Dorr SL-45 75W Studio Ring Light Review

Handling and Features
Performance
Verdict
Specification

The Dorr SL-45 Ring Light is a 48cm diameter ring light that is ideal for portrait and product photography, designed to create an almost shadow free light source, with a desirable circle reflection in subjects eyes. The ringlight is available for £139, so let's find out how it performs.

Dorr SL-45 Studio Ring Light Handling and Features

The Dorr SL-45 is a ring light that uses a fluorescent tube with 5300K (+/- 200K) colour temperature, and it's designed to be used for portrait work with the classic circle catchlight, and product photography, with minimal shadow and even illumination of a subject.

The kit includes an AC adapter, diffuser and padded case with handle and shoulder strap, and has a dimmer and on/off switch on the back of the light so that you can adjust the light intensity.

You can use it as the main light or as a secondary or additional light source. Using this light from the side or above, will create a three dimensional illumination. 

Dorr SL-45 Studio Ring Light - Behind The Scenes

The ring light attaches to a standard studio light stand, which is not provided in the kit. The diffuser is a thin piece of white fabric, with elasticated edges designed to attach to the light and uses velco to fasten securely in place. When we first fitted this it was important to make sure it was the right way around, and due to the design of the power block at the bottom of the light it was a little bit difficult to cover the light completely. This could be resolved by using additional velco at the bottom of the light.

Key Features

• 5300K (+/-200K) ring light
• 290-860 Lumins/1m variable adjustment
• 75W tube
• 37cm internal diameter
• 48cm external diameter
• Mains powered AC adapter
• Tiltable stand adapter
• Cold-shoe mount
• Diffuser included
• Padded case provided with handles and strap

Dorr SL-45 Studio Ring Light - with diffuser fitted

The ringlight is easy to set up and use, and build quality appears to be quite good. Although care needs to be taken not to damage the fluorescent tube as these tend to be quite fragile, and the inclusion of a padded case helps protect the light.

The attachment for a studio stand works quite well, making it easy to adjust the angle and tighten it firmly so that it stays in the same location. There are two knobs, one which is used to control the angle of the lamp, and the other that tightens the connection to the stand. There's also a cold shoe mount on top of the main power section of the light, so that you could mount a camera with an adapter, or mount other lighting kit if needed. 

Dorr SL-45 Studio Ring Light Performance

The performance section is where we look at the image quality performance of the camera. Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.

Dorr SL-45 Studio Ring Light Sample Photos

Performance - The light is stable and consistent. It goes without saying, that if your subject is too close to the light, and your light set too bright, the light can be a little harsh, but this is extremely manageable. There's a good level of light for handheld shots, for portrait shoots. The light gives good performance for model and portrait lighting, with the light's colour balancing well with daylight.

There's enough light for product shots so that you can use smaller apertures for sharper product shots, with a good depth of field. There are very few shadows cast by the light, with the light able to surround smaller products, and if shadows are cast by the light, they are quite subtle and can easily be removed in Photoshop if they become an issue. Results are impressive, and the light is perfectly suited for shots of small products.

Cropped Eyes (Quick Edit) | Care needs to be taken where you place the ring light.

Value For Money

The Dorr SL-45 Studio Ring Light is available for £139 from Dorr-Foto which makes it excellent value for money. A replacement bulb will set you back around £21 which is reasonable. Traditional ringflashes normally cost much more than this, and the smaller size makes the round catchlight more difficult to acheive, others include the Bowens Pro ringflash (£999), the Canon MR-14EX II (£449), Sigma EM-140 DG (£300), or for a budget option there is the Seagull MRC-80+ (£90). 

Dorr SL-45 Studio Ring Light Verdict

The Dorr SL-45 Studio Ring light is an easy to use ring light that is quite quick to set up, and delivers very good results. It's designed to be particularly useful for product shots and portrait photography, and does the job very well. Although it can be tricky attaching the diffuser, once on, it stays on and works well to diffuse the light. The light also gives a constant light, so can also be used for video, and is great value for money.