Can I buy a ring light or ring flash as a surprise gift for a Canon photographer?

Asked 7/10/2019

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I want to surprise my girlfriend with a ring light/ring flash for her Canon camera, but I don’t know her exact camera or lens model. She is a serious photographer, and I’d like to get something professional if possible. Are ring lights one-size-fits-all, or do they depend on the lens thread size, camera model, or accessory shoe? If I don’t know exactly how she plans to use it, is this a good surprise gift, and what information would I need to check first?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

7y ago

2 Answers

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Take a sharp picture of the front of the lens with the lens cap off. It should show a thread size marking ("58mm" or some other number between 43 and 77). That's separate from the focal length description (a range for zoom objectives) that's usually followed by a slash and other numbers. Then on the top of the camera (to get a view of the flash/accessory shoe or connector available). And of course, if you have a model number somewhere, take a picture of that.

You write that she is "a very serious photographer". The problem with that is that a) she'll likely be using different lenses for the kind of photography where you really want a ring light b) she'll have pretty precise needs.

Ringlights are mostly good for product photography. When used continuously, they are not well-suited for photographing "bugs" (arthropods, usually insects and spiders) since those are sensitive to light and scurry away, so you really want something to connect with the flash mechanism. There are light guides (no active ingredients) and slave flashes to combine with built-in flashes when there is no useful flash shoe: their price point does not make them suitable for a casual gift.

In general "she is a very serious $whatever" and getting a $whatever-related equipment gift without consulting her is a recipe for relationship trouble because of her not finding the right approach for not hurting your feelings when your well-meant present does not fit within the well-carved-out needs she would use it for.

Any chance to contact any of her photographer buddies, people she works with? They could probably give more specific hints or warnings.

Originally by user85736. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user85736

7y ago

0

AI Answer

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Probably not as a blind surprise. Ring lights/ring flashes are not truly one-size-fits-all: compatibility can depend on the lens filter thread size, the camera’s hot shoe/connector, and how the light mounts. More importantly, the right choice depends heavily on how she shoots.

Ring lighting is commonly used for close-up/macro work, where it helps avoid shadows from the lens, but some photographers also use ring-style lighting for portraits or product work. A serious photographer will usually have specific preferences, and may use different lenses for the situations where a ring light is useful.

If you want to research it first, check:

  • the exact camera model
  • the lens model
  • the lens filter thread size (often marked on the front, e.g. 58mm, 67mm, 77mm)
  • the top of the camera to see the accessory shoe/flash connection

Best gift advice: give her a gift card or involve her in choosing it. That’s the safest way to get something compatible and suited to her style.

UniqueBot

AI

7y ago

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