@Mods, I cant find a section to post this, please move as you wish.

This may be part of being a newbie.

When i started getting conscious on the harsh light that my built-in flash was throwing on my subjects, i started creating diffusers inspired by those i see on the web. Pretty much every translucent material i can find around my house(from tissue paper, CD sleeve, ice cube mold, alcohol bottle) i cut and try them on my onboard flash. I've also tried DIY softboxes.

Now, i have by SB600. So far i've tried the chicken waterer(hehe) as you can see in my avatar. I have also used the most recommended white business card clipped(?) by a rubber band around my flash gun for a bounce card, a white folder cut wider than a calling card for a wider bounce. My last find were a pair of translucent notebook covers:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2145/2121206420_3541a373cc.jpg

click here (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2145/2121206420_8f2635b7b7_o.jpg) for a closer look.

I think this would more presentable when used outside than a chicken waterer hehe.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2093/2120447821_4a7ca3f3c2_o.jpg
Photo by Glen Valdez

Please let me know what you think about this, and post your own DIY diffusers! I tried searching and most of the posts are scattered all over. And yeah. Sample photos when i bring this thing out to the real world on a wedding this Saturday.

rage: for a bounce card, we used a black plastic folder with 2 layers of white sticker paper :)

Great job Glen..... i will post the light spear DIY diffuser... made by my friend Gail...

the material you used looks like it is translucent.

so with your design the back of the card must be covered with black paper or thin cardboard so as not to spill some light. use it indoor with low white ceiling to bounce the light on with your flash tilted about 45 degrees pointed to the ceiling. on outdoor it will have no effect if you do not have anything to bounce the light on.

as a diffuser, the front of the flash must also be covered with your translucent material which will diffuse the light. the flash must be pointed to the subject when you use it.

Thanks for the input rudy. Based on these recommendation, what i did was i glued a glossy card board(folder) on one side, and a crumpled aluminum foil on the other.

Im hoping to use the white for a softer bounce and the foil side if i need more power.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2243/2126375477_51c6774de0_m.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2413/2126375335_aa8ea958bb_m.jpg



the material you used looks like it is translucent.

so with your design the back of the card must be covered with black paper or thin cardboard so as not to spill some light. use it indoor with low white ceiling to bounce the light on with your flash tilted about 45 degrees pointed to the ceiling. on outdoor it will have no effect if you do not have anything to bounce the light on.

as a diffuser, the front of the flash must also be covered with your translucent material which will diffuse the light. the flash must be pointed to the subject when you use it.

Hi! Where did you get your thick rubber band? I cant seem to find any. TIA

Hi! Where did you get your thick rubber band? I cant seem to find any. TIA

Hi, passerby here. Just thought of recommending a rubber bracelet to hold your diffuser. I'm using one myself, got it from a fastfood store selling it for charity. The diffuser I made I found here: www.abetterbouncecard.com :)

Nice one on the poultry water thingy :D I'll try that one. I also use the cd sleeve and a pingpong ball for the pop up flash.

Hi! Where did you get your thick rubber band? I cant seem to find any. TIA

I use a baller ID when I use cardboards, I like it cause it says Playah!

I use a baller ID when I use cardboards, I like it cause it says Playah!

Hahahaha! Cool! I gotta get me one of those!! :Grin: Hahaha!

Hi, passerby here. Just thought of recommending a rubber bracelet to hold your diffuser. I'm using one myself, got it from a fastfood store selling it for charity. The diffuser I made I found here: www.abetterbouncecard.com (http://www.abetterbouncecard.com) :)

Hi! Where is this fastfood store? thanks!

Hi! Where is this fastfood store? thanks!

Silly me I forgot what the rubber bracelet is called. Baller ID bands nga. I got it from McDonalds here in Sydney :D

Haha. Great Idea Marton. I'm gonna look for that baller band. Where can i possible shop for it? haha.

can we also try the lamination media? the one that we use for lamination film..
Do you guys think it will work?

@Nikkie, Is that the transparent thing used for laminating IDs? sorry not very familiar with this material.
*I'm saving up for Spectra Light. hehee.

speaking of spectral light... Which is better: Demb Flash Diffuser Jumbo or the Spectral Light? Torn between the two:)

@reydian, please post some sample photos taken with your cool DIY Diffuser

@Mel,
Here's one using the white bounce. I broke one of the plastics so no more diffuser for me.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2262/2247017050_288153e9bd_o.jpg
@Gian, I haven't tried the Demb yet. But i'm about to find out what i can do with the Spectra light.

