Spring Blooms
Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush. – Doug Larson
On this the first official day of Spring, Vernal Equinox 2009, I thought posting of spring colors would be appropriate. It seems that many flowering plants have jumped the gun again this year–already blooming for several weeks.
I guess this means it’s about time for spring allergies to begin. I’m allergic to certain tree pollens and take daily medication about a month each spring to allow me to function and be outside.
I shot this photo yesterday while trying out a new photography toy I received for my birthday, a Phoenix RF46N Macro Ring Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras. This is a modestly built, relatively inexpensive ( < $85) ring flash that interfaces with most Nikon Digital SLRs.
The main unit fits the cameras hot-shoe while the ring flash screws on the lens filter threads using one of the supplied adapter rings. It’s full iTTL compatible and works in automatic (program) mode, semi-automatic mode (aperture or shutter priority), or manual mode. It’s powered by four AA Alkaline Batteries (can use rechargeable) and quickly recycles.
The unit build, as one would expect, is of plastic and at first feels almost like a toy. But the results would tend to prove otherwise as it seamlessly interfaces with both Nikon D300 and D700 (as well as most other Nikon models) providing even, shadow-free lighting for close-up macro shots.
From my reading, most users give this unit four out of five stars in reviews. I would probably give it four stars based on performance vs. cost–it’s value. For Canon D-SLR shooters there’s a RF46C model.
A ring-flash is not something I use everyday and I didn’t want to spend a great deal on one. This Phoenix unit seems to satisfy my needs.
A fine close up carefully composed and shot. The uniform smoothness of the flash is impressive. Nice work. I appreciate your detailed description of the unit too.
@Don: I appreciate your comments, thanks! There was very little post processing required with this photo.
I was certainly pleased and a little surprised how well this affordable ring-flash unit performed. It’s first trial gave me a number of photos I like but as with any flash or lighting there’s techniques for making the most of it. Since it seems to work well, I’ll probably use it more then I first expected–making it even a better bargain. :-)
Earl,
Thanks for such a colorful reminder of what spring will look like here in Astoria in maybe three or four weeks. It’s rained on and off most of the day and the temperature is only 44 degrees!
@Steve: I can imagine the winters are a bit depressing but Astoria is beautiful in the spring. My wife and I traveled through Astoria just last May on vacation. We spend the night of May 25th at the Shilo Inn (Warrenton), on the western side of Youngs Bay off the Oregon Coast Highway. The next day we visited Ft. Stevens State Park before driving down the coast.
We’d returned from an Alaskan cruise out of Seattle and tacked on a few days afterwards to see some of Washington and Oregon States.
As they say…small world!