What softbox, diffused for hot shoe flashes for with macro?

Hello,

what softbox, diffused for Hot Shoe Flashes for with macro? Mini? DIY?

Share their experiences

What kind of macro?

In studio, anything goes. In the field, I don't wanna be burdened by a large modifier.

I've used the Lumiquest III and my own home made one:

I use one of those foldable mini softboxes. Cheap and folds flat. I got mine off ebay, I believe this is the model I have:
http://www.goldenshell​.com.cn …d/219/search_ty​pe/27.html

For hand-held use, after trying many diffuser designs, I have settled on a simple one. A translucent fan-shaped diffuser is mounted to the end of my 100 L, and a snoot (lined with aluminum foil) is attached to the flash. Some velcro is applied, and that steadies the arrangement so it doesn't blow away in a mild breeze. With this diffuser and a Canon 580 flash, I can shoot at around 1/8 power. That gives a very short flash duration to stop motion. Cost is about nothing. It stores flat for transport.

Photo from Archibald's gallery.
Image hosted by forum (868260)

Photo from Archibald's gallery.
Image hosted by forum (808469)

Alveric wrote in post #18663973
What kind of macro?

In studio, anything goes. In the field, I don't wanna be burdened by a large modifier.

I've used the Lumiquest III and my own home made one:

Michael456 wrote in post #18664331
I use one of those foldable mini softboxes. Cheap and folds flat. I got mine off ebay, I believe this is the model I have:
http://www.goldenshell​.com.cn …d/219/search_ty​pe/27.html

Archibald wrote in post #18664338
For hand-held use, after trying many diffuser designs, I have settled on a simple one. A translucent fan-shaped diffuser is mounted to the end of my 100 L, and a snoot (lined with aluminum foil) is attached to the flash. Some velcro is applied, and that steadies the arrangement so it doesn't blow away in a mild breeze. With this diffuser and a Canon 580 flash, I can shoot at around 1/8 power. That gives a very short flash duration to stop motion. Cost is about nothing. It stores flat for transport.

Gallery photo (hosted):
posted by Archibald originally in forum: Flash and Studio Lighting

Here is an example shot.

Gallery photo (hosted):
posted by Archibald originally in forum: Macro

Archibald wrote in post #18664338
For hand-held use, after trying many diffuser designs, I have settled on a simple one. A translucent fan-shaped diffuser is mounted to the end of my 100 L, and a snoot (lined with aluminum foil) is attached to the flash. Some velcro is applied, and that steadies the arrangement so it doesn't blow away in a mild breeze. With this diffuser and a Canon 580 flash, I can shoot at around 1/8 power. That gives a very short flash duration to stop motion. Cost is about nothing. It stores flat for transport.

Gallery photo (hosted):
posted by Archibald originally in forum: Flash and Studio Lighting

Here is an example shot.

Gallery photo (hosted):
posted by Archibald originally in forum: Macro

Thanks!

sorry, I don't have a Studio, I'm taking pictures in the woods,forest,grove in the field.
Super , Alveric, Archibald,
very interesting model! I'll try to make

Oleg2010 wrote in post #18664426
Thanks!

sorry, I don't have a Studio, I'm taking pictures in the woods,forest,grove in the field.
Super , Alveric, Archibald,
very interesting model! I'll try to make

Some details if you are interested -

The fan-shaped diffuser was translucent white plastic from a binder in a stationery store. There are many products that will work, though, including writing paper. But plastic is resistant to a drizzle, and often a brief shower will occur, so I would select plastic.

For the same reason, the snoot was made of plastic. Actually it was old resin-coated color print paper. I used spray adhesive to glue aluminum foil to it.

The exact shapes of the pieces are important, but the best way is to first make them out of paper and use trial and error.

<font stylevertical-align: inherit;><font stylevertical-align: inherit;>Арчибальд</font></font> wrote in post #18664589
=<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Арчибальд</font></font>;18664589]Some details if you are interested -

The fan-shaped diffuser was translucent white plastic from a binder in a stationery store. There are many products that will work, though, including writing paper. But plastic is resistant to a drizzle, and often a brief shower will occur, so I would select plastic.

For the same reason, the snoot was made of plastic. Actually it was old resin-coated color print paper. I used spray adhesive to glue aluminum foil to it.

The exact shapes of the pieces are important, but the best way is to first make them out of paper and use trial and error.

Thanks for the advice, you helped me a lot

For a snoot, you can also use a Pringles tube. Just cut out a hole on the cap in the shape of your flashgun's head.

If you google "pringles macro diffuser" you'll get some ideas.

Alveric wrote in post #18664673
For a snoot, you can also use a Pringles tube. Just cut out a hole on the cap in the shape of your flashgun's head.

If you google "pringles macro diffuser" you'll get some ideas.

The Pringles can has been used successfully (I guess) for years, but won't fold flat and keeps the light beam narrower than ideal.

Another disadvantage is that you have to buy a can of Pringles.

Have had one of these for many years, although not used by me for macro (I have no interest in macro). Folds flat, attaches to flash head with Velcro.

https://www.fjwestcott​.com/micro-apollo

Wilt wrote in post #18664707
Have had one of these for many years, although not used by me for macro (I have no interest in macro). Folds flat, attaches to flash head with Velcro.

https://www.fjwestcott​.com/micro-apollo

I've got one of those too. The problem with them is getting the flash and diffuser placed correctly over the subject. Normally this is accomplished with a flash bracket involving a ball head so the flash can be turned as desired. You will need an off-camera flash cable. There are many ways to do it, all of them complicated.

Archibald wrote in post #18664728
I've got one of those too. The problem with then is getting the flash and diffuser placed correctly over the subject. Normally this is accomplished with a flash bracket involving a ball head so the flash can be turned as desired. You will need an off-camera flash cable. There are many ways to do it, all of them complicated.

I