Diffusion panel, free as in beer

I found this discarded panel for overhead office fluorescents, and decided it would make a fine diffuser. At $0.00, the price was right. Dimensions are 2'x4', and the missing chunk doesn't cause any trouble. The surface is stippled to disperse light (think microlenses) with a transmission loss of 1 stop. There is no shift in color temp. With and without the panel:

I found the 2'x4' overhead panel at Home Depot, and it's about $1/sqft: the pattern is called "prismatic". I expect other patterns to be available on the market. I also looked at glass shower doors which are more expensive and heavy. The best option for large-scale diffusion might be acrylic sheets with frosted finish, but those treatments have a limited selection in sizes and are more expensive than optically clear finishes. Linear dimension ranges up to 8' high—too big even for me! For something around 4' linear, cost effective, robust, and with choice of diffusion, I think a (clear) acrylic sheet with a window film is the best route. Home Depot has a broad selection of film patterns that go from plain frost to geometric to full color landscapes.

Overhead lighting panel diffusion

Window film (frosted finish)

A few years ago I replaced the ballasts in a bunch of basment fluorescent lights and considered trying the panels as diffusers, but never got around to it.

They clearly work.

The fact that they are rigid might be a pain in the neck for those of us on the go. I am a big fan of panel material as a replacement for regular softboxes. Usually I just grab some sheer material from the fabric store. Get a bit of a cast with some of it but nothing that isn't easily overcome in most situations. Plus it rolls up nicely.

This is 52" by 72",I think. Didn't pay more than 10 bucks.

Had to look up Sante derailleurs, lol. I ride, not much any more but I've never been a gear head.

First hit: http://www.disraeligea​rs.co.uk …derailleur_(500​1_LS).html

Nice product photography.

That's a lot of icons on your desktop, He's Gone.

Get the same thing from my kids.

Bunch of probably worthless screen grabs and flac to MP3s. lol

Edit: now everyone should be happy.

Rollable fabric is another fine idea. Main goal is to think outside the confines of the ubiquitous (and overpriced) softbox.

Ripstop nylon and PVC tubing!

RICO TUDOR, great ingenuity & images as always!
Thank you.


Another possible option, granted a bit more costly than free (but which has features of: portability & flexibility)…

Savage TRANSLUM-
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …&srtclk=sort&Nt​t=translum
Mark Wallace set-up demos: https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=gPmiI2K_y9I (5:50 minute product video)
Editing seamless backgrounds: https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=MdMX5iEwjJU (10:08 minute video)

Hey while you are in the hardware store, you may want to pick up some screen-door mesh, like Mark Wallace did.
Silver Screen Magic - Exploring Photography with Mark Wallace/[Adorama TV]:
https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=gn1rnKk1fHw (6:34 minute video)


Just one view…


Mary

P.S.
Re: Bicycles…
-nice bicycle you have there.
-I’ve been eyeing to purchase a folding electric bike (aka e-bike) to put in the trunk of my sports car, so can drive via car to a location or to an area within a city, park, then unfold this for riding about (with a camera of course!).
Example of an electric bike’s application (in city or dense areas):
https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=62PQpLM6JDk (1:49 minute video)

In particular this nifty electric ENZO E-BIKE (I think it’s assembled in Florida, USA)-
ENZO e-bike Review: https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=m6C7BtuFA84 (11:11 minute video)
ENZO e-bike: https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=MIYR72ICzwU (2:52 minute video)

e-bike - A concept that is way more popular in Europe and just building in popularity in North America.
Revolution of the Electric Bicycle (ebike in Europe)-
BBC TV (news): https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=nDjTyn-WY7k (4:36 minute video)
BBC TV (show): https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=nuoCo6d3LoI (5:59 minute video)

Comparison of: Electric bicycle (ebike) VS conventional bicycle-
https://www.youtube.co​m …?v=P4T31tFhH0Y#​t=2.421365 (3:45 minute video)

As cities become more congested & crowded, this is a silent revolution which is just starting to take place in North America; one which has been in & increasing in many European cities for the last five or so years (particularly since approximately 2008 when battery technology made significant advances).

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #18294756
Had to look up Sante derailleurs, lol. I ride, not much any more but I've never been a gear head.

Good link: I should have known there was a web site for relic derailleurs. The site states 1987 for Sante but mine was purchased in 1982. Running gear comes and goes, but the really special element of this bike (my daily driver) is the frame. French manufactured by aluminum specialist Vitus, the tubes are glued—an industry first, and not to be seen again. This is a touring frame that is comfortable and low weight. The "product pic" reminds me that a complete teardown is overdue, including the bottom bracket.

Electric bikes are also big in China.

They take the battery off and carry it to their apartment at night to charge it (and keep it safe from thieves).

Interesting, thanks. I didn’t know that about China (I’ve never been there).

Eh, executive function be damned.

Bad words in the video. Under my thumb and ring of fire are the expected covers.

Here's a catchlight you don't see every day.

Getting back to the main subject of the OP. I used those prismatic panels on my 16" parabolic reflectors with barn doors for over 30 yrs. They give an excellent light pattern - soft but directional. I highly recommend them.