The most flash ludicrous diffuser

[LordV]

As you know from a recent previous post, I've had the time with the fairly awful weather we have been having recently to play with diffuser materials. Thinking about the way my diffuser works which seems to be as a larger surface area secondary light source I decided to look for a material where this is it's main property (ie it glows when hit with another light source). I came up with using a material that is used for back projection of images on shop windows. The material is very weird being dark grey (has the added advantage of not scaring bugs as much as white tissue) but only loses about 2 light stops which is about the same as kitchen towel or disposable table cloth I have been using recently.It passed my raisin bead difusion test so I have been playing with it in some situations that I know normally cause me lots of problems. It seems to function pretty well but too early to tell if it is totally satisfactory as a permanent replacement to my normal.

Some mixed test shots using it below.

Brian V.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3001/3007676604_1a4fd33e0f_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/3007676608_19132f0da6_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3056/3010039216_b42f367d85_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/3010039224_90414d7320_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/3010039226_f5d14f1b81_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/3009224385_616e090ccd_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/3012456054_dcd1c37f02_o.jpg

[spidermanrbryce2006]

wow some lovely shots!

[racketman]

excellent detail on the Owl midge (moth-fly), we await your final verdict on the best diffuser and will then all copy you .........mind you some materials that work with the 430ex might burn the MT24 heads judging by a post earlier this year.

[LordV]

Thanks for the comments :) Yes I was pleased with the way the moth fly came out against a dark background- they are very easy to blow.

Toby this stuff has to be stuck face down onto something else (it's made for sticking onto glass) so it shouldn't be too hard to make a larger diffuser for the MT-24 head that stays proud of the flash head surface. What I'm not certain about is the surface area achievable onto the MT-24 heads

My main concern with it, is the light loss and that it may be too good at diffusing which actually does help stop blown highlights but also loses some contrast (inevitable) which means I'm sharpening slightly more than usual, whilst the 3 layer styrofoam I was trying had slightly opposite characteristics- higher contast than my normal and needed less sharpening than usual.

But I think the dark colour of it is better for not scaring bugs off - it just looks rather odd :)
Well it's something to do in bad weather :)

[Lester Wareham]

Lovely shots, seems to work well.

[Lawrencemull]

These are all stunnimg shots.

[Bill Pham]

seem to be working out for you Brian. love the last shot too. is there gonna be a picture of it when you done.

Bill

[macro junkie]

excellent detail on the Owl midge (moth-fly), we await your final verdict on the best diffuser and will then all copy you .........mind you some materials that work with the 430ex might burn the MT24 heads judging by a post earlier this year.
me and jhon had plastic stuck directly to the heads for over a year with no problems.

[Balliolman]

As ever -- great photos!

[racketman]

me and jhon had plastic stuck directly to the heads for over a year with no problems.

yeah but there was the guy who put kitchen towel inside a stofen on the MT24 heads and got scorch marks......:cry:

[LordV]

Thanks for the comments all.

Bill - can post a pic later- but it's the same coke can diffuser with a weird grey object over the front :)
Brian v.

[Lester Wareham]

me and jhon had plastic stuck directly to the heads for over a year with no problems.

yeah but there was the guy who put kitchen towel inside a stofen on the MT24 heads and got scorch marks......:cry:

Age old knowledge (probably correct) applies to any flash heads not just the twin flash :

You should always allow a gap between a diffuser and the flash head.

Reason: Too much IR from the flash bulb gets reflected back and shortens the life of the flash bulb. NB colour temperature of bulbs change with life so this is accelerated too.

So scorch marks are a cosmetic issue, but the real worry is shortening the life of the bulb. It can always be replaced of course but they may not be "intended" to be user serviceable because they are normally considered good for the life of the kit.

[dynamitetony]

wow, no 2 and no 6 are amazing shots

[LordV]

wow, no 2 and no 6 are amazing shots

Thanks DT
Brian V.

[darosk]

The sluggy dude BLOWS MY MIND.
Absolutely stellar shots, all, Brian.