DIY "Ikea" Flash Diffuser

[ark19]

IMO, the IKEA diffuser serves its purpose.

Thanks Canew

well so far so good, the hinge I re-enforce using triangle acrylic to increase the contact surface in between joints, can lift the whole flash up just by the bounce card. my 1st bounce card's joint area wasnt re-enforce with triangle acrylic and broke off when i accidently hit it while it was mounted.

If you can use this (http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7455) even better. able to adjust the torque required to move the hinge. But too ex....

 

[fantasybegins]

nice idea, Thanks for posting

 

[osocan]

Good idea! Cant wait to go IKEA to get a roll to try it out.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[ark19]

wah, thanks for sharing man! its a cool idea! Beats some of the desktop diffuser that is being sold in the stationery shop in funan.

Thanks JacePhoto But u'll still need a lightbox if you wanna do product shots for better light control.

nice idea, Thanks for posting

Thanks

Good idea! Cant wait to go IKEA to get a roll to try it out.

Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Have fun.

 

[nixontkl]

Thanks Canew

If you can use this (http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7455) even better. able to adjust the torque required to move the hinge. But too ex....

AHHHHHH plastic hinges, I was searching around for plastic hinge for my DIY project, in the end gave up and DIY my own hinge out of 3mm thick arcylic and M4 acrylic bolt and nut.

my DIY hinge can be tighten with a philips screw driver until a comfortable torgue that the card can move easily but yet stay in position after adjusting. basically designed by hinge to minimise the adjusting of the card from loosening the screw that provide the holding torgue.

but my DIY hinge is not as nice looking as this southco hinges
LOL but most prob it is cheaper LOL ;p:bsmilie:

 

[ark19]

***Update 8th Jan 2008***
Just came across a product that is similar
http://www.uneed-hk.com/product/podketidea/magiclight/magiclight.html

 

[jimbok]

Hi, can you try to take in Portrait mode? The saddest part about putting flash on the hot shoe to take photos is the strong shadow cast when taking in Portrait mode.

 

[ark19]

Hi, can you try to take in Portrait mode? The saddest part about putting flash on the hot shoe to take photos is the strong shadow cast when taking in Portrait mode.

Portrait is not a problem, will try to get some shots later when I'm home.

 

[ark19]

Just tried the different diffusers that I have.
Just to test out, take with a pinch of salt ; )
All test taken with SB800 pointed straight up.

#1 SB800 bounce straight to ceiling

#2 With diffuser that came with sb800

#3 With Lightsphere 2 - Cloud

#4 With Lightsphere 2 - Cloud + Dome

 

[ark19]

#5 Ikea Diffuser

#6 Ikea Diffuser + Top opening closed together with clip

Note the shadow of the big mug. Without any diffusers, the shadow is very obvious.

 

[denniskee]

hi ark19, what is the zoom setting for the flash head when using the ikea diffuser?

 

[swishbrade]

Your Ikea diffuser does a good job. Thanks for the tip.

 

[ark19]

hi ark19, what is the zoom setting for the flash head when using the ikea diffuser?

Hi Denniskee, I did not constrain the zoom settings.

Your Ikea diffuser does a good job. Thanks for the tip.

Thanks swishbrade I'm trying out another config.
Will post updates once I have test subjects

 

[blue_quartz]

My father happened to buy the exact Rationell mat from Ikea today, so I thought I would give this a spin compared with my Sto-fen Omni-Bounce. May I know what's the advantage this Ikea DIY diffuser over the OB? In other words, what kind of situations would this diffuser be of better use compared to OB, and vice versa?

 

[ark19]

My father happened to buy the exact Rationell mat from Ikea today, so I thought I would give this a spin compared with my Sto-fen Omni-Bounce. May I know what's the advantage this Ikea DIY diffuser over the OB? In other words, what kind of situations would this diffuser be of better use compared to OB, and vice versa?

Hi Blue_quartz, the main adv is that this has a larger surface area to diffuse the light.

However, after using for a few family gatherings, seems like it's still too harsh.
If only there is a translucent white version of the mat :think:
Lightsphere cloud version is still better imho....

 

[Dennis]

Ark, wrap the plastic a few more times should do the trick. ;p
You just have to take note of the white balance.

 

[blue_quartz]

Hi Blue_quartz, the main adv is that this has a larger surface area to diffuse the light.

However, after using for a few family gatherings, seems like it's still too harsh.
If only there is a translucent white version of the mat :think:
Lightsphere cloud version is still better imho....

Thanks for the reply!

 

[ark19]

Ark, wrap the plastic a few more times should do the trick. ;p
You just have to take note of the white balance.

:faint:
keke, okie I'll try.

 

[whisperer]

actually there is a cheaper, and maybe better alternative than the ikea mat. Art Friend sells this translucent plastic sheets in A3 size, think only bout $2 per sheet? They have white, as well as other colours. Maybe can get a few colours and add some artistic touch to your shots? haha... Well, since they're so cheap anyway. They're slightly thinner than a credit card, but very flexible, kinda like those file folders, can cut to size and glue it up, will look more presentable than the ikea mat, which somehow reminds me of an octopus. not sure about the effect though, haven't got a flash unit myself to try out.

 

[adrianongs]

Great idea. Cheap and good! But my mum's gonna scold me if i cut a hole before placing the mat into the cupboard.