HOMEMADE FLASH DIFFUSER...

[Steve Parr]

Well, I've been having difficulty shooting live bands with the flash on my 300D, and I'm not yet able to drop the cash for a "good" flash. My problem has been that the flash washes out the effects of the stage lighting, which is one thing that most bands want to see in pictures of them.

Necessity is the mother of invention, or so they say...

If you buy an address book (like a day planner kinda' thing), it will normally come with a thick plastic sheet in the front. I took one of these sheets and cut it into squares large enough to cover the flash (with some overlap on the sides).

By using a single layer, or a double or triple layer, I'm able to vary the amount of diffusion of the flash. I took some quick test shots last night (of a plant in my den), and I think I'm going to get the effect I'm looking for. A double or triple layer greatly diminishes that "washed out" look you get with an uncovered flash, yet it still yields enough to sufficiently light the subject. Stage lighting, adding to the overall light in the frame, can only be of a benefit. The diffuser is held on with a simple piece of scotch tape. It's not sexy, but it works.

I haven't tried this while shooting a band yet, but will do so on Saturday, and will post some of the shots I take.

While I still have my eye on a Quantum T2 and associated battery pack, I just can't justify the expense right now. I'll probably go for a more "proper" flash unit in the not-too-distant future but, for now, I think this is going to do the trick.

Just thought I'd pass this along for those who, like me, need to solve a problem quickly and inexpensively...

Steve

[tim]

Camera - $899 to $4000
Lens - $100 to $3000+
Commercial flash diffuser - $20

I don't mean to offend, but why mess around with home made stuff when you've invested so much in the rest of your equipment?

[Steve Parr]

Camera - $899 to $4000
Lens - $100 to $3000+
Commercial flash diffuser - $20

I don't mean to offend, but why mess around with home made stuff when you've invested so much in the rest of your equipment?

No offense taken. But it's clear you panned over much of what I wrote.

I've only got the pop-up flash on the 300D (which I identified in my initial post) right now. Is there a commercially available diffuser available for that?

At the moment, I'm not making money with my camera, so I need to be somewhat judicious in how much money I put into it. I don't see where that's an unrealistic approach.

"Messing around" seems like it's going to get the job done, at least for the time being. Perhaps there are some who can justify spending as much on their flash unit as they do on their camera. I'm just not one of those people.

If I had a $4,000 camera, yeah, I'd probably have an $800.00 flash.

Hey, maybe someone will find this helpful. I guess you're not that guy...

Steve

[tim]

Yeah there are commercial flash diffusers for on-camera flashes, I don't have a link sorry.

Again, don't mean to offend, I just find it a little odd saving $20 when you've spent so much money on a camera. I admire people with the skills to do things themselves rather than buy things, personally I go commercial and save the hastle.

[chris clements]

Why are you using flash at all at a concert? As you say, it washes out the stage lighting, and you lose the atmosphere.
Turn up the ISO!

[tim]

Why are you using flash at all at a concert? As you say, it washes out the stage lighting, and you lose the atmosphere.
Turn up the ISO!

I was using the 50mm F1.8 at a theatre shoot a few days ago, even at ISO1600 the shutter speeds were too low. When I realised that no-one minded me using flash things became a lot easier :)

[chris clements]

I've tried concert photography in my youth. Doesn't "became a lot easier" just mean you're getting a greater success rate? But at what price the atmosphere?

In my experience, you may have to dump 9 out of 10 ambient light shots, but the tenth will beat the spots off any flat flash pic

[Steve Parr]

Why are you using flash at all at a concert? As you say, it washes out the stage lighting, and you lose the atmosphere.
Turn up the ISO!

Well, right now we're not talking "concerts", we're talking "bar bands". Generally speaking, bars don't have the elaborate lighting systems which would allow for not using a flash, even when I pump the ISO all the way up.

I'm going to shoot a band on Saturday at one of the few clubs around here that actually has decent, but not great, lighting. I'm hoping the results are satisfactory...

Steve

[Steve Parr]

Yeah there are commercial flash diffusers for on-camera flashes, I don't have a link sorry.

Again, don't mean to offend, I just find it a little odd saving $20 when you've spent so much money on a camera. I admire people with the skills to do things themselves rather than buy things, personally I go commercial and save the hastle.

