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Homemade Macro flash defuser

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digital-freak159830

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Not exactly homemade, but something I discovered. If you've ever bought the Pillsbury cinnamon rolls, there is a translucent plastic container that the icing comes in. After I enjoyed a freshly baked cinnamon roll, okay okay I had two, I cleaned the plastic container. I simply placed it on top of the camera and started testing. The results were pretty good, considering I spent no money and no time to construct.

I didn't set up a tripod so they are not the sharpest, my main objective was exposure. I used spot metering an all macros in program mode. I used Sony DSC-F717 Macro mode with no addional close-up lens.

Here are some pictures.

Defuser picture 1



Defuser picture two



Sitting on camera ( basicly just hold it in place, until I figure out a way to mount it)



Eamples

No defuser



with defuser



no defuser



with defuser



--
Mark

http://www.digitalfreak.8m.com
http://adigitalfreak.deviantart.com/thumbnails/

S O N Y DSC-F717, Olympus B-300, S a n d i s k 512 MS Pro, Slik tripod(qr)
 
Great idea! Recently I was playing around with a light box and used a piece of white sheet folded over and it did well.

I have not tried it yet with the F717 but when I had my Olympus 2020 I would use Post-It tape. Only place I find it now is ordering it online from either office depot or Staples. It is like white paper with a Post-It note backing so you can tape it over your flash and peel it off when you are done. It is like putting a piece of white paper in front of your flash.
digital-freak said:
Not exactly homemade, but something I discovered. If you've ever
bought the Pillsbury cinnamon rolls, there is a translucent plastic
container that the icing comes in. After I enjoyed a freshly baked
Click to expand...
--
Michael Jones
Join the Infrared Ultraviolet Photography Group:
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What a great idea

So simple I have to try this one out.

Thanks for the post DF,

Paul
 
I am off to try a similar concept! Thanks for the idea...

Stever
digital-freak said:
Not exactly homemade, but something I discovered. If you've ever
bought the Pillsbury cinnamon rolls, there is a translucent plastic
container that the icing comes in. After I enjoyed a freshly baked
cinnamon roll, okay okay I had two, I cleaned the plastic
container. I simply placed it on top of the camera and started
testing. The results were pretty good, considering I spent no money
and no time to construct.

I didn't set up a tripod so they are not the sharpest, my main
objective was exposure. I used spot metering an all macros in
program mode. I used Sony DSC-F717 Macro mode with no addional
close-up lens.

Here are some pictures.

Defuser picture 1



Defuser picture two



Sitting on camera ( basicly just hold it in place, until I figure
out a way to mount it)



Eamples

No defuser



with defuser



no defuser



with defuser



--
Mark

http://www.digitalfreak.8m.com
http://adigitalfreak.deviantart.com/thumbnails/

S O N Y DSC-F717, Olympus B-300, S a n d i s k 512 MS Pro, Slik
tripod(qr)
Click to expand...
--
...they don't qualify as 'galleries' but http://www.fotki.com/pukrat
 
Thanks for the tip!
digital-freak said:
Not exactly homemade, but something I discovered. If you've ever
bought the Pillsbury cinnamon rolls, there is a translucent plastic
container that the icing comes in. After I enjoyed a freshly baked
cinnamon roll, okay okay I had two, I cleaned the plastic
container. I simply placed it on top of the camera and started
testing. The results were pretty good, considering I spent no money
and no time to construct.

I didn't set up a tripod so they are not the sharpest, my main
objective was exposure. I used spot metering an all macros in
program mode. I used Sony DSC-F717 Macro mode with no addional
close-up lens.

Here are some pictures.

Defuser picture 1



Defuser picture two



Sitting on camera ( basicly just hold it in place, until I figure
out a way to mount it)



Eamples

No defuser



with defuser



no defuser



with defuser



--
Mark

http://www.digitalfreak.8m.com
http://adigitalfreak.deviantart.com/thumbnails/

S O N Y DSC-F717, Olympus B-300, S a n d i s k 512 MS Pro, Slik
tripod(qr)
Click to expand...
 
I have added a velcro strap to easily attach it a top my F717.

I punched holes on both sides with a flat screw driver, cleaned it up with razor blade. Cut two 1/2" x 5" strips on velcro. Had my wife sew the ends that went through the holes.

Defuser w/ velcro straps



Sewn end


digital-freak said:
Not exactly homemade, but something I discovered. If you've ever
bought the Pillsbury cinnamon rolls, there is a translucent plastic
container that the icing comes in. After I enjoyed a freshly baked
cinnamon roll, okay okay I had two, I cleaned the plastic
container. I simply placed it on top of the camera and started
testing. The results were pretty good, considering I spent no money
and no time to construct.

