Julie, originally uploaded by holienmo.no.

Julie

A portrait of a friend of mine.

Strobist: Lighting info

Bowens Gemini Pro 500 with softbox above.

Bowens Gemini 200 with fresnel lens behind Julie pointed at the background.

Triggerd with a sync-cord.

5D mkII with 24-70

Bowens on- board ringlight convereter – Review

Bowens Ringlite Converter Review – Matt Grayson takes a look at the Bowens Ringlite converter. A studio flash accessory for adapting your Bowens S-Mount head into a macro ring flash.

The need for separate ringflash units is not necessarily the case. In a flash, Bowens have thrown a new contender into the ring. No pun intended.

Bowens Ringlite converter Specification

Diameter – 21.6cm/8.5in

Centre Aperture – 9.5cm/3.75in

Angle – 55°

Height – 35cm / 13.75in

Width – 11.5cm / 8.75in

Depth – 11.5cm / 4.5in (inc S-Type adaptor, not including camera bracket)

Weight – 1.45kg (including camera bracket)

Bowens Ringlite converter Features

Whilst most ring light flash heads are usually units that take power from the camera or separate battery packs, the Bowens Ringlite is similar to the adapter ringflash units that transform a regular bounce flash head using mirrors.

The distinct advantage that the Bowens unit has over the other adapters is that it fits onto a Bowens S-Mount studio head. This gives the flash unit and you, the versatility of a studio light but with the added bonus of those cool round catch lights that fashion pictures use these days.

Fitting the plates for the camera to sit on is easy enough. The screws to hold the plate in place have chunky plastic grips for ease of use and the plate can be adjusted in height, with just over 2in to play with, for different cameras and lenses. Part of the mount that the screws go into have slightly raised lips to ensure guidance when fitting.

The tripod bush for the camera is also adjustable to a distance of 4.5in giving enough room for any camera and portrait lens to be fitted in easily enough.

The portrait bracket is an extension to the landscape bracket. It screws into the existing tripod bush with the small, white guidance studs sat either side of the plate.

Looking at the front, the white light is a diffused doughnut of perspex plastic that can be removed if necessary and coloured gels or filters can be inserted.

Bowens Ringlite converter Build quality

At roughly half the price of other ring flash units, you may expect the unit to be badly made or using cheap materials. With the absence of electronics, but Bowens have ensured that the materials they do use are good quality.

The screws are big and strong with fat grips for easy handling. Other examples of good quality materials include the aligning lips being very precise ensuring flush fitting and the perspex on the front being quite thick.

Bowens Ringlite converter Performance

Using the attachment is easy enough. The modelling bulb has to be removed, which is an unfortunate problem as it means continuous lighting, which is a benefit of studio lighting, is not available. This means that positioning to remove shadows on a still life, for instance, is a trial and error mission.

One interesting effect that only using a ring flash can achieve is a thin grey shadow around the subject. Because the light is even all over the frame, the shadow is consistent all around the subject. Despite sounding like a negative element to using a ring flash, it gives the subject a frame, resembling a negative halo effect. I have demonstrated the effect on a still life of a Chess board, but the effect can be done with portraits too. to get this effect when taking photos of people will depend on the distance of the subject from the background. The closer the subject, the sharper the shadow will be.

The portrait images I took were close ups to illustrate the catch lights that can be obtained with a ring flash. The problems gained from this is that the areas closest to the light such as the cheek and tip of the nose are slightly burnt out.

Bowens Ringlite converter Verdict

If I wanted to move the camera around, I had to lift up the whole light and stand. This isn’t too much of a problem, but increases the chances of dropping it.

The camera is difficult to look through if the light is set high up, but with the advent of Live view on newer DSLRs, this will become less of a problem.

The light is well balanced with the only problem being that there are burnt out areas on the cheek, nose and lips. Adjusting the exposure will solve the problem, but can affect the overall image.

Finally, at £319 this is a piece of kit that is half the price of a normal Ringflash and as an attachment to a studio light basically gives you extra creative freedom.

