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recommendation for on-camera flash diffuser

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Jeffreyki

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I was thinking of adding a flash diffuser to the on-camera a100 flash. I was thinking of using it to soften the flash for portraits (just friends and family). It would be a temporary solution until I can save for a good hot shoe flash (with a diffuser). Any recommendations? I was looking at the “LumiQuest - Instant On-Camera Soft Screen Diffuser” but I wasn’t sure if it would even fit.

http://www.adorama.com/LQSS.html?searchinfo=LumiQuest%20-%20Instant%20On-Camera%20Soft%20Screen%20Diffuser&item_no=1

Photography is strictly a hobby so I don't need hardcore expensive gear. I was even trying to think of a homemade solution.

Thanks
Jeff
 
Hey Jeffreyki,
Jeffreyki said:
BTW: Anyone beside me a little annoyed having to push up by hand
the not so popup flash on the A100.
Click to expand...
I prefer to push up the internal flash by hand, in that few cases, when I need and can use the internal flash, instead of pushing it down, whenever the cam thinks, that the internal flash might help, especially in those situations, when I want to shoot with available light.

Regards

Dat Ei
--
6-6-6 - and still waiting for the beast...
'Charter Member of the Konica Minolta 7D Adoption Society'
'First in - last out!'

 
--
Gene

I live in Minoltaville, just inside Sony City (but I may have to go with the flow) Awaiting 7D upgrade.
'The only thing easier than being wrong .. is denying it!' -me
MaxxuM 7 Digital
 
Have you tried using an empty film container? The one made by Fuji is white color.
 
Dat Ei said:
Jeffreyki said:
BTW: Anyone beside me a little annoyed having to push up by hand
the not so popup flash on the A100.
Click to expand...
I prefer to push up the internal flash by hand, in that few cases,
when I need and can use the internal flash, instead of pushing it
down, whenever the cam thinks, that the internal flash might help,
especially in those situations, when I want to shoot with available
light.

Regards
Click to expand...
I understand what you’re saying but found it easy to turn off the flash on my KM 5 when I didn't need it. I know it’s a minor thing; maybe I'm just a little neurotic ... I just want to flash to popup when I need it. Maybe I should wait for that mind reading firmware update.
 
Remove the cap, cut a slot and super glue the cap back on. Works for me.
 
Considering that you want a "double-duty" diffuser for use on both the popup and an external flash to come later, try this.



This is the ubiquitous Stofen diffuser that many of us use on our external flash units. In this case, my Stofen fits both my Minolta 5600 and my Metz 54MZ. When turned vertically, the Stofen also happens to fit the popup flash snugly and can go right back on my external flashes when needed.

It spreads the light and softens the shadows a bit as well, but the nicest result in using the Stofen on the popup is that it warms the flash color nicely. I happen to like this, but others may not. In any case, you can adjust the WB to match your preference when using the Stofen on the popup.

Keep in mind that even though you are using a diffuser on the popup, it is still a small light source and as such, it will still be the cause of hard(er) edged shadows when compared to any larger light source.
Regards, Jim
Jeffreyki said:
I was thinking of adding a flash diffuser to the on-camera a100
flash. I was thinking of using it to soften the flash for
portraits (just friends and family). It would be a temporary
solution until I can save for a good hot shoe flash (with a
diffuser). Any recommendations? I was looking at the “LumiQuest
  • Instant On-Camera Soft Screen Diffuser” but I wasn’t sure if it
would even fit.

http://www.adorama.com/LQSS.html?searchinfo=LumiQuest%20-%20Instant%20On-Camera%20Soft%20Screen%20Diffuser&item_no=1

Photography is strictly a hobby so I don't need hardcore expensive
gear. I was even trying to think of a homemade solution.

Thanks
Jeff
Click to expand...
--



Odds N' Ends album here:
http://www.pbase.com/jimh/inbox&page=all
Z album here: http://www.pbase.com/jimh/marilyn_the_car&page=all
 
Jim N'AZ said:
Considering that you want a "double-duty" diffuser for use on both
the popup and an external flash to come later, try this.
Click to expand...
I like this idea particularly since I may be able to use it for other flash units in the future. The Soften is also not very expensive.

Nice photo BTW

Jeff
 
BTW, I have heard that a black can will cover the flash but still allow wireless.
 
I know you're looking for an on-camera diffuser (that you can use later with a wireless off-camera). I'm posting this link because what this guy has to say made sense to me, so I built his cheapo paper and elastic band diffuser.

http://www.abetterbouncecard.com/

These shots are my first experiments using it on the 5600, and I'm very pleased.

Especially up close. Decent catchlights. No redeye. No lazy eye.







It also throws a wide light without much dropoff.



Cheap and easy to carry, or to cut out a new one.
 
Dennis Phillips said:
I know you're looking for an on-camera diffuser (that you can use
later with a wireless off-camera). I'm posting this link because
what this guy has to say made sense to me, so I built his cheapo
paper and elastic band diffuser.

http://www.abetterbouncecard.com/

These shots are my first experiments using it on the 5600, and I'm
very pleased.

Especially up close. Decent catchlights. No redeye. No lazy eye.





Click to expand...
Neat! Thanks!
 
OK, so I admit to being a bit of a penny pincher........LOL

In the UK, dunno 'bout the USA, our supermarket 1,2 and 4 litre milk containers are often a whiteish-grey semi-translucent plastic with handle. Cut out the handle (best to use an empty carton!) and put a single knife slit down it's length. It just fits perfectly over the built in flash unit. It can be left on the flash open or closed and secured with a little tape.

The carton body can be cut into many shapes and sizes for use on external guns. Units such as the Vivitar 285HS have a fitting to insert filters and diffusers and the carton can be cut to exact sizes to fit into the provided apperture. You can also make large 'winged' versions which fit with a simple rubber band, similar to some flash range extenders you see around. Larger diffuser area gives a softer light. Great way to make on and off camera flash diffusers, especially for maco use. Design and make in seconds, cost factor nil, assuming you wanted the milk in the first place......LOL....

Denis.
--
DenisG.
http://www.denisg.co.uk/gallery/
First get a pic, if it's still there, compose one!
 
The video doesn't seem to load and I'm getting the impression it never will because the inventor wants you to buy his stuff. It's not free - the "video" never loads and so you run out of patience and buy.

Thanks,

--
'Let there be light...' Who said that?
 
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