@ Rage

Great! keep us posted:) i cant seem to choose between the two

Weee!!! i Got my Spectra Light this morning. There's just a lot of things you can do with it. I don't have the photos yet ready for posting though. @Gian, go for it. Its more economical and more functional.

Weee!!! i Got my Spectra Light this morning. There's just a lot of things you can do with it.

care to share how much?:) so we could compare prices. thanks!

Weee!!! i Got my Spectra Light this morning. There's just a lot of things you can do with it. I don't have the photos yet ready for posting though. @Gian, go for it. Its more economical and more functional.

Where did you get them? Saw them at a store (Ying Kee (http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/showthread.php?t=11459)) in Hong Kong on my last trip for I think around HK$100 (P. 550), was tempted but the ball joint was what stopped me from getting it, worried it might loosen up rather quickly. Love to hear your comments about it. Right now am very satisfied with my white plastic folder.

Ken

2050 from echostore (http://echografika.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=54&Itemid=37).

P2050 is the cheapest so far here in the Phils. Hmm.. tempting:Grin: hahaha!
Kindly share pics please!!:)

@Gian here's one taken with Spectra Light white bounce.
Only did cropping. No color edits/sharpening(just so happened i found the sweet spot of my lens)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2019/2250444481_b5f08acfea.jpg

Haha. Great Idea Marton. I'm gonna look for that baller band. Where can i possible shop for it? haha.

hi reydian, you can also try cutting a bike's tube interior, you can make several bands from it. most vulcanizing or bike shops (cartimar pasay) have them. :)

hi reydian, you can also try cutting a bike's tube interior, you can make several bands from it. most vulcanizing or bike shops (cartimar pasay) have them. :)


baller band should be available in any sport gear shop.

Baller band's Php10 in Divisoria, or in the sidewalks.

Thanks guys! So far the elastic band that came with Spectra LIght hasn't failed me yet :)

made one too for my sb400. check this out:

http://www.istorya.net/forums/index.php/topic,165585.0.html

That's a good one Britz! SB400 users check this out!

I will try this for sure, but may be use it with a crowd of friends. I need to make it look more professional, but nice idea. Frugal! :) not sure if the results would be great. Any body else has tried this one? Please post some results here.

Just give it a better wider garter perhaps, paint over the silver lining of the clip with black.
and cut your bounce card neat.
It should be good. :)

I usually get "what's that stuff for?" question when i use flash modifiers...
and tell ya, its difficult to answer in laymans term, but its fun to discuss with fellow enthusiasts

hi! somebody pointed me to this DIY pop-up flash diffuser using an old film canister (the translucent type). http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/images/smilies/Drogar-Happy%28DBG%29.gif

http://photojojo.com/content/diy/diy-film-container-flash-diffuser/


http://photojojo.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/DSC_7803_thumb.jpg

This is pretty neat. Now I have to search for plastic caps at home and fit one on my cam's pop-up flash. TFS.

hi! somebody pointed me to this DIY pop-up flash diffuser using an old film canister (the translucent type). http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/images/smilies/Drogar-Happy%28DBG%29.gif

http://photojojo.com/content/diy/diy-film-container-flash-diffuser/


http://photojojo.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/DSC_7803_thumb.jpg

hi! somebody pointed me to this DIY pop-up flash diffuser using an old film canister (the translucent type). http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/images/smilies/Drogar-Happy%28DBG%29.gif

http://photojojo.com/content/diy/diy-film-container-flash-diffuser/


http://photojojo.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/DSC_7803_thumb.jpg


astig!
anything like this for a nikon s40x?
just pushing my luck!
:Grin:

@Dean, it should be pretty much the same application to your d40x.

I did this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2108/2361109081_05d1589aab.jpg


doing this:



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/2361108759_11fc1583d3.jpg


Strobist info: Sb800 set to master on the D2H the Sb 600 was placed behind the potatohead toy

The Diffuser/Reflector is an old softbox frame I had lying around

guys, newbie here, if i'm buying my first flash, what would you recommend?

