Zero-cost self-made diffuser for built-in flash (7D)

Timber Wolf · 22nd November 2005

Hello there. I just received Cathay Photo's Viewfinder magazine, and saw an article on "Lumiquest Soft Screen" which diffuses the light provided by the built-in flash. It uses a hotshoe mount, and since KM uses its own proprietary mount (and the fact that it costs $20 notwithstanding), I decided to make my own homemade diffuser.

Tadah! Chio right! ^_^

Let me explain my design. My diffuser is made from ~70gsm rough paper that my dad brings back from office. The paper used to make the diffuser is approximately 8.0cm wide (though you can vary it to taste) and approx 21.5cm long.

Arrow 1 refers to the place which rests on the front of the flash rest (the part with the Konica Minolta sign). Currently it is un-taped and just rests there.

Arrow 2 refers to diffuser part of this device is curved, and has a length of approximately 15cm. You can vary the length to change the curvature of the diffuser.

Arrow 3 refers to the bent portion before the rear attachment portion. This is to allow the diffuser to stay apart from the flash-head. If it's absent, the diffusion part will be very close to the flash head, and only a very small area will be used for diffusion, defeating the purpose.

Arrow 4 refers to the attachment part, which can be taped onto the "arms" of the flash-head to provide a secure hold.

Here are some results:
Un-diffused flash

With my diffuser

The shadows behind the (koala?) are much softer, though I think it's still no match for the Lightsphere II.

I'm sorry I don't have diagrams of the diffuser attached to the 7D because I suck at drawing, and it's kinda hard for a cam to take a side-on picture of itself ^^ I only have the 7D at the moment. Hope you understand what I'm talking about!

Cost: $0.00 and about 5 minutes of time
Enjoy =)
QX

apchoo · 22nd November 2005

Good effort! It does change the colour temperature somewhat. Maybe set WB colour temperature to suit.

You can take some photos facing a mirror to give us an idea how your contraption looks on the 7D

.

captnj · 22nd November 2005

mirror == good idea

dynaxattack · 22nd November 2005

Thx for sharing dude! Good effort!

Another method I came across from a photography magazine long time ago is to use a ............. Ping Pong Ball.

(not kingkong ball)

I have yet to try coz of some lazy bones somewhere around my hips...

. Anyone care to try and share??

Isaiahfortythirtyone · 22nd November 2005

i use tissue paper. :P it works too

Timber Wolf · 22nd November 2005

Argh. It's not zero-cost liaox! =( MMS cost heehee.

Okie, here's a pic (taken with Handphonecam) of the diffuser mounted on the 7D

And here's a pic of me using my diffuser :malu:

Hope this works for you! =)

P.S Tech guys like Sulhan and DCA can contribute? Maybe can make into a saleable product :P

sulhan · 22nd November 2005

Originally Posted by Timber Wolf

Argh. It's not zero-cost liaox! =( MMS cost heehee.

Okie, here's a pic (taken with Handphonecam) of the diffuser mounted on the 7D

And here's a pic of me using my diffuser :malu:

Hope this works for you! =)

P.S Tech guys like Sulhan and DCA can contribute? Maybe can make into a saleable product :P

Have something in mind along this line too ....maybe make a few prototypes for all for free...sample. Hmm let see...if i could make something for the Kmos outing...

rgds,
sulhan

Del_CtrlnoAlt · 22nd November 2005

Originally Posted by sulhan

Have something in mind along this line too ....maybe make a few prototypes for all for free...sample. Hmm let see...if i could make something for the Kmos outing...

rgds,
sulhan

sulhan, u better concentrate on the diamond thingy 1st... think u forgot about it liao hor...

sulhan · 22nd November 2005

Originally Posted by Timber Wolf

Argh. It's not zero-cost liaox! =( MMS cost heehee.

Okie, here's a pic (taken with Handphonecam) of the diffuser mounted on the 7D

And here's a pic of me using my diffuser :malu:

Hope this works for you! =)

P.S Tech guys like Sulhan and DCA can contribute? Maybe can make into a saleable product :P

Is that Blood pressure meter behind there....wah dont get nervouslah....sharing to KM members oni...

rgds,
sulhan

Del_CtrlnoAlt · 22nd November 2005

Originally Posted by Timber Wolf

Argh. It's not zero-cost liaox! =( MMS cost heehee.

Okie, here's a pic (taken with Handphonecam) of the diffuser mounted on the 7D

And here's a pic of me using my diffuser :malu:

Hope this works for you! =)

P.S Tech guys like Sulhan and DCA can contribute? Maybe can make into a saleable product :P

seriously lor... will anybody pay for a piece of paper?

i have another material in hand to test, better than paper... u wan can play with it... i go 'cut' a bit & try...

sulhan · 22nd November 2005

Originally Posted by Del_CtrlnoAlt

seriously lor... will anybody pay for a piece of paper?

i have another material in hand to test, better than paper... u wan can play with it... i go 'cut' a bit & try...

Hiee Pals...

