Fun Flash Diffuser

[PhillipA]

.. a small piece of foil on the back (inside if you could get it through the slot) to see if it reduces the light loss ?
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Judge: ' This image may be better in black and white - perhaps even just black! '

 

[narci]

.. a small piece of foil on the back (inside if you could get it through the slot) to see if it reduces the light loss ?
--

Judge: ' This image may be better in black and white - perhaps even just black! '

Leaving the ping pong ball the way it is pretty good because it spreads the light all around...not in 1 direction..which is what your trying to do.

 

[PhillipA]

.. a small piece of foil on the back (inside if you could get it through the slot) to see if it reduces the light loss ?
--

Judge: ' This image may be better in black and white - perhaps even just black! '

Leaving the ping pong ball the way it is pretty good because it spreads the light all around...not in 1 direction..which is what your trying to do.

But surely any light spilling out the back will be wasted as the power of the flash is so low this light won't bounce off the ceiling or back wall to add fill - as it would with a large flash unit.
--

Judge: ' This image may be better in black and white - perhaps even just black! '

 

[narci]

.. a small piece of foil on the back (inside if you could get it through the slot) to see if it reduces the light loss ?
--

Judge: ' This image may be better in black and white - perhaps even just black! '

Leaving the ping pong ball the way it is pretty good because it spreads the light all around...not in 1 direction..which is what your trying to do.

But surely any light spilling out the back will be wasted as the power of the flash is so low this light won't bounce off the ceiling or back wall to add fill - as it would with a large flash unit.
--

Judge: ' This image may be better in black and white - perhaps even just black! '

The flash is so far in within the ping pong ball..I doubt it'll make any difference if you try to put something reflective on the back of the ball.

You can always try it though.

 

[GaryW]

.. a small piece of foil on the back (inside if you could get it through the slot) to see if it reduces the light loss ?

Sounds like a good idea offhand.

What I did is take a "softbox" intended for a large external flash, and put that over the Nex's flash. It doesn't quite fit, so I pulled a velcro-type strip around to hold it to the Nex flash. It mostly works. Anyway, it has some sort of foil on the back/sides to reflect the light. however, since it's designed for a larger light, there is still some loss behind, which is really annoying! Anyway, it mostly works for the intended purpose -- the flash is softened somewhat. It also tends to focus/block the light, so you can't use the wider angles. This is OK most of the time, as I generally only want to use the flash with portraits, but sometimes I want a larger room view, and it'll cast a shadow.

I made a custom diffuser for my other camera, so I thought about making one for this one as well. I have not come up with a design yet, but I have a general idea. I hadn't thought of adding foil to the backside, but maybe I should consider that in the design as well. However, I like to make things just a thin piece of plastic so that I can fold it into a camera bag or whatever. I don't think I can add a layer of foil and have it survive being bent back and forth a lot.

--
Gary W.

 

[npires]

I'll post some pictures at some point but the ping pong ball really does knock back the flash. I also tried it with the orange ping pong ball and it gives all the pictures an instant sepia look pretty strong effect as well! This was taken in a room with very low ambient light I don't think it'll be as orange in normal light conditions though.

 

[Peteris Usins]

Thats what I am doing right now

now want to make second sferical reflector and ~ 20x20cm diffuser

 

[Peteris Usins]

sorry photos are in wrong order in previos post. can't edit anymore

 

[davect01]

Awesome ideas guys and gals. Might just try a few of them.
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[Peteris Usins]

 

[T. L. Rutter]

Freaking mystery solved!!!!!!

I believe it was last year or so, there was a story about the two biggest sellers at walmart was ammo and ping pong balls. Now, I know! Thanks for the tip, bro!

--

HX1 / HX5V User Group on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=596585274&ref=name#/group.php?gid=101987207312

Sony HX-1, HX5V, NEX3
16mm (E-Mount)
18-55mm (E-Mount)
70-300 (A-Mount)

 

[Peteris Usins]

so this doesn't work well, till 2 m is fine, more distance - not enough power/ much light loss.

Tried to remove foam film - doesn't help

seems the problem is in wrong aluminium foil "mirrors" - the direction of light is wrong and most off light is not leaving the box or is doing it in wrong direction.

maybe it would be enought with ring type universal diffuser?

 

[narci]

The box shape isn't the best at directing light. seems like light will just bounce around inside the box.

Maybe try a round shape instead of a box?

 

[davect01]

I picked up a set of table tennis balls and stared cutting. I ruined two getting it right but ended up with two successes.

top view



(cell phone shot)

side view



(cell phone shot)

installed view



(cell phone shot)

Now I don't think I will leave this on all the time since the flash does not lay totally flat when not in use. Gotta find a spot in the bag where it wont get crushed.

Here are two pics taken, see for yourself. I set the camera to fully auto so there would be no user mistake.

Normal flash with sunlight coming in the through window from the right



Diffuser in place with sunlight coming in through the window from the right



--
Novice photobug, proud NEX-3 owner
http://davesnex-3photos.blogspot.com/

 

[davect01]

I forgot to add that I added velcro to the flash and it holds in place very well.
--
Novice photobug, proud NEX-3 owner
http://davesnex-3photos.blogspot.com/

 

[davect01]

So as it got dark I took two more shots. This really showed the difference. Again shot in fully Auto mode, so that nothing I did would effect the outcome.

Auto mode, dim light, no diffuser:



Very washed out

Auto mode, dim light, diffuser on:



Much better, what a difference.

Who would have thought that for $1.39 at Walmart, a bit of Velcro and some careful knife work this would work?
--
Novice photobug, proud NEX-3 owner
http://davesnex-3photos.blogspot.com/

 

[RUwithME?]

I made a little tube out of piece of parchment paper (about 1½" long-37 mm) wrapped around the flash and held together with tape.

Works just fine.

 

[Jorisnex]

Just bought some ping pong balls and tried it. Works great.

I experimented with some duct tape, just blinding a part of the front. I am quite pleased with this mod as it sort of makes up for the fact that the flash can't be tilted up. If I slide the ball the other way around over the flash, the blind spot is ineffective.

I know it looks like crap. I was experimenting and will sacrifice another ball to do it better when I feel like it.

 

[zacharydrake]

Any pics of the orange ball as the diffuser?

 

[Ed Mika]

I had great luck using a clear 35mm film container, it fit the NEX flash perfectly. After I directed the flash forward more by cutting an white coated 1mm thick aluminum sheet into a mushroom shape and placing it inside at the top. Works perfect, looks pretty slick and the flash can be turned on or off like normal (not sure if is the case with the pingpong mod).