Ring Light question...uh, anyone use one?

[Roger Moore]

Ring Lights.

I keep seeing them used in music videos - they're so cool! So I was a lilttle surprised that a search of these boards resulted in next to nothing.

I wanted some advice about where to get one suitable for an XL2.

Thanks in advance for your time, insights, wit and stimulating complaints.

[Ken Tanaka]

The light I think you've seen is the Kino Flo Kamio. It fits onto the front of a lens (via adapters) and is powered through a dimmable ballast by a 12v battery (separate). It's not cheap, although you may be able to rent one if you live in a larger city.

I've purchased Kino Flo lighting from Barn Door Lighting and I think they carry the Kamio. Give them a call, they're good folks.

It can be very effective when used with good judgment and restraint. But, of course, over-used (as seems to be the case currently) it just becomes trite.

[EDIT]
I just noticed that B&H now carries the Kamio, too.

[Roger Moore]

Thanks, Ken, for the links...and the warning about the price.

For what it's selling for I was expecting something brighter than 37-50w which is only slightly better than the circline bulbs I can find at the hardware store.

Of course, there's a good reason why they don't make them brighter because brighter means hotter - not good when this thing is on the lens.

I can't afford it, no way Jose, so I googles this:

55w circline + ballast for $8

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/urw/2c55w.html

NOT included:

reflector
barn doors
camera mounting adaptor
filter trays
and various doo-dads

[Ken Tanaka]

Two follow-up remarks here. First, Kino Flo's lamps are not Home Depot lamps. They are fairly high-output and carefully color balanced for film and video work. The ballasts are also not run-of-the-mill units. I have their 12v Singles units which use the same ballasts. They are dimmable and maintain flicker-free light throughout their range.

Second, the Kamio is designed for close-up work. It's not designed to light a room or even a full scene. It's really a special effect instrument.

[Jacques Mersereau]

I was under the impression that the Kamio was a specialty "eye light"
and used in conjunction with all the other usual lighting instruments,
but rarely if ever by itself.

[Charles Papert]

Traditional ring lights were an array of fixtures like MR16 or small floods built onto plywood that had a lot more punch but were hot and power-hungry. More modern designs are modular and lightweight, and can be mounted right on the support rods, such as the Kamio (at the expense of output). .LED-based systems are becoming popular as they are larger but still lightweight, and have a good output and dimming capability. However, they are still relatively dim and rarely used by themselves, as Jacques indicates.