Ring Flash Suggestions for Nikkormat

[madNbad]

I have been looking at ring flashes to use with my 55mm 3.5 Micro-Nikkor and a Nikkormat FT2. There seems to be a wide variety ranging from the the cheap all LED to the fairly expensive Sigma and Metz. I would like a flash as opposed to a ring of LEDs' but it's only for occasional use. Most now are designed to be used with the cameras' TTL flash, lacking that feature is why I'm asking for some input. Any suggestions or experiences are appreciated.

 

[Robert Lai]

I used to use the SB-21 ringflash with the TTL controller for the F3. I realize that you won't get TTL control with the Nikkormat. There was a version of the controller that used the standard ISO flash shoe also, with TTL control available for the FE, FA, FG, etc.

There are extensive tables that come with the flash, for f/stops to use with the flash (in manual mode) to subject distances, given different film ISO speeds. Also, depending on your magnification, you may have to compensate for light fall off due to the extension of the lens. Some early Macro lenses automatically opened up the aperture as you increased the magnification, in order to compensate. Thus, f/5.6 at infinity is still the equivalent of f/5.6 at 1:2 magnification, instead of f/8. With such a lens, you use the aperture based on dividing the flash guide number by the subject distance.

If your lens lacks the compensating aperture, then be prepared for some rather convoluted math to figure out the exposure. Now you know why people use TTL flash whenever possible for macro use.

 

[madNbad]

Thanks for the suggestion. KEH has an SB-21 and a couple of controllers worth a look. My lens is a later, non-compensating version. I guess it's either dig out the charts from the Visoflex or try one of the 30 dollar LED lights. Thanks for the response.
P.S. Found a SB-21B with the AS-14 controller, 52 & 62 mm adapters, cords, case and the original box on the big auction site. It was about what I was going to spend on a ring flash anyway so I'll give it a try.

 

[charjohncarter]

I use a Vivitar Macroflash 5000. I bought them both on Ebay for less than $25 each. They are for macro as the name says, but I use them up 6 feet (carefully).

Here it is:

Vivitar Macro Flash 5000 by John Carter, on Flickr

and here are a couple of non-macro shots:
Kodak Gold100 Topcon Unirex VivitarMacroFlash5000 RingFlash by John Carter, on Flickr

K-01 Vivitar Macro Flash 5000 by John Carter, on Flickr

One thing with any ringflash is if you are doing portraits keep the subject well away from the background.

I also built a 'modern ringflash' it has two Minolta 320x flashes mounted close to the lens. Here is a shot from that device:

fill:

St Elizabeth Golf by John Carter, on Flickr

St. Elizabeth Golf. by John Carter, on Flickr

 

[madNbad]

Nice work from a bargain flash! The local repair shop always has an FA or FG for sale at a good price and I'm leaning toward setting up a dedicated macro kit with the 55 Micro Nikkor and the SB-21. The Nikkor already has the homespun AI and it would be nice to have TTL.

 

[charjohncarter]

Nice work from a bargain flash! The local repair shop always has an FA or FG for sale at a good price and I'm leaning toward setting up a dedicated macro kit with the 55 Micro Nikkor and the SB-21. The Nikkor already has the homespun AI and it would be nice to have TTL.

Great, but I don't understand a word.

 

[Robert Lai]

Translation:
I want to pick up an FA or FG to use the SB-21 ringflash that I just bought in TTL flash control mode. I don't want to use a slide rule or calculator to figure out my f/stops.

 

[ptpdprinter]

Translation:
I want to pick up an FA or FG to use the SB-21 ringflash that I just bought in TTL flash control mode. I don't want to use a slide rule or calculator to figure out my f/stops.

I'm not sure I could find my slide rule, so TTL sees like a good choice.

 

[madNbad]

Translation:
I want to pick up an FA or FG to use the SB-21 ringflash that I just bought in TTL flash control mode. I don't want to use a slide rule or calculator to figure out my f/stops.

Thanks, Robert! Still using my Texas Instruments TI-1750 I bought new in 1977.