I did an experiment with some of the diffusers available in my camera bag. There are no other lights inside the room. (Sorry guys for the huge image size)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3186/2363677127_c0d8577144_o.jpg

Specs:
D40x (set to auto mode)
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 (set to f/4)
Sigma EF500 DG Super (TTL)
Exposure Time: 1/60
ISO Speed: ISO-200

Shots:
1. Direct flash
2. Flash tilted upwards
3. Flash turned backwards
4. Using A Better Bounce Card behind the flash(tilted upwards)
5. Using A Better Bounce Card in front of the flash(tilted upwards)
6. Direct flash using Stofen Gold Omni-bounce
7. Flash tilted upwards using Stofen Gold Omni-bounce
8. Flash turned backwards using Stofen Gold Omni-bounce

References:
Stofen Gold Omni-bounce ( http://etischer.com/omnibounce/IMG_6228.jpg )
A Better Bounce Card ( http://www.blainekendall.com/uploads/blog/IMG_1366.jpg ) or visit http://www.abetterbouncecard.com/

sorry talaga sa malaking image.

what an extensive test arpee.
thanks for the comparison :)

I did an experiment with some of the diffusers available in my camera bag. There are no other lights inside the room. (Sorry guys for the huge image size)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3186/2363677127_c0d8577144_o.jpg

Specs:
D40x (set to auto mode)
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 (set to f/4)
Sigma EF500 DG Super (TTL)
Exposure Time: 1/60
ISO Speed: ISO-200

Shots:
1. Direct flash
2. Flash tilted upwards
3. Flash turned backwards
4. Using A Better Bounce Card behind the flash(tilted upwards)
5. Using A Better Bounce Card in front of the flash(tilted upwards)
6. Direct flash using Stofen Gold Omni-bounce
7. Flash tilted upwards using Stofen Gold Omni-bounce
8. Flash turned backwards using Stofen Gold Omni-bounce

References:
Stofen Gold Omni-bounce ( http://etischer.com/omnibounce/IMG_6228.jpg )
A Better Bounce Card ( http://www.blainekendall.com/uploads/blog/IMG_1366.jpg ) or visit http://www.abetterbouncecard.com/

sorry talaga sa malaking image.


IMO, #7 looks best.
Nice test Arpee, TFS!

IMO, #7 looks best.
Nice test Arpee, TFS!


well, that's what i also thought. rage also told me, it's the best one. #7 is a bit warm for me but the good thing is that all the colors stand out. the background is vivid and not dull & no signs of shadows at all. REAL ambient light!
here's a larger image of this shot,


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3066/2364838315_c6671f62c2.jpg

can we also try the lamination media? the one that we use for lamination film..
Do you guys think it will work?
i made one but not with the laminating film... use the one for PVC ID. dont forget to peel off the other side..

The test (the one with 7 images) is very inaccurate and employs too many variables and the results doesn't exactly give any conclusions because:

1) Camera is in AUTO (meaning, shutter speed is hard set to 1/60), no consideration for ambient exposure. The variable exposure on every image already takes out any validity to the test.
2) Camera's ISO is set to 200, most probably too low and taxes the flash considerably (insufficient light, as seen on the images bounced behind the room, they're severely underexposed).
3) Room is seemingly too small and allows too many areas for the flash to bounce light off. If you look at all the bounced flash with a Stofen, they all throw the same light pattern.

All images show flat/frontal lighting except for the bare flash aimed towards the ceiling as majority of the light are either thrown directly AT the subject or have most of the light thrown to the ceiling and have the diffuser/bounce element throw significant light forward as well.

http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/showthread.php?t=29197&highlight=diffuser+works

Here's my DIY popup flash diffuser and bounce... I love Velcro! :)

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/5889/diffuserl.jpg

http://img816.imageshack.us/img816/8411/bounce.jpg

Compare... Sorry I can't find some real flowers here in my school. :D

With plain popup flash:
http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/2013/flashig.jpg


With my DIY diffuser:
http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/2262/diffuser.jpg


With my DIY bounce:
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/8411/bounce.jpg

My DIY Pop Up Flash Diffuser!

Simply a piece of typewriting paper and masking tape.


