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Considering adding a Ray Flash to my 7d/580EX II. I've been reading up on them, and they generally get good reviews. from what I've read, the only major issue is that the ring may block the AF assist beam. Any ray flash owners have trouble autofocusing in low-light situations? That'd be a bit of a deal breaker for me.
LOVE the Ray Flash! It does block the focus assist and reduces the range of the IR signal to other speedlights.
I would not let this be a deal breaker. If you are looking for the ring light effect or just a damn awesome fill flash this is great. The fact that I can fire other speedlights and have a ring is immense.
It made this shot so much better. The shadows would have been so harsh on her dark skin.
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Example of using with other speedlights
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LOVE the Ray Flash!
Pics looks great. Thanks for the info...
So does AF still work, or does the ray flash take it out altogether?
Autofocus still works, you just don't get the gridded assist beam that normally emits from the flash. So it is the same as focusing without the flash.
Great, thanks! I think that seals the deal for me.
No problem. In fact as soon as I have an extra $200, I'm buying a second one. They work really well off the camera too. Off-camera ring light is starting to get popular and these are perfect for such lighting.
I got the Orbis for Christmas this year. I must say, I love it to the ends of the earth, however there are many times when holding the Orbis in one hand and the camera in the other gets annoying.. Like any time I need to zoom hahaha. You'll really like the Ray Flash.
-Rodger
Why don't you get one of these?Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodger
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Originally Posted by Mark Elberson
WOW!
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto!
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Originally Posted by gbc
Forgot to mention that these are great for macro shot too.
I have question for Keith or other Ray Flash Users. Did you test your Ray Flash with longer lenses (say, 70-200 or 180macro) at closer range? I was wondering if there is any shadowing in the center part of such close up photo. Thanks in advance.
Quote:
Originally Posted by piiooo
There are no shadow issues on the 70-200 2.8 IS. I did a real quick experiment to make sure. The only issues some folks may have is the tripod ring will be in the way. It also covers part of the zoom ring. It is still accessible just not as much of it. Manual focus might be a little weird too. I almost always use my 24-70 when using the the Ray Flash and it is perfect for that lens. I don't use lens hoods with it on either. I think those would cause a shadow.
No PP on these images. Both shot same settings as jpegs straight out of camera and down sampled in PS.
[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.25.81/70_2D00_200sm.jpg[/img]
70-200 @70mm
[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.25.81/24_2D00_70sm.jpg[/img]
24-70 @70mm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith B
Are the stronger shadows on the right side of the statue the result of the background being closer to the object on that side or is there another reason?
Quick question,is thereway to use the Ray Flash with a radio trigger.
It is because of weak spot where the light is redirected. I think the Ray Flash handles this better than the Orbis. The Orbis has a complete dead spot where the flash connects. I think it showed really bad on the images above because of the low power and the size of and the distance from the subject.
[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.25.81/_5F00_MG_5F00_0411.JPG[/img]
It is almost a non-issue when you bump the power up.
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Mark
I think you can connect a radio transmitter to the PC jack and have it fire other lights. I've never done that but I saw I guy I worked with once use an on-camera flash as a fill and he had PW hooked to his PC jack and it fired his Porty. He wasn't using the Ray Flash but it doesn't block anything that would allow this to happen. Just don't use TTL it will fire on the red eye flash. He learned that the hard way.
Thanks Keith. I completely forgot about the PC jack. Funny since I just read an article by David Hobby on how he wishes it would go away forever! He, and many others, favor the 1/8" (or, 3.5mm) audio jack. Anyway, I think that puts the Ray Flash back on topover the Orbis (for me at least).
Edit: Sweet track-jacket by the way!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Elberson
Thanks, it is a little chilly in FL today and I didn't feel like turning the heat on.
Keith,
Thanks a lotfor conducting the trial for me. I honestly did not think it would work, but I guess you do not know until you try[Y]
Thanks again!
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Originally Posted by piiooo
Glad to help.
I think the Ray Flash is a neat gizmo to have around. It can be a great quick fix for a lot of situation even if the full bore ring light effect isn't your cup of tea.
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Originally Posted by Mark Elberson
Thanks for the link Mark!
I actually have plans to make one with my dad soon. It pays to have an engineer as a dad! :D
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Originally Posted by Keith B
This right here is what turned me on to ring flash. The full bore ring light effect :) Check it out. Cole Barash perfects it.
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Originally Posted by Rodger
That was my initial thought. You don't have to be an engineer to make 2 pieces of aluminum bend and adjusted with a few screws. I would say that 60 dollar alone makes it worth the challenge to make one yourself. For that amount you could make a lot more than 1 [Y]
Good luck Rodger!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodger
I've always been a fan of David LaChapelle but on the other end of the spectrum of ring light, I love Dan Winters work too. He uses it a little more subtly than LaChapelle.
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Originally Posted by Keith B
I love Dan Winters' stuff! (I also love the different demographics of people on this forum and how we all look to some different, yet some of the same photographers for inspiration).