DIY pop up flash diffuser using a colgate box


zaren

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Oct 27, 2003
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Saw someone using a toothpaste box to make a flash diffuser on youtube, so decided to experiment with the idea and come up with my own version :)

Here's a photo of the flash diffuser, mounted on the pop up flash of a Canon 1000d.
flash%20diffuser.jpg

basically the light from the flash bounces off the white paper a few mm in front of the flash head, on to the angled white strips behind, where it is bounced again towards the subject. this will significantly diffuse the light from the flash.

some test shots....

firstly, without the flash diffuser. notice the trademark harsh lighting and shadows.
without%20diffuser.jpg


next, with the flash diffuser. the light is softer and warmer, and the harsh shadows are gone.
with%20diffuser.jpg


comments welcome. :)
 

wah, thanks for sharing.. maybe tmr i will make one and test it out too! anyway, how do you secure it to the flash?
 

wah, thanks for sharing.. maybe tmr i will make one and test it out too! anyway, how do you secure it to the flash?

i just slot it over the flash head and it stays in place :)

the fit between the toothpaste box and the flash head should be slightly snug, otherwise you may have to use scotch tape to secure the flash diffuser to the camera.
 

thanks for sharing. I'm looking for ways to diffuse the inbuilt flash when i do not wana bring ext flash along. I use a puffer for the inbuilt flash but the direct flash angle still pose a problem. Looks like this is something I should try out too. haha...thanks bro.

Anyway, the 2nd diffused photo seems warmer. Is it due to the reflector used?
 

if you angle the front reflector to bounce up and back (stick silver sticker)
and then make the back reflector bigger (matt white)

i believe that will get better results
 

Good job! just curious, roughly how far can you stand before the flash gets too weak?
 

thanks for sharing. I'm looking for ways to diffuse the inbuilt flash when i do not wana bring ext flash along. I use a puffer for the inbuilt flash but the direct flash angle still pose a problem. Looks like this is something I should try out too. haha...thanks bro.

Anyway, the 2nd diffused photo seems warmer. Is it due to the reflector used?

you're welcome :)

yes, i think the 2nd photo looks warmer because of the reflector used. i believe using the puffer diffuser will also give you warmer tones.
 

if you angle the front reflector to bounce up and back (stick silver sticker)
and then make the back reflector bigger (matt white)

i believe that will get better results

yes, excellent suggestion. will certainly give that a try!
 

Good job! just curious, roughly how far can you stand before the flash gets too weak?

about 1.5m. so it's good for close-up portraits, but not for group shots. :)
 

nice. seems effective and is really cheap.
Thanks for sharing!. :D
 

you're welcome :)

yes, i think the 2nd photo looks warmer because of the reflector used. i believe using the puffer diffuser will also give you warmer tones.

Yesh, this I can confirm too..haha...

I am studying your diy and hope to do something for my inbuilt flash..haha..
 

nice DIY.. i find DIY diffusers not only cheaper but better as we can shape them in anyway we want
 

sweet. thanks for sharing.
 

Thats nice..Tks for sharing.. beats the "puffer" by GF, cheaper and more versatile.. but looks can be improve..:sweatsm: