Diffusers (homemade or not) for EOS flashes?

[markubig]

Does anybody use a homemade diffuser for your onboard EOS flash? or is something made commercially (similar to the flashclip for the canon P&S's)?

Sometimes, I really want to bring minimal equipment as possible (body+lens only), but the onboard flashes are just too harsh.

Is there such a thing or is it up to me to create it myself?

Thanks all!

[Saturn]

Hello:

For the last 10 years or so, I've used a very simple attachment. It's a piece of white card-stock, the size of an index card. I attach it to my flash with a piece of velcro. I position two velcro tabs on the flash. One on the top, above the flash head (shooting horizontally), and one on the side (for vertical positioning of the strobe).

The bounce card works as a great diffuser. You can also add a small strip of gold or silver contact paper to the white to change the look of the bounce. The card will easily fit in my shirt-pocket when not mounted to the flash.

Thanks.

[Scottes]

For the onboard flash it's a little tough, but I once saw a nice trick where a person cut out a piece of a milk jug and then cut a hole in it sized for the diameter of then les. The lens hole was cut out of the bottom half, leaving almost 2/3 of the milk jug piece unharmed. He then "clipped" this onto the lens. So now the flash would fire and the light would travel about 4 or 5 inches and hit the piece of milk jug which diffused the light.

It looked odd, but was quite effective.

[CyberDyneSystems]

http://www.rosco.com/us/filters/roscolux.asp#Diffusion

theatre stuff....

[markubig]

Thank guys!!!

Well, we've got a blizzard here in the northeast, so I'll try to play around with your suggestions . . . maybe look for some other materials . . .

Cheers!

[mvonditter]

Hi markubig,

I have something called a “Lumiquest” Promax Softbox. Basically it folds up when not in use and otherwise attaches to my flashes with Velcro. It’s a miniature light box. I’ve used it for years and it seems to work well. Mine came from ‘Wolf Camera’ in Memphis. Hope that helps. The attached site is just one of the places you can buy it. I have not bought from them, so I can’t comment. http://www.link4pc.com/cameras/cameraflashaccessories/51288.html

[Olegis]

I can recommend the Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer (http://www.lumiquest.com/lq871.htm) - it's really well constructed and diffuses the flash very nicely by making the light area larger. It works best on close subjects and when you shoot on location where nothing is available to bounce the flash of (outdoor for example).

[blackviolet]

uh...i think he is saying that he doesn't want to take his flash (for which he already has an omnibounce...) - he's asking for some sort of diffuser for the onboard flash.

fwiw, i've seen someone with a white piece of plastic from a bowl cut into a big arc in front of the flash. and believe it or not, i've also seen someone use a white plastic grocery bag, all wadded up and bunched over the flash - truly ghetto and looked horrible, but i get the feeling it worked.

[Olegis]

Oh, I'm sorry - I missed the word "onboard" ... Try this link (http://194.100.88.243/petteri/pont/How_to/hc_Bounce_Built-In_Flash/a_Bounce_the_Pop-up.html) , it may be useful for you.

[markubig]

Oh, I'm sorry - I missed the word "onboard" ... Try this link (http://194.100.88.243/petteri/pont/How_to/hc_Bounce_Built-In_Flash/a_Bounce_the_Pop-up.html) , it may be useful for you.

no apologies necessary . . . this link to the finnbounce/smelfen is really cool . . . i'm going to try it out!!! Thank you

[Akreager]

I use two diferent options:

first is a Photoflex 12x16 softbox. I use in combo with a dome diffusor clipped on the front of the flash head. You have to buy a ring and bracket for it (total cost with shipping is about 100) and you really have to use a L shaped flash bracket which means that you have to also have a sync cord (I just spent another 100-125 of your money). go to their web site for more info. It really yeild VERY VERY escellent results, but is a bit unwieldy and can make some subjcts uncomfortable.

Westcot sells a foldable 5X8 inch softbox that is very easy to use. When also used with the dome it gives decent results and is less obvious. It is about 25 and you can get away without a flash bracket, but they are cheap and worth it for the results

[robertwgross]

I use two diferent options:

first is a Photoflex 12x16 softbox. I use in combo with a dome diffusor clipped on the front of the flash head. You have to buy a ring and bracket for it (total cost with shipping is about 100) and you really have to use a L shaped flash bracket which means that you have to also have a sync cord (I just spent another 100-125 of your money). go to their web site for more info. It really yeild VERY VERY escellent results, but is a bit unwieldy and can make some subjcts uncomfortable.

Westcot sells a foldable 5X8 inch softbox that is very easy to use. When also used with the dome it gives decent results and is less obvious. It is about 25 and you can get away without a flash bracket, but they are cheap and worth it for the results

How does this apply to the original poster's request about onboard flash?

---Bob Gross---

[PhilipSmith]

I've got a couple of softbox type diffusers which work remarkably well. They're just tupperware typw containersith a hole cut in the back that fits the flash nice and tight.
One is about 12 inches by 6 inches, the other about 4X6 inches. In theory, or rather, so I was told, you should put reflective material inside to direct the light forward, but I find that if I don;t, the whole softbox kid of illuminates the room, giving a better effect.
Try it out. It's really cheap, and works excellently.

[Akreager]

It does not - I missed the onboard part

[tank666]

Hi
use some tracing paper and a spring clip ( paper type0 the kind you squeeze

mark

[Mike Panic]

$20 bux or so - omnibounce

[kufel]

My buddy is a pro photographer, I've seen him use a white plastic bag over the flash. Havent tried it yet but he claims it is working good