All About Ring Flash
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Godox MF-76R Ring Flash Kit
Hello readers. This past week on the Make Batter Photos and Videos Podcast episode 164, Gordon and I talked about tools for macro photography. I shortly received a few requests for a deeper explanation of ring lights, and specifically ring flash so here we are.
Ring Flash Overview
The example image opening the article is of the Godox MF-R76, a simple and powerful ring flash. The image displays the core components of the ring light, although in this example, this is a ring flash, not an LED based ring.
There is the ring itself. Behind the diffusion cover there are two independent flash tubes. The flash system is connected via cable to the power supply + controller. This unit is a manual flash, wihout TTL, and you set the output level based on controls on the back of the controller from full power down to 1/128 power in 1/3 EV increments. This unit, like many, includes two focus assist lights, bright enough to help you confirm focus, like modelling lights on a studio strobe. The controller allows you to set the output independently for each flash tube so you can achieve perfectly flat or ratioed A:B lighting.
Power in this case is a rechargeable Lithium battery, but other makers often use 4AA batteries. The benefit of Lithium is more pops on a charge, and nominally faster recharge.
The final piece that you see pictured are the set of mounting rings included. In the kit you get 49mm, 52mm, 55mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm and 82mm. These mounting rings allow for mounting to most all lenses that have any of these standard filter ring sizes.
Using the Ring Flash
Mount the proper mounting ring for your lens. Put the power pack in the camera hot shoe and clip the flash ring to the mounting ring.. Choose your aperture for desired depth of field and your shutter speed. and with the unit at full power take a test shot. Ring flashes are not nearly as powerful as speedlights so setting comparisons don’t mean anything. If the test shot is too bright, turn the output level down. If too dark, move the flash ring closer, increase the ISO or open the aperture. It’s basic simple manual flash and as it is flash, shutter speed does not matter unless you set it about your camera’s flash sync speed.
Because they are less powerful, the full power output has a longer flash duration than a speedlight. In the example of the Godox unit above, the maximum flash duration is 1/300th of a second to a minimum duration at 1/128 power setting of 1/20000th of a second. At about $180 USD, I think it’s a real bargain.
Since the light is a ring, you can rotate the ring to control the direction of light when using the ring flash in an A:B ratio mode. This is akin to having two OCF flashes, positioned right at the lens. You will not be able to use a lens hood with a ring flash of course and I would strongly recommend against any filters on the lens.
Manual vs TTL Flash
I am well aware that this question is a popular Internet bun fight for no good reason other than people enjoying arguing over irrelevancies. Either system will work when the person operating the system pays attention. A TTL capable ring flash will cost more money without question and will also make the unit camera brand specific, which may or may not matter to you.
One TTL capable ring flash that I have tested extensively is the NIssin MF18. You purchase the model for your camera brand to get the TTL communications capability. Otherwise it is very similar to the above mentioned manual Godox and sells for about $500 USD
Nissin MF18 Ring Flash
In addition to the TTL capability, you also get fine output control below 1/128 output down to 1/1204 output in 1/6th EV steps. That is indeed very fine control. This flash is also HSS (High Speed Sync) capable to a maximum of 1/8000th of a second shutter speed. I think that this is interesting, and you may have a practical use for this function keeping in mind how fast range falls off when HSS is engaged. It too has a modelling light as well as A:B ratio control. Power is supplied by 4 AA batteries although Nissin does have an external battery pack as an option.
Dual Head Ring Flashes
A different design does not use a ring mounted pair of flash tubes, and instead uses a pair of separate ring mounted flash heads. This gives you more control over light direction because you position each head independently of the other and then leverage either standard or A:B ratio lighting for your needs. Otherwise, these light systems operate similarly to the more traditional ring flash.
My own ring flash is one of these types, the Canon MT-26EX-RT
Canon MT-26EX-RT
In the example image you can see the separate flash heads that clip to the ring and can be positioned anywhere on the ring as you desire. You will also not that they are on tilt mounts so you can change the angle of the flash tube. They offer LED modelling lights and the unit runs off 4 AA batteries and works in both TTL and Manual modes. It’s a really excellent ring flash, although it is Canon specific and is priced ridiculously high at $990 USD. That’s a big price jump since I bought mine, about $500 for the same unit.
A better buy by far if you want the dual flash head design plus TTL and all the other stuff is the Godox MF12 Macro Flash Kit.
Godox MF12 Macro Flash
This is similar to the Canon but is in my mind a far superior buy and what I would recommend first. The kit includes the ring mount, all the lens mount rings, two flash heads, gels and diffusers for each flash head, individual little flash stands for each head and a carry case. Power is via rechargeable battery and the kit sells for $249 USD. Be aware that the heads in this system are less powerful than the others mentioned. Note that this is a wireless trigger system, so if you already have a Godox Radio Transmitter for your system, you already have that covered. If not you will need one for your camera system.
The MF12 works with all the Godox transmitters. The XPRO models support 16 flash groups ($70 USD) and the X2 models ($60 USD) support five flash groups. The MF12 is unique in that it can handle up to six of the individual heads if you wish. Each additional MF12 head is about $109 USD each. Any of us could build a massively comprehensive Godox system for much less than the Canon MT-26EX-RT.
Summary
As we said in the podcast episode, you can do macro photography without a ring light. You could also use battery powered small LED panels as your light source. Whatever mode that you choose, you will find that you can make better macro images when you are in command of the light, just as in any other photography. You do not need to spend a lot of money. For casual use, the Godox MF-76R is a great solution and if you want TTL, then the Godox MF18 kit and X2 trigger at under $310 USD is still a great value.
Do you need to spend a lot more on manufacturer branded ring lights? Of course not. They don’t do anything more than the others mentioned, except take more money out of your pocket.
Thanks for reading and until next time, peace.
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I'm Ross Chevalier, thanks for reading, watching and listening and until next time, peace.
