Tested on a Nikon D7000!
Pro:
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+ Brightness for macro sufficient
+ Easy installation
++ Possibility of mounting the battery pack
+ Flash Mode actually brighter than continuous light
Neutral:
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o 100 95+ LEDs subjectively brighter than 32 (Meike FC-100, comparison will follow soon)
Negatives:
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- In spite of appropriate contacts no TTL
- AF-assist beam is just a constant light, irrespective of the fact whether or not focused
- "AF illuminator" can not be deactivated!
In More Detail:
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The decision to buy this ring light resulted primarily from three aspects: the possibility of mounting the ring directly on the battery pack, the 100 LEDs and the ability to use the ring light as AF illuminator.
Now, the mounting possibility is undoubtedly and also keeps well and as for the brightness of the 100 LEDs I still have a direct comparison with the FC100 Meike do.
The so-called "auxiliary AF light" but is a complete disappointment and the reason for two star trigger for me. Anyone have a camera with built already (meißt unfortunately quite low) AF-assist illuminator has, which is known that that light -and indeed by the camera during the Fokussierends also ONLY then- is switched on and goes out again after focusing. This operation I expected from the Amaran, but unfortunately saw the truth then something different: Once the battery pack mounted to any hotshoe and is on lights up the ring regardless of the mode of operation as a continuous light on and goes -in flash mode only if the camera goes into standby. Whether you just focused or not interested anyone in flash mode, only when the shutter is released, he will then again (as promised) a lighter eating. -This Behavior leads now but in all semi-automatic modes to overexposure of images as the camera measures light uses the weaker AF illuminator and lack real TTL communication between light and camera latter nor the exposure when triggered can be corrected accordingly.
Conclusion:
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All in all I am quite disappointed by the ring of light, it will however keep because I work for macros eh mainly in continuous light mode. Yet two star deduction for the misleading names, and completely useless TTL contacts.
