When armed with the best ringflash, you’ll see a drastic improvement in your macro photography. You need a ringflash that’s compatible with your camera and lens setup. It needs to give you the right level of lighting for your subject and environment. And it has to be within your price range.
The Godox MF-R76 Macro LED Ring Flash Speedlite is our favorite ringflash. It has a universal hot shoe connector, allowing you to sync it with nearly any camera. And it has eight adapter rings, so you can attach it to any camera lens. It also has an excellent range of lighting modes and features, which is perfect for the creative macro photographer.
What Is the Best Ringflash?
The best ringflash gives you perfectly even lighting when shooting macro photography. It removes the unwanted, harsh shadows that you get with a standard flashlight. A ringlight also clips onto the end of your camera lens, so the light is in the perfect position. You don’t need to mess around with light stands and tripods.
As well as preventing shadows, a ringflash also gives you more freedom with your exposure settings. The additional light they provide allows you to use narrower apertures, giving you a deeper depth of field. And you can use faster shutter speeds, removing the risk of motion blur when shooting fleet-footed insects.
This article focuses on ringflashes, not ringlights. While some of the ringflashes on this list have similar functionality to ringlights, they are different tools. You attach a ringflash to the end of your lens while a ringlight stands alone and gives you constant lighting.
You can see a quick overview of all the best ringflashes in the table below. We look at all of them in more detail in the following section. And we also have an FAQ section at the end that provides more information on ringflashes.
- Compatible with a wide range of cameras via hot shoe connection
- Bright LCD screen and intuitive control panel
- 10 brightness levels and dual flash-tube design
- Comes with eight lens adapters
- High guide number of 18 for powerful macro shots
- Fast 3-second recycle time for rapid shooting
- Accommodates multiple filter sizes and color temperature filters
- Additional features like exposure compensation and rear-curtain sync
- Compatible with a wide range of cameras via hot shoe connection
- Comes with eight lens adapters
- Simple and easy-to-use display and control panel
- 11 brightness levels for versatile macro lighting
- Compatible with Godox AD200 flash and a wide range of cameras
- Delivers halo-like lighting for portrait, fashion, and wedding photography
- Contains 20 light beads for even lighting
- Comes with handy pouch and shoulder strap for AD200 unit
- Compatible with Nikon DSLRs using the hot shoe
- Right and left flash tubes can be fired independently
- Focus assist lamps improve efficiency
- Comes with eight ring adapters for lens mounting
- Ring contains 48 LED bulbs for even and consistent lighting
- Four shooting modes with left and right sides firing independently
- Four color temperature diffusers for more lighting control
- Hot shoe connection for wide camera compatibility
- Compatible with Olympus/OM System cameras and lenses
- Dual flashes can be used together or individually
- Dust-, splash-, and freeze-proof construction
- Carry case included
- Available for Canon and Nikon cameras
- Wide variety of shooting modes and light settings
- Four-LED focus assist light
- Six ring adapters come included
- Affordable and suitable for beginners and young photographers
- Seven brightness levels
- Three color temperature filters
- Compatible with a wide range of cameras
9 Best Ringflashes
Now we’ll look at all the best ringflashes in more detail. We’ll explore their strong points and expose a few weaknesses. And we’ll look at why each ringflash is worth considering for certain types of photographers. Ringflashes are mainly used in macro photography. But we have some versatile options you can use for different photography genres.
1. Godox MF-R76 Macro LED Ring Flash Speedlite
| Brand |
Brand
Godox
|
| Guide Number |
Guide Number
GN 46 feet / 14 meters (ISO 100)
|
| Recycle Time |
Recycle Time
0.1 - 1.5 seconds
|
| Compatible With |
Compatible With
Camera with hot shoe connection
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Eight lens adapters, 10 brightness levels, dual flash-tube design
|
| Best For |
Best For
Macro photographers looking for the best all-around camera ringflash
|
The Godox MF-R76 Macro LED Ring Flash Speedlite is the best ringflash for macro photographers. It’s a simple piece of kit with excellent usability, so it’s a great option if it’s your first ringflash. But it also has a variety of modes for more advanced users.
It connects to your camera using the hot shoe connection. That makes it super easy to sync the camera and flash. And it means it’s compatible with interchangeable lens cameras from all the major camera brands. Those include Nikon and Canon. And it works with Sony, Olympus (OM System), and Fujifilm cameras.
