SteB
Veteran Member
As I've written in a few other threads I've had an idea for making a cheap easy to assemble macro flash for some time. I had intended to finish it last year, but too much else happened.
The idea is to make macro photography more accessible with a cheap simple set up which will give light nearly as good as from the most expensive macro flashguns. I have deliberately used cheap easily available photo accessories, so anyone anywhere in the world can get the parts if they want. My intention was to make it minimalist i.e. no big heavy brackets if at all possible and very low profile. Also by using an independent flashgun available in all fits and other generic parts it should be possible to adapt it or use it on virtually any camera or system that takes external flashes.
I've got the flash now and most of the parts, but I want to test it out in the field before photographing the set-up. Unfortunately it's a bit wet and cold in my part of the world at moment so it's likely to be another day or so before I complete that part. However, I might post a quick photo in an hour or 2 to show what the set-up looks like.
The initial set-up and diffuser will be aimed at close range work with a working distance of about a max of 15cm. Although I have got another diffuser type which will allow it to be useful to 20-30cm, and I will build a diffuser that allows it to be used further out than that.
The set-up is quite similar to the one shown on Kurts blog linked to below.
http://orionmystery.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/270ex-for-macro-improved-version.html
However the main differences are that I will be using a Cokin P square type filter holder with a reverse mounted square modular hood as a front mounted bracket. The flash I got is a Polaroid PL 108-AF, which basically looks like a clone of the Metz 24 AF-1, but cheaper. It is a TTL flash and the Canon one I've got works with E-TTL. I was initially a bit worried about recycle times but when I just tried it our with a double layer diffuser I got virtually instant recycle times with a newly charged pair of AA Uniross Hybrio batteries.
I'll list the parts to show how cheap it has been. Prices are in UK pounds.
Polaroid PL108AF flash = £39.99
Cokin type P holder and 62mm adapter ring = £5.99
Square modular hood = £3.35
I roll hook and loop tape = £1
In addition you will obviously need an off camera cord if you haven't already got one. You can get a cheap one for less than £14 off eBay. You will also need some plain neutral vellum paper or white packing type foam for the diffuser, and some board to mount it on. In other words it should be only just over £60 even if you need an off camera TTL cord. It is also very light. The only assembly work is going to be making the diffuser, which is easy.
What you do is to put the square filter on normally with the adapter ring. On the top of the square modular hood I've attached a strip of 1cm thick foam with double sided tape. On the top of this stick a strip of hook and loop tape, and attach the opposing piece to the front of the flash.
Then mount the square modular hood on backwards. You will need to push the long ends of the square filter holder inside the hood to put it on backwards, it flexs easily. Then just velcro the flash on. This will actually hold it on and it won't fall off. However it will wobble slightly. So for a really tight fit loop an elastic band either side of the flash on the square modular hood and connect them over the flash via a small hook. This really holds the flash on tightly. Just attach the TTL cord and all you need to do is to make the diffuser.
As you can see from Kurt's diffuser it isn't complex. This is my original plastic cup diffuser they are all derived from.
There's a double layer vellum paper one here.
However, I have no found it easiest to mount them to a board. Just a bit of carboard or plastic that slots in the filter slots should be easy. Because these diffusers are easily crushed, I now have some that fold flat. You just get a clear plastic container (ideally 8-9cm diameter) with a flat bottom. You want to cut it off about 1.5-2cm from the bottom. Then cut in in half and cut a semi-circle from the bottom leaving a lip of at least 1cm. Then cut a few tabs from the hook and loop strips. The U-shaped diffuser can then be attached to the clear plastic former with hook and loop pads. This allows it to be carried flat. You can also stick the clear plastic former to the board like this. By making it modular like this you can make different length or shaped diffusers, all of which can be carried flat. If you have a flared former, with makes the diffuser more funnel shaped, then attack a foam diffuser and bend it back it gives good lighting for butterflies etc, at up to 30cm. I made a similar diffuser out of multiple layers cut from PC dust-covers a few years back and used it like that.
I've put this up now so anyone can ask questions if they fancy trying it themselves. If you've already got a small TTL flash and an off camera cord you've already got nearly everything. As soon as I can I will get some images of the set-up and some taken with it. Alongside this over the Summer I will be doing some comparisons of different price points of getting greater than 1:1. I'ill compare a 55-250mm zoom plus Raynox close-up lenses to the Sigma 70mm f2.8 plus extension tubes against the MP-E 65mm. I might also put a reversed 50mm or wide-angle, and possibly a 100mm macro lens in the mix.
