Orbis Ringflash Adapter Review from amazon.com
Orbis Ring Flash Attachment, for Use with Existing Flash / Strobe, “One Size” Fits Most Flashes
I was skeptical, June 5, 2009 ::: Is it worth almost $200 for basically a plastic angel food cake mold with a white translucent plastic light diffuser? It depends on what your requirements are. I just finished using it for an in-situ portrait shoot. For me, it eliminated the need to carry either a soft box light kit, or a bounce umbrella. Used as a main light, either shooting through the center ring, as most ring light photography is done, or just using it off camera, slaved to a little strobe like my old Vivitar 283, this Orbis thing was pretty amazing at providing powerful, yet very soft light for photographing a single subject. It totally eliminated that hard edged, precise direct strobe that chisels facial features and leaves those annoying ghost shadows behind the subject. Even with a light box or umbrella, you have to position the lights above the subject and cast the light downward to eliminate those shadows. With the Orbis, you don’t have to worry about that.
When I opened the box the first time I thought, “Jeez, it’s just a piece of plastic!” I was almost tempted to send it right back. I didn’t and I’m glad. Closer inspection reveals that this ring had a lot of technology put into its development. The flash unit of your choice slips into the bottom of the ring. Inside, there are silver plastic baffles that evenly distribute the light around the ring with no hot spots. I’d say without checking with my flash meter, that it only absorbs about 1 stop of light or less.
Just one little snag that can be overcome with some gaffer tape: This plastic is slippery and if not secured to your flash unit, believe me, it will do its best to fly off and hit the floor, hard! You better gaff it good. I see that Orbis is trying to fix the problem, but until they do, you are better off taping your flash to the Orbis. But their plastic is not only light, it’s durable. During my first shoot, the thing flew off my flash unit and hit the carpeted floor from a height of 6′ not once, but twice. The Orbis took the hits without damage. But I’m not going to take any more chances. Gaff it down tight!
How will I use this tool in the future. Now that I know what it can do, it will be part of my light-weight, on the go bag. If I need to rush out and do a quick in-situ portrait, like a business exec sitting on the corner of his desk looking official, this is the right light for the job. When there is no time for bringing in complex lighting or if the subject is really busy and he wants you in and out of there in less than 20 minutes, the Orbis makes it easy to get on and off the shoot quickly without a lot of fiddling around. I’m keeping it!
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
Casey Carlson with ABR800
VS. with Alie Bee Ring Flash
I WILL CUT YOU
Pokot tribe girl and ringflash