The flash comes with eight lens adapters, so you can fit it to the front of many different camera lenses. They measure 49, 52, 55, 58, 62, 67, 72, and 77mm. That means you’ll have no problem mounting it on the best macro lenses.
You can control the flash from the control unit that attaches to the top of your camera. That makes it easy to adjust the settings without taking your attention away from the camera. It also has a bright and clear LCD screen, making it a very user-friendly device.
It’s a versatile ringflash with 10 brightness levels, helping you achieve perfect lighting in your macro shots. And thanks to the dual flash-tube design, you can adjust either side of the ring independently. This allows you to balance light from the flash with natural light in uneven environments.
The Godox MF-R76 Macro LED Ring Flash Speedlite has excellent battery life. You get 660 flashes from a full charge. And that’s at full power, so you get even more when using lower settings. It also comes with a rechargeable lithium battery and charger, so there are no additional costs to get it running. A USB cable for USB charging is also thrown into the bundle.
2. YONHNUO YN14EX II Macro Ring Flash (Canon)
| Brand |
Brand
YONGNUO
|
| Guide Number |
Guide Number
GN 60 feet / 18 meters (ISO 100)
|
| Recycle Time |
Recycle Time
3 seconds
|
| Compatible With |
Compatible With
Canon DSLR cameras
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Dual flash-tube design, four lens adapters, four color temperatures
|
| Best For |
Best For
Macro photographers using Canon cameras
|
The YONHNUO YN14EX II Macro Ring Flash is a pro-level ringflash for Canon DSLR cameras. It connects to the camera’s hot shoe, so it’s easy to sync the flash and camera. It also comes with four lens adapters (52, 58, 67, and 72 mm), so it’ll match with any of the best Canon macro lenses.
Eight flash intensity levels allow you to get the right lighting in varying conditions. And to increase the versatility even more, the flash comes with four color temperature adapters. You get white, red, green, and warm yellow. They make it easy to transform the mood and atmosphere of your macro photos.
Thanks to the dual flash-tube design, you can also control each side of the flash independently. You can set different brightness levels on either side, which gives you excellent light control in difficult situations. It’s also great for close-up objects like insects or jewelry.
Focusing is also made easier thanks to the LED AF assist lights. They illuminate your scene, allowing the autofocus system to find its target without the need for test shots with full flash.
The YONHNUO YN14EX II Macro Ring Flash also has a useful and intuitive control panel on the hot shoe unit. That increases the usability a great deal. It does need four AA batteries to run, which you’ll need to buy separately. But that’s the only major downside. It’s a superb ringflash for macro artists using Canon cameras.
3. Godox ML-150 II Macro Ring Flash
| Brand |
Brand
Godox
|
| Guide Number |
Guide Number
GN 40 feet / 12 meters
|
| Recycle Time |
Recycle Time
0.1 - 2 seconds
|
| Compatible With |
Compatible With
Canon, Nikon, Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Eight lens adapters, LCD display, 11 brightness levels
|
| Best For |
Best For
Photographers that use a variety of cameras
|
When it comes to compatibility, you can’t beat the Godox ML-150 II Macro Ring Flash. Thanks to the hot shoe connection, the ringflash is compatible with Nikon, Canon, and Sony cameras. And it’ll also work with Fujifilm, Olympus, and Panasonic cameras.
The flash also comes with eight lens adapters, ranging from 49 to 77 mm. That means you can mount the ringflash to the front of a wide range of camera lenses. You don’t need to buy a new ringflash for every macro lens in your arsenal.
The ringflash couldn’t be much easier to use, which is ideal for beginners. The controls are simple, and you can make any adjustments you need using the LCD display and control panel on the back of the hot shoe unit.
It’s one of the more simple ringflashes on the list. But you still get 11 brightness levels to choose from. There are no color temperature settings. But you can still achieve a wide range of lighting effects with the brightness controls.
The Godox ML-150 II Macro Ring Flash needs four AA batteries, which you have to buy separately. That additional cost is annoying. But you get excellent battery life if you buy top-quality AA batteries. It’s an easy-to-use ringflash that delivers improved macro photography results. It’s great for macro shooters of all levels.
