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Bowens Ringlite Converter - A Ringflash Photography Revolution

· 27 Nov 2007
Bowens Ringlite Converter - World's first - Bowens have launched a unique, affordable ringflash photography solution that is set to take the market by storm. ‘This pioneering Ringlite Converter is set to be a world-beater’ suggests fashion photographer, Jon Gray

Bowens RingLite ConverterPress release:
Bowens have launched a unique, affordable ringflash photography solution that is set to take the market by storm.

The pioneering, lightweight Ringlite Converter, developed over the past nine months, is a ‘world-first’ product for the Essex-based lighting group.

Robert Cook, Bowens marketing manager said: “We’ve been looking at developing a wider range of reflectors and this cost-efficient ringflash alternative is the first new product in this strategic review. The Bowens technical team has fulfilled the brief with a world-class solution.

"At just £250 (ex VAT) this innovative converter offers photographers a robust, portable and cost-effective addition to their capture equipment portfolio.

"This product makes ringflash-style photography affordable and opens up the option for the first time ever to a whole new raft of photographers who operate on tight budgets.”

Bowens kept the Ringlite Converter a closely-guarded secret as they developed and patented the product this summer.

Mark Aherne, Bowens technical director explained: “Traditional ringflash generally comprises flash tubes, cable and a powerpack, so the full kit required is quite unwieldy and expensive.”

“We built the converter and followed up with associated bracketry to ensure the unit would be suitable for most cameras on the market. We have created an attachment which allows photographers to convert their standard Bowens flashhead to produce ringflash-style light. Using this new converter photographers can simply put the camera lens through the centre of the light source. This creates a softer, wholesome surrounding light around the lens which reduces shadows. It can also create shadowing around the outline of the subject so users can work with a specific photographic effect.”

He added: “The additional benefit of the converter is its ‘backwards capability’. hotographers can take a standard Bowens product going back many years and use it - as long as it has an S-Type adaptor. This will bring additional cost benefits to our customers.”

Bowens say applications for the Ringlite Converter include portraits, product shots and technical photography.

Top fashion photographer Jon Gray trialled the new converter earlier this month.
He said: “This is an excellent product - particularly for a small portrait studio business. tested it on a portrait shoot and it’s a seriously impressive piece of kit. ingflash has been around for years but this new converter has all the attributes required for a different style of photography. Photographers won’t have to worry about buying other units; they can simply use their existing equipment.”


He added: “One of the problems with ringflash is it produces quite a hard punchy light…and it’s expensive. This new Bowens converter is the reverse of that. It is easy to use, affordable and provides a soft light even light. I’d say it is set to be a world-beater.”

RingLite Converter dimensions:
Height: 35cm
Width: 22cm
Depth: 11.5cm (Inc S-Type adaptor, not including stand bracket)
Weight: 1.45Kg (including stand bracket)

For details of Bowens dealers nationwide visit www.bowens.co.uk
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Comments
Posted: 27 Nov 2007 - 18:41
Nice idea, rip-off pricing!
Posted: 27 Nov 2007 - 20:39
Fantastic!!
I have been dying to get my hands on the actual ring flash but much too expensive!

Laura xx
Posted: 27 Nov 2007 - 21:29
Pity they told Epz before updating their website with some images for us to drool over....
Posted: 27 Nov 2007 - 22:21
For that price you might as well just buy a normal ringflash
Posted: 27 Nov 2007 - 22:27
I seem to remember reading an article about 6 mths ago on EPZ about how to build your own ringflash. Do you think they read it too! Theirs looks better but the one I read about was free!
Posted: 28 Nov 2007 - 09:28
This looks awesome. Once again Bowens comes out on top. Compared to proper ringflash this is a fraction of the price.

I want one.
Posted: 28 Nov 2007 - 12:00
It is a pity that this product is not available in the UK!. Seems a much better solution!
Posted: 28 Nov 2007 - 12:04
Why would this not be avAilable in the UK????? Bowens are a UK based company....duh

Also are you serious??? Do you really think that those ALienbees toys are better than professional Bowens equipment???? are you sure???
Posted: 28 Nov 2007 - 13:50
Wow, great idea.
Posted: 28 Nov 2007 - 16:38
Quote:
It is a pity that this product is not available in the UK!. Seems a much better solution!

They will supply if you contact them direct.I think 10 % surcharge on top.
Henchard
John Burton
I first joined Ephotozine in February 2005. I was pretty crap. A number of people here gave me a lot of support and I'd like to say thanks to Magda and Paul Indigo and Keith Henson amongst others. They are true professionals happy to give free advice and better photogr...
Posted: 28 Nov 2007 - 18:25
Henchard (e2 Member) View Mini Bio United Kingdom 4 Years on the site 4 Years on the site 4 Years on the site 4 Years on the site
Isn't the 'Flaghead' converter for standard flash a more cost effective solution?

see

www.flaghead.co.uk/pages/ringflash-intro.html
Posted: 28 Nov 2007 - 19:53
I bought a flaghead converter a few months ago but sent it back as it really wasn't up to the job. The light was a lot stronger on the side of the ring that was nearest to the flash leaving the light really uneven and shadows on one side of the subject. It'll be interesting to see if this is any better.
Posted: 28 Nov 2007 - 19:55
I should point out that the shadows occured on one SIDE if you were using it in portrait format. Otherwise they were underneath (which was argueably even worse!).
uggyy
Thomas Graham
Hi there, my names Tommy. My interest in photography started a few years back when I was sitting on my bum in an office doing overtime. As I sat there I had the luck to watch an amazing sunset from my window and suddenly thought what the hell am I doing sitting in t...
Posted: 29 Nov 2007 - 13:12
uggyy (e2 Member) View Mini Bio Scotland 3 Years on the site 3 Years on the site 3 Years on the site
Does not look the easiest bit of kit to get to look through your camera viewer?

Or to move about with any freedom.

Tommy
Snapper_T
Trevor King
Living in Berkshire, enjoy getting out and taking pics, some abstract and a bit of nature. Need some inspirations though. I'm currently using a Minolta Dynax 7 SLR with the 24-105 D lens. A great piece of kit, just waiting now to see how the Dynax 7 Digital perfo...
Posted: 13 Dec 2007 - 18:27
Snapper_T (e2 Member) View Mini Bio United Kingdom 5 Years on the site 5 Years on the site 5 Years on the site 5 Years on the site 5 Years on the site
A good idea for static shooting and still a bit pricey for what is basically a reflector. I'd prefer a cost effective device that attatches to the camera for p;otability like the flaghead.

Trev
Posted: 25 Dec 2007 - 17:31
Quote:
For that price you might as well just buy a normal ringflash

Where can I get a 500w ringflash for under £300.00?
Posted: 14 Jan 2008 - 08:47
Looks good if you want to stand still but a bit useless in you want it on the move.

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