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FZ18 - A VERY inexpensive flash diffuser!

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Bill McClung

Bill McClung

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A lot of folks already know this "trick", but I am posting these images in case you haven't heard about the technique.

The FZ18's built-in flash was used to make these images. The flash was diffused with a plastic icing cup (the type that comes with refrigerator pastries), held in front of the flash head.

I carry one of these "high tech" flash diffusers in the bag with all my non-SLR cameras. It really does work and the price is certainly right!

http://www.pbase.com/nc_bill/image/91205234

http://www.pbase.com/nc_bill/image/91205366

--
Bill McClung (a.k.a. 'NC BILL')
Image galleries at http://www.pbase.com/nc_bill
 
Yes Bill, like our friend maxqnz, I too like to see your practical and cheap ICING CUP DIFFUSER. When we use a diffuser of this kind, how much of exposure compensation (EV+) we should give to get correct illumination.
 
I am also very interested in this diffuser, I have attempted making one myself, but I am always very concerned about ventilation and destroying my flash.
--
I strive to be more than I am

 
I´m using one of those film canister on my FZ-50 ( after a tip on this forum) and I think it´s very good. Though some people laugh about the look of the "cam with the can" but I can live with that ;-)
 
Led Zeppelin said:
I´m using one of those film canister on my FZ-50 ( after a tip on
this forum) and I think it´s very good. Though some people laugh
about the look of the "cam with the can" but I can live with that ;-)
Click to expand...
film can on a FZ30 here, and as long as others ask me to show my pictures, they have absolutely no right to laugh about me.

And all the others laughing - hey, who's more ridiculous, those with a can on a cam improving their pictures for free, or those flashing the moon or an olympic games opening ceremony, standing in the very last line?

Marcel
 
Yes, people have no right to laugh. You can post pictures of your can and cam. But please remember it is a maxim or a general rule that when an innovative ideas are expressed, they either bring surprise or a laugh. Both expressions prove that the idea is very innovative.
 
I used the Pringles cap a few times as a diffuser by putting it in the space with the amazing do-it-all engineering-purpose adhesive material aka duck tape although I don't think the diffusing effect was all that strong. The good thing about the Pringles cap is that you can actually use it for white balance setting (ala Expodisc) and even as an artsy soft filter. A multipurpose disc! :)
 
The diffuser is a translucent icing cup, taken from a can of refrigerator pastries. The icing for the pastries is packed in this cup, with a metal lid. Eat the pastries, trow away the metal lid and wash out the plastic cup.

The cup may then be placed over the raised flash unit and it will generally stay in place for fairly level horizontal images. For vertical images or steeply angled horizontal images, hold the cup in place with your non-shooting hand.

I generally find that ISO 200 or 400 (depending upon the distance to your subject) works well. For very close subjects, you will need to reduce the flash power -1/3 to -2/3 to balance the flash with ambient room light.

This same plastic cup may also be placed in front of the lens to set custom white balances. A special thanks to Isabel, my next door neighbor, for teaching me this technique. This cup may also be used on most other cameras, as well.

NOTE: ALTHOUGH THE IMAGE SHOWS THE LENS HOOD MOUNTED ON THE CAMERA, BE SURE TO REMOVE IT BEFORE USING THE FLASH WITH OR WITHOUT THE DIFFUSER!

http://www.pbase.com/image/91240836

http://www.pbase.com/nc_bill/image/91240862

http://www.pbase.com/nc_bill/image/91240887

--
Bill McClung (a.k.a. 'NC BILL')
Image galleries at http://www.pbase.com/nc_bill
 
Lots of possibilities out there. Before Isabel told me about this "high-tech" system, I was using Kleenex or hankies.

The Kleenex was not such a good idea, as it generally scattered lint and paper dust all over the camera and lens. The hankies were less "linty", but there was always the danger of grabbing a used one out of your pocket and THAT'SNOT good for the flash unit! :-)

--
Bill McClung (a.k.a. 'NC BILL')
Image galleries at http://www.pbase.com/nc_bill
 
Be sure to get pastries with icing. The brand of refrigerator pastries my wife buys is "Pillsbury", but I suspect that any similar product will have the same type of cup for the icing.

The only problem might be if the cups had a bit of a tint, which would affect white balance. The plastic cups used by Pillsbury seem to be just right.

--
Bill McClung (a.k.a. 'NC BILL')
Image galleries at http://www.pbase.com/nc_bill
 
Looks like you also have ye olde FZ50 replacement part rubber eye guard over the eyepiece too!

I "just happened" to purchase this very thing this evening. I'll have to give it a try with my FZ8....after eating the rolls, of course.
 
Thank you Bill for the pictures of icing cup with the demo fitting. It is innovative, cheap and very interesting. I am sure there will no laugh on this. There will be only a smile with appreciation.
 
Yes, I believe it was originally for that model. The eye cup works great on the FZ18, after removing the inner plastic insert.

I have used the camera extensively since installing the eye cup and it hasn't shown any signs of loosening.
--
Bill McClung (a.k.a. 'NC BILL')
Image galleries at http://www.pbase.com/nc_bill
 
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