I didn't set up a tripod so they are not the sharpest, my main
objective was exposure. I used spot metering an all macros in
program mode. I used Sony DSC-F717 Macro mode with no addional
close-up lens.

Here are some pictures.

Defuser picture 1



Defuser picture two



Sitting on camera ( basicly just hold it in place, until I figure
out a way to mount it)



Eamples

No defuser



with defuser



no defuser



with defuser



--
Mark

http://www.digitalfreak.8m.com
http://adigitalfreak.deviantart.com/thumbnails/

S O N Y DSC-F717, Olympus B-300, S a n d i s k 512 MS Pro, Slik
tripod(qr)
Click to expand...
--
Mark

http://www.digitalfreak.8m.com
http://adigitalfreak.deviantart.com/thumbnails/

S O N Y DSC-F717, Olympus B-300, S a n d i s k 512 MS Pro, Slik tripod(qr)
 
Why not try it and post a picture to see how it works?

I'm doing Atkins right now; gonna have to get one from someone else.
Thanks Digitalfreak

Perry
 
My hubby is thrilled with this. Not only did he get nice warm orange rolls this morning...I got an addition to my camera bag that was essentially free! He is so accustomed to this board costing me money! :) I tried it out and for some purposes its exactly what I need. Thanks for your ingenuity.
Teresa
digital-freak said:
Not exactly homemade, but something I discovered. If you've ever
bought the Pillsbury cinnamon rolls, there is a translucent plastic
container that the icing comes in. After I enjoyed a freshly baked
cinnamon roll, okay okay I had two, I cleaned the plastic
container. I simply placed it on top of the camera and started
testing. The results were pretty good, considering I spent no money
and no time to construct.

I didn't set up a tripod so they are not the sharpest, my main
objective was exposure. I used spot metering an all macros in
program mode. I used Sony DSC-F717 Macro mode with no addional
close-up lens.
Click to expand...
 
Be sure to buy the "Grands" size.
Just finished another delicious Pillsbury "Orange" Cinnamon roll. Mmmm Mmmm.

Can't thank you enough 'freak.

I'm delighted to be able to use flash for those ultra close macros now. And the softening effect is great (you're right - a slight warming tone too).

Gotta go look for more stuff to shoot now :-)
R2
 
Not a bad idea... I think i'll try something similar. Maybe I can come up with something a tad more practical, and better looking though :)

An idea springs to mind... how about taping a sheet of baking paper over the flash? It's tranclucent enough to let light through, but would diffuse it well. I'll try it once my camera gets back from service.

--

'Computer games don't affect kids; I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and listening to repetitive electronic music.'
  • Kristian Wilson, Nintendo Inc, 1989
 
digital-freak said:
Not exactly homemade, but something I discovered. If you've ever
bought the Pillsbury cinnamon rolls, there is a translucent plastic
container that the icing comes in. After I enjoyed a freshly baked
cinnamon roll, okay okay I had two, I cleaned the plastic
container. I simply placed it on top of the camera and started
testing. The results were pretty good, considering I spent no money
and no time to construct.

I didn't set up a tripod so they are not the sharpest, my main
objective was exposure. I used spot metering an all macros in
program mode. I used Sony DSC-F717 Macro mode with no addional
close-up lens.

Here are some pictures.
Click to expand...
D-F,
digital-freak159830 said:
Defuser picture 1



Defuser picture two



Sitting on camera ( basicly just hold it in place, until I figure
out a way to mount it)



Eamples

No defuser



with defuser



no defuser



with defuser



--
Mark

http://www.digitalfreak.8m.com
http://adigitalfreak.deviantart.com/thumbnails/

S O N Y DSC-F717, Olympus B-300, S a n d i s k 512 MS Pro, Slik
tripod(qr)
Click to expand...
D-F,

That difuser is a cool little thing. I'll have to use that idea. What a difference it makes.

Is there really any difference in results whether or not I use the "macro" setting on the camera? I didn't notice any. But may not have palyed around enough yet.

So you're pretty much saying that what I discovered is the truth. I won't be able to make a very large macro image by zooming out to get it. Am I right? If so, I would think it next to impossible to capture any kind of "critter" image in macro(or frame-filling close-up). Yet I'm sure I've seen some---even here on STF. Has a close-up diopter always been necessary to achieve this?
 