Oh, don't get me wrong, so am I. I had no idea that commercially available diffusers were available for this flash. Again, my idea works, but it isn't perfect.

I'd love to get a diffuser that's actually made for the pop-up flash on the 300D...

Steve

[PhotosGuy]

I don't mean to offend, but why mess around with home made stuff when you've invested so much in the rest of your equipment? 'Cause it's fun? And cheap, it gets the job done & in my case, it helps to keep me out of trouble. ;-)
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=58609

[ChopstickHero]

i have found that my Stofen Omnibounce is a good diffuser, if i want a little softer lighting, i'll use my Lumiquest mini softbox. both do very well. and costs less than $20 each.

[deadpass]

Get used to shooting concerts without a flash, cause most major venues (House of Blues) won't let you use one. I know this doesn't answer your question, but the question is moot.

[jpvaz]

If you want to try the comercial version of a pop-up flash diffuser, you can cheack out the one from LumiQuest.

It's the LumiQuest Soft Screen (LQ-051D).

Info from they're site:

Introducing LumiQuest's® newest product, the Soft Screen. This diffuser is designed for the built-in pop-up flash of many digital cameras.

* Softens Harsh Shadows
* Reduces Hot Spots
* Attaches in Seconds
* Fits Most Popular Cameras

Application: Pop-Up Flash Diffuser.

Dimensions: Folds flat to approximately 4"x4"

Note: Several recent Digital SLR camera models have smaller “name plates” than their predecessors. As a result, the LumiQuest Soft Screen might not be as secure when attached to these cameras. If you find this is the case and is problematic we have 1" x 1/8" Velcro fasteners to solve the problem. Please email us with an address and we will provide the Velcro at no charge.

The link is this: http://www.lumiquest.com/softscreen.htm

Price is $12.95 + $3.00 shipping for the USA and $12.95 + $10.00 shipping for the rest of the world.

[Curtis N]

With the pop-up flash on the 300D, the issue in your case will not only be the quality of the light, but also the quantity, since the camera has no FEC (unless it's hacked).

I always admire homemade solutions, and I hope you can make this work. Since the E-TTL system will try to compensate by firing the flash at full power, it might be a good idea to bring a spare battery.

[TheSteveMadden]

Actually, Steve may no longer have this problem, as this thread is 18mos old ;)

Steve... do you use all ambient now with your 20D? I don't see any ext flash in your sig.

[jpvaz]

Actually, Steve may no longer have this problem, as this thread is 18mos old ;)

Steve... do you use all ambient now with your 20D? I don't see any ext flash in your sig.

DAMM..... didn't even noticed that ´till now.... hehehe

[deadpass]

I blame the newb, he posted a reply yesturday that brought this back to the top, heh.

[CyberDyneSystems]

A lot of times a cobbled up rig works better than anything on the market for a reasonable price,. it just may not be as portable :)

[FlashZebra]

Camera - $899 to $4000
Lens - $100 to $3000+
Commercial flash diffuser - $20

I don't mean to offend, but why mess around with home made stuff when you've invested so much in the rest of your equipment?
Humans "mess around with home made stuff" for many reasons.

Here are a few.


Building a better mousetrap
Building just as good a mousetrap
Building a sufficient mousetrap
Saving some cash
The desire to create
Getting something in hand as soon as it is finished (and not waiting for procurement).
The desire to interact with, and understand the physical world, and not just pay your way through life
The desire to establish, or buttress skills and knowledge that will translate or integrate into your other skills or knowledge (become a better human)
Because it is fun
The fact that one has a cache of expensive photographic gear, in itself would seem to be unimportant to any of the above.

I personally have a largely contrary view of your declaration "why mess around with home made stuff".

My take would be to wallow in it as much as possible.

In addition, I find it strange that those that enjoy the creative process involved in photography, would not enjoy, or at least understand the appeal of, the creative process involved in "mess(ing) around with home made stuff".

Enjoy! Lon

[lakiluno]

I'd have to agree with lon.

anyway - adfter buying all I bought, I have no money left for a flash diffuser

[Headcase650]

Ping pong ball and a hobby knife. Slit a whole in the ball just big enough for the flash to slide into.

Never tried it but read about it on the web somewhere.