[Summerleft]

With some of my xmas pennies I ve decided to get something for the wedding's found a few bits of fleabay but any recommendations ? doesnt have to be for the olympus just makes types etc.


Omni Flash Bounce Diffuser set for OLYMPUS FL-36 on eBay, also Flash Accessories, Flash Units Accessories, Film Camera Accessories, Photography (end time 26-Dec-07 21:33:13 GMT)

* Soft Diffusion Dome Diffuser for Olympus FL-36 on eBay, also Flash Accessories, Flash Units Accessories, Film Camera Accessories, Photography (end time 21-Jan-08 18:36:21 GMT)

Soft Flash Diffuser for Minolta Olympus Sigma US on eBay, also, Flash Accessories, Flashes Accessories, Cameras Photo (end time 28-Dec-07 23:59:39 GMT)


Some look a bit to my mind

also anyone purchased any of these chinese sourced ones?

[stepheno]

Can't help Summer. I have a Stofen - a few more pennies but a reliable product.

[silkstone]

It all depends on whether you can bounce the flash off the ceiling. Small diffusers like the Stofen project some light forwards (and back which can be a waste) but the flash head points upwards so most light goes to the ceiling. That's fine if the ceiling isn't too high and is white.

The alternative is a diffuser that makes the flash itself into less of a point source, and therefore softens the shadows you get with direct flash from a single point. These tend to be much bigger because they have to be in order to spread the light.

IMO a good solution if you can't bounce the flash is to get some of this flexible thin polystyrene foam sheet used for packaging, and wrap that around the flash, with the head vertical, so the sheet sticks up above the head and acts like a big reflector. It's rather like a 'whale-tail' diffuser that you can pay lots of money for, but the DIY version is cheap and disposable. You can also roll it or fold it to fit the camera bag. Secure it to the head with a (high-tech) elastic band.

This is one made from card, but the thin foam sheet is a lot easier!

[Les Meehan]

I agree with Silk that this type of home-made method works well, in fact no need to spend money for anything 'pro'. You can always make the DIY version look better simply by being imaginative.

Expect to lose at least one full stop of light from absorption by the reflector. Of course, for you auto flash bods this won't be noticed but for anyone using manual settings test the output of the system before doing anything 'serious' with it.

I would also recommend using the flash away from camera i.e. held high and to the side in one hand. The foam/card DIY model will be light enough for this not to be a problem. Advantages are: better modelling of the light i.e. 45 degree lighting, and no distracting shadows on backgrounds that are a sure sign of on-camera flash.

[Summerleft]

Thanks all, ive had relatively good results from bounce as said with good ceilings but Im more worried about churches etc.

[Whipspeed]

Good link Silk, got to take some prize giving shots for a local club in a couple of weeks, so will make one of those. Nice job, going to be paid with tickets to the event for me & hubby in echange for the shots on their site & prints from me.

[Hacker]

Hey Silk I was doing this just a few days ago! I was having a real Blue Peter moment and decided to have a go at making my own flash diffusers. It was inspired by the Better Bounce Card and to make it I got my self off to Hobbycraft in search of my materials. I was thinking of using thick paper but in the end I opted for a product called Fab Foam which is about 2mm thick and comes in A4 and A3 sheets, the A4 being 49p.

Once at home it was a reasonably simple matter to cut it to shape and fix to the flash head with a strip of velcro.

Here it is attached to my SB-600, when in use you can have it either facing forward or backwards, by using it backwards you will get a spread of light plus retain a catchlight.



My unwilling subject, this is just a quick grab shot to see if my device worked and you can see how it has produced an almost shadowless image:



A lot cheaper and easier to fit in the bag than the GF Lightsphere.

I then decided to make a Mark II version using a black strip running up the middle to feather the lighting effect. I also borrowed one of the kids soft toy to take a few pics. Don't you just love a few days off!

The Mark II version:



Both of the following are as shot out of the camera and the SB-800 set to +0.3 EV, with only an sRGB conversion and resized.

This first one was using the plain white diffuser as mentioned above:



The second was taken using the Mark II:



I'm not sure if you can see it on here but on the originals the Mark II version has a bit more depth and is not so flat, although the first is certainly fine.

This final shot was using the Mark II on the on-board SB-800 and the Mark I on an SB-600 placed to right of camera and set at -0.3 EV.

[silkstone]

Great examples, Hacker. Sometimes the cheapest and simplest solutions are the best.

If anyone has difficulty obtaining this type of foam sheet, it is sold as laminate flooring underlay by many suppliers including Howdens. You can buy industrial quantities quite cheaply and share amongst your friends. (Beware though because some of it is green rather than white.)

If anyone within reach of Chateau Silkstone would like some, I have a roll of it left over from the recent refurbishment.

[Whipspeed]

Great examples Hacker and very useful, off to Hobbycraft then next week for me. I think that would be ideal for the prize giving shots.