BobT said:
So you're pretty much saying that what I discovered is the truth.
I won't be able to make a very large macro image by zooming out to
get it. Am I right? If so, I would think it next to impossible to
capture any kind of "critter" image in macro(or frame-filling
close-up). Yet I'm sure I've seen some---even here on STF. Has a
close-up diopter always been necessary to achieve this?
Click to expand...
You can get up close and personal without using diopters. I took this pic in macro mode with nothing but a UV fliter onthe camera at it widest setting. Just get the camera in close and frame the shot. If you get too close it won't focus. Just back away a little bit and try over. I think the UV filter was about 1/2" away from the bee when I took this one.



--

'On the plains of hesitation bleach the bones of countless millions who, at the dawn of victory, sat down to wait and waiting-died' George W. Cecil
 
Bob, the diffuser will work great for all flash shots, not just macro.
Here's a picture using the diffuser... it works magic.



R2
BobT said:
D-F,

That difuser is a cool little thing. I'll have to use that idea.
What a difference it makes.

Is there really any difference in results whether or not I use the
"macro" setting on the camera? I didn't notice any. But may not
have palyed around enough yet.

So you're pretty much saying that what I discovered is the truth.
I won't be able to make a very large macro image by zooming out to
get it. Am I right? If so, I would think it next to impossible to
capture any kind of "critter" image in macro(or frame-filling
close-up). Yet I'm sure I've seen some---even here on STF. Has a
close-up diopter always been necessary to achieve this?
Click to expand...
--
Good judgement comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgement.

http://www.pbase.com/jekyll_and_hyde/galleries
 
Thank you.

This what's great about the STF forum, people willing share solutions to problems that plague us all. The difference in the photos is remarkable...

And by the way, it's been a long winter here in VT, and the photos are great. The flowers help remind me what spring was like.
Thx again
Jim
digital-freak159830 said:
Here are some pictures.

Defuser picture 1



Defuser picture two



Sitting on camera ( basicly just hold it in place, until I figure
out a way to mount it)



Eamples

No defuser



with defuser



no defuser



with defuser



--
Mark

http://www.digitalfreak.8m.com
http://adigitalfreak.deviantart.com/thumbnails/

S O N Y DSC-F717, Olympus B-300, S a n d i s k 512 MS Pro, Slik
tripod(qr)
Click to expand...
 
http://elfving73.instantlogic.com/Images/Photos/ {33932C6B-DF5B-4FC3-A36D-A9E34EA7EF88} {FF35D193-48F9-4782-8E40-4F87FC35CD2B}.jpg

Very effective! Does the trick!

Mattias
BobT said:
digital-freak said:
Not exactly homemade, but something I discovered. If you've ever
bought the Pillsbury cinnamon rolls, there is a translucent plastic
container that the icing comes in. After I enjoyed a freshly baked
cinnamon roll, okay okay I had two, I cleaned the plastic
container. I simply placed it on top of the camera and started
testing. The results were pretty good, considering I spent no money
and no time to construct.

I didn't set up a tripod so they are not the sharpest, my main
objective was exposure. I used spot metering an all macros in
program mode. I used Sony DSC-F717 Macro mode with no addional
close-up lens.

Here are some pictures.
Click to expand...
D-F,
BobT said:
Defuser picture 1



Defuser picture two



Sitting on camera ( basicly just hold it in place, until I figure
out a way to mount it)



Eamples

No defuser



with defuser



no defuser



with defuser



--
Mark

http://www.digitalfreak.8m.com
http://adigitalfreak.deviantart.com/thumbnails/

S O N Y DSC-F717, Olympus B-300, S a n d i s k 512 MS Pro, Slik
tripod(qr)
Click to expand...
D-F,

That difuser is a cool little thing. I'll have to use that idea.
What a difference it makes.

Is there really any difference in results whether or not I use the
"macro" setting on the camera? I didn't notice any. But may not
have palyed around enough yet.

So you're pretty much saying that what I discovered is the truth.
I won't be able to make a very large macro image by zooming out to
get it. Am I right? If so, I would think it next to impossible to
capture any kind of "critter" image in macro(or frame-filling
close-up). Yet I'm sure I've seen some---even here on STF. Has a
close-up diopter always been necessary to achieve this?
Click to expand...
--

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portraits: http://portraits.instantlogic.com/PhotoGallery.ilx
Miscellaneous: http://elfving73.instantlogic.com/PhotoGallery.ilx

http://elfving73.instantlogic.com/images//Photos/ {33932C6B-DF5B-4FC3-A36D-A9E34EA7EF88} {5D0FCD0B-A025-46A1-BF27-2CDED00E1403}.jpg
 
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