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs271.snc4/39907_1246503501271_1789938003_464588_3950018_n.jp ghttp://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs149.ash2/40802_1248005338816_1789938003_467685_5292347_n.jp ghttp://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs112.snc4/35949_1242832929509_1789938003_457525_5792487_n.jp g

I made another DIY diffuser out of a white plastic medicine bottle. :)
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/2262/diffuser.jpg


Here's my other DIY bounce made out of the plastic can of Skyflakes. :)
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/2518/bouncen.jpg

check this out: chamois bottle lid/cap as diffuser
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/685/dsc2181b.jpg (http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/685/dsc2181b.jpg)

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/2192/dsc2210b.jpg (http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/2192/dsc2210b.jpg)

sample 1: direct flash w/o diffuser
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/1694/dsc2187b.jpg (http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/1694/dsc2187b.jpg)

sample 2: direct flash w/diffuser
http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/4065/dsc2188b.jpg (http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/4065/dsc2188b.jpg)

sample 3: tilt 75 deg w/ diffuser
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/8488/dsc2189b.jpg (http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/8488/dsc2189b.jpg)

sample 4: tilt 90 deg w/ diffuser
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/4271/dsc2190b.jpg (http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/4271/dsc2190b.jpg)

what you think? pwede? :Dum: all photos no adjustment of exposure compensation, yellowish photo could have been cancelled if i brought the it 1 to 2 stops up. :Grin:

1 & 2 are identical

4 is best because of the lack of frontal flash shadows...

Read my previous post (http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/showpost.php?p=1024519&postcount=45) again about using diffusers.

The color cast is because of either the plastic actually emitting a slight cast, or the light that's been scattered picked up nearby brown wall elements causing the color cast, your flash's exposure compensation has nothing to do with it. Another example of how little effect diffusers have unless there's ample surfaces to bounce off from.

uy thanks sir!

so I tried making a DIY diffuser for my Panasonic Lumix FZ35 using a pingpong ball. It's okay but sometimes the picture become yellowish of some sort. Below are pictures for comparison.

with diffuser:

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/803/p1050194u.jpg

without diffuser:

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/3807/p1050195d.jpg

both in shutter priority with a 1/30 shutter speed, F/3, ISO 200 and in AWB

what can I do to address the problem? change in settings?

thanks in advance

Try to experiment with your white balance.

and those are exposure error/consistencies, nothing to do with the diffuser.

thanks guys for the reply. Sorry for blaming the diffuser, my friend told me that ^_^ Anyway, will try later adjusting exposures

has anyone tried the cheaper imitations of Spectra? If you have, I would appreciate your feedbacks on it. TIA

Heres my DIY Bounce Card..

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs789.ash1/167897_1811780132490_1179612248_32149806_6151629_n .jpg



Before: without bounce card 60 degrees

Exif: 1/30, F5, iso 200
Flash: 1/1 manual

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs026.snc6/165620_1812129781231_1179612248_32150264_4965545_n .jpg



After: with bounce card tilted 60 degrees

Exif: 1/30, F5, iso 200
Flash: 1/1 manual
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs007.snc6/165709_1812129621227_1179612248_32150263_5448421_n .jpg

That's because you tried to bounce the light off the SKY in the first pic, of course it'll be dark...

That's because you tried to bounce the light off the SKY in the first pic, of course it'll be dark...

Noted sir David..my friend just asked me to try it on an open area thats why its like this..:)

and sorry..i wasnt able to indicate that i used 3x5 index card...il try to post some indoor shots.

That's why it's silly for people trying to tilt their flashes up outdoors, you only tilt flashes when there are surfaces to bounce off, otherwise, fire it straight on, you'll get the same output without wasting 80% of your light output.

That's why it's silly for people trying to tilt their flashes up outdoors, you only tilt flashes when there are surfaces to bounce off, otherwise, fire it straight on, you'll get the same output without wasting 80% of your light output.

i still see a lot of people using clouds as bounce surfaces :D

Heres my DIY Bounce Card..

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs789.ash1/167897_1811780132490_1179612248_32149806_6151629_n .jpg



Before: without bounce card 60 degrees

Exif: 1/30, F5, iso 200
Flash: 1/1 manual

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs026.snc6/165620_1812129781231_1179612248_32150264_4965545_n .jpg



After: with bounce card tilted 60 degrees

Exif: 1/30, F5, iso 200
Flash: 1/1 manual
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs007.snc6/165709_1812129621227_1179612248_32150263_5448421_n .jpg

using it bare and bouncing it off to the right on that gray wall would have been a better option, it will make for a larger, softer light source, as well as the benefit of getting off-axis lighting

using it bare and bouncing it off to the right on that gray wall would have been a better option, it will make for a larger, softer light source, as well as the benefit of getting off-axis lighting

Will try that one later..tnx for your input sirs..