Is it possible to use a ringflash with a Sinar P2 ?

-- Gauthier d'Ydewalle (interactiveconcept@skynet.be), October 27, 2001

Answers

Balcar has a ringflash for their power packs - I'm sure that there are others.

-- Wayne DeWitt (wdewitt@snip.net), October 27, 2001.

Profoto, Broncolor, Briese, Elinchrom and Bowens have ringflashes with an inner diameter of 100mm. This allows the use of any lens that does not exceed this limit. The tricky part comes from trying to mount the ringflash to the Sinar P2 and lens. You will have to find some way to mount the ringflash on its own support without compromising the movements of the Sinar P2. Feasible but tricky.

-- Erik X (xx@xx.com), October 27, 2001.

Yes.

-- Ellis Vener Photography (ellis@ellisvener.com), October 27, 2001.

I use the Profoto ringflash with Sinar gear. However, the ringflash was mounted on a second tripod.

-- Dave (daveanton@home.com), October 27, 2001.

and what about a portable ring flash unit such as nikon...?

-- dg (sacripant@online.fr), October 28, 2001.

You could use the Nikon or canon or sunpak ringflashes on a view camera but these light are very low power and are designed for macro work with a small format camera using relatively short lenses that don't require the longbellows extention you need for similar magnifications on large format film. If you don't believeme, look at the specs.

-- Ellis Vener Photography (ellis@ellisvener.com), October 28, 2001.

I've got the Profoto ring, just like Dave and it goes on a tripod easily. Profoto ring is also nice for handholding w/other formats while shooting through the ring mounted on a tripod.

Dave how are you doing? Did you get my e-mail?

-- Jonathan Brewer (lifestories@earthlink.net), October 29, 2001.

The problem with Ring Flash set ups is that they come in two flavors small under powered for portrait work (these are really designed for macro work). And big and very powerful (and expensive!)

There are two basic flavors of this latter category: the big bare tube with possibly an accessory reflector. Whether you get a Profoto, Hensel, Broncolor, or Bowens/Calumet, you are getting the same basic instrument. And then there is the Balcar approach. Balcar makes two variations on the Ring Flash. The Big Diamond Boxes, which is like being ableto photograph through a large or very large Chimera lightbank More traditionally there is the LFX reflector that the camera attaches to or is mountedto a seperate tripod The LFX works with a Balcar Pencil Light heads as a light source. This is a pretty interesting tool because you can rotate the position of the light around the lens to give you control of the pllacement of the shadow. I think there is also a removable shield that can block the direct light from the flash tube to get the traditional hard shadowless "ring light" look. check these options at balcar.com..Look underthe photo menu and check out the options.

There is a third variation with the big Mola reflectors that can be configured with a camera port. This is similar to the Balcar Diamond Box but is round.

You can use a ringlight as the main light for your set up (ala' Michael Comte, etc.) or as a fill light, the way it seems Dan Winters uses a ring light.

Don't feel limited by other peoples lack of imagination.

-- Ellis Vener Photography (ellis@ellisvener.com), October 29, 2001.

Yes..I would also add that the Profoto reflector blocks the flash and bounces it back to the reflector. I like the Profoto which is equally at home w/reflector as a stationary light on its on mount, or mounted to a camera body. When mated w/camera body, it's fairly light once you tighten it, it stays tight.

-- Jonathan Brewer (lifestories@earthlink.net), October 29, 2001.

the Profoto ringlight is pretty such the standard tool for fashion photographers, it, like all Profoto heads, produces great light. many photographers adapt them to other packs. I haven't seen one in awhile though so I can't remember. Does the Profoto ringlight have a modeling light?

-- Ellis Vener Photography (ellis@ellisvener.com), October 29, 2001.

That's the only thing it doesn't have Ellis, a modeling light. This is why I was surprised about Polaroid declaring bankruptcy, there were nights with the Profoto Ringflash where I supported their bankroll singlehanded!

Even so, it's just too good not to use. As you have mentioned, this is the Ringflash(with reflector) for that certain look. On the nights that you're using a totally different lighting scheme, and nothing else works(on a portrait), the Profoto ringflash will provide a viable alternative as the main light and as a boost.

-- Jonathan Brewer (lifestories@earthlink.net), October 29, 2001.