Have you seen or used the “Coco Ring Flash”? I saw it on amazon, and it looks interesting at $50.

Check out this link, I would love your opinion. I think I am buying one just to test it out. Can’t really lose.

Thanks for all the awesome videos.

First of all, because it’s anchored to the flash itself you are married to the idea of using a physically short lens, say a 50-100mm prime or possibly a very limited zoom.

It doesn’t seem practical for macro because of the large-diameter “hole” for the lens to poke through and the light-emitting surface areas are absolutely huge, and your subject is small at a very close range. Most of the light would never make it anywhere near your subject. Plus just about any macro lens or lens/extension tube combo would sick out pretty far, causing shadow vignetting of the flash’s light.

As for event shooting, it seems kind of bulky and seems to hang down only two inches or so in front of the camera body. Doesn’t it get in the way of using the lens’ focusing, aperture, or zoom rings? Any events I’ve covered required that I focus fast, and the Ray Ring Flash looks like it would get in the way. Maybe my hands have claustrophobia or something.

What is the Ray Ring Flash’s effect on the flash’s guide number? Another site says one stop. If someone has a compatible flash that they are happy with when taking event photos, i.e. its output is sufficient for the distance range within which they are comfortable working, but they are looking for a softer look, adding the Ray Ring Flash would reduce the distance within which their subjects will be properly illuminated. This one stop means that the circle around the photographer that will be properly illuminated is now half the area compared to not using the Ray Ring Flash…a consideration for those used to their flash’s capabilities.

Let’s talk about cost…$200 and you still have to dish out for the actual flash unit. I looked at a US on-line camera store that sells it at $200 and they sell the Sigma EM-140 for $380. For that you get an actual flash unit that is made for macro, with a Guide Number of 46 @ ISO 100/feet so any of the event photos above used to demonstrate the Ray Ring Flash are do-able…they look like they were done with a 50mm lens at less than seven feet. The light-emitting ring is attached to the filter threads of the lens allowing you to use whatever lens you want and your hands have all kinds of room. OK, the EM-140 is not a “true” ring light because it has two small Xenon tubes…but you can use this for creating modelling. The catch-lights in your subjects’ eye wouldn’t be the same either (a ring with two bright spots at each side). I don’t work for or sell Sigma equipment, but the EM-140 is on my wish list. Plus the EM-140, or similar unit, is much more compact than lugging around a flash unit and an attachment that is about the same size as a small vegetable strainer with a long handle. I’ve have to invest in a new kit bag to accomodate it.

I would only consider buying one if the price was below $100, could be mounted onto the lens’ filter threads, and was teathered to the flash unit (including the built-in pop-up flash) via some kind of adjustable universal adapter.

As for attracting attention and illiciting a respose, I’ve used Billy Bob teeth for shooting uncooperative children, and they cost me only a couple of bucks. Try Spock ears, a Nixon mask, a funny hat, or something wacky but appropriate for the event if you want a reaction. Really!

The Ray Ring Flash seems kind of expensive for a flash accessory that is not very flexible to use.

just saw your great review about the ray ringflash… .i realy think i need one NOW .. so – i´m also using the nikon d700 but with the sigma ef500 flash… (i couldn find a ray ringflash build for this flash) … what do you think how important is the perfect fitting of the ringflashadapter to the flash… will it work at all to put that adapter to any other flash?

thanks in advance
greetings (from germany.. sorry for that poor english .. hope you can understsand me..
jo.