Phoenix SmartFlash RF46N Macro Ring Flash for Nikon iTTL with 55mm, 58mm, 62mm & 67mm Adapter Rings, Guide Number of 46 ISO 100 @ 50mm

2016-12-20T12:26:37

I have only had a chance to use the flash once. It is very easy to use and enhances macro and portrait pictures. I would recommend purchasing,

Connie M.

2016-06-17T09:25:26

I have not had it long enough for a good review. It seems to be a good product .My 1st shots with it turned out well.It is my first time with a ring light and I am still getting to know what it will do.I am happy with it and would recommend it to others.

BOB B.

2016-06-16T08:36:01

Works well as dedicated TTL flash, comes with adapters for more than one lens size, almost too lightweight but plenty adequate for close-up and macro work.

JOHN R.

2013-03-25T21:00:00

Is this a very light weight flash, yes. But what do you expect at this price point. You have to handle it like an inexpensive flash. It does perform, however, like a flash that costs three times as much. I use it on a D300 and it gives me full TTL exposure. I have also used it maually with equally good results. I have it mounted on a Nikkor 105mm G lens and I am ready for any macro situation I might encounter in the field. As a bonus, the power cord from the flash to the flash shoe unit is long enough that you can hold it off lens for side lit shots showing more texture or detail.

JOSEPH L.

2011-09-18T21:00:00

I needed an inexpensive "true" ring flash, and this is it... a little cumbersome to get on lens, but works great, cannot complain!!! WOuld reccommend to anyone playing around, or needs inexpensive unit!

MikeL

2011-09-03T21:00:00

Good quality for the price I pay. Powerful enough for macro use.

Pino

2011-09-03T21:00:00

You get what you pay for!Good value for money, but was not my piece of cake, was not satisfied with results, so sold it off to get the Nikon R1 kit.Flimsy construction - I had to modify the battery cover, so the terminals would connect![...]

Nikhilesh M.

2011-09-03T21:00:00

Scott Peterson recommended this ring flash and the more durable Sigma 140. I figured that I would buy this one because I just use a ring flash from time to time for macro and I would save the extra $200 the Sigma costs. I can't believe the performance of this ring flash. It is perfect for a once a week macro user like me.

Donald S.

2011-05-03T21:00:00

As indicated by all who buy, appears cheaply made but for the price certainly does a great job for my needs.

JJ

2011-02-19T19:00:00

great for dental photography

dasadari

2011-01-11T19:00:00

Worked great right out of the box. Integrated smoothly with my Nikon D90. Excellent exposures.

CHARLES B.

2010-01-30T19:00:00

Compared this flash to same item made for Canon digital results were very consistent and predictable. Very nice unit for the price. I would make the Nikon $10 cheaper and the Canon $10 higher to balance the two. I can't see any drawbacks.

THOMAS W.

2010-01-13T19:00:00

This flash works great with our Nikkor 105mm VR Micro lens. It's great for being able to use high f-stop to get some DOF on tiny objects such as insects etc. The regular size flash unit on top looks a bit odd and takes up room but the unit works great especially for the price. If you want to try out macro with a flash or just do this occasionally this is the ring flash for you.

Solow

2009-09-02T21:00:00

I bought this flash because of the price and it is recommended by Bryan Petersen in his book "Understanding Close-up Photography". I'm not sure about the 100-200 flash limit I have read in the reviews. I can't believe the bulb is only good for that number of flashes (maybe since it is so inexpensive). Could it be the number of flashes per battery set?

