Flash Diffusers - CB Mini RC, Whale Tail and G11

[John Baker]

I have several EX guns which I use on my 1 Series and I have been experimenting with different combinations on my G11, in particular looking to improve my macro work.

My favourite set-up for heavy flash work on my DSLR is the Custom Bracket Mini RC and a Gary Fong Whale Tail. This set up is good for portrait work and also great for macro, it puts the flash to the right of the camera. On the G11 with the normal set up put the flash too far forward, however, with a bit of lateral thinking, I turned the bracket around, reversed the off-flash cable and I am happy to report the whole thing works a treat – I thought I would share on here…

Rig from behind
http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Fong/FongSQ.jpg

From behind...
http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Fong/FongSQ4.jpg

Side
http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Fong/FongSQ2.jpg

Top
http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Fong/FongSQ3.jpg

Ok, so it is a handful and people will ask why bother on a G11, it is because it allows me to do things I would struggle to get on my DSLR. A couple of snaps - Pyrrhosoma nymphula - Large Red Damselfly

Single...
http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Fong/IMG_3005%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg

Pair...
http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Fong/IMG_3041%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg

I just love the DoF on this thing
http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Fong/two%20heads%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg

Taking off the diffuser and it still works, but the bare gun does cause high lites in the eyes
http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Fong/IMG_3013%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg

[objetda]

Once again John you amaze me with what your getting out of this little beauty of a camera. I've been searching high and low on forums, trying to work out the best flash setup for the G11.

I feel the 270 ex would be limiting and was heading towards the 430 ex thinking the 580 would just be too big or even be bigger than the camera itself...but this setup actually looks manageable. What lens have you used for these shots and how far away are you on the third image of the damselfly. As you mention the DOF is fantastic.

[John Baker]

I feel the 270 ex would be limiting and was heading towards the 430 ex thinking the 580 would just be too big or even be bigger than the camera itself...but this setup actually looks manageable. What lens have you used for these shots and how far away are you on the third image of the damselfly. As you mention the DOF is fantastic.
These were all taken with a single +4 Dioptre (Konica Minolta achromatic Close-up lens CL49-200) it is 49mm in size and fits on the adaptor tube with a simple step-down ring, in action I believe it is possibly closer to +5 and allows me to focus the 140mm lens to around 20cm. I will be adding the Raynox DCR-250 to my kit shortly and that is a +8 dioptre which should allow me to get down to around 12cm!

I was looking for a second-hand 270EX but they retain their value. I have a 430/550/580, I only fitted the 580 as it was the first one which came to hand. I tend to use that and the 550 slightly more than the 430 as they allow me to plug in a supplementary battery pack to speed recycling times – but with macro it is not really an issue. I also like the ability to use the slave/master facility which I can do with these, and also the ST-E2 when I want to go wireless.

The kit is actually very usable; the only thing I am making is a collapsible focusing aid to magnify the screen, as I am finding it difficult to get an exact focus. I was looking to use an old waist level finder from a TLR, but ended up getting a simple viewer for looking at postage stamps! I will post some pictures when I get it set up.


Another pic for you, same set up...
http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Fong/IMG_2992%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg

[objetda]

These were all taken with a single +4 Dioptre (Konica Minolta achromatic Close-up lens CL49-200)

Thankyou for sharing this, this is the perfect range I've been looking for. I have the DCR-250 which is a great lens but I feel I'm too close and would like to pull back a bit. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with for the focusing solution, I too find it difficult to focus with the manual focus. Is it possible to enlarge that centre section which gives you a bigger preview?

[denncald]

.. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with for the focusing solution, I too find it difficult to focus with the manual focus. Is it possible to enlarge that centre section which gives you a bigger preview?

I rummaged through our odds-and-ends drawer and found an old small magnifying glass used for reading. The glass is 2"x2" and comes in a small plastic case. I press a couple of buttons and glass pops out of the case for use. Here's a link I found for the same one;

http://www.widgetsupply.com/page/WS/PROD/magnifier-sliding/BCP54

It helps bring that small center section of the G11 focusing screen up to a size that clarifies what I need to see for critical focusing. I hold the glass up to my eye and move my head down to a position that gives me a clear view of the LCD screen area. I can only do this with the camera on a tripod. Having the movable LCD makes this process work better than with a G9 or G10.

