IN A FLASH.....OR NOT

I bought a Meike MK-FC110 Ring Flash two weeks but due to the chaos in the postal system it didn't arrive in the proverbial flash as it only arrived late yesterday.
I was surprised at the accessories and modes to it, 7 different sized adapters from 52mm to 76mm to fit the Ring Flash on different lens, an amber filter, 5 different power settings, the ability to for the Ring to flash completely or just the Left side or just the Right side. I test connected it onto the camera and it worked just fine. So, all in all, I was quite pleased with it as it will open up new techniques for me to take makro and portrait shots.............but then it suddenly dawned on my that nearly all of my macro lenses are 49mm fitting, although I do have one or two that can be used on a 52mm adapter from the Ring Flash.
But having taken consolation in a mug of Tea I suddenly realised that by using a Stepping Ring which has a 49mm thread on one end and a 52mm thread on the other, at the cost of less than £5, my problem would solved. But since 50mm lenses [which take 49mm filters and adapters] are very common I did wonder why Meike had not included a 49mm adapter along with the others??!!

 

Hi Dave, it's my first Ring Flash and although I had checked the specs it was the price that persuaded me
But when I opened the package I was pleasantly surprised because it is solidly made and not flimsy as you sometimes find. The electronics work fine and to have the option of left side, right side, or full ring will help a lot. I've sent off for that 49mm Stepping Ring but why they don't supply on with the pack with all the others I don't know!!!

 

So cynical, Jack...................but so true!!!!

 

Hi Freddy, yes, this particular flash is for close up [macro] photography although it can be used for portrait photography using the right technique. The Ring Flash fits around the front end barrel of the lens so putting the light right onto the subject, unlike the normal Flash which fits on the top of the camera.
I do a lot of macro photography and have the right lenses for it but I've always used natural light and mostly hand held the camera while taking the shots. I can still hand hold the camera while using the Ring Flash but it, hopefully, might give me more chances to take better shots. So I'll be practising using it for a while!!

 

Hi Freddy, the power source [4 AA Batteries] and control box fits on the hot shoe of the camera as normal then a cable goes from there to the Ring Flash around the barrel of the lens. Very simple and easy, plus there are variable power settings to lower/higher the light intensity of the flash, and other settings to give the image more depth.

 

Not "Red eye" as such, Freddy, but there can be a problem when taking portraits as, unless you off set the angle of the Ring Flash, it can actually be reflected in the iris of the subjects eyes appearing as a white ring. You might also get the same in say the eyes of a Frog in macro shooting but again there are techniques to get around it. Even simple things like using a tissue or muslin over the lens of the Flash will rid you of that problem.

 

Hi Jack, I looked at the reviews for it and to be honest there were bad and good reviews for it but when you read the reviews the person complaining was using it for the wrong purpose!!! i.e. No good for fashion"...........Well, there's a surprise since it wasn't made for that!!!! Another comment from the same person was "Very poor, what did I expect for £20".....Well, I know if I pay £20 for something I expect value, for it to work when I use it for the right purpose!! The guy was just moaning for moaning's sake. There are different "takes" on the design of Ring Flashes but they are meant really for one specific purpose.......close up/macro shots. Some don't just flash but have a continuous light mode as well and the more up market ones can be used for portrait but that's a secondary purpose. All in all, it looks like it's a good flash within it's limits.

 

Exactly, Jack, and yet this guy was moaning his head off.