http://www.pentaxforums.com/gallery/images/15921/1__APK3946.jpg

[doppelganger]

Thanks for the comments, I'll post more flicks as I learn to fly it:)