Edit: and in keeping with the theme of John's posting, I just bought a mini soft box to add the end of my 430EX II, and use it with the ST-E2 wireless transmitter. I like to move around the subject to try different lighting angles. My wife asked me to do some macros with a bowl of small sea shells. She wants to emphasize the red and orange colors for a large print to coordinate with colors in the room. I'm trying to accommodate, because I've shown her other "masterpieces" before, and she will say it's the wrong color... Here is one of several I took today. The little magnifying glass helped with this shot, as well as the soft box.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3304/4582360687_7eb9edd996_o.jpg

Dennis

[John Baker]

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with for the focusing solution, I too find it difficult to focus with the manual focus. Is it possible to enlarge that centre section which gives you a bigger preview?
You can get a digital enlargement of the centre section when using MF, but it is not ideal. I was hoping my new magnifier would arrive, but the joy of the postal service. After a lot of looking this is what I think may do the job for me - Link (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110484913006&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT) – I will post some pictures when it arrives. I have posted this link before, it is a great source of knowledge on the various achromatic filters (http://freenet-homepage.de/seemolf/achromats.html) - the way the close up filters work is that they will all focus at a fraction of a meter, so a +4 will be 100mm divided by 4 so 20mm, your Raynox at +8 is 100mm dived by 8 so 12.5mm. You can of course then start to get clever by adding a teleconverter on top of the close up lens, this will then give you a far better working distance – I have several from a very small Olympus 1.4 through to a Raynox 2020 Pro which is a 2.2 x which takes the G11 from 140 up to 308mm lens, which when combined with the +4 will still focus at around 20mm – I am yet to use this on a decent subject, but tests are looking good! I will post some once I get some results.

I rummaged through our odds-and-ends drawer and found an old small magnifying glass used for reading. xxx The little magnifying glass helped with this shot, as well as the soft box.
Dennis – a neat idea, I did look at similar magnifiers, but really wanted something that could be fitted and then left attached. The possible ideal solution would be the “HoodLoupe 3.0 (http://www.hoodmanusa.com/prodinfo.asp?number=H-LPP3)” but at $80 I did feel it was a lot of money. I did look at various simple slide viewers, I did quite like the look of the Nikon 10x magnification (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nikon-10x-Loupe-Magnifier-35mm-Film-Negatives-Slide-/180503292926?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Camcorder_Lenses&hash=item2a06d5abf) – but I don’t think I need quite that level of magnification – I will let you know how I get on with the folding unit.

I like your shell picture, the ST-E2 combination is great and works really well. The only reason I did not use it for my macro set up was that the main gun it fitted behind the transmitter. It worked in testing but I have experienced IR communication problems in very bright light and working out doors, while inside the IR bounce’s around the room and has always worked for me.

Apols for posting this again, but this is an example of G11 plus ST-E2. This combo allows you to control the ratio of power output when using more that one unit. So in this picture the ST-E2 is controlling a 550EX (group A) and 430EX (group B) flash guns, ratio set 4:1 both flash firing into white brollies on light stands. Camera fitted with 77mm +4 dioptre close-up lens working at 140mm equiv.

http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Watches/Pair-800.jpg

[denncald]

I'm not certain yet, but I believe this company is making something that will work on the G11 as a magnifier for the LCD.

http://clearviewer.com/index.html

They primarily made it for the Pany LX3, but have begun to make them for other model cameras too.

"New cameras - We try to get specs for newer models soon after they're introduced, and make ClearViewers for most all of them, even some that have optional optical or electronic viewfinders. In addition to our initial products for the Panasonic Lumix LX3, and TZ and ZS models, we're making viewers for the Canon S90, G9-10-11, the Olympus E-P1 and the new SP-800uz, the Lumix GF-1, Ricoh GRD series and others, Sony compacts, and more. If your camera isn't listed, that doesn't mean you can't get a ClearViewer...as long as it has a tripod socket, we should be able to make one to fit. And, if it has a hotshoe and it's reasonably centered, we can make a hotshoe model for it."

http://clearviewer.com/news.html

Dennis

[John Baker]

I'm not certain yet, but I believe this company is making something that will work on the G11 as a magnifier for the LCD. http://clearviewer.com/index.html
Dennis
Thanks Dennis, interesting stuff and that is a totally new product to me. But it just goes to show that many users are thinking along the same lines, while trying to get over particular problems and issues. I think I am basically getting nearly the same set up with my folding “stamp and coin viewer” at a fraction of the cost, I think mine cost me $7 including the postage – but I appreciate the Clear View product is neater as it attaches to the camera. There is a better view of their tripod mount product here - http://clearviewer.com/hotshoe.html