Bowens Ringlite converter Plus points

Half the price of a Ringflash unit

Has the flexibility of studio flash

Well made

Easy to assemble

Bowens Ringlite converter Minus points

No modelling light

Can be difficult to see through the viewfinder

Screws can be difficult to access

(via http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Bowens-Ringlite-Converter-7691)

Many photographers would love to achieve that distinctive ringflash style, but that style can be expensive. Just to get started, you’d need an often pricey Ringflash as well as a powerpack to use it.

But now Bowens provide a unique solution for the small studio and price conscious photographer: the ‘RingLite Converter’. an innovative device which offers photographers a durable and portable ringlight at a fraction of the usual cost.

Bowens Lightweight and Portable Ringlite Converter for Bowens Monolights & Flash Heads with S-Type Mount.

Adorama Price : $354.90  (via Nov.2009)

Item Includes : Removable Front Diffuser – Landscape Camera Bracket (inc. camera mounting screw with 1/4″ thread) – Portrait Camera Bracket (inc. camera mounting screw with 1/4″ thread) – 1/4″ to 3/8″ Camera Mounting Screw Adaptor Sleeve – 45mm Synthetic Washer – User Manual

Description : The Bowens Lightweight and Portable Ringlite Converter for Monolights is used for ring-flash style photography. Simply attach the lightweight and portable Ringlite Converter to any Bowens S-Type compatible flash head, position your camera in the central aperture using the portrait or landscape brackets and start shooting. Colored gels and filters can be inserted inside the Ringlite for more creative effects.

Features : No need to buy an expensive Ringflash and Powerpack

With the RingLite Converter, you won’t have to worry about buying additional gear—a special attachment easily transforms your existing Bowens flash heads into ringflash-style lights.
Mount your camera using the portrait or landscape brackets and fit the lens through the center aperture to shoot.
The RingLite eliminates stark shadows while creating a softer, more pleasing light than conventional systems, accentuated by striking catchlights in your subject’s eyes.
Then add colored gels and filters for even more creative options.

Shoot singular fashion spreads and portraits; complex tabletop and technical work; interiors and architectural details; or close-up medical and scientific photography.
Get professional ringflash effects no matter how tight your budget.

Download : http://www.bowens.co.uk/content/userguides/ringflashpro.pdf

Dear Valued Customer,

Thank you for choosing the Bowens Ringflash Pro.

The Bowens Ringflash Pro has been developed by working closely with professional photographers to create a product suitable for, and which meets the

standards of even the most demanding of todays professional studios. For details of all related Bowens products please contact your local distributor, a

list of which can be found at www.bowens.co.uk. In order to obtain the full benefit from your purchase please take a few moments to familiarise yourself

with this user manual.

Thank you,

Bowens International Ltd.

Please take time to read through and follow these safety instructions:

ALWAYS

• be careful of and avoid placing the Ringflash Pro cable where it can be tripped over.

• switch the pack on AFTER the Ringflash Pro has been connected.

• ensure that the Ringflash Pro cable connector is correctly fitted before using.

• remove the protective cover before use.

• turn OFF the pack, disconnect from the power supply, unplug the Ringflash Pro and allow to cool down before attaching or removing any

accessories or reflectors.

• use with the protective glass cover attached.

NEVER

• place heavy objects on top of the Ringflash Pro cables and avoid running them over sharp or hot objects.

• use the equipment with damaged cables. Have them replaced as soon as possible. NEVER attempt to repair them yourself.

• use in an environment where moisture, water vapour or inflammable liquids, vapour or materials may come into contact with the Ringflash

Pro or pack. The flash output as well as modelling lamps can cause ignition of or damage to materials that may come into contact with the

Ringflash Pro.

• obstruct the airflow around the Ringflash Pro or pack.

GENERAL FEATURES

SAFETY INFORMATION

pretty good review about Bowens Ringflash

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http://www.warehouseexpress.com/Home/default.aspx?/saves/reviews/BowensRingflash.html