Spectrum Ring Light Comparison: What’s the Difference

A ring light consists of many LED lights in a circle formation to produce a soft and even light. These on-trend products produce light for portraits, selfies, make-up or hair shoots, macro, and product photographs. The softness of the light depends on the brightness and size of the ring light. 

Ring lights aren't only for product photos; they also assist YouTube and Twitch streamers. Reflected light from these useful tools is unique; users will see a circular catch light in their eyes. To achieve this look, all that's required is to position their camera in the middle of the ring light, or for optimal use, mount their smartphone using the built-in holder to gain consistent framing every time.

Why Choose a Ring Light

We recommend ring lights for streaming and product photography due to the soft directional light they produce. Shadows are drastically reduced thanks to the front-facing light distributed evenly around a user's face. Various sizes are also available, making them ideal when adapting to a laptop screen near the camera, directly on a smartphone, or on a table at eye height using a stand. Larger units can also be set up using a tripod to cater for presenting to a camera when standing.

Unlike traditional flash head units and softboxes, ring lights don't get in the way of your camera – you can shoot right through the centre of the ring and move the lights to the side. You can also sync two or more of our Spectrum Aurora ring lights to create a unique and different lighting aesthetic for your work and combine them with reflectors to lift any shadows.   

Portrait photographers love them because their circular shape gives the subject's eyes that beautiful ring of light around the iris. If you want to know how a portrait was lit, look at the model's eyes – you'll see a reflection called a catchlight, which shows what type of lighting modifier was used. As ring lights use LED lights, they won't heat up like conventional tungsten lights. So you can pack up straight away at the end of a shoot without waiting around for your light to cool down.

Types of Spectrum Ring Lights

The lighting requirements of photography and videography are different. As content creators, we need to pick the right ring lights that would effortlessly complement a composition. Below are some of the types of Spectrum ring lights we recommend for particular genres.

Desktop Ring Lights 

Crafted specifically for PC users, desktop ring lights help reduce the appearance of shadow and diffuse light evenly on the subject. Well-suited for professional applications, desktop ring lights are worth the investment. For creative hobbyists out there, Spectrum has a special ring light for you; it's called the 6" Ring Light with Smartphone Holder Tabletop Lighting Kit - 'Inner Artist Plus'. This ring light mounts to a flexible arm, allowing you to easily manoeuvre and capture your latest work from a vertical position, reducing any shadows. It's easy to use, compact, adjustable and works well with the included independent universal smartphone holder.

Professional Ring Lights (Salon Quality)

Salon quality professional ring lights are well-suited for fashion photography, beauty photography, studio photography, and videography. These lights are just what you need to ensure your imagery looks professional. Below are some of Spectrum's bestsellers, which provide excellent lighting and include everything you need to get started.

Professional 18" Ring Light LED Portable - Diamond Luxe III is a top seller and is what you, as a professional in the beauty industry, need for consistent quality. The soft, clean, and nearly shadowless light ensures you gain flawless imagery. In addition, the Portable Diva ring light is flexible and easy to set up. We also have several power plugs available if you travel or purchase outside of Australia.

Another ring light from Spectrum worth considering is the 22" Ring Light LED Portable - Platinum Pro II. As one of the largest ring lights available, you gain the softest light. Colour temperature is adjustable, allowing you to switch between warm and natural light as the shoot demands. A flexible gooseneck stand makes it easy to position for flat lays, artwork, and beauty applications. In addition, it is battery-powered, so you can easily use it in locations where you have no access to power.

Which One is Right For you?

With various ring lights to think about, it can become overwhelming to decide which one might be right for you. You need to consider the environment you are in and how you will use the ring light to obtain the best look. Keep in mind what type of mount the ring light uses and ask yourself if it will be compatible with your smartphone or camera? 

Then consider the environment where you will be filming or creating content. Do you need an adjustable colour temperature setting to replicate the correct colour? In most cases, the answer is yes, so check our comparison chart to help find out which light is right for you. Then, ask yourself which size is appropriate, do you need a ring light that offers portability and what type of brightness controls are present?

These factors will help narrow down the best ring light for you. To learn more about ring lights and for assistance in finding the best model, give our friendly team a call on 1300 449 767 or send us a direct message via social media or our website.