Macro Equipment
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A cardboard tube fitted over the built-in flash with diffusion material on the end. This was not the best build - I think the tube was too long.
I used a full set of Kenko tubes and the cheap Canon 50mm lens.
From the front. A cardboard tube with diffusion material.
A folded piece of translucent white plastic with a hole cut in it diffuses the on board flash nicely. I was lighting a match and taking photos with this setup.
A plastic material used in the sign industry for temporary outdoor signs. This one is about 3mm thick with a hole for my lens. It was a little too thick for good light penetration from the built-in flash but might be good for a powerful external flash.
This was my favourite setup for a long time (I later added a light guide, see the next photo). This is the excellent Tamron 90mm lens on a full set of Kenko extension tubes.
I used this a lot and it's responsible for the sample photos. it's a phone book cover folded and lined with foil that sits over the flash to guide the light. Adding the phone book gave me at least an extra stop of light. The front piece is my favourite translucent plastic diffuser material.
Softbox diffusers that came with the sony flash. They were very flimsy and the connector kept falling off the front of the flash head. On this build I've used flex arms. They were unreliable and were replaced with plain wire.
Softbox diffusers that came with the sony flash. They were very flimsy and the connector kept falling off the front of the flash head.
I tried this custom aluminium rig with flex arms. The arms quickly gave up the ghost - they were not strong enough. These diffusers are built from yoghurt containers.
These diy diffusers were based on the Sony supplied version but bigger and attached with velcro. They were easily removed and foldable. The wire is unobtrusive and lightweight and also easily replaced.
These diy diffusers were based on the Sony supplied version but bigger and attached with velcro. They were easily removed and foldable. The wire is unobtrusive and lightweight and also easily replaced.
Lined with foil and attached to the wire using slightly modified bracket arms that came with the flash. I've used the mp-e tripod mount to attach the wire on this rig.
I used the rim as my concave template - it fit the butter container beautifully. It helped to support the diffuser face too.
The rim of the cup was used on each end to add support and give the material shape.
The cup was used to cut the curve out of each end.
These have been my dependable diffusers for the last coupe of years. The material used is hard wearing and lightweight.
These have been my dependable diffusers for the last coupe of years. The material used is hard wearing and lightweight.
Spray adhesive keeps the foil in place.
I've cut a shape in the end to accomodate the flash head.
Self adhesive velcro holds the butterbox to the flash head.