4. Godox R200 Ring Flash Head
| Brand |
Brand
Godox
|
| Guide Number |
Guide Number
GN 60 feet / 18 meters (ISO 100)
|
| Recycle Time |
Recycle Time
0.1 - 2.1 seconds
|
| Compatible With |
Compatible With
Godox AD200 and AD200 Pro flash
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Umbrella bracket, mini shoulder bag
|
| Best For |
Best For
Portrait, wedding, and fashion photography
|
The Godox R200 Ring Flash Head is something a bit different compared to the other ringflashes on this list. Rather than being a light for macro photography, it enhances results when shooting wedding, fashion, and portrait photography.
It’s a ringflash that fits on the end of your portrait photography lens, giving you even lighting. It removes harsh, unwanted shadows on your subject’s face. And it brings a twinkle to their eyes. It’s a great tool for making your portraits pop.
The R200 is just the ringlight unit. You need the Godox AD200 or AD200 Pro flash units to power it. But if you already have one, this accessory is a great way to boost your portraiture. The AD200 is also compatible with cameras from all the major brands, so there are few limitations in that regard.
Despite being the largest ringflash on the list (7.4 inches/18.8 cm diameter), it only weighs 1.4 lbs/640 g. That doesn’t add too much heft to your camera setup, allowing you to continue shooting for hours without fatigue.
A handy carry case for the AD200 unit is included with the ringflash. This allows you to carry the AD200 at your side or over your shoulder without having to wear your camera backpack while shooting.
You can also use the Godox R200 Ring Flash Head off-camera as a ring light or off-camera flash. It also has a bracket for a flash umbrella, which is a great lighting option in the photography studio. This is more of a niche option. But it gives you beautifully even lighting in your portrait photography.
5. MEKE MK-14EXT-N I-TTL Macro Ring Flash
| Brand |
Brand
MEKE
|
| Guide Number |
Guide Number
GN 46 feet / 14 meters (ISO 100)
|
| Recycle Time |
Recycle Time
0.1 - 5 seconds
|
| Compatible With |
Compatible With
Nikon DSLR cameras
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Focus assist lamp, eight ring adapters
|
| Best For |
Best For
Macro photographers using a Nikon DSLR camera
|
If you’re a macro shooter with a Nikon DSLR, the MEKE MK-14EXT-N I-TTL Macro Ring Flash is your best option. It gives you excellent illumination and allows you to get creative with your macro lighting. It’s just as useful and reliable as a Nikon DSLR.
The power unit attaches to the camera using the hot shoe. And the ringflash section screws onto the end of your Nikon macro lens. You get eight ring adapters (40.5, 52, 55, 58, 62, 67, 72, and 77 mm), so it’s compatible with all of Nikon’s best lenses.
You get more lighting control thanks to the dual-tube design. You can fire both flash tubes together to illuminate your entire scene evenly. Or you can fire them individually, allowing you to balance your lighting. It gives you far more creative options than a basic ring flash.
You also get different brightness levels. And you can use it as a fill light for constant illumination. The flash also has two focus assist lamps. These give your scene a splash of light so your camera can focus more easily. It really helps efficiency, so you never miss the best shots.
The MEKE MK-14EXT-N I-TTL Macro Ring Flash has a simple and uncomplicated LCD display. It’s so easy to use that even beginners can start shooting straight away. It needs four AA batteries, which is an additional cost. But overall, the ringflash is a quality investment for macro fans.
6. PLOTURE Ringflash with Diffusers
| Brand |
Brand
PLOTURE
|
| Guide Number |
Guide Number
GN 33 feet / 10 meters (ISO 100)
|
| Recycle Time |
Recycle Time
0.5 - 3 seconds
|
| Compatible With |
Compatible With
Nikon, Canon, and Sony cameras
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Half-ring firing, eight ring adapters, four color temperature diffusers
|
| Best For |
Best For
Beginner macro photographers
|
The PLOTURE Ringflash with Diffusers is the best ringflash for macro photography beginners. It’s simple and easy to use. But it also delivers excellent, even lighting. And thanks to the hot shoe connection, it’s compatible with a wide range of cameras, including DSLR and mirrorless models from Nikon, Canon, and Sony.
The ring consists of 48 LED beads. They give excellent illumination but have a low level of power consumption. You can also use each side independently, firing either the left or the right side without the other. That’s great for more dynamic lighting effects. You also have a fill-light mode for constant illumination.