I just found a material that is not paper........which is easy to work on..

rgds,
sulhan

Del_CtrlnoAlt · 22nd November 2005

Originally Posted by sulhan

Hiee Pals...

I just found a material that is not paper........which is easy to work on..

rgds,
sulhan

i think we having the same material... as thin as paper, as good as plastic.... hehehe....

Drudkh · 22nd November 2005

Originally Posted by sulhan

Hiee Pals...

I just found a material that is not paper........which is easy to work on..

rgds,
sulhan

what happened to your diamond difusser?

Drudkh · 22nd November 2005

Originally Posted by Del_CtrlnoAlt

i think we having the same material... as thin as paper, as good as plastic.... hehehe....

anyone tried those thin white socks?

Del_CtrlnoAlt · 22nd November 2005

Originally Posted by Drudkh

anyone tried those thin white socks?

nope... i never like wearing socks on my camera... its meant to be down there... not up there....

Timber Wolf · 22nd November 2005

Hehe. 100 shots later it's still on my camera. Not bad. DCA and Sulhan you guys go design then gimme la. I'm thinking of an improved version which can be extended so it can be used to diffuse external flashes too.

QX

Drudkh · 22nd November 2005

what about those thinner paper used for making bibles? but it will be too soft

Del_CtrlnoAlt · 22nd November 2005

Originally Posted by Drudkh

what about those thinner paper used for making bibles? but it will be too soft

i feel that, if wanna sell, or make, we dun consider using paper already... paper when u bring out, is too filmsy, den will turn yellow, crumple...

anyway, u guys bless me that my company employment turnover not so hiong, den i got enuff helpers, den company earn alot, den got time to make 1 lor...

Timber Wolf · 22nd November 2005

Hehe let me be assistant

Let me try out different designs, will post back here later. =)

sulhan · 22nd November 2005

Originally Posted by Drudkh

what happened to your diamond difusser?

Diamond Diffuser....manufacturer backed out.....

All meterials all ready ...but too bad.
Now trying to go towards another low cost solution - found a potential material.....maybe will make some for 5600HS users to try for free.....
And use it to lure ppl to KMOS...hehehehe

rgds,
sulhan

22nd November 2005	#1
Timber Wolf Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 910	Zero-cost self-made diffuser for built-in flash (7D) Hello there. I just received Cathay Photo's Viewfinder magazine, and saw an article on "Lumiquest Soft Screen" which diffuses the light provided by the built-in flash. It uses a hotshoe mount, and since KM uses its own proprietary mount (and the fact that it costs $20 notwithstanding), I decided to make my own homemade diffuser. Tadah! Chio right! ^_^ Let me explain my design. My diffuser is made from ~70gsm rough paper that my dad brings back from office. The paper used to make the diffuser is approximately 8.0cm wide (though you can vary it to taste) and approx 21.5cm long. Arrow 1 refers to the place which rests on the front of the flash rest (the part with the Konica Minolta sign). Currently it is un-taped and just rests there. Arrow 2 refers to diffuser part of this device is curved, and has a length of approximately 15cm. You can vary the length to change the curvature of the diffuser. Arrow 3 refers to the bent portion before the rear attachment portion. This is to allow the diffuser to stay apart from the flash-head. If it's absent, the diffusion part will be very close to the flash head, and only a very small area will be used for diffusion, defeating the purpose. Arrow 4 refers to the attachment part, which can be taped onto the "arms" of the flash-head to provide a secure hold. Here are some results: Un-diffused flash With my diffuser The shadows behind the (koala?) are much softer, though I think it's still no match for the Lightsphere II. I'm sorry I don't have diagrams of the diffuser attached to the 7D because I suck at drawing, and it's kinda hard for a cam to take a side-on picture of itself ^^ I only have the 7D at the moment. Hope you understand what I'm talking about! Cost: $0.00 and about 5 minutes of time Enjoy =) QX

22nd November 2005	#2
apchoo Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: 37º47'S, 114º58'E Posts: 278	Re: Zero-cost self-made diffuser for built-in flash (7D) Good effort! It does change the colour temperature somewhat. Maybe set WB colour temperature to suit. You can take some photos facing a mirror to give us an idea how your contraption looks on the 7D .

22nd November 2005	#3
captnj Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,399	Re: Zero-cost self-made diffuser for built-in flash (7D) mirror == good idea

22nd November 2005	#4
dynaxattack Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 142	Re: Zero-cost self-made diffuser for built-in flash (7D) Thx for sharing dude! Good effort! Another method I came across from a photography magazine long time ago is to use a ............. Ping Pong Ball. (not kingkong ball) I have yet to try coz of some lazy bones somewhere around my hips... . Anyone care to try and share??

22nd November 2005	#5
Isaiahfortythirtyone Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Clementi Posts: 2,470	Re: Zero-cost self-made diffuser for built-in flash (7D) i use tissue paper. :P it works too

22nd November 2005	#17
Drudkh Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,019	Re: Zero-cost self-made diffuser for built-in flash (7D) what about those thinner paper used for making bibles? but it will be too soft