580EX Gels

[Kevin Song Photography]

Hey guys,

So I am new to using flashes (as in very very new). I've seen a bunch of DIY gel holders for the flash, ranging from mounting thingies that gels slide into to simple pieces of velcro.

Any recommendations?

Also, are there special types of gels that I should get, or does it really not matter? Will theater gels (the ones used in live theater on top of Source Fours) work fine, or is there something special about flash gels? There are a bunch of old cut up ones that would work sizewise on a flash, but is there any reason not to use them? Obviously, the color codes are probably different, I'm guessing, but other than that...

Thanks! This is a great place, and this is one of my first non-lurking posts :D

Edit> Maybe they aren't different after all actually. I've read many people using Rosco's gels - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=45189&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

And that happens to be what we use in theater as well. So are they the same?

[gonzogolf]

for use with speedlites you can pick up either a rosco or apollo sample book which turns out to be the perfect size for canon flashes :) That gives you a full range of colors to play with. Just keep a little space between the flash lens and the gel so they dont get too hot and melt to the flash. No reason not to use the gels you have though. The codes are really only important if you are trying to gel to match ambient light colors.

[Kevin Song Photography]

Oooh, I didn't think about the sample booklet fitting perfectly.

We probably have quite a few lying around, but I'll pick up one next time I visit B&H - I'm not about to pay $10 shipping for a $2 product, haha.

[gonzogolf]

Oooh, I didn't think about the sample booklet fitting perfectly.

We probably have quite a few lying around, but I'll pick up one next time I visit B&H - I'm not about to pay $10 shipping for a $2 product, haha.

Yeah, they were in short supply for a while due to a thread on here promoting this use :) if you search for gel holder on here you can find threads with some DIY options.

[Kevin Song Photography]

On second thought - does anyone know what size it should be? I don't have my 580 with me right now to measure...

There's 3x5 swatchbooks and 1.75x2.75. Which one? For some reason, the bigger ones are a heck lot more expensive.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/45190-REG/Rosco_8815_Roscolux_Designer_Color_Selector.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/45189-REG/Rosco_950SBLUX0103_Roscolux_Swatchbook.html

Also - any DIY gel holder recommendations? I don't want to use velcro if I'm going to be switching colors - that's a lot of velcroing to stick velcro to everything!

My two ideas were either a pair of magnets on each side and stick the gel in between to hold it in place, or building some type of holder, simliar to the ones theater lights use. But I have no idea how magnets might affect the flash - anybody know?

And assuming the gels are the same as the theater gels, I don't think I have to worry about melting and sticking to the flash - theater lights are considerably hotter than my tiny little Speedlite, even if I stuck an external battery pack on and just started blasting it at full power repeatedly - unless I used a really dark color I suppose.

[gonzogolf]

And assuming the gels are the same as the theater gels, I don't think I have to worry about melting and sticking to the flash - theater lights are considerably hotter than my tiny little Speedlite, even if I stuck an external battery pack on and just started blasting it at full power repeatedly - unless I used a really dark color I suppose.


Too many stories on the other thread about people scraping toasted gel of the front of their speedlite for me not to heed their advice. A couple said the heat buildup damaged the flash instead of the gel. I just got an old knockoff stofen diffuser, cut the front off of it and bend the gels slightly and cup them in there. the arc of the bent gel keeps it off the surface of the flash and I can change colors instantly.

[mufutau55]

No toasted flash when you have one of this, this is the one I use, see link below:

http://www.gelholder.com/gelholder/

Mufutau

Too many stories on the other thread about people scraping toasted gel of the front of their speedlite for me not to heed their advice.

[Underscore]

Get some heat resistant gels with the elastic (like a hair net) opening to drape over your flash. If you get ones that fit a 6" reflector for studio strobes, you can use them as well draped over your flash. Great stuff and cheap and keeps velcro off your small strobe, if you care about that sort of thing. I like velcro frankly for adhering my PWs to the flash.

[AlanU]

If your a Joe demb flipit user he has a universal gel holder. Works like a charm.

[mhthomps]

If your a Joe demb flipit user he has a universal gel holder. Works like a charm.

I just got some of these and they are awesome. Free replacements for life too. Kelby talks about them in his newest book - Digital Photography Vol. 3
http://stickyfi.startlogic.com/page3.html

[Kevin Song Photography]

Hey, I was actually thinking about trying to make something EXACTLY like that gel holder.com thing!

I just wasn't sure where I'd get that plastic from.

