My DIY Macro Diffuser

I finally decided to sit down and actually make one of these things. I did alot of searching on the net and decided that this one was exactly what I wanted, a on-flash softbox.

Here is the link with the tutorial etc...
http://www.diyphotography.net/homestudio/cheap-diy-flash-mounted-softbox

I printed out the template and cut it into a big piece of cardboard. I then lined the inside with tin foil and then duct taped the whole thing together. I just duct taped a piece of paper towel onto the front for a diffuser. Here's the final product:







Not the prettiest thing, but I did a quick test and the results speak for themselves. Check the reply.

--
http://picasaweb.google.com/chrswggl

I just did a quick test in the basement because it's dark out now, but hopefully I'll get some real testing done soon.

Just the bare flash on a bracket:



And with the softbox:



There's a HUGE difference here. Notice how the shadow has almost completely disappeared. I do lose about 1.5 stops of light with the diffuser mounted so we'll see how that affects flash recharge times.

Anyone else got any DIY diffusers to show off?

--
http://picasaweb.google.com/chrswggl

That's impressive! Thanks for sharing. I've bookmarked this so I can try it out as well.

An easier old trick is to use rubber band to hold a white handkerchief or napkin in front of the flash head. The elasticity of the rubber band will keep the "diffuser" in place, and it can be removed after use.

chrswggl said:

I finally decided to sit down and actually make one of these things. I did alot of searching on the net and decided that this one was exactly what I wanted, a on-flash softbox.

Here is the link with the tutorial etc...
http://www.diyphotography.net/homestudio/cheap-diy-flash-mounted-softbox

I printed out the template and cut it into a big piece of cardboard. I then lined the inside with tin foil and then duct taped the whole thing together. I just duct taped a piece of paper towel onto the front for a diffuser. Here's the final product:







Not the prettiest thing, but I did a quick test and the results speak for themselves. Check the reply.

--
http://picasaweb.google.com/chrswggl

Click to expand...

Nice results!

How have you found exposure using P-TTL and your diffuser? Ive found that I need around 2/3 stops boost to get the same exposure using my diffuser (Pentax AF360 flash and GX-20 camera).

I recently made myself a diffuser from some foam sheet. It works very well, weighs nothing, costs nothing, and is easy to bring along since it folds well.

Below are some shots of the contraption, as well as samples with/without the diffuser. The shots are taken with the flash head down, "direct" mode.

1.



2.



3.



4. Flash off camera, no diffuser



5. Flash off camera, using diffuser



6. Flash on camera, no diffuser



7. Flash on camera, using diffuser



Link to Flickr set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36164047@N06/sets/72157620657038243/

chrswggl said:

I just did a quick test in the basement because it's dark out now, but hopefully I'll get some real testing done soon.

Just the bare flash on a bracket:



And with the softbox:



There's a HUGE difference here. Notice how the shadow has almost completely disappeared. I do lose about 1.5 stops of light with the diffuser mounted so we'll see how that affects flash recharge times.

Click to expand...

Hi

Seems to work well.

chrswggl said:

Anyone else got any DIY diffusers to show off?

Click to expand...

I use plastic cheese wrappers from individually sliced processed cheese.

Much easier to make and more control than with any other type, including commercial ones.....not enough diffusion or reduction in power?..simple....add a few more sheets/folds.

Especially for non-reporting lenses (K mount, m42 mount or even bare Nikon f mount) lenses on pentax cameras.

Can be shaped/folded into whatever you want.
Can be sticky taped into place or held with a rubber band etc.

You can make one for each lens/aperture you use regularly and they take up no room...if you lose one ...make another in seconds.

You can experiment all you like and when you get what you like you can easily make it again.

For the built in flash on my K100d (currently broken) I prefer to use a match box size pillow.

For the hotshoe flash on my IST*D, I have just used a few sheets sticky taped to the flash head so far but am happy with it like that for now with the 58 f2 Biotar that seems to be pretty much glued on my camera right now.

Cheap CY-20 flash (less than $20 posted new) with a few sheets of cheese warpper on the flash head.



Using 58 f2 Biotar m42 lens with flange adapter and CY-20 flash, no diffuser/reducer at minimum focus distance at f2 iso 200.



Same but stopped down between f5.6 and f8 without diffuser/reducer.



Adding the cheese wrappers to the flash and f2 at minimum focus distance is now ok...and if it was not, just add or subtract sheest and folds.



and stopped down a little more...around 2.8 with the cheese wrappers.



Hasty jpegs as taken for this thread (except resized )....I am out of cheese so only have the wrappers already on my flash... Since most of my lenses are old non reporting K mount or m42 mount, I have found this to make those lenses very much more useable.

If you or your family likes processed sliced cheese it is also free.

neil

link back to flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26884588@N00/

wouldn't post the msg w/o some sort of text in the body...

i guess nt = no text is gone.
could use npt = no pertinent text

Heres mine.

As you can see its for the onboard flash. I designed it for the dcr250 and for the 35 limited, as for those i dont like to use a flash unit. It is portable ( smallish and dont need much care as its flexible) and have a real quck snap on "mounting" (its an oversized hole and a rubber band )



Its made out of a cd-cake's top. I sanded the surface until it was opaque enough.

I agree - pretty well any sort of diffusion improves macro flash work. I use simple bits of plastic like this (one for each lens barrel diameter) to give a semi-ring flash effect from the onboard



and something like yours but a bit bigger for remote guns (luckily the cardboard was white on one side so I didn't bother with foil)



With a bit more time and effort I have also made this set up



--
Gerry


First camera 1953, first Pentax 1983, first DSLR 2006
http://www.pbase.com/gerrywinterbourne

Interesting, but the whole point of building the diffuser (for me, at least) was to increase the size of the lightsource. I was using paper towel or a trash bag piece for a while but those, while reducing hot spots, didn't do alot to reduce shadows.

--
http://picasaweb.google.com/chrswggl

Wow, does it work as a ring flash of sorts?

--
http://picasaweb.google.com/chrswggl

I like this thread, my how inventive, you guys are!!!

regards

Brent
--
Changing light gives me the possibility of seeing the world from a new
perspective.
For me photography is a tool for capturing these insights, for reflection and
sharing.

I dont know what you mean on works like a ring flash. Didnt touch one yet.

Since it kind of emits liht from zhe sides as well as from the top near to the subject, it really softens shadows on macro subjets. But if it ackts like a good katchlight in eyes, well most likely not as its not a full circle... besides the on board flash spills direct light on farther subjekts, unless you add some shading to it on the top.

Here's my diffuser, made from the plastic of a Gallon Milk Jug.



Evan

This is made from a bicycle water bottle.
It covers the 10-17 FE.

RevRat said:

This is made from a bicycle water bottle.
It covers the 10-17 FE.

Click to expand...

This is great, a way to use flash with the 10-17!

Thank you to all who have shared in this thread. Great DYI stuff!
--
LaRee
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27204583@N05/
http://www.laree.smugmug.com/
http://laree.zenfolio.com/
WSSA #181 Pentax Chapter

I think this is ingenious and as it works at 10mm it is a brilliant concept

Mike