Stepping Rings

[WillyB]

I have just bought a Raynox 250 and want to use it with my Nikon 70-300 VR.

I would also like to use a ring flash but I don't think one would fit because of the 'wings' on the Raynox.

The 70-300 has a 67mm thread and the Raynox a 43mm. I am wondering that if I used a stepping ring to fit the Raynox direct perhaps I could then fit a ring flash.

I cannot find a 67 down to 43 but perhaps a 67 to 52 then 52 to 43 would work.

Has anyone tried this or got any thoughts on the matter?

 

[GardenersHelper]

I cannot find a 67 down to 43 but perhaps a 67 to 52 then 52 to 43 would work.

Different camera, but I use two stepping rings: 58 to 52 and 52 to 43. Works fine with the 150 and the 250. (Just be very careful not to overtighten the ring that fits into the camera filter thread. Getting that stuck could be a very expensive problem.)

 

[WillyB]

Thanks for that Nick, you are a most helpful person. (you answered one of my previous questions).
Do you know if the ring flash would still fit?

 

[GardenersHelper]

Thanks for that Nick, you are a most helpful person. (you answered one of my previous questions).

You are very welcome.

Do you know if the ring flash would still fit?

Hopefully someone who actually knows will answer! But until then ...

Have a look at the Mounting Ring Flashes section of this page. Looks to me like a ring flash is fitted to the filter thread on the camera lens. Assuming this is how it is done, the flash will have a "male" thread that fits into the "female" filter thread on the camera lens (or into the female thread of a step ring/step ring combination that fits into the lens filter thread).

With the 150 mounted on step rings, you will have a 49mm female filter thread available. You could then use another(more) step ring(s) to get up to the size required for the ring flash.

So it would be camera lens > step ring > step ring > 150 > step ring(s) >flash.

EDIT: or the flash might come with a 49mm adaptor that would fit onto the front of the 150.

(But I don't have a dSLR, or a ring flash, so please do get some confirmation that this is indeed how these things work!)

Does your camera lens extend? I'm wondering if there would be a weight issue with the 150 and the flash hanging off the end.

 

[WillyB]

Yes, that's a good point about the weight. Hadn't really thought about it. I am very new to this subject and am really feeling my way around.
It may well be that I give the flash a miss at the moment and try using the Raynox with available light to see how I get on.
Thanks again.