ExpoImaging Ray Flash, Ring Flash Adapter for Nikon SB800 Flash on Nikon D300/D200/D70/D80/D50 & D40 DSLR Cameras Review
I don't understand some of the negative reviews.
I bought this for my Nikon D300 and SB800. The adapter attaches firmly to the flash and doesn't fall off.
Yes, you lose 1 fstop so I just up the flash output by +1 EV.
Of course it's plastic. What were you expecting it to be made out of, titanium and astronomy grade mirrors? Flash units and consumer grade cameras are mostly plastic.
The product does give a good even shadowless illumination. There are a lot of situations where this item is indispensable, particularly macro photography or for portraiture where you want to minimize shadows.
I used this to take a picture of the interior of a big power tool. This would have been near impossible without a ring flash.
I looked at the other ring flash with their own flash units. But I didn't want to buy an inferior flash unit compared to my SB800.
One can buy a Chinese knock-off for a fraction of the price with a miserable Velcro strap. Now that *does* fall off the flash unit. I was lucky and got my money back and then I bought the ExpoImaging Ring Flash Adapter which is identical to the cheap Chinese knock-off except for the locking mechanism. In short, I bought this knowing full well in advance exactly what I was getting.
On the SB800, it might be necessary to prop up the flash head with a plastic wedge (two are included) so that the adapter is perfectly parallel to the camera body. If you lose the plastic wedges, I guess a piece of cardboard would suffice.
This won't fit onto my SB900 since the SB900 flash head is so much bigger which is why there's a separate flash adapter model for the SB900. I haven't tried the unit on the SB600 yet. Since the SB600 flash head is smaller, that's where the plastic wedges are necessary.
The item is big so unless you have a big duffel bag, it's going to be a bit difficult to carry with you. But then again, my big telephoto lenses aren't easy to pack either.
For the price and functionality, I give this product 5 stars.
ExpoImaging Ray Flash, Ring Flash Adapter for Nikon SB800 Flash on Nikon D300/D200/D70/D80/D50 & D40 DSLR Cameras Feature
- Ray Flash: The Ring Flash Adapter
- Ring Flash for Canon and Nikon Portable Flash Units
- The unique Ray Flash is designed to replicate the lighting effect produced by heavy, tethered, powered studio ring flash units
- It's light, it's portable, and it requires no power other than your Nikon or Canon flash unit
- Uses Canon/Nikon hot shoe flash
ExpoImaging Ray Flash, Ring Flash Adapter for Nikon SB800 Flash on Nikon D300/D200/D70/D80/D50 & D40 DSLR Cameras Overview
The Ray Flash is a unique adapter for your hot-shoe flash unit designed to replicate the lighting effect produced by traditional, expensive, and heavy powered studio ring flash units. The Ray Flash is portable and lightweight, and has been designed to take advantage of a camera's TTL metering capabilities. Because the Ray Flash relieson the hot-shoe flash to generate its light, it contains no electronics, no flash tubes and requires no cumbersome cables. The light distribution is accomplished through a sophisticated system of internal prisms, reflectors and light-shapers designed to distribute and project the light evenly around the lens. The Ray Flash creates a unique ring flash lighting effect: a three-dimensional shadow-wrapped look around the subject. Because ring flash light originates from a circle around the lens, it produces a virtually shadowless look on the front of your subject, while producing a soft even shadow around the edges. The versatile Ray Flash is ideally suited for fashion, wedding, portrait, journalistand macro photography as either a main or fill-in light. Exposure control: All TTL functions operate normally when using the Ray Flash. As with standard flash use, manual exposure control requires the use of a light meter or test-shots. The Ray Flash is designed to fit the Canon 580EX (MKI & MKII) and Nikon SB800 flash units. Weighing about 16 oz, the Ray Flash is lightweight and is easily supported by hot-s
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Customer Reviews
Great product - selective use - John T. Digilio Jr. - Bay Shore, NY USA
It works great for its intended purpose - eliminates shadows to a great degree - but be careful on portraits - shadows can be very effective. It is bulky, but a great alternative to the high priced dedicated brand ring flash units
Where is the value? - Babby - Phoenix, Arizona
The Ray Flash was commented on PhotoshopTV and mentioned on photography sites on the net. So I knew going into this that I would lose at least a stop when using this product. The issue I have is the value of the product. Granted, photography is not cheap by any means, but this is a piece of injected plastic being sold for a significantly disproportionate amount from the benefits the product provides. I did try it; it was flimsy, hard to keep on the flash, and just awkward. If you are handy and don't mind losing a stop, check out some of the online tutorials to make your own ring flash adaptor, otherwise I would recommend (granted double the cost of the Ray Flash) Alien Bees Ring Flash which you can use as a ring flash or purchase the soft box add on to turn it into a great studio soft box. I returned my Ray Flash and am picking up the Alien Bees Ring Flash... I would get more value out of it, than I would have if I kept the Ray Flash.
disappointed - Leslie Katz -
i bought it today and eagerly opened the box and popped it onto my 580EX. Its supposed to be that easy. Well, I tried to lock it place per the instructions..but it will NOT stay on the flash. I tried to turn the lock a little more to try to secure it.. and it fell off. Oy.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Feb 08, 2010 04:38:04
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