You also get four color filters to help you achieve the perfect macro lighting. There’s a white filter (5000 K) for standard flash lighting. The transparent filter (5500 K) gives you more intensity. There’s a yellow filter that gives you a 3000K color temperature for warmer tones. And the blue filter gives you a cold 9000K color temperature.
You can attach the ringflash to practically any lens thanks to the eight ring adapters. They have diameter measurements from 49 to 77 mm, so the flash will fit most macro lenses.
The LCD and control panel make the PLOTURE Ringflash super easy to use. You’ll have no problem changing modes and settings. You’ll need four AA batteries for power. But if you’re using good batteries, you’ll get plenty of shots before you need to replace them again.
7. Olympus STF-8 Macro Flash
| Brand |
Brand
Olympus
|
| Guide Number |
Guide Number
GN 28 feet / 8.5 meters (ISO 100)
|
| Recycle Time |
Recycle Time
0.6 - 2.5 seconds
|
| Compatible With |
Compatible With
Olympus (OM System) cameras
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Dust- and splash-proof design, dual-flash design
|
| Best For |
Best For
Macro photographers with Olympus cameras
|
The Olympus STF-8 Macro Flash is the best option for Olympus users. Olympus has now rebranded as OM System, but this ringflash is still compatible with all the best OM System/Olympus cameras.
It has a slightly different design compared to the other ringflashes on this list. Rather than having a flash shaped like a ring, it has a ring adapter with two flash bulbs on either side. They don’t give you quite the same consistent lighting, but the dual flashes still give you excellent illumination. And you can fire them together or individually.
This ringflash is the most durable of all the flash options on our list. Like most of OM System’s latest cameras, the ringflash is dust- and splash-proof, allowing you to shoot macro outside. It’s also freeze-proof down to -10 C, so you can shoot in the snow.
The Olympus STF-8 Macro Flash is ideal if you shoot macro with Olympus lenses.
8. Nissin MF18 Ring Flash (Canon)
| Brand |
Brand
Nissin
|
| Guide Number |
Guide Number
GN 52.5 feet / 16 meters (ISO 100)
|
| Recycle Time |
Recycle Time
0.1 - 5 seconds
|
| Compatible With |
Compatible With
Canon and Nikon Cameras
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Dual flash-tube design, four focus assist lights
|
| Best For |
Best For
Professional photographers using Nikon or Canon cameras
|
The Nissin MF18 Ring Flash is one of the pricier ringflashes on this list. But it’s well worth the price if you have a bigger budget. You can buy this ringflash for Canon and Nikon cameras. And it’s an excellent piece of equipment for high-level macro photography.
The color LCD screen on the rear of the main unit makes it easy to use. It is more complicated than other ringflashes, but navigating the menus is easy thanks to the clear labeling and intuitive layout.
You get sophisticated lighting modes. There’s TTL compensation from -3.0 to +3.0 EV steps. You have manual power control from 1/1 to 1/64 in 1/3 EV steps. And you get fine macro power from 1/128 to 1/1024 in 1/6 EV steps. You can also use the right and left flash tubes independently for precision lighting.
Focusing in low light is no longer a problem thanks to the four LED focus-assist bulbs. They give you enough illumination so that the camera can find focus quickly and easily.
The Nissin MF18 is compatible with different-sized lenses thanks to the six ring adapters that come included. They range from 52 to 77 mm, which covers most macro lenses for Nikon and Canon. You can also buy additional adapter rings separately if you don’t have one that matches your lens.
The model listed above is compatible with Canon cameras. If you’re a Nikon user, click on the link below.
9. Digital Nc Macro LED Ring Light
| Brand |
Brand
Digital Nc
|
| Guide Number |
Guide Number
26 feet / 8 meters (ISO 100)
|
| Recycle Time |
Recycle Time
0.5 - 5 seconds
|
| Compatible With |
Compatible With
All cameras with hot shoe connectors
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Three color filters
|
| Best For |
Best For
Macro photographers on a tight budget
|
The Digital Nc Macro LED Ring Light is ideal if you’re on a tight budget. It isn’t the most advanced ringflash on the market. But it’s a perfectly good option if your budget is small or you’re a beginner. It’s a good ringflash for young photographers getting started.
The ring itself consists of 48 LED bulbs. They give you even lighting without consuming much power, which saves on batteries.
You have seven brightness levels to choose from. And the flash comes with three color filters that give you even more lighting options. The standard flash color temperature is 5000K. The blue filter gives you a 9000K cold light. There’s a yellow 3000K filter. And the white gives you a softer 4500K light.
