DIY Flash Diffuser for Onboard Flash - Version 5 (Final)

[teebs]

I did my first Version of the DIY flash diffuser for the Canon S3 about 1 month back and it went through a couple of revisions before I have finally come out with the final version, Version 5.

This is usable for all onboard flashes and the effect will be a ring flash effect. This effect can be seen in the reflection of the eyes of insects such as jumping spiders.

Below is my final DIY Flash diffuser for the onboard flash for my Canon S3.

[teebs]

Following are some test and comparison shots using my Canon S3 to take pics of my watch.

These are non macro shots taken without the Raynox DCR250 attached.

Basic settings of camera:

1) ISO 80
2) f8.0
3) 1/60s
4) Flash Power Max (Manual setting)
5) All shots taken with camera mounted on tripod.
6) No editing of images below, just resize.

No Diffuser


New Diffuser just Made


Previous Diffuser

[prolensdreamer]

Thanks for your sharing

[teebs]

Basic settings of camera:

1) ISO 80
2) f8.0
3) 1/60s
4) Flash Power 2/3 (Manual setting)
5) All shots taken with camera mounted on tripod.
6) No editing of images below, just resize.

No Dffuser


New Dffuser


Previous Diffuser

[teebs]

Below are some macro test pics taken using the Canon S3 + Raynox DCR250.

Basic settings of camera:

1) ISO 80
2) f8.0
3) 1/60s
4) Flash Power Max (Manual setting)
5) All shots taken with camera mounted on tripod.
6) No editing of images below, just resize.

No Diffuser


New Diffuser


Previous Diffuser

[teebs]

Basic settings of camera:

1) ISO 80
2) f8.0
3) 1/60s
4) Flash Power 2/3 (Manual setting)
5) All shots taken with camera mounted on tripod.
6) No editing of images below, just resize.

No Diffuser


New Diffuser


Previous Diffuser

[teebs]

Belw are the pics showing the setup I used to take the macro pics above using my new and previous diffusers.

[ZerocoolAstra]

thanks for taking the time to record down your 'experiment' into making a DIY fash diffuser...!
You certainly did put in a lot of effort.
I would like to point out that the lighting with your previous diffuser set-up seems more even though. At the same settings, it is obviously underexposed. So your comparison is a little flawed. I'd like to see a comparison where both set-ups are metered accurately.

anyway, thumbs up nonetheless!

[teebs]

Originally Posted by ZerocoolAstra thanks for taking the time to record down your 'experiment' into making a DIY fash diffuser...! You certainly did put in a lot of effort. I would like to point out that the lighting with your previous diffuser set-up seems more even though. At the same settings, it is obviously underexposed. So your comparison is a little flawed. I'd like to see a comparison where both set-ups are metered accurately. anyway, thumbs up nonetheless!

I'm actually not comparing the effects when all 3 setups are metered correctly.What I am doing is actually to show that the loss of flash power or attenuation of the flash power is minimised when using the new diffuser when compared to my previous diffuser model. This is imporant because you need to use a diffuser that is able to diffuse the light properly and at the same time cause the least reduction in flash power.

The very big issue I had with my previous diffuser was that the loss of flash power was very significant making it very difficult for me to shoot in dim lighting. Also as a result of the loss of flash power caused by my previous diffuser, I was shooting mainly at full flash power most of the time and this was not ideal since I wasted a lot of battery power.

The results of the two diffusers when used in bright, dim and very dim lighting conditions will be shown tomorrow when I have the time to take these pics.

[savager]

hmm, any guide to your final diffuser revision? just wanna know how to make that translucent portion where the flash directly hits. so it's better not to remove the wrapping after all?

[teebs]

Originally Posted by savager hmm, any guide to your final diffuser revision? just wanna know how to make that translucent portion where the flash directly hits. so it's better not to remove the wrapping after all?

I think basically it is very easy to make. Basic steps:

1) Cut hole for lens
2) Cut hole to allow flash through
3) Stick some translucent material over the hole cut for the flash
4) If you cam uses focus assist beam, then cut a hole to allow this beam to pass through

For the translucent material, I used the Tea Packing Paper that I bought from Daiso, $2 for a pack of 88.

[savager]

oh.. cos from the picture it looks as if u tried to scrape 50% of the styrofoam off. haha. didn't know that was paper.

hmm, is the flash still very strong if u were to direct the camera towards a person's eyes? let's say 1m apart. i was intending to use flash for my baby photography, but quite risky leh =/

which section from daiso was that? maybe i'll invest $2 + $1.50 (maggi mee) to try on my lx3. lol. thanks millions!

