DIY Speedlite Beauty Dish -- professional looking and portable

[JDubya]

I set out to make a professional looking beauty dish with a removable bracket to make transporting it easier. I went with a 5" convex mirror because I thought it would make the speedlite more efficient.

The hardest part of this project was finding a suitable bowl for the dish. I found an 18″ wooden bowl at a Ross/TJ Max-type store. I would’ve preferred something a little larger but it was all I could find. It performs better than I expected. If you want something a little larger, halfway through the project I found one: a 30 qt. stainless steel mixing bowl, which can be had for about $20 online.


Materials used:

≥18″ bowl
5″ convex mirror
3mm styrene (plastic)
Flat aluminum strips
Various nuts & bolts
Spiked T-nuts & matching thumb screws
Cold shoe

The bowl I used had concentric ridges all over so to start, I sanded it smooth, front and back. I then drilled three small holes for the mirror standoffs. These holes form a centered triangle with roughly 5″ between each point. In the center of the triangle, I cut out a hole for the head of my speedlite. Once you have the speedlite hole you can start working on the bracket. It’s just a basic “L” with a curve on one side that matches the bowl. On the side of the bracket that touches the bowl, I put a strip of adhesive rubber to help cushion, conform, and prevent scratches. To attach the bracket to the speedlite, I used T-nuts and thumb screws so that it could be removed for easy storage/transport. The spiked T-nuts attach from the front side of the beauty dish. To make it look as nice as possible, I recessed the T-nuts then covered them with wood filler and sanded it smooth before I painted. That way they’re completely invisible from the front.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/17547754@N03/5022518023/

To attach the bracket to a light stand, I used a little socket/spigot piece that came on one of my Manfroto 001B Nano light stands. I used a cap nut to secure it to the bracket. Then I just use a standard swivel bracket/umbrella adapter with spigot to screw into this socket. To hold a speedlite, I used a cold shoe (I prefer the clamp style (http://www.flashzebra.com/products/0137/index.shtml)).

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5022517721_94c8c8f866.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/17547754@N03/5022517721/)
rear with bracket (http://www.flickr.com/photos/17547754@N03/5022517721/) by Jan Christian (http://www.flickr.com/people/17547754@N03/), on Flickr

The heart of a speedlite beauty dish is the deflector. I used a 5″ convex mirror for maximum output, which I got from an auto parts store. I removed the actual mirror from the plastic holder and epoxied it to a circular piece of styrene/plastic. The styrene was cut slightly larger than the mirror, just large enough for a small bolt to pass through and nut to fit without hitting the mirror. The mirror needs to be spaced away from the flash head and for these standoffs, I used the thinnest bolts I could find so they interfered with the light as little as possible. They’re actually allthreads, about 3″ long, that [I think] I found at Home Depot. Since they’re allthreadds (no bolt head), I used cap nuts for the rear and nuts everywhere else (three for each standoff). Use one nut to lock them onto the bowl, then another nut to give the mirror some space, and one final nut to lock the mirror on. After lots of testing, a space of 1.75″ between the bowl and styrene gave me the best results. Zooming the flash output in and out didn’t make much of a difference. Zooming in to 105mm produced a very slightly hotter center.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/5023127768_c46640172c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/17547754@N03/5023127768/)
Deflector standoffs (http://www.flickr.com/photos/17547754@N03/5023127768/) by Jan Christian (http://www.flickr.com/people/17547754@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/5023126312_fce3990718.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/17547754@N03/5023126312/)
Speedlite beauty dish deflector (http://www.flickr.com/photos/17547754@N03/5023126312/) by Jan Christian (http://www.flickr.com/people/17547754@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/5022517173_e157ef3152.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/17547754@N03/5022517173/)
Speedlite beauty dish deflector (http://www.flickr.com/photos/17547754@N03/5022517173/) by Jan Christian (http://www.flickr.com/people/17547754@N03/), on Flickr

I also added an extra flat piece of aluminum near the speedlite cold shoe so I could attach a radio receiver via another cold shoe. All bracketry, and the rear of the bowl was painted semi-gloss black. The inside of the bowl was painted white. I coated the thumbscrews in black Plasti-Dip to make them look a little nicer.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5022516555_bec0af1b61.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/17547754@N03/5022516555/)
Speedlite beauty dish angle2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/17547754@N03/5022516555/) by Jan Christian (http://www.flickr.com/people/17547754@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5022516303_ce74bd90ff.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/17547754@N03/5022516303/)
Speedlite beauty dish angle1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/17547754@N03/5022516303/) by Jan Christian (http://www.flickr.com/people/17547754@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/5023127104_c9499a0040.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/17547754@N03/5023127104/)
Speedlite beauty dish profile (http://www.flickr.com/photos/17547754@N03/5023127104/) by Jan Christian (http://www.flickr.com/people/17547754@N03/), on Flickr