With a small LCD and simple control panel, the flash is easy to use. You can change settings and switch between modes without any prior experience with similar devices. That’s another reason the Digital Nc Macro LED Ring Light is perfect for beginners.
FAQs—Best Ringflashes
Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions on ringflashes.
What Are Ringflashes Used For?
Ringflashes are most commonly used in macro photography. That type of photography focuses on very small subjects, like insects or flowers. With a ringflash attached to your lens, you have a light source that’s close to the subject. And the ring light gives you even and consistent lighting that prevents unwanted shadows.
Ringflashes are also common in product photography. They provide ideal lighting when shooting small objects up close. The even lighting is flattering and brings out the best of your subject. Jewelry photographers, in particular, are very fond of using ringflashes when shooting their wares. The ring lighting makes the jewelry shine and twinkle.
Food photographers also use ringflashes in a similar way to product photographers. They help the food glisten when you’re taking close-ups of the delicious delights. It makes for the finest Edible Images.
Portrait photographers also use ringflashes from time to time. The ring of light gives you an even spread of light around the subject’s face, removing unflattering shadows. It makes your subjects stand out from the background. Their faces glow, and they’ll have a twinkle in their eyes.
Ringflash vs Ring Light: Which Do You Need?
Ringflashes and ring lights are different photography accessories. And while they do offer a similar lighting effect, they are used for different purposes.
Firstly, a ringflash connects to your camera via the hot shoe and lens adapter. A ring light stands alone on a tripod or stand. You can mount cameras within larger ring lights, but it isn’t a necessary condition of a ring light.
Ringflashes are most commonly used for macro photography, while ring lights are used for portraits and selfies. Some portrait photographers do use ringflashes. But a light ring with a wide circumference is often preferred because it offers softer, more even lighting. And it allows you to shoot with a greater distance between you and the subject.
A ringflash usually has a smaller circumference than a ring light, which is better suited to shooting smaller subjects at close range. They give you an even light spread, but only over a short distance. When shooting further away from your subject, a ringflash gives you a bright center with dark surroundings.
If a ring light is what you’re after, you can see our full list of the best ring lights for photography, video, and vlogging.
What Is the Guide Number in Flash Photography?
The guide number helps you calculate a flash’s effective range. It tells you the greatest distance you can be away from your subject where the flash is still effective.
We’ve denoted the guide numbers with feet and meters. For example, the Nissin MF18 Ring Flash has a guide number of 52.5 feet / 16 meters at ISO 100. But that doesn’t mean this flash is effective over that distance. You have to take your aperture into consideration to calculate the actual effective distance.
To calculate the real effective distance, you need to divide the distance measurement by the f-stop number. If we’re using f/4, we divide 52.5 feet by 4. That equals 13.12 feet. We do the same calculation in meters: 16 divided by 4, which equals 4. That means the effective distance of the flash is 13.12 feet or 4 meters.
Guide numbers are a complicated business. And it’s not always relevant when shooting subjects from close range. But it is important to know when shooting pro-level photography with a flash. And it’s not just ringflashes. Guide numbers are important in any type of flash photography.
What Is Color Temperature in Lighting?
The color temperature refers to how warm or cold the light is. The color temperature of any light source is measured in Kelvins and denoted with the letter K after the number. For example, a household lamp might emit light with a color temperature of 5000K.
Color temperature has nothing to do with heat. Light with a higher Kelvin number is referred to as cold because it is either bright white or icy blue. A light lower on the Kelvin scale is considered warm because it has a deep yellow or orange tone.
This is useful to know when using any kind of photography lighting, especially ringflashes. It helps you achieve the perfect lighting in any situation. If you want a warm and cozy scene, take the temperature down. If you want sharp, dynamic lighting, use a higher color temperature.
If you want to know more, read our full article on color temperature.
Conclusion: The Best Ringflash
The best ringflash is the perfect tool for mastering macro photography lighting. They are simple and easy to use. And they give you consistent, even lighting while removing unwanted shadows. They’re also useful for product, food, and portrait photography.
We’ve seen an excellent range of ringflashes in this article. But the Godox MF-R76 Macro LED Ring Flash Speedlite is our deserved winner. It’s versatile and highly usable for photographers at any skill level. It’s an affordable piece of equipment, and it comes with a battery and charger.