photogeek

2009-07-29T21:00:00

I had some success doing macro work but some of the challenges are getting handheld shots where a tripod isn't practical, light is low, or there's some movement in the subject. I took a chance and bought this and a Phoenix PZ139N and I'm quite happy with both. The RF46N attaches to the camera with a free-rotating knurled metal ring that projects beyond the edge of the ring flash. I thought you'd have to rotate the whole flash but in fact it's free-floating (rotationally) when the unit is fixed to the camera. Nice design though for all I know it's common -- I've never used another ring flash. Like the PZ139N, the iTTL works perfectly. I had to work to get a bad exposure. I did turn down the flash about 1/2 EV in my camera because I have the saturation boosted and the exposure was almost too much of a good thing. For instance, I photographed some red pepper slices and the red channel clipped even though the monochrome histogram said the exposure was good -- something I've had happen in outdoor light and even the internal flash with this camera so it's not just the ring flash. That said, I could photograph dark or light objects, closer or farther away and the flash and the camera worked together to control the exposure. Unlike the PZ139N which has a convenient exposure compensation slider on the back, the ring flash has no controls but an on-off switch. However the flash exposure compensation in the menu of the D60 does control the light. As noted, this thing is super lightweight and that could be a concern if you shoot under demanding field conditions. Being just an amateur I need to control cost more than I need battle-worthy durability. That seems to be it's main detraction. Functionally it's sound. I shoot with a Quantaray (Sigma) 50mm F2.8 macro lens. With short focal length macro's like this, your working distance is quite short. When you get close enough for 1:1 the flash is almost touching the subject so take this into consideration if you shoot short focal length macro like I do. This thing would be killer with say a 105mm macro -- but I still like it and can use it. It doesn't lock to the Nikon hot shoe with a pin. It uses the standard threaded ring retainer that many inexpensive flashes use. But it fits securely and the contact pins seem to help retain it also. There's a distinct "detent" feel when you slide it on or off the the camera. I got it on sale here at Adorama and substantially off the normal price listed above -- but I conclude this would have been worth the normal price. It's really a high-functioning bargain and the iTTL implementation works well. I'm happy as I've heard of other so-called iTTL compatible units that don't really work well.

JOHN G.

2009-07-21T21:00:00

I've read must of the reviews and was aware of the quality of the product so that was not really a surprise. My problem (and it's not a big one) is that it is a little cumbersome to install the front element to the lens as there is no indication as to which direction you should rotate it. There was also no indication as to the life of this device, and when I found out how many flashes you can get from it, I was disappointed.

EDUARDO M.

2009-07-06T21:00:00

I just received it and compared to my other flash SB600, I thought oh no! Testing it out, it was perfect. I do weddings, Babys, Children and Seniors and needed a second flash for my D-200. Perfect for close ups and formal shots No shadows Exactatly what I needed. I almost bought the SB-900 $ Plus a ring flash Compared to [$]. I feel like I stole it.

Cindy K.

2009-02-19T19:00:00

Synced well with the D80.

Rob

2009-02-13T19:00:00

I found this flash to be what I hoped for -- a modestly built, relatively inexpensive ring flash that seamlessly interfaces with my Nikon D300. It takes all of the different rechargeable NiMH batteries I have, up to 2500 MaH.

WILLIAM F.

2008-12-28T19:00:00

NiMh batteries over 2000 mah bind within the case and won't make proper contact. I'd recommend Sanyo Eneloop HR6 batteries. (Around 2000 mah capacity)

Father F.

2008-12-22T19:00:00

For an iTTL macro ring flash this thing has a great price. It's not built like a tank, but I wouldn't expect it to be. It's full iTTL. There are no buttons to switch to Manual on this flash, but you can adjust the output on your camera using the FEC button. It comes with adapter rings for most common thread sizes. This thing works perfectly with my D700, D300, and D90. It does exactly what it should for macro photography, it provides nice flat lighting to enhance detail. I've even used it for portraits a few times with interesting results, although it does have a tendency to cause serious red-eye due to the on-axis lighting. Note that red-eye reduction mode doesn't work with this flash.

Denny M.

2008-12-17T19:00:00

I was concerned about the poor reviews, but I trusted that Adorama would not sell a flash that was defective. I’m glad I bought this ring flash, I used it to take about 200 macro photographs and I’ve been thoroughly pleased with my results! The unit is lightly constructed, so it is ideally suited to the occasional user.

CURTIS W.

2008-11-16T19:00:00

This was a fun purchase that actually works better than I expected considering the price. Nikon TTL does all the thinking so all it really has to do is flash. Simple to use. There's only an on or off button. I use it with a Nikon 60mm F2.8 micro lens. I can actually shoot macro stuff handheld which is impossible without a ring flash in anything but the brightest sunlight. It's cheap. You get what you pay for, but for me it was worth the price to experiment with it. I've used it with a D50 and now a D90 and have had no trouble with it. It's actually a lot more usable on the D90 since there's no control over output on the flash itself and with the D50 I had to go into sub menus to change the output. With the D90 it's just a scroll of the front wheel.

TIMOTHY W.

2008-11-02T19:00:00

Works with D5100 but illumination is much the same as flash in camera. Guide number not accurate.

pixware

2008-04-03T21:00:00

Excitement didn't last. Once opened, it didn't work with rechargeable batteries, it didn't work with Lithium batteries and it didn't work with Alcaline batteries. Camera (D300) recognized there was a flash mounted but did not fire it.[...]

Martin