The output is very soft with a smooth falloff. I couldn’t be happier with the results considering how little I spent on this project.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/5023126914_ef2592b319.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/17547754@N03/5023126914/)
Speedlite beauty dish output (http://www.flickr.com/photos/17547754@N03/5023126914/) by Jan Christian (http://www.flickr.com/people/17547754@N03/), on Flickr

I made this portrait of my friend, and fellow photographer, William, for an article in the paper about elections. The beauty dish was camera-right and the sun was behind and to the right of William.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/SpeakerPhreaker/william-1.jpg

[airbutchie]

^ Items list and instructions would also help with your DIY beauty dish, JDubya... But from the looks of it, great DIY job...

- airbutchie

[JDubya]

^ Items list and instructions would also help with your DIY beauty dish, JDubya... But from the looks of it, great DIY job...

- airbutchie

In the works. I just wanted to throw up a teaser in the meantime

[4x4rock]

That's cool.

I stopped by a local seller this morning to pick up some stands and boom arm with a friend and the seller mentioned he'll get a beauty dish for speedlight coming next month. The size is about 22". It's one of those China beauty dish you see on ebay but with the adapter and coldshoe for flash.

The price is about $80.

[mufutau55]

Can you please broadcast it here when this is released.

Mufutau

That's cool.
I stopped by a local seller this morning to pick up some stands and boom arm with a friend and the seller mentioned he'll get a beauty dish for speedlight coming next month. The size is about 22". It's one of those China beauty dish you see on ebay but with the adapter and coldshoe for flash.
The price is about $80.

[4x4rock]

Can you please broadcast it here when this is released.

Mufutau


Sure thing. I'll post up once I hear more info about it. I'll check back with him next month.

[Paul Li]

Looks nice and clean! Sample pics?

[ChadAndreo]

bump for info

[doubledragon]

+1 on the info - let's see some shots

[JDubya]

Sorry for the delay guys, I finally blogged about it lol

http://ambrotosphotography.com/blog/2010/09/diy-speedlite-beauty-dish

[spacetime]

Better late than never. :) Perhaps you could show how you mounted the deflector as it's an important component.

[JDubya]

Sure thing, I updated the post. Hopefully it makes more sense now.

[scottmb3]

Wow that is really awesome! Well done!

[JDubya]

Thanks Scott!

Here are a few recent shots in case anyone wants more examples.

The beauty dish was camera-right, about head level, angled down slightly. Camera-left and behind/to the side of the subject was a bare speedlite, flagged to keep light off of the background.

It's definitely not the typical kind of model you guys are used to seeing around these forums :lol:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/SpeakerPhreaker/Sewn/Vest-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/SpeakerPhreaker/Sewn/Vest-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/SpeakerPhreaker/Sewn/Vest-6.jpg

(The tactical vest was the main subject of these photos)

[anlenke]

Really informative and well-done blog post; very cool results. I'm impressed how even the lighting is as well!

[caaeon]

i've been looking for a DIY beauty dish. Thanks for sharing!

[DM1975]

Thanks Scott!

Here are a few recent shots in case anyone wants more examples.

The beauty dish was camera-right, about head level, angled down slightly. Camera-left and behind/to the side of the subject was a bare speedlite, flagged to keep light off of the background.

It's definitely not the typical kind of model you guys are used to seeing around these forums :lol:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/SpeakerPhreaker/Sewn/Vest-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/SpeakerPhreaker/Sewn/Vest-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/SpeakerPhreaker/Sewn/Vest-6.jpg

(The tactical vest was the main subject of these photos)

Put some plates in that vest :p

Awesome job.

[JDubya]

Put some plates in that vest :p

Awesome job.

If I had some I would. I accept donations :D

Thanks!

[DM1975]

If I had some I would. I accept donations :D

Thanks!

Just look in your kitchen, I found a bunch of plates in the cabinets in mine :D

[You-by-Lou]

Sorry for the delay guys, I finally blogged about it lol

http://ambrotosphotography.com/blog/2010/09/diy-speedlite-beauty-dish


Domain expired 9/28


Dish looks great!

[JDubya]

Domain expired 9/28


Dish looks great!

Thanks for the heads-up. I forgot I still had some things linked to my old URL.

The new link is: http://janchristianphoto.com/blog/2010/09/diy-speedlite-beauty-dish

[You-by-Lou]

just went to amazon on punched in "stainless steel bowl" was funny to see...