[John Baker]

After 3 prototypes and a lot of fun I think I have it done! The first was with a credit card sized Fresnel screen, works but was not of a great quality. The second was a credit card unit with a +3 plastic lens, this still has potential, but it gives it best magnification at around 10cm – big advantage is that it easily covers the full screen. The final version consisted of a metal 6X linen tester magnifier (http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=35397) – this is really neat as it can be attached to my CB mini bracket and can swing in and out of the line of sight – a couple of pics…

In the normal viewing, down position
http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Fong/a-down.jpg

When needed the unit swings up into the viewing position
http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Fong/a-up.jpg

Not a great image through the magnifier - not brilliant, but definitely allows you to get a more precise focus.
http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Fong/a-through.jpg

You can see the centre focus area in this one, I can see down to the individual pixels on the screen which is useful.
http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Fong/a-t2.jpg

[objetda]

Hi John,

Did you get your bracket from the manufacturer or an online shop? I went to custombrackets.com but because I'm in Oz they want $70US for shipping a fifty dollar bracket!!! Also how is the magnifying glass mounted to the base?

[John Baker]

Hi John,
Did you get your bracket from the manufacturer or an online shop? I went to custombrackets.com but because I'm in Oz they want $70US for shipping a fifty dollar bracket!!! Also how is the magnifying glass mounted to the base?

Living in the UK importing things from the US is also prohibitively expensive, so fully understand your problem. We have several sellers of CB in this country, I bought mine from Warehouse Express (http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-custom-brackets-cb-mini-rc/p1026872) for £29.75 which is still around $50Aus, but it may be worth contacting them to see how much they would charge to send down under.

The bits, I have left the camera off so you can see what I was doing…
http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Fong/B1-bits.jpg

Re attaching to base, the key was that I fitted a bolt into the RC which has several holes pre-drilled for the fitting of an anti-rotation plate.This bolt fits into a gap in the magnifyer, I also had an oversized tripod screw which fitted into the base of the unit, which was large enough to secure the unit - ok it is a bit of "bodge" but it will do as a work in progress.
http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Fong/B2-bot.jpg

Two final shots, showing the swinging action, lens in the down position
http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Fong/a-f1.jpg

Lens in the upright, working position
http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Fong/a-f2.jpg

[John Baker]

Just thought I would post a couple of follow up shots taken with all the above kit (flash and diffuser) - must admit it works a treat and is delivering the goods.

http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-BDS-Stover&Bradley/8x12.jpg

http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-BDS-Stover&Bradley/8x18.jpg

http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-BDS-Stover&Bradley/8x14.jpg

http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-BDS-Stover&Bradley/8x16.jpg

[objetda]

There great shots John. I tracked down a supplier in the UK of the CB mini-RC (eos-magazine) which had cheaper shipping than the US so waiting patiently for it to arrive:)

I scored a 550ex off ebay for a song so looking forward to getting out and see what I can acheive with a similar setup. Can I ask why you have the rubber tube/bands over the extension tubes? Is this extension tube a DIY job aswell...

Keep posting those great macro's

[peejayw]

Being on a tight budget, I came up with a slightly cheaper way to magnify the screen when doing manual focus for macro. As the camera will always be on a tripod, I went to the local $2 shop and bought one of those hand-held slide viewers and removed the slide carrier, just keeping the lens and shroud portion. I just hold it up to the screen to check focus then click away :)

[John Baker]

... Can I ask why you have the rubber tube/bands over the extension tubes? Is this extension tube a DIY job aswell... Keep posting those great macro's
Re bands - they were from an earlier experiment, I was trying various options of LED lights. I ended up with a 48 LED solution, which while not enough to really lift the shutter speed, it did throw a lot of light on the subject - I tend to leave the bands on there just in case I have trouble removing one of the numerous stepping up/down rings I use.
Thank you for the kind comments on the pictures...
Here is the LED light set up, I think I posted pictures of it before.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4429072879_ee68599402.jpg

Being on a tight budget, I came up with a slightly cheaper way to magnify the screen when doing manual focus for macro. As the camera will always be on a tripod, I went to the local $2 shop and bought one of those hand-held slide viewers and removed the slide carrier, just keeping the lens and shroud portion. I just hold it up to the screen to check focus then click away :)
That was one of the solutions I have been considering, my problem is that while I fully agree the tripod is the way to go, I really wanted something that could attach to the camera. A lot of my macro work also tends to be very close to the ground or in awkward locations and requires freedom to move the camera around and get quite close to the subject. My best solution for support is a very lightweight monopod, which I then use to support and steady myself and then hand hold the camera on the side of the monopod – it works surprisingly well.

