BobinBoulder Posted May 12, 2020 Share #1 Posted May 12, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) Recently participated in the Leica Akadamie lecture/interview with Mark Mann and was intrigued by his use of a Ring Light/Flash in some of his portrait work. He uses an S2, I believe, but wondering if anyone here had experience using a ring light or flash with an M10 and how it went. Anyone have an experience or examples of work shot with a ring/M10 set up? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 12, 2020 Posted May 12, 2020 Hi BobinBoulder, Take a look here Anyone Using a Ring Light/Flash with their M10?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
adan Posted May 12, 2020 Share #2 Posted May 12, 2020 AndyinDenver calling BobinBoulder: Problem with a ring light mounted on a rangefinder camera is that it will likely block the optical rangefinder windows. One could use the (less than class-leading) Viso 020 EVF - but that's not why I own Leica-M. Query - the M10 also has no dedicated flash-sync port - does the S2? On the other hand, your question made me search a little, and a BIG ring light like this might work well with an M10: https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Ring-Light-Kit-Self-Portrait/dp/B01LXDNNBW Ring light is an OK technique in the right hands. Personally I prefer more chiaroscuro side/top/backlighting anyway in the studio (where I do use my M cameras). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobinBoulder Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted May 12, 2020 7 minutes ago, adan said: AndyinDenver calling BobinBoulder: Problem with a ring light mounted on a rangefinder camera is that it will likely block the optical rangefinder windows. One could use the (less than class-leading) Viso 020 EVF - but that's not why I own Leica-M. Query - the M10 also has no dedicated flash-sync port - does the S2? On the other hand, your question made me search a little, and a BIG ring light like this might work well with an M10: https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Ring-Light-Kit-Self-Portrait/dp/B01LXDNNBW Ring light is an OK technique in the right hands. Personally I prefer more chiaroscuro side/top/backlighting anyway in the studio (where I do use my M cameras). I agree, but I understood that these ring lights are "always on" not a synced flash and that they could, and are very commonly used mounted to their own stand and the user simple shoots, "through the ring" at the subject, making them much more like ambient lighting in that what you see is what you get. I saw the Neewer kit you've linked to and there are many others. Was more wondering about quality, features and any experiences that anyone may have had with them. BTW, it looks like we are neighbors. 🙂 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
david strachan Posted May 13, 2020 Share #4 Posted May 13, 2020 Ring lights are OK for some inanimate subjects, as long as the light doesn't flatten the picture, that is no modelling light. Usually one needs another light. As for the "ring" reflection in peoples eyes, and some animal eyes eg frogs...well, it's the pits. Looks cheap and amateurish. Disconcerting, and not a groovy "special affect." On the contrary. Great for copying documents though..😁 There is no easy way with lighting, that's what divides the great photographers from the others. ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobinBoulder Posted May 13, 2020 Author Share #5 Posted May 13, 2020 Mark Mann seems to have made quite a career out of using them. Heck, he's even shot a couple of well known people for some fairly well known publications. https://images.app.goo.gl/Qu2sobaUvem5RAYdA 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
david strachan Posted May 13, 2020 Share #6 Posted May 13, 2020 ...but do you find the ringlight reflections attractive? ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobinBoulder Posted May 13, 2020 Author Share #7 Posted May 13, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) I do. I like the halo in the pupil and the isolation of the face using the very distinct Leica bokeh of a long lens. I think the ring light captures and amplifies the facial characteristics and gives the eye a sparkle that I very much enjoy. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis Posted May 13, 2020 Share #8 Posted May 13, 2020 For portraiture, I don't think so. As Alan said, there is viewfinder blockage. You can just use an external ring light. Or just use the Live View. I would love to use a ring flash on my M10 for my street photography by night. Something like a mix between Martin Parr and Bruce Gilden, and Dougie Wallace. To avoid the blockage, you can use a 24mm or even a 21mm, and shoot by instinct without looking at the VF. But I guess it's not what you ask for, right? I just talked out loud 😉 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobinBoulder Posted May 13, 2020 Author Share #9 Posted May 13, 2020 Yeah, I think the use case would be a stand mounted Ring light and shooting the subject through the ring from behind with a longer lens to capture the bokeh effect desired. I wouldn't be mounting my camera to some POS stand that came with the light, that's for sure. 🙂 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