[teebs]

Originally Posted by savager oh.. cos from the picture it looks as if u tried to scrape 50% of the styrofoam off. haha. didn't know that was paper. hmm, is the flash still very strong if u were to direct the camera towards a person's eyes? let's say 1m apart. i was intending to use flash for my baby photography, but quite risky leh =/ which section from daiso was that? maybe i'll invest $2 + $1.50 (maggi mee) to try on my lx3. lol. thanks millions!

I was using manual flash settings where max power = flash at full power. If you use automatic flash power where the camera will adjust the flash exposure accordingly, then by diffusing the flash through the diffuser, I don't think the flash would be very strong.

If you go to Daiso IMM, it will be found near the area where they sell snacks and drinks. Not sure about other Daiso branches...

It's actually Myojo Mee. If you want a stronger diffuser, get the bigger bowl, Singapore Laksa I think. Also styrofoam bowl.

[ZerocoolAstra]

Originally Posted by teebs I'm actually not comparing the effects when all 3 setups are metered correctly.What I am doing is actually to show that the loss of flash power or attenuation of the flash power is minimised when using the new diffuser when compared to my previous diffuser model. This is imporant because you need to use a diffuser that is able to diffuse the light properly and at the same time cause the least reduction in flash power. The very big issue I had with my previous diffuser was that the loss of flash power was very significant making it very difficult for me to shoot in dim lighting. Also as a result of the loss of flash power caused by my previous diffuser, I was shooting mainly at full flash power most of the time and this was not ideal since I wasted a lot of battery power. The results of the two diffusers when used in bright, dim and very dim lighting conditions will be shown tomorrow when I have the time to take these pics.

Ah ok... I thought you were trying to show that the new diffuser produces a more pleasing result Ok noted. Well done! thanks!
Hmmm, now I gotta think how to adapt it for my D80

[savager]

Originally Posted by teebs I was using manual flash settings where max power = flash at full power. If you use automatic flash power where the camera will adjust the flash exposure accordingly, then by diffusing the flash through the diffuser, I don't think the flash would be very strong. If you go to Daiso IMM, it will be found near the area where they sell snacks and drinks. Not sure about other Daiso branches... It's actually Myojo Mee. If you want a stronger diffuser, get the bigger bowl, Singapore Laksa I think. Also styrofoam bowl.

hmm, so you mean full power flash via the diffuser will still be harsh on the eyes? yup, my lx3 can do power adjustments too.

actually, is there a need to "cup" the lens with the diffuser? if i were to compare it with just sticking a piece of paper on the pop-up flash, what difference would there be? sorry for the noob question.

thanks for the tips, i'll go down to imm sometime and try it.

[teebs]

Originally Posted by ZerocoolAstra Ah ok... I thought you were trying to show that the new diffuser produces a more pleasing result Ok noted. Well done! thanks! Hmmm, now I gotta think how to adapt it for my D80

Later I will adapt my previous blue diffuser for my 40D...

I believe that the larger bowl will produce a more pleasing result than the smaller one that I used this time. Anyway, I will take the comparison pics between the new and previous diffuser later.

[teebs]

Originally Posted by savager hmm, so you mean full power flash via the diffuser will still be harsh on the eyes? yup, my lx3 can do power adjustments too. actually, is there a need to "cup" the lens with the diffuser? if i were to compare it with just sticking a piece of paper on the pop-up flash, what difference would there be? sorry for the noob question. thanks for the tips, i'll go down to imm sometime and try it.

I'm not too sure about the LX3 but typically these prosumer cameras will allow you to either set the flash power manually or to let the camera set the flash power itself based on the readings from the sensor and your ISO, shutter, aperture settings. The auto flash power setting will be the preferred option in most instances.

There is no necessity to cup the lens with the diffuser. You can use a piece of tissue paper to cover the pop up flash also but the diffusing power will be less. The reason why I use a bowl is to diffuse the flash more evenly.

[xiuyu79]

Originally Posted by teebs I think basically it is very easy to make. Basic steps: 1) Cut hole for lens 2) Cut hole to allow flash through 3) Stick some translucent material over the hole cut for the flash 4) If you cam uses focus assist beam, then cut a hole to allow this beam to pass through For the translucent material, I used the Tea Packing Paper that I bought from Daiso, $2 for a pack of 88.

i even thought u had used a black marker to mark that area w/o realising that that was packin paper.. *faint*

[teebs]

The following are a comparison of the diffusing effects between a piece of tissue paper wrapped around the onboard diffuser, the new diffuser and the old diffuser.

Settings are:
1) ISO 100
2) f8.0
3) 1/60s
4) Flash power automatically set by camera
5) All imaged resized, no editing done

The following pics are non macro pics. All pics taken in my room with windows closed and curtains drawn so that lighting will be kept as constant as possible.

Tissue Paper Diffuser


New Diffuser


Old Diffuser

[teebs]

These are macro pics with Raynox DCR250 attached. Settings are the same as above.

Paper Diffuser


New Diffuser


Old Diffuser