So I recently got around to purchasing a F&V R-300 Ring Light. For the type of video shoots I intend to do, I had hoped that this would immediately improve things but, as always, there are some new hurdles to overcome. Below you can see how the R-300 interfaces with my GH2 along with a L-series Sony battery on the side. I have the camera as far forward as can be mounted with the bracket from F&V.
–In this configuration, I’m using the 20mm f1.7 pancake lens as it is my go-to choice for most of my shots.
Here are some photos taken in this configuration:
–In this shot, I have just one filter attached to the light. You can see on the extreme edges where it shows through. This essentially means that unless I crop the shot, I can’t make use of this setup.
–Adding all of the filters (milk and daylight) means even more interference in the frame
By trying my Rokinon 7.5mm f3.5 fisheye lens essentially means I have to mount the camera at 90-degrees from the factory mount:
–In this shot, the battery is actually behind the camera. I could build a bracket to mount the camera this way and I’m considering it frankly. The closer I can get my camera out the hole of the ring, the better!
Here is a shot taken from this configuration:
–You can clearly see that there is just no way you can use a fisheye lens with this light. The field of view is just too extreme.
In conclusion, I think the F&V light is a fantastic product for full-frame DSLR’s with large lenses. However, using mirrorless / crop sensor cameras may be a challenge to get things to fit without difficulty. Now if the body of the light was much thinner, this may make its use with more compact cameras more possible but right now I’d avoid this unless you’re willing to do some mechanical fabrication to make things fit.
–I think for starters I would have mounted the battery on the opposite side because most camera grips are on the right. I would actually have preferred if the body was even wider (maybe with options for more light) as it would have also cleared my camera body being further out. Another option can be to place the mounting bracket in your choice of 2 locations on the back to allow for options like where to place the battery in relation to the body of the camera. Also putting the brightness dial on the side of the light would have allowed for more mounting options. Something to consider F&V (I really hope you’re listening)…