The idea is to make macro photography more accessible with a cheap simple set up which will give light nearly as good as from the most expensive macro flashguns. I have deliberately used cheap easily available photo accessories, so anyone anywhere in the world can get the parts if they want. My intention was to make it minimalist i.e. no big heavy brackets if at all possible and very low profile. Also by using an independent flashgun available in all fits and other generic parts it should be possible to adapt it or use it on virtually any camera or system that takes external flashes.
I've got the flash now and most of the parts, but I want to test it out in the field before photographing the set-up. Unfortunately it's a bit wet and cold in my part of the world at moment so it's likely to be another day or so before I complete that part. However, I might post a quick photo in an hour or 2 to show what the set-up looks like.
The initial set-up and diffuser will be aimed at close range work with a working distance of about a max of 15cm. Although I have got another diffuser type which will allow it to be useful to 20-30cm, and I will build a diffuser that allows it to be used further out than that.
The set-up is quite similar to the one shown on Kurts blog linked to below.
http://orionmystery.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/270ex-for-macro-improved-version.html
However the main differences are that I will be using a Cokin P square type filter holder with a reverse mounted square modular hood as a front mounted bracket. The flash I got is a Polaroid PL 108-AF, which basically looks like a clone of the Metz 24 AF-1, but cheaper. It is a TTL flash and the Canon one I've got works with E-TTL. I was initially a bit worried about recycle times but when I just tried it our with a double layer diffuser I got virtually instant recycle times with a newly charged pair of AA Uniross Hybrio batteries.
I'll list the parts to show how cheap it has been. Prices are in UK pounds.
Polaroid PL108AF flash = £39.99
Cokin type P holder and 62mm adapter ring = £5.99
Square modular hood = £3.35
I roll hook and loop tape = £1
In addition you will obviously need an off camera cord if you haven't already got one. You can get a cheap one for less than £14 off eBay. You will also need some plain neutral vellum paper or white packing type foam for the diffuser, and some board to mount it on. In other words it should be only just over £60 even if you need an off camera TTL cord. It is also very light. The only assembly work is going to be making the diffuser, which is easy.
What you do is to put the square filter on normally with the adapter ring. On the top of the square modular hood I've attached a strip of 1cm thick foam with double sided tape. On the top of this stick a strip of hook and loop tape, and attach the opposing piece to the front of the flash.
Then mount the square modular hood on backwards. You will need to push the long ends of the square filter holder inside the hood to put it on backwards, it flexs easily. Then just velcro the flash on. This will actually hold it on and it won't fall off. However it will wobble slightly. So for a really tight fit loop an elastic band either side of the flash on the square modular hood and connect them over the flash via a small hook. This really holds the flash on tightly. Just attach the TTL cord and all you need to do is to make the diffuser.
As you can see from Kurt's diffuser it isn't complex. This is my original plastic cup diffuser they are all derived from.
There's a double layer vellum paper one here.
However, I have no found it easiest to mount them to a board. Just a bit of carboard or plastic that slots in the filter slots should be easy. Because these diffusers are easily crushed, I now have some that fold flat. You just get a clear plastic container (ideally 8-9cm diameter) with a flat bottom. You want to cut it off about 1.5-2cm from the bottom. Then cut in in half and cut a semi-circle from the bottom leaving a lip of at least 1cm. Then cut a few tabs from the hook and loop strips. The U-shaped diffuser can then be attached to the clear plastic former with hook and loop pads. This allows it to be carried flat. You can also stick the clear plastic former to the board like this. By making it modular like this you can make different length or shaped diffusers, all of which can be carried flat. If you have a flared former, with makes the diffuser more funnel shaped, then attack a foam diffuser and bend it back it gives good lighting for butterflies etc, at up to 30cm. I made a similar diffuser out of multiple layers cut from PC dust-covers a few years back and used it like that.
I've put this up now so anyone can ask questions if they fancy trying it themselves. If you've already got a small TTL flash and an off camera cord you've already got nearly everything. As soon as I can I will get some images of the set-up and some taken with it. Alongside this over the Summer I will be doing some comparisons of different price points of getting greater than 1:1. I'ill compare a 55-250mm zoom plus Raynox close-up lenses to the Sigma 70mm f2.8 plus extension tubes against the MP-E 65mm. I might also put a reversed 50mm or wide-angle, and possibly a 100mm macro lens in the mix.
.