Frequently Bought Together
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41N-L3Uu3-L._SL500_SS75_.jpg +http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21WX2EgC%2BmL._SL500_SS100_.jpg +http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41dMNFdewyL._SL500_SS100_.jpg
Price For All Three: $60.69

These items are shipped from and sold by different sellers. Show details
Buy the selected items together
This item: Winware Coupe Style Aluminum 8-Inch Pizza Tray by Winco USA $9.61
Misc Imports 16 Quart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl (13-0776) Category: Mixing Bowls by Misc Imports $21.09
ePhoto DIY Canon Nikon Flash Mount Bracket for Softbox Beauty Dish DIY_Bracket $29.99

[You-by-Lou]

i've ordered this in anticipation of putting something together
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Adjustable-Multi-Angle-Camera-Flash-Brackets-L-Brackets-/00/$(KGrHqR,!gwE29UFF2qEBOCZO)kO+g~~0_12.JPG

just don't want to spend 30 to connect...I feel this bracket and some shop skills I can get something done.

Should I steal the wife's bowl? it's only 14" I'm guessing that is not quite big enough
i guess a trip to marshalls and see if the have one of those lg red vietnamese bowls which is what I presume OP used.

[JDubya]

i've ordered this in anticipation of putting something together


just don't want to spend 30 to connect...I feel this bracket and some shop skills I can get something done.

Should I steal the wife's bowl? it's only 14" I'm guessing that is not quite big enough
i guess a trip to marshalls and see if the have one of those lg red vietnamese bowls which is what I presume OP used.

I'd look for something larger. If you're looking online, search for a 30 qt. mixing bowl. It's a great size, about 22" across. Here are a few I found:

http://www.wesellcoffee.com/cgi-wesellcoffee/sb/productsearch.cgi?search_field=mixing+bowl&storeid=*1cad42e5d0fa0aa14069473a28a4927f

http://www.waresdirect.com/products/Restaurant-Supply/Admiral-Craft-Adcraft-/Mixing-Bowl40280

http://www.cometsupply.com/pm/ADCSBL30/

[You-by-Lou]

I'd look for something larger. If you're looking online, search for a 30 qt. mixing bowl. It's a great size, about 22" across. Here are a few I found:

http://www.wesellcoffee.com/cgi-wesellcoffee/sb/productsearch.cgi?search_field=mixing+bowl&storeid=*1cad42e5d0fa0aa14069473a28a4927f

http://www.waresdirect.com/products/Restaurant-Supply/Admiral-Craft-Adcraft-/Mixing-Bowl40280

http://www.cometsupply.com/pm/ADCSBL30/

thanks for advice and links. I shall follow on size
I have a few restaurant supply companies locally...and use them....why I didn't think of them?
most places want 20 bucks to ship the bowl!
monday I shall head to Bar Boy and purchase

[XoZe]

I'm in the process of painting mine. I'll post pics once it's finished.

[sticknpuck]

just went to amazon on punched in "stainless steel bowl" was funny to see...

Frequently Bought Together
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41N-L3Uu3-L._SL500_SS75_.jpg +http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21WX2EgC%2BmL._SL500_SS100_.jpg +http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41dMNFdewyL._SL500_SS100_.jpg
Price For All Three: $60.69

These items are shipped from and sold by different sellers. Show details
Buy the selected items together
This item: Winware Coupe Style Aluminum 8-Inch Pizza Tray by Winco USA $9.61
Misc Imports 16 Quart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl (13-0776) Category: Mixing Bowls by Misc Imports $21.09
ePhoto DIY Canon Nikon Flash Mount Bracket for Softbox Beauty Dish DIY_Bracket $29.99

For $30 more you can get this including grid and sock without all the extra work... ;)

http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Diffuser-Speedring-Bracket-Speedlite/dp/B005ODJBR6/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1318780439&sr=8-7

[You-by-Lou]

For $30 more you can get this including grid and sock without all the extra work... ;)

http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Diffuser-Speedring-Bracket-Speedlite/dp/B005ODJBR6/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1318780439&sr=8-7

I don't even want to spend the 60!!
don't know why either...I've spend crazy money in general on camera stuff.
I think I'm in the mood for a DIY
I am a contractor so the work part should not be hard.

that does look like a nice one for the 100 +shipping + tax = 125

[You-by-Lou]

I'm in the process of painting mine. I'll post pics once it's finished.

look forward to seeing

[JDubya]

For $30 more you can get this including grid and sock without all the extra work... ;)

http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Diffuser-Speedring-Bracket-Speedlite/dp/B005ODJBR6/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1318780439&sr=8-7

But what fun is that? :mrgreen:

[You-by-Lou]

so the 30qt bowl is HUGH. the 8" plate looks small...but alas I have picked up both items.
interesting as I brought the bowl to the car and went to set the plate inside....I saw the light ring within the bowl change as I lowered the light.

just found it interesting.