That sticky thing looks pretty interesting. Seems like it wouldn't last too long though. And replacements are always annoying to get, even if they're free. How are they for you?

[mhthomps]

Hey, I was actually thinking about trying to make something EXACTLY like that gel holder.com thing!

I just wasn't sure where I'd get that plastic from.

That sticky thing looks pretty interesting. Seems like it wouldn't last too long though. And replacements are always annoying to get, even if they're free. How are they for you?

I thought the SAME thing about the longevity, but they are as good as new. On top of that, they come in a very compact "sleeve" that is simple to use and find what you need. Scott Kelby (who I trust for this kind of stuff) devoted an entire page to Sticky Filters in The Digital Photography Book Vol. 3 (which just came out a couple of weeks ago). That guy doesn't mess around when it comes to equipment :)

[Kevin Song Photography]

Hmm interesting!

I'll look into that then. i'm trying to make a gel holder right now, but it's rather difficult without a strip heater, lol.

[smorter]

Oooh, I didn't think about the sample booklet fitting perfectly.

We probably have quite a few lying around, but I'll pick up one next time I visit B&H - I'm not about to pay $10 shipping for a $2 product, haha.

$10! You guys have it lucky, for Australians we have to pay like $60 shipping for a $2 gel pack :D

[Killjoy]

If you are looking for a holder, you should check out this one. (http://www.lumiquest.com/products/fxtra.htm)

[Roy G. Biv]

Also - any DIY gel holder recommendations? I don't want to use velcro if I'm going to be switching colors - that's a lot of velcroing to stick velcro to everything!


I like the idea of this one.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=683062&highlight=snoot+gel+holder

[realitysays]

$10! You guys have it lucky, for Australians we have to pay like $60 shipping for a $2 gel pack :D

Tell me about it!!!!!!!! But i did some digging, just went to the www.rosco.com (http://www.rosco.com) website and chose australia as my region, clicked on the roscoflux thing that is listed on B&H for $22.50 and i don't know what i will receive, but i scrolled to the bottom and "requested a swatchbook" i will be highly amazed if i get one for free or at least something for free! Try it out!

http://www.rosco.com/australia/filters/roscolux.asp

[Kevin Song Photography]

Roy G. Biv - yeah that's what I was originally going to make, but unfortunately, I only have Home Depot's around here, and the they don't carry that. The closest thing they carry to that doesn't really fit on my flash. It fits if you squeeze hard, but that is gonna make some ugly marks on my flash after 10 uses.

Heh. Rosco USA charges $10 for that swatchbook! It used to be free, but tons of people started (heh I wonder why...) requesting them all of the sudden... causing months long waiting periods..

[coleygm]

If you are looking for a holder, you should check out this one. (http://www.lumiquest.com/products/fxtra.htm)

This is the one i use...the Lumiquest FXtra. $20 from B&H and even comes with standard gels. Works along with my other Bounce attachments too.

you could get even fancier with their FX Color Gel system for $40 if you wanted a gel softener.

I too used gaffers tape with gels, but was always worried about the melting that some have experienced...this way, there's no worry. Additionally if you don't want to stick Velcro to your flash unit...just use a Cinch (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/544414-REG/LumiQuest_LQ_117_Cinch_Strap_for_Big_Bounce.html) strap...very handy

link to Gel Holders:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=lumiquest+gel&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

[District_History_Fan]

The Honl gel kit is nice. Some velcro or Honl's speed strap will be needed to attach the gels to the flash.

http://www.honlphoto.com/servlet/the-21/strobist-speedlight-strobe-flash/Detail

[BluewookieJim]

If you are looking for a holder, you should check out this one. (http://www.lumiquest.com/products/fxtra.htm)


I crafted a few DIY versions of this, using a couple sheets of baseball card sleeves, and some 1.5" wide velcro. Using that in conjunction with the 2 Honl speed straps I already have makes this pretty convenient.

The last step for me now is to laminate my swatches using the methods SYS describes in his thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=683062), with the self sealing lamination sheets/pouches.

The only difference I will be making is I will make my laminated swatches longer rather than taller, with the info sheet next to the swatch rather than on top of it. That will make it easier for me to slide the gels in and out, since the baseball card sleeves have the opening on the short edge.

[Kevin Song Photography]

Hmm. I found a 3x5 picture frame at my local dollar store. So with a little bit of cutting/dremeling, and just one 90 degree bend, it should work well.

I'll try it out. I haven't been in a particularly big rush since my camera's still sitting with Canon. should be back within the week though.