photophile Posted May 13, 2020 Share #10 Posted May 13, 2020 I use off camera flash on my M's all the time with good result. I have not used the ringlight, and agree with those who find them less than ideal for portraits except for some very specific circumstances or targeted look. I think they make the eyes look demonic - which if that is the desired result so be it, but otherwise - perhaps an alternative is better. Everyone has his or her own opinion. Makes the world a more interesting place :) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis Posted May 15, 2020 Share #11 Posted May 15, 2020 On 5/13/2020 at 5:28 PM, photophile said: I use off camera flash on my M's all the time with good result What are you using, if you don't mind? I don't use flash with my M10, but once I tried the off camera flash (cheap and Chinese) I use for my DSLR, and It worked fine. They are just manual. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
photophile Posted May 15, 2020 Share #12 Posted May 15, 2020 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
photophile Posted May 15, 2020 Share #13 Posted May 15, 2020 1 hour ago, Dennis said: What are you using, if you don't mind? I don't use flash with my M10, but once I tried the off camera flash (cheap and Chinese) I use for my DSLR, and It worked fine. They are just manual. Hi Dennis: Tried to answer you by linking another post. Not sure I did that right...try the link? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis Posted May 15, 2020 Share #14 Posted May 15, 2020 Thank you! I was meaning something more or as little as the Leica SF 22 or 26. It doesn't have to be a Leica flash. As long it's manual and it fires light, it meets the requirements. For example in case of emergency, I use this led light, which performs very well, and it's very little. The battery is internal and chargeable with any usb charger. So a small pocket flash would be awesome to have. Sorry if I went out of your original topic 🙏 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis Posted May 15, 2020 Share #15 Posted May 15, 2020 found a topic here: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
photophile Posted May 15, 2020 Share #16 Posted May 15, 2020 Dennis - first of all, you have some really terrific images on your website. Many very well seen and beautifully, artfully executed. I keep two simple lights in my daily kit one a dedicated old flash I have had for decades - the vivitar auto 252. Great two AA unit with two "auto" settings. For size, it can't be beat. It is constrained to be hotshoe mounted because the M10 has no pc sync. On the m4-2 and m6, it can be hand held off camera. Nice. For the M10, I use something similar to the manfrotto. It is a magnetic non-photography light bar. Small, maybe 6 inches or so. See below. I taped some photo gel to it. I can stand it on any metal surface (that is magnetic) or simply attach a paper clip to set an angle I like and lay it on a table or ground, etc...or just hold it. Great light, adjustable output, easy carry and super small. Again, compliments on your photos. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/309477-anyone-using-a-ring-lightflash-with-their-m10/?do=findComment&comment=3974174'>More sharing options...
Dennis Posted May 15, 2020 Share #17 Posted May 15, 2020 Thank you so much for your words man, I really appreciate it. Glad you liked what you saw 🙏🙏🙏 Your flash looks awesome, very very small. I googled it (to hope to see it new or similar new models in B&H) and it came out a Ken Rockwell review haha. I never heard about Nebo brand. Shooting in the fields and moving a lot, I guess it's not what I would need for photography (despite its great performance, i'm sure). But it looks awesome for my garden, among with barbecue and domino 😃 I'm checking it on Amazon right now Thank you again for your feedback Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
onasj Posted May 16, 2020 Share #18 Posted May 16, 2020 Dennis, I second the comment about your photos—one of the strongest portfolios I’ve seen. Especially effective and inspired use of silhouette. Bravo! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis Posted May 16, 2020 Share #19 Posted May 16, 2020 4 hours ago, onasj said: Dennis, I second the comment about your photos—one of the strongest portfolios I’ve seen. Especially effective and inspired use of silhouette. Bravo! Thank you so much Onasj, you made my day guys. Glad you liked it. I love silhouettes, I always pursuit them 🙌 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now