[You-by-Lou]

here is the bowl next to my Taylor GS8...no small guitar
just wanted reference to the size of the bowl
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6051/6270735742_d92e342e0a_m.jpg


next up........Andy. He heard me working on the deck and figured he'd get some extra peanuts today.
As you can see he gets close, this was probably only 5' away from where I was standing.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6218/6270735756_74ef994818_m.jpg

the hole cut out
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6040/6270205309_d91e9000d4_m.jpg

[artemisn]

For $30 more you can get this including grid and sock without all the extra work... ;)

http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Diffuser-Speedring-Bracket-Speedlite/dp/B005ODJBR6/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1318780439&sr=8-7

I bought something similar off of ebay that I'm 99% sure was just an older and rebranded version. It's only 41cm (~16in), but uses the same mounting ring, sock, and grid. It looks like they definitely upgraded the mounting system on the light stand end though, which is just heavenly.

I contemplated doing a DIY dish, but went with that for the small cost difference and included grid/sock. I'd definitely recommend it, I've used it as my go-to outdoor diffuser and my key indoors because it just...Works!

[You-by-Lou]

I've added a feature or two to my DIY.
wing nuts atop the center disperser for easy adjustment
some foam around edges for protection
i noticed in many DIY dishes there was some light bleed off at the rear..
so I've added foam where speedlite enters rear to eliminate light escaping

and last but not least......my favorite...I've added two handles to the back to allow the whole dish to be hand held for quick stuff if you have a person to assist nearby.

[lapeno]

I've added a feature or two to my DIY.
wing nuts atop the center disperser for easy adjustment
some foam around edges for protection
i noticed in many DIY dishes there was some light bleed off at the rear..
so I've added foam where speedlite enters rear to eliminate light escaping

and last but not least......my favorite...I've added two handles to the back to allow the whole dish to be hand held for quick stuff if you have a person to assist nearby.

Pics please...:D:D

[You-by-Lou]

Pics please...:D:D

so here's the added handles for quick hand holding shots. protection foam, painted too

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6045/6284793242_175585b616_m.jpg

next up is a close up of how the flash seats with the added foam seal

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6108/6284273757_f1948a5e21_m.jpg

next are the wing nuts for fast adjustments

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6096/6284273777_eb91acb2c5_m.jpg

and lastly to date the inside painted. the plate and the outside were painted with a "hammered steel" finish BTW

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6058/6284793280_14777439e8_m.jpg

[You-by-Lou]

I am now going to replace the screws under the plate making the plate adjustable with only a turn of the thumb screw.

finally tested last night and the bleed back of light is rather minimal.

[novus7065]

can you do a tutorial video?

[You-by-Lou]

kinda too late for that. would gladly talk you through or explain any part you are unsure of

[You-by-Lou]

to JDubya..............

I always found the pictures of the guy in fatigues a curious choice to showcase a "beauty" dish
what is the thought process behind the choice if I may so inquire

[JDubya]

to JDubya..............

I always found the pictures of the guy in fatigues a curious choice to showcase a "beauty" dish
what is the thought process behind the choice if I may so inquire

I made that photo not to showcase the beauty dish; I used the beauty dish to showcase the subject (the vest in particular). I wanted dramatic lighting, a sharper falloff, and the beauty dish fit the bill. I could've also used a bounce umbrella partially collapsed but the beauty dish is more fun/rewarding because I made it.

Beauty dishes are good for more than just "beauty" shots ;)

[You-by-Lou]

I made that photo not to showcase the beauty dish; I used the beauty dish to showcase the subject (the vest in particular). I wanted dramatic lighting, a sharper falloff, and the beauty dish fit the bill. I could've also used a bounce umbrella partially collapsed but the beauty dish is more fun/rewarding because I made it.

Beauty dishes are good for more than just "beauty" shots ;)


fair enough

[deninho]

Nice project :)

I recently bought an Ikea lamp (this one (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90194961/), 15 inch and aluminum colour), in order to build my own DIY beauty dish. I have a question though:

Is it necessary to paint the outside? If yes, why is that? (I'm totally new in the lighting stuff, so forgive me if the question is dumb)

[JDubya]

Nice project :)

I recently bought an Ikea lamp (this one (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90194961/), 15 inch and aluminum colour), in order to build my own DIY beauty dish. I have a question though:

Is it necessary to paint the outside? If yes, why is that? (I'm totally new in the lighting stuff, so forgive me if the question is dumb)

Nope, not really. I just painted it black so it'd look "professional"

[You-by-Lou]

i painted mine black cause he painted his black!

was able to find this "hammered steel" paint effect

[deninho]

i painted mine black cause he painted his black!

lol. I would have done the same thing, but i don't really like painting, so I decided to ask before.

Nope, not really. I just painted it black so it'd look "professional"

Good to know :) I'll post my results here as soon as i finish this (I guess this will happen next year, due to tight schedule :()

[JDubya]

Good to know :) I'll post my results here as soon as i finish this (I guess this will happen next year, due to tight schedule :()
Have you had a chance to work on your dish?