V_kids 3 Posted July 10, 2007 Hi I'm really interested with Athena lighting system for my macro setting. Is anyone try it already? How was it? http://www.athena-opt.com/ringflashe.htm Thx you Andree Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Starbuck 0 Posted July 10, 2007 Andree - I have not used the athena but INON makes a ring flash that I do use. Check with Ryan at Reef photo and video (a sponsor).. He has used them. M. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ryan 57 Posted July 10, 2007 I prefer the light that comes out of the Athena flash to the Inon (athena is a true ring, where Inon is actually a quad array of 4 square flash tubes). I do wish they'd upgrade the power supply so recycle times are faster, but the light output is superb. Here is one on a Subal 5D Housing: Andree - I have not used the athena but INON makes a ring flash that I do use. Check with Ryan at Reef photo and video (a sponsor).. He has used them. M. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil Rudin 485 Posted July 10, 2007 I started using the Athena ring flash over a year ago and have tested it against the Inon quad flash. In over 100 dives with the Athena ring flash I find the light output, as Ryan said to be "superb". The flash itself is much smaller than the Inon and adds less weight. Since the Athena Is a two AA battery strobe and the Inon has Four recycle times are slower on the Athena ring-flash. I also use the Athena macro port which has a 67 mm thread at the front. This allows the ring flash to be threaded to the port which makes for very easy and secure assemble. A 67 mm diopter can also be used with the ring flash or on the end of the port. Athena ports for Olympus and Sea & Sea. I love my Inon Z-220 strobes and still use them for some of my super macro, but I like the overall look of the Athena ring flash much better. The Inon quad flash was designed for film cameras using TTL and has only three power settings. Since most DSLRs won't work with the old style TTL most photographers will use the Inon ring flash on the two lower power settings. With the Athena flash power can be dialed up or down across a wide range giving more options in power level to F-stop. The Inon is a full two stops of light more powerful than the Athena and with ISO 25 and 50 film this was a plus. Usless you are shooting very long lenses with stacks of extension tubes or teleconverters the Inons power is overkill for digital. I shoot a 100 mm (equiv,) with a 1.4 teleconverter and Inon UCL-165M67 close-up lens at ISO 100 max lens extension and F-22 with no power problems using the Athena. Phil Rudin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
V_kids 3 Posted July 10, 2007 WOW! the set-up looks very nice!!! is it TTL compatible? or we have to shoot in Manual Mode for this ring flash? (athena one) and can i use this ring flash, together with my Sea and Sea YS 90 ? Thx You in advance Andree Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil Rudin 485 Posted July 10, 2007 Athena port for Sea & Sea housings and Nikon 105 AS-F VR macro, at Reef Photo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
james 0 Posted July 10, 2007 Ouch! I think the FRONT ELEMENT of my Sigma 150mm macro lens is 62mm - that's almost as big as the opening on the ring flash. I would love to use one of these though. Cheers James Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil Rudin 485 Posted July 10, 2007 Hi James The angle of view of your 150 macro on full frame is like 16.4 degrees which will work with the ring-flash. The size of the front element is not all that relevent is it? Phil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
james 0 Posted July 10, 2007 It's relevant if you have a cylindrical port. I'd have to get a custom Seacam port that necks down to a smaller diameter and that would mean more air space between the lens front and the port glass. James Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil Rudin 485 Posted July 10, 2007 (edited) If by cylindrical, you mean your port is round and flat on both ends I would guess most macro ports are. This ring flash is thin, less than one inch thick and is mounted on the outside end of the port. Unlike the Inon quad flash which fits around (or over) the port and is more like three inches thick. The first sixty dives I made with the Athena ring flash I just attached it to the port storage cover, cut a hole in the center and used a hose clamp to hold it to the port. The Athena custom port is easier to use but the results with the other arrangement were excellent. In Ryans photo of the Subal housing you will see the flash is not mounted around the port and that the port is much larger than 67 mm inside dia. of the flash. Phil Edited July 10, 2007 by tropical1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
james 0 Posted July 10, 2007 Cool - thanks Phil. I see how it has a rubber collar that press fits onto the port. That's a great idea. Cheers James Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ryan 57 Posted July 10, 2007 That rubber collar isn't an Athena part, that is a custom adapter that we build for Subal. We build it by cutting some holes in a Subal port cap... Athena builds some thread ring adapters for other ports. Without holding a Seacam macro port in my hands I'm not sure what the best mounting solution would be... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don Silcock 14 Posted July 11, 2007 Athena made me a custom fitting for my ring flash so that it would fit my Subal macro ports - I have the details if anybody needs them.... Don Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
V_kids 3 Posted July 11, 2007 Athena port for Sea & Sea housings and Nikon 105 AS-F VR macro, at Reef Photo. I'm also interested with this lens port. is it possible to use this port, IF we attact a Diopter on our 105mm lens? (+2 or + 4 maybe) will the front element of the filter bumb the front glass of this port. Because it looks like this lens port is very compact! so i assumed that the GAP between 105mm VR lens and the front glass at this port is too narrow. Please correct me if i'm wrong Thx You Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ryan 57 Posted July 11, 2007 You can attach a Nikon diopter to the lens if you remove it from its threaded ring. One of the advantages of this setup is the ability to attach an Inon UCL-165 M67 to the OUTSIDE of the port, so it can be removed underwater. This would be my suggestion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
V_kids 3 Posted July 12, 2007 (edited) Ryan, i dont really understand, what do you mean my remove it from its threaded ring. On Nikon 105mm VR, i can attact the Diopter +2 i really confused.... So can i attact the Nikon Diopter on my Nikon 105mm VR and putting it inside this Athena lens port, or i can't because the diopter will bumb the front glass of this Athena Lens port. If you dont mind, please explain to me more details i really appreciated it And for the INON UCL-175 M67, when im not using it underwater, where should it put it? i dont think, putting it inside my BCD pocket is a good idea... it will get some scratches (for sure) any idea? (im using Sea Arm VI , by sea and sea) Thx you in advance Andree Edited July 12, 2007 by V_kids Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TuriLed 2 Posted July 12, 2007 Any chance this ring flash fits Ikelite macro ports ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
