Ring lighting.

[ohnoleann]

Hi, I am new to this forum, and was wondering if anyone can recommend a good ring light? I have a Nikon D3000. I have looked onto bhphoto and saw a "polaroid macro led ring flash" for Nikon cameras for $39.99. I don't really know much about ring lights, brands or quality. I am hoping someone can shed some light about them and recommend a good quality one! Thanks!

Leann

 

[tirediron]

Quality costs; what's your budget?

 

[ohnoleann]

Quality costs; what's your budget?

I would like to stay under $200 if possible

 

[tirediron]

That's do-able; do you want an actual strobe, or will an LED/continuous illuminator work? What are you using it for?

 

[ohnoleann]

That's do-able; do you want an actual strobe, or will an LED/continuous illuminator work? What are you using it for?

i'm not really familiar with lighting, so I am not sure what the difference is? I am just starting out, but I would like to use it for indoor use. More of small objects around, like a vase of flowers and such. Not really for portraits.

 

[Gavjenks]

For still objects and macro and such, a continuous light is cheapest and will work perfectly well.
For example this $35 LED ring, battery or AC powered, can control the sides separately, fits on anything since it uses a filter thread system

Amazon.com: NEEWER® Macro Ring LED Light - Works with Canon/Sony/Nikon/Sigma lenses: Camera & Photo

A little bit of sandpaper on the white plastic shield would probably help diffuse the light a bit more. Don't like that you can see the individual LEDs inside. But minor issue.

 

[tirediron]

Continuous ring lights, such as this model are suitable for static objects where you can use longer exposures (because of depth of field considerations, close-up and macro photographs are often taken using small apertures, f11, 16, etc). This is a strobed unit, suitable for moving subjects (insects, small animals, people, etc), and promises full TTL (Through the lens metering), however I'd be a little sceptical of the quality. When purchasing a ring light, ensure that it comes with, or you order the appropriate adaptor ring to attach to whichever lens(es) you intend to use it on.

 

[ohnoleann]

Polaroid Macro LED Ring Flash for Nikon PLMRFN B&H Photo Video

What about this ring light?

 

[tirediron]

The concern I have with that one is that it doesn't seem to indicate that the LEDs are dimmable, rather that turning half of them off is your only control. I don't find using LEDs as a "flash" to be very effective. In short, it will do, but there are better options for not a lot more money.

 

[ohnoleann]

The concern I have with that one is that it doesn't seem to indicate that the LEDs are dimmable, rather that turning half of them off is your only control. I don't find using LEDs as a "flash" to be very effective. In short, it will do, but there are better options for not a lot more money.

Thanks so much for your honesty! I am looking into the two that you showed me! Thanks again!

 

[Michaeltbf]

The concern I have with that one is that it doesn't seem to indicate that the LEDs are dimmable, rather that turning half of them off is your only control. I don't find using LEDs as a "flash" to be very effective. In short, it will do, but there are better options for not a lot more money.

Thanks so much for your honesty! I am looking into the two that you showed me! Thanks again!

I have been looking at the Neweer Brand of Ring Lights. The NEEWER® Macro Ring LED Light is inexpensive (~$35) and the Newer JY-670 (~$83) is still reasonably priced. Both allow independent left and right "half power" where one side is fully on ..... but I don't think either of these ring lights allows independent control of the brightness of the left and right side of the light.
I really think this independent control is important to doing a good job with your primary and fill lighting.
Any one know of a good inexpensive ring light that allows independent control of the brightness on the left and right sides -- so you can totally control your primary and fill lighting?