Flash Diffusers

DaveW · Post by **DaveW** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:17 am

The talk of the old paper towel, paper handkerchief, or even tissue paper diffusers over flash in one of the other forums prompts me to ask if anybody has used their more modern replacements and if they have do they recommend them:-

http://search.ebay.co.uk/search/search. ... age=search

http://search.ebay.co.uk/search/search. ... arch&fgtp=

DaveW

Bruce Williams · Post by **Bruce Williams** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 2:28 pm

I didn't know about this sort of accessory Dave so thanks for the info and links.

Bruce

salden · Post by **salden** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 3:01 pm

I have the following:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Soft-Flash-Diffus ... dZViewItem

and the:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-Soft-Diffuser ... dZViewItem

I use the last one linked the most. I have a Canon 550EX and it does help.

DaveW · Post by **DaveW** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 12:06 am

Thanks Sue,

The first link looks a little large and intimidating to use for close-up's of insects but the second looks as if it may be OK. I will check it and similar ones out.

All the best,

DaveW

DaveW · Post by **DaveW** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 2:58 am

Regarding the DIY methods to get on camera hot shoe or pop-up flash light to where you need it for macro you may find these efforts useful, interesting or at least amusing:-

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28736

http://www.deviantart.com/view/8093995/?offset=10

DaveW

salden · Post by **salden** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:51 am

those techniques are a bit amusing, but if they work. I use flash brackets to get the flash where I want it and that method works for me, so I will stick with it

arlon · Post by **arlon** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:35 am

I have made several of them (diffusers and reflectors) in various configurations for various flashes. I use velcro "dots" to hold them on. Most are made from milk carton plastic or other such free garbage. I even made a cardboard "surround" flash adapter for my sunpak383. It was a tinfoil lined cardboard tunnel with a down deflector on the end to get flash over the end of a reversed lens on a bellows. It worked quite well until I found an old vivitar ring flash and made an adapter to connect it directly to the reversed lens.

You can do a lot for getting flash where you need it (even the onboard flash) for very little money. $2 worth of velcro or really go economy and just use masking tape to hold things on.. I could not care less what it looks like as long as the pictures come out OK. It gives me some pleasure to take my D50, old generic bellows, cardboard flash deflector and a 30 year old lens out into the field and walk away with a better image than someone who came with all the "right stuff"..

Adrian · Post by **Adrian** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 4:16 am

Dave, i used one of those white omni bounce flash diffusers on my 580ex to make my huntsman photograph.

it can be found here. http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... php?t=3186

i find that for softer shadows its best used with the flash head at a 45degree angle or higher.

i used it with the flash head at a 45degree angle for the huntsman.

DaveW · Post by **DaveW** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 4:21 am

Thanks Adrian.

DaveW

puzzledpaul · Post by **puzzledpaul** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 6:28 am

<< You can do a lot for getting flash where you need it (even the onboard flash) for very little money. >>

A similar approach adopted here

...

http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... .php?t=998

Dave, Bruce - am currently using the bottom part from an HP (Brown) sauce plastic bottle and have also tried things like plastic milk 'bottles' too as diffusers.

Strategically placed cuts allow this to just slide over the head of a 550ex flash.
I also wrap some thin (cellular type structured) packing 'foam' sheet around as well (held on with rubber band)

Major problem / issue (imo) when dealing with certain types of (lo-tech)solutions, is to get one that's flexible enough for portrait > Landscape etc and doesn't foul the surroundings ... esp when using shorter FL lenses.

pp

arlon · Post by **arlon** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 9:55 am

puzzledpaul wrote:<< You can do a lot for getting flash where you need it (even the onboard flash) for very little money. >>

A similar approach adopted here ...

http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... .php?t=998

pp

Very similar to my approach but mine went straight and didn't split. That one is also a work of art compared to what mine looked like! That's looks much better thought out than mine was.. It still got the job done though.

cannyman · Post by **cannyman** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 4:53 am

Looking for a good diffuser, I found the best was an old broken 8 foot neon light diffuser. There is no light loss and it does what it was made for,It diffuses light.

puzzledpaul · Post by **puzzledpaul** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:18 am

Dave - since getting an mpe65 in Nov, most of the (2k+) shots taken with it have used an A4 sheet of Tyvek (about 10p) as diffuser.

I wrap a bit of thin cardboard (25-30 mm wide, ex cereal pkt) round the flash head, to act as a base onto which to attach the diffuser matl (wrapped round end, with 'airspace' with corners 'tucked in') - this allows whole lot to be easily slid off and keeps flash head free of tape residue etc.

Have found this setup more useful (in some ways) than a bigger more rigid setup, as the 'envelope' will deform (when used) in restricted spaces... sometimes made necessary 'cos of very short working distance at higher mags with this lens.

Just yesterday noticed (and bought) from S'burys a 3 pack of disposable face masks - early trials also look promising

Nothing against tissues / kitchen towel - except that they're fairly weak (esp if wet) and snag quite easily on thorns / branches etc ... which the others don't so much.

Flash head over end of lens on custom bracket, btw ... as usual.

pp

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