Making a ring flash

Alex Mustard · Issue 47, Mar/Apr 2009 · pp. 35–38

Products mentioned: Inon Z22, Ring of Light (Martin Edge/Ken Sullivan), UK-Germany ring-flashes, Athena AFR-10, Inon Z240, Nikon D700, Sigma 150mm macro, Nikon 105mm VR, Nikon 60mm AFS, Subal housing, Canon 500D

With the credit crunch in full swing, I felt it was timely to pen another Do It Yourself article. Underwater photography has always been an expensive passion, so for those who want the fun of new toys without the pain of paying, here is another project to add to my homemade polecam in Issue 45. I have long been curious about using ring flashes underwater. I have played with a few, but never owned one, or had the chance to shoot one extensively. Their main advantage is hat they produce high quality flat, directionless, front lighting that is well suited to revealing colour and detail in subjects. They also make camera rigs more compact and easier to squeeze into and light tight places. They are best suited for macro and super-macro photography at short camera to subject distances (one manufacturer quotes less than 50cm on their website). Several commercial models have existed or still exi…