AlvinZ's DIY Ringflash and test shots

[Youhong]

Disclaimer: I am not a professional photographer, neither do I specialise in still life photography. All pictures presented here are original and unedited. Images taken are in AUTO mode and AUTO white balance to test the effects different flash modifiers. (notice how white balance are affected by different flash modifiers used)

Objective: To create a DIY ringflash especially for compact (PnS) cameras that gives a diffused and flattering lighting.

Test: Canon IXUS 70 Digital camera will be used for the test shots. Images taken will be compared with images taken using Nikon D70s DSLR and SB-800 flash with different flash modifiers.

All images solely copyright by AlvinZ. If in doubt, please check my Terms and Conditions

 

[Youhong]

#1

#2

#3

#4

 

[Youhong]

#5

#6

#7

 

[Youhong]

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

 

[catchlights]

Disclaimer: I am not a professional photographer, neither do I specialise in still life photography. All pictures presented here are original and unedited. Images taken are in AUTO mode and AUTO white balance to test the effects different flash modifiers. (notice how white balance are affected by different flash modifiers used)

Objective: To create a DIY ringflash especially for compact (PnS) cameras that gives a diffused and flattering lighting.

Test: Canon IXUS 70 Digital camera will be used for the test shots. Images taken will be compared with images taken using Nikon D70s DSLR and SB-800 flash with different flash modifiers.

All images solely copyright by AlvinZ. If in doubt, please check my Terms and Conditions

great effort, do note to duplicate the same results, the size of the subject and the distant between the subject and background has to be always the same as the test shots here.

 

[Youhong]

great effort, do note to duplicate the same results, the size of the subject and the distant between the subject and background has to be always the same as the test shots here.

Yes, multiple shots were taken for each setup. The subject to background distance was kept constant. However, various angles were attempted to test whether the ringflash can still work as well compared to the vertical orientation.

 

[catchlights]

Yes, multiple shots were taken for each setup. The subject to background distance was kept constant. However, various angles were attempted to test whether the ringflash can still work as well compared to the vertical orientation.

what I try to say is.....

you will not have a same effect if you use this set up to shoot a real person, UNLESS, the person is same size as your model here.

 

[Youhong]

More test shots... White balance pre-determined using Kodak Grey Card. Again, no post processing done to the pictures other than border and watermarks.

#13

#14

#15

Conclusion: The ringflash is relatively a good light modifier as it provides a relatively diffused lighting. It seems like the ringflash can provide lighting more diffused than the methods employed in #8, #9, #10 and #11.

(Do take into consideration that the relative size of the flash on the compact camera to the size of a Nikon SB-800 and that the inability to bounce, ie: direct flash only)

Disadvantages: The size of the ringflash is much bigger than the camera and it blocks the camera's AF illuminator. Hence, the camera tend to have difficulties performing auto focus which results in many out of focused shots.

 

[Youhong]

HOW TO MAKE THE DIY RINGFLASH

 

[nikonaugust]

anyidea of making 1 ring flash that can put infront of a dslr camera?
like just getting the ring light in the person eye.

Nice diy you got there on the compact camera.;p

 

[Youhong]

anyidea of making 1 ring flash that can put infront of a dslr camera?
like just getting the ring light in the person eye.

Nice diy you got there on the compact camera.;p

Din't really thought of making a ring flash for DSLR... I'm using umbrella, so lighting is already soft enough. If you refer to the test shots, the lighting from umbrella is much softer than the ringflash. And then now, I'm seeing more and more people playing with umbrella, so trying to stay away from umbrella for now.

PnS shooting, anyone wants to copy me?

 

[hazmee]

You should post this at strobist.blogspot.com. Some cool stuff for PnS shooters. Cheers!

 

[Splutter]

Looks fun. But the idea of a ringflash isn't for soft lights. In fact it's usually pretty harsh but evenly flat lighting.

 

[mogwai]

:bigeyes:

this is fab!

i'll hope to try it - maybe resurrect my old PnSs to play with.

2 questions
1. which face of aluminium foil did u use? -> shiny or duller side?
2. how thick was the white paper used on the plastic cover?

:thumbsup: for your DIY

 

[Youhong]

You should post this at strobist.blogspot.com. Some cool stuff for PnS shooters. Cheers!

This Ringflash is still under testing... Not perfect leh...

Still life looks cool though...

New test shots... The left shots are direct flash while the ones on the right are with my DIY ringflash....

 

[Youhong]

Looks fun. But the idea of a ringflash isn't for soft lights. In fact it's usually pretty harsh but evenly flat lighting.

I'm thinking of making it something like a ring + softbox... haha... still not very successful though...

 

[Youhong]

:bigeyes:

this is fab!

i'll hope to try it - maybe resurrect my old PnSs to play with.

2 questions
1. which face of aluminium foil did u use? -> shiny or duller side?
2. how thick was the white paper used on the plastic cover?

:thumbsup: for your DIY

Ohoh.... I've been seeing people getting the interest of off-camera flash and then with umbrella etc... Now trying something different... Who wants to copy me shoot with PnS? ;p

Answers
1. Shiny (I'm cheapo, dun even want to buy those shiny cards)
2. It isn't really white paper... It's some transulent material... from my old plastic files...

 

[mogwai]

ty!