Packaging and contents:
The LED ring flash comes in a very solid cardboard box with plastic inserts, it's really a lot of accessories here. In addition to the three diffusers in frosted glass, orange and blue is still a transparent on the ring flash on, there are infinitely variable from 49mm to 77mm, the corresponding Adpater for the filter thread, are all individually available.
A stand made of plastic is attending - why I do not know, because that is only available in continuous light mode - but it's a nice addition, which can be used for all the other flashes. Overall, here fits what you can handle more than just good for the price.
Function and feel:
The Ring Flash will fit on any standard hotshoe with center contact (except Sony / Minolta) and therefore it is simply postponed. It is operated with me 4 Eneloops (with good reason, to later more) and the whole thing on a Pentax K-5 or K-5II. On filter mount the correct adapter are each screwed on the ring flash latched onto by the side of the ring presses two buttons (like a lens cap with keys) also pushes the ring on the adapter. The ring can be rotated 360 degrees on this adapter. The adapters are made of plastic, but effect stable and are also quite thick. Haptic and from the feeling you can not complain, the workmanship is good one.
In my copy, unfortunately, the display screen had been turned on the operating unit by 180 ° so that the label was wrong to read on the edge of the display screen around. Since I had no desire to return the part that's why I've solved four little screws and put the disk and flipped pressed again. This is not necessarily a sign of a good final, but it was me ultimately matter 5 minutes expenditure of time.
The function - and here lies the big disadvantage - is relatively simple. There are four buttons - On / Off, you must press 5 seconds to turn on (a good thing, then the part turns on its own is not necessarily a) and LIGHT, where the permanent lighting on and off and fashion, where you between lightning can turn left semicircle flash right semicircle and ring flash and the PILOT key to manually trigger the flash again. In addition, you can see the intensity in seven steps rules on the two arrow keys.
In summary, the part can be used in many ways. The keypad on the hot shoe of the camera has a backlit display.
The big disadvantage is a conscious when flashing - the shutter lag - the ring flash fires lkaut instructions from up to 1/100 second. I tested it. Up to 1/125 second, faster is not, however, creates these times only with appropriate battery as described in the introduction to Eneloops With batteries is a maximum of 1/100 second, presumably because that can be discharged more slowly than batteries. So if ago to operate the part with his camera flash sync mode with the often customary 1/160 to 1/180 seconds will quickly find that the flash fires when the shutter is to again.
Thus, the description is grasped as a ring flash a bit high, because it is rather a continuous light with flash option in manual mode at 1/100 sec and thus the limit is set for macro photography. 1/100 sec Aperture with 8 to 13 requires even with the ring flash still good ISO 400-800 in the wilderness with the insects. When the "flash" but can operate exactly in this area, then it is really great result - the color of light with frosted glass diffuser is warm rather than cold, so rather something like the sunlight and you can then very easily right on the White Balance develop when shooting in RAW. The light is very evenly distributed.
Advantages and disadvantages:
+ Processing
+ Light color and distribution
+ Battery operation possible
Illuminated display +
+ Price / Performance
+ Continuous light or flash
- Synchronous time only to 1/100 sec (1/125 with Eneloops)
Conclusion:
Who can accept stepless continuous light with flash option to 1/100 second and the part running on battery power, who might be a problem if the final (like mine) overlooks the 180 ° rotated display glass and needs may even lend a hand (the glass was only the side glued with strips) and turn it right or just return - but one who will come at his expense with a really well-made and very lightweight device. Anyone looking for a pure flash, which is not so happy, if only because of the sync time. Therefore I 3.5 stars rounded up to four because I work with manual aperture and time and am very satisfied.
