Heather Brady Cameras and Photography

Florescent Tube or LED for Macro Ring Light?

I’m looking to get a ring light. Two options: florescent tube or leds?

Tube models use more battery.. or have to be plugged in to power.

LED models use less battery power..

However, neither are as bright as a electronic flash ring light, but they ARE cheaper.

The electronic flash ring light will usually allow for more DOF (depth of field) control and the ability to shoot much with out the use of a tripod or other supports, including being tethered to power. The electron flash is going off VERY fast, Regardless of the shutter speed, sometimes in the 1/10,000 of a second (some more, some a lil less) but still fast enuf to freeze a bee at a flower, humming bird at a feeder and such. But, if the shutter is too slow, you could include blur or motion, not to mention background light that may degrade the idea of the image.

Trouble with most electronic flash ring lights is the fact their light is like surround sound… It’s everywhere, but as a light, it’s flat and offers no depth or 3D EFX to make the subject stand out a bit.. Some have the ability to dim or turn off sections of the ring (LED’s, tubes if segmented, and such) allowing for “side light” to give that 3D EFX.

For the $$ tho your looking at a fun accessories that would give you hours of fun and enjoyment, assuming you have a macro lens to use it on. If you find your really getting into the concept of close up photography you can expand by getting extension tubes and / or bellows.

Have fun..

Bob – Tucson

Sony’s Ring Light

Macro Ring Flash LED Light! Works with Canon/Sony/Nikon/Sigma lenses! $39.95 This LED Macro Ring Light is specifically designed for close shots. It will constantly emit light and provide permanent lighting for subjects. With the LED lamp mode controller, you can adjust the three modes: all light, half left light, and half right light; With the power mode controller, you can choose two different power input modes to offers you continuous light: 2 AA batteries that is conven…

Opteka i-TTL / TTL Off-Camera Flash Sync Cord for Nikon SB-400, SB-600, SB-800, SB-900, and other Speedlight Flashes (Nikon SC-28 Equivalent) $49.99 The TTL Off-Camera Flash Remote Cord provides full TTL control for Nikon Speedlights when used off-camera with Nikon cameras which have the TTL hot flash shoe. It permits easy use of flash when the camera is mounted upon a bracket….

Coco Ring Flash Adapter for Canon 580EX II Flash with Canon 5D Mark II, 7D, 50D, 40D, 30D, 20D, & 10D SLR Camera’s $49.95 Coco Ring Flash Adapter for Canon 580EX II Flash with Canon 5D Mark II, 50D, 40D, 30D, 20D, & 10D SLR Camera’s…

Bower ITTL Auto Nikon Digital Camera Macro Ring Flash $89.99 Update your Nikon digital camera with this Bower macro ring flash Flash is dedicated for Nikon digital SLR camerasPhoto accessory features TTL metering system

EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Macro Lens $642.94 Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Macro Lens FeaturesAutofocus lens for macro photography up to life-size (1x) magnification. Inner focusing affords a long working distance of 5.9in. (149mm) at 1x. A 3-group floating system results in excellent delineation at all focusing distances. Ring USM for silent and high-speed AF, and full-time manual focusing also provided.Entirely new optically, with a three-group floating system for exceptional close-up performance. The first lens in its class to feature innner focusing. The lens length never changes, even at life size! A secondary diaphragm blocks stray light at f/2.8, increasing contrast when shooting wide-open. Ultrasonic Motor provides outstanding AF speed at all focusing distances. Wide manual focusing ring with smooth action, and full-time manual focus even in AF mode.

SFD52C Dual Macro Standrad Flash Combo $191.94 Digital combo standard flash/+ring light set fully dedicated for all canon SLR digital cameras. Flash has bounce ,swivel and zoom for standard picture taking. Ring light is for macro picure taking medical ,hobby.

Macro Kit $32.94 Want to explore the jungle in your backyard or capture the gleam of a diamond ring in a new way? The Lensbaby Macro Kit allows you to use selective focus on a very small scale. The Lensbaby Macro Kit features one +4 filter and one +10 filter, which can be screwed onto the front of your Lensbaby lens either individually or together, allowing you to focus from 2 inches to 13 inches away.

60mm EF-S f/2.8 Macro USM Lens $522.94 A thoroughly modern design that’s optimized for select Canon EOS digital SLRs. Its angle of view is equivalent to a 96mm lens on a 35mm camera, with a floating optical system that can focus down to full life-size (1:1) magnification. Inner focusing, driven by a silent and powerful ring-type USM, means the lens’ overall length never changes during focus. This lens is a wonderful multi-purpose lens that’s equally at home shooting macro shots, portraits or available-light photos. Like all Canon EF-S Lenses, its use is restricted to the EOS 20D, EOS Digital Rebel and EOS Digital Rebel XT cameras (as of February 2005).