Cheapo DIY Diffuser for Pop Up Flash (Canon S3)

[teebs]

Was considering making a pop up flash diffuser for my Canon S3 to use with the DCR250 close up lens for macro photography.

My final masterpiece on my Canon S3 with DCR250 attached. Total cost: $0.99.

Using Myojo instant noodles styrofoam bowl only.



Using Super Macro without DCR250 attached and with DIY diffuser.



Using DCR250 at close to 12X zoom and DIY diffuser



Using DCR250 at 12X zoom and DIY diffuser

[PyeeL]

I don't get it, how does it diffuse light from the pop-up flash?
Isn't the flash behind the styrofoam bowl, which seems thick enough to not let light pass through?

[Alex87]

interesting! but i've gotta agree with Pyeel...how does it work?

[teebs]

Originally Posted by PyeeL I don't get it, how does it diffuse light from the pop-up flash? Isn't the flash behind the styrofoam bowl, which seems thick enough to not let light pass through?

Yes, the flash is behind the styrofoam bowl BUT what most people presume is that the flash will NEVER pass through the styrofoam bowl which is WRONG...

What the styroforam bowl does is that it cuts out most of the light but allows sufficient light to diffuse through and the light is then bounced out through the bowl and this creates an even light source that strikes the object you are photographing.

In the way, it works both as a diffuser and a ring flash.

[stanycjw]

Originally Posted by teebs Yes, the flash is behind the styrofoam bowl BUT what most people presume is that the flash will NEVER pass through the styrofoam bowl which is WRONG... What the styroforam bowl does is that it cuts out most of the light but allows sufficient light to diffuse through and the light is then bounced out through the bowl and this creates an even light source that strikes the object you are photographing. In the way, it works both as a diffuser and a ring flash.

This is intresting and well done. In the first place, I shoundn't buy the FR. haha
Hope to see this work if possible during our next outing SBG.

[teebs]

Originally Posted by stanycjw This is intresting and well done. In the first place, I shoundn't buy the FR. haha Hope to see this work if possible during our next outing SBG.

What's FR?

Should be bringing it for testing...

Now to make one for my Tamron 90 Macro lens and my 40D when using pop up flash.

[firefoxfirefly]

Originally Posted by teebs Yes, the flash is behind the styrofoam bowl BUT what most people presume is that the flash will NEVER pass through the styrofoam bowl which is WRONG... What the styroforam bowl does is that it cuts out most of the light but allows sufficient light to diffuse through and the light is then bounced out through the bowl and this creates an even light source that strikes the object you are photographing. In the way, it works both as a diffuser and a ring flash.

This is a very good idea.
but my concern is :
1) The uneven color on the styrofoam may affect the diffusion & color temperature of the lighting.
2)The light may not sufficient for the object.

*Should able to improve further.

[teebs]

Juz went to SBG this morning to take some macro pics and test the diffuser...

Some sample macro pics I took this morning.

[darrrrrrrrrr]

if it works, it works!

how abt a photo of it in a mirror?

[ronaldjace]

woah! GOOD JOB!

[ssping83]

hmm.. you might want to remove the red packaging labels..

looks like a pretty good idea from the photos you posted.. but i'm just thinking that it's a serious waste of flash power per shot if it has to penetrate such a thick layer of foam!

[auron]

appreciate if u can take 2 picture of the watch. 1 with the diffuser on and the other without the diffuser on. of course cam setting have to be the same.

[teebs]

Originally Posted by ssping83 hmm.. you might want to remove the red packaging labels.. looks like a pretty good idea from the photos you posted.. but i'm just thinking that it's a serious waste of flash power per shot if it has to penetrate such a thick layer of foam!

The red labels is actually printed on so no way to remove them. I currently stick some tape on the bowl but this seems tohave to effect of reducing the diffusion effectiveness somewhat as the pop up flash light is diffused from the back as well as the top of the bowl.

At SBG, pop up flash power is set to max as it is shady and not much sunlight there. EV compensation range from 0 to +1(2/3).

There is a method to get more light in but the main issue I have to consider is whether this modification I make will make this diffuser unusable in very bright and harsh sunlight like what I get usually in Admiralty Park from 10am to 2pm.

I will probably be making another one which will allow more light through and which I will proobably use in shady areas.

[teebs]

Originally Posted by auron appreciate if u can take 2 picture of the watch. 1 with the diffuser on and the other without the diffuser on. of course cam setting have to be the same.

Following pics are all taken at the following settings:

1) ISO 100
2) F/8.0
3) Pop up Flash set at 2/3 power
4) Zero Ev Compensation
5) Aperture Priority mode

Taken with DCR250 attached and at 12X zoom. No Diffuser.



Taken with DCR250 attached, 12Xzoom and Diffuser



Taken without Diffuser, Lens adaptor attached, camera set to super macro mode.





As above settings but with Diffuser attached.

[stanycjw]

Required of full power ..... i encoutered this B4.

Have u consider to make a small hole for the infared light to detect the amount of light require by the subject?

Is it possible, just suggest. cos the bowl is cut the infared feedback to the cam.

[teebs]

Originally Posted by stanycjw Required of full power ..... i encoutered this B4. Have u consider to make a small hole for the infared light to detect the amount of light require by the subject? Is it possible, just suggest. cos the bowl is cut the infared feedback to the cam.

The infra red light is actually a focus assist beam, nothing to do with calculating the amount of light required by the subject. Anyway, the focus assist beam works fine I think right now since the focusing distance is very near when using the Raynox and I dun shoot in total or near total darkness....

[auron]

thanks for the picture showing with diffuser and without.

[velasco]

wow. thats great though i wouldnt wanna shoot in public with a bowl there. hehehe.

whats the settings for your macro shots? do you adjust your flash exposure compensation?

[teebs]

Originally Posted by velasco wow. thats great though i wouldnt wanna shoot in public with a bowl there. hehehe. whats the settings for your macro shots? do you adjust your flash exposure compensation?

For my macro shots I use ISO 100 and F/8.0. Sometimes in very dark areas, I will increase the aperture.

There are two ways to do it. Depends on your preference.

1) Set pop up flash adjust to Manual

In this way, you can adjust the flash power to 1/3, 2/3 or full depending on the light conditions and you can control how bright/dark your image will be. In this case, you also need to adjust your exposure EV compensation. Typically range from 0 in very bright areas to +2 when shooting in very dim areas.

2) Set pop up flash adjust to Auto

In this way, the camera decides how much power to use for the pop up flash depending on the reading from the sensor. You can adjust the flash compensation from +2 to -2EV. Typically in this case I will use -1/3 to -1 ev flash compensation. In some cases you may also need to adjust your exposure compensation.

As you can see, I typically do not go for correct exposure. I prefer my exposure to be a bit under and adjust in PP.

[yannick87]

interesting. Looks like I be keeping my next bowl of instant noodles.