Ring Light question...uh, anyone use one?
 

Ring Lights.

I keep seeing them used in music videos - they're so cool! So I was a lilttle surprised that a search of these boards resulted in next to nothing.

I wanted some advice about where to get one suitable for an XL2.

Thanks in advance for your time, insights, wit and stimulating complaints.

The light I think you've seen is the Kino Flo Kamio. It fits onto the front of a lens (via adapters) and is powered through a dimmable ballast by a 12v battery (separate). It's not cheap, although you may be able to rent one if you live in a larger city.

I've purchased Kino Flo lighting from Barn Door Lighting and I think they carry the Kamio. Give them a call, they're good folks.

It can be very effective when used with good judgment and restraint. But, of course, over-used (as seems to be the case currently) it just becomes trite.

[EDIT]
I just noticed that B&H now carries the Kamio, too.

Thanks, Ken, for the links...and the warning about the price.

For what it's selling for I was expecting something brighter than 37-50w which is only slightly better than the circline bulbs I can find at the hardware store.

Of course, there's a good reason why they don't make them brighter because brighter means hotter - not good when this thing is on the lens.

I can't afford it, no way Jose, so I googles this:

55w circline + ballast for $8

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/urw/2c55w.html

NOT included:

reflector
barn doors
camera mounting adaptor
filter trays
and various doo-dads

Two follow-up remarks here. First, Kino Flo's lamps are not Home Depot lamps. They are fairly high-output and carefully color balanced for film and video work. The ballasts are also not run-of-the-mill units. I have their 12v Singles units which use the same ballasts. They are dimmable and maintain flicker-free light throughout their range.

Second, the Kamio is designed for close-up work. It's not designed to light a room or even a full scene. It's really a special effect instrument.

I was under the impression that the Kamio was a specialty "eye light"
and used in conjunction with all the other usual lighting instruments,
but rarely if ever by itself.

Traditional ring lights were an array of fixtures like MR16 or small floods built onto plywood that had a lot more punch but were hot and power-hungry. More modern designs are modular and lightweight, and can be mounted right on the support rods, such as the Kamio (at the expense of output). .LED-based systems are becoming popular as they are larger but still lightweight, and have a good output and dimming capability. However, they are still relatively dim and rarely used by themselves, as Jacques indicates.