Customer Reviews

Ray Flash RAN-160 Ring Flash Adapter for Nikon SB800 Portable Flash Units with Nikon D5000/D700/D300/D200/D90/D80/D70/D60/D50/D40 Digital SLR Cameras

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I don't understand some of the negative reviews.

I bought this for my Nikon D300 and SB800. The adapter attaches firmly to the flash and doesn't fall off.

Yes, you lose 1 fstop so I just up the flash output by +1 EV.

Of course it's plastic. What were you expecting it to be made out of, titanium and astronomy grade mirrors? Flash units and consumer grade cameras are mostly plastic.

The product does give a good even shadowless illumination. There are a lot of situations where this item is indispensable, particularly macro photography or for portraiture where you want to minimize shadows.

I used this to take a picture of the interior of a big power tool. This would have been near impossible without a ring flash.

I looked at the other ring flash with their own flash units. But I didn't want to buy an inferior flash unit compared to my SB800.

One can buy a Chinese knock-off for a fraction of the price with a miserable Velcro strap. Now that *does* fall off the flash unit. I was lucky and got my money back and then I bought the ExpoImaging Ring Flash Adapter which is identical to the cheap Chinese knock-off except for the locking mechanism. In short, I bought this knowing full well in advance exactly what I was getting.

On the SB800, it might be necessary to prop up the flash head with a plastic wedge (two are included) so that the adapter is perfectly parallel to the camera body. If you lose the plastic wedges, I guess a piece of cardboard would suffice.

This won't fit onto my SB900 since the SB900 flash head is so much bigger which is why there's a separate flash adapter model for the SB900. I haven't tried the unit on the SB600 yet. Since the SB600 flash head is smaller, that's where the plastic wedges are necessary.

The item is big so unless you have a big duffel bag, it's going to be a bit difficult to carry with you. But then again, my big telephoto lenses aren't easy to pack either.

For the price and functionality, I give this product 5 stars.

This ring flash adapter looks like something you'd see being hawked on late night tv along with slicers and dicers. The only difference is that this thing works. It gives you a great almost 360 degree ring flash at a comparatively low price. The only problem I have is that it could fit a little tighter onto the Nikon flash unit - so I slipped a little rubber pad into the locking device and the problem was solved.

I purchased one of these from a local shop, and instantly loved it. Loved having the ring light look with TTL. I feared it would break my SB800, but instead, IT broke first. One of the internal elements just detached and was constantly rattling around inside. It still worked properly and gave perfectly even illumination (I tested it extensively to make sure), so I delayed exchanging it. In the end, I just worried that it would fall apart completely. I talked to somebody at Expo Imaging and we agreed it would just be faster to take it back to the store and exchange it for a new, intact unit.

Wellll...exchanged for a brand new unit in newer packaging and...HOT SPOT. Damn thing was hot on the side closest to the hotshoe. I tried shifting it around, covering the arm the light travels through...nothing. It consistently created a shadow on to the right of the subject when held portrait orientation. I didn't have the time to test several units so I said forget it and returned it. For $200 the bleeding thing should work and not fall apart after a couple weeks.

If you get a working on one, it's a neat effect. One trick pony, but it's a NEAT trick! No moving parts--dunno how they screwed it up.

I may give the Coco knock off a try. For $50, it might be worth trying.

It works great for its intended purpose - eliminates shadows to a great degree - but be careful on portraits - shadows can be very effective. It is bulky, but a great alternative to the high priced dedicated brand ring flash units

This is an good piece of equipment that provides good surrounding light. Don't have to worry about carrying extra batteries for another flash system. However, I have found this Flash is a bit cumberson because I cannot set my Camera down without fear I'm going to rip my Nikon flash off the hotshoe! When setting my Camera down I have to use a piece of 2"x4" wood under the Camera base so to take pressure off the Ray Flash and my flash. The concept works, it's just the mounting design or housing could be better.

The Ray Flash is great indoors, but try to over power ambient outdoor light with it. Can't be done. And that topic never comes up in all the reviews you read. Don't photographers want to over power the ambient light? I certainly do. That's when my Pro Photo ring wired for Speedotron comes out to play!

Just a great product. Exceeds my expectations. The effect is already a hit with the seniors and newbie musicians. I use it with an SB800. On camera as well as on a light stand using CLS. I shoulda pulled the trigger on this purchase long ago.

Let's face it, it isn't the real deal. That said, it is darn close. At only one stop of light lost, it holds its own. It's nice to see the price fall a little too. My only gripe would be the way it fits on my flash and camera. (Nikon D80 w/SB-800) ExpoImaging includes 2 rubber wedges to prop up the flash head so that your lense is centered in the middle of the Ray Flash, which works fine, it's just a little bit of a hassle.

I heard about this on PhotoshopTV, and was surprised when i received it at how large it is, but it works GREAT. I was really impressed at how even the light is. I have used it for portraits, and macro work. And in both circumstances it works better then anticipated.

I have a nikon SB-800 and it connected with no problems. But be sure and secure it tightly, fo it will fall off if you don't. And it is heavy but not unbalanced.

The Ray Flash was commented on PhotoshopTV and mentioned on photography sites on the net. So I knew going into this that I would lose at least a stop when using this product. The issue I have is the value of the product. Granted, photography is not cheap by any means, but this is a piece of injected plastic being sold for a significantly disproportionate amount from the benefits the product provides. I did try it; it was flimsy, hard to keep on the flash, and just awkward. If you are handy and don't mind losing a stop, check out some of the online tutorials to make your own ring flash adaptor, otherwise I would recommend (granted double the cost of the Ray Flash) Alien Bees Ring Flash which you can use as a ring flash or purchase the soft box add on to turn it into a great studio soft box. I returned my Ray Flash and am picking up the Alien Bees Ring Flash... I would get more value out of it, than I would have if I kept the Ray Flash.