Re focusing aids – here is version 3. OK so it is really “Heath Robinson”, but works very well.

1 - Simple desk top magnifier, modified to fit on the RC Bracket - cost around $3 - Ok so slightly more than the slide viewer!!
http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Fong/Spy1.jpg

2 - "Pimp my Ride" a current experiment, this is a Raynox DCR-250 (+8 Close Up lens) fitted on the adapter tube and then a Raynox 2020/2025 Teleconverter on the front - so this is a close focusing 308mm lens!
http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Fong/Spy2.jpg

3 - The working end - target is poor Gromit!!
http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Fong/Spy3.jpg

4 - This is what the screen looks like - the large lens gives a really clear view of the whole area. I can also use manual focus and get a 5x enlargement of the centre section if needed. The Raynox combination brings the working distance down to around 150mm
http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Fong/Spy5.jpg

6 - taking the teleconverter off and just using the DCR-250 close up lens gives me a working distance of around 29mm.
http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-G11-Fong/Spy4.jpg

While the magnifier is not perfect it is proving to be quite a robust solution, it does still suffer in very bright sunlight, but then again it is very usable and is "good enough".

Why bother with all this, in summary the flash unit at ISO 100 and the off-camera combo (EX580 and Whale Tail diffuser) have been giving me a shutter speed of around 1/60" at f8, of course upping the ISO to 200 and you get a more usable 1/125" at f8 - more than enough for what I want/need.

[objetda]

Again well done on the setup John. Instead of a 'pimpin' camera, I think your latest rear glass looks more like something 'jules verne' would appreciate:)
What have you used in front of the DCR-250 to attach the tele-convertor, a series of stepup rings? There must be a few rings since the front thread of the dcr is around 49mm.

[John Baker]

What have you used in front of the DCR-250 to attach the tele-convertor, a series of stepup rings? There must be a few rings since the front thread of the dcr is around 49mm.
The teleconverter is a Raynox 2020Pro, which comes with a 62mm thread, but also includes adaptors of 58 and 52mm, while the slightly more expensive 2025Pro comes with 43/52/55 and 58mm as well as a lens hood but the main teleconverter is exactly the same.

My other close up filter has a front thread size of 49mm so I already have a stepping up ring to 58mm. The DCR-250 has a rear filter thread of 43mm and a front thread of 49mm – I am looking for a step down 58mm to 43mm to allow the DCR to fit straight on the adaptor tube as I have found that the squeeze adaptor is not ideal and can go slightly out of alignment.

While I like the quality of the 2020Pro, it is not ideal on the G11, I need the +8 dioptre of the DCR-250 to clear any vignetting at 5x zoom. Fitting the lens straight on the camera causes a slight vignetting problem, while it clears at around 7x magnification, it is not ideal. I have tried a very nice 1.7x Olympus unit which seems to work well – but to be honest I think I will stick to my DSLR for the longer lenses.

'jules verne' would find a better way to attach the camera, it is a kludge and not ideal, I will keep working on it - A final picture, Large Red Damsel having its lunch...

http://www.jfbclick.com/images/10-BDS-Stover&Bradley/IMG_3573.jpg

[objetda]

I bought mine from Warehouse Express or £29.75 which is still around $50Aus, but it may be worth contacting them to see how much they would charge to send down under.

Warehouse Express are only UK shipping. For anyone here in OZ wanting to import one of these brackets, I ended up finding one here (http://www.eos-magazine.com/EOS%20Collection/Sales/Speedlite%20directory/cbmini-rc.html), ordered for a fraction of the delivery costs the US are charging. Landed it cost me $63 AU and delivery 1 week.

[John Baker]

Warehouse Express are only UK shipping. For anyone here in OZ wanting to import one of these brackets, I ended up finding one here (http://www.eos-magazine.com/EOS%20Collection/Sales/Speedlite%20directory/cbmini-rc.html), ordered for a fraction of the delivery costs the US are charging. Landed it cost me $63 AU and delivery 1 week.
EOS Mag are a good site, I have used them for those hard to find Canon widgets and items - I hope you like the bracket, it is really great on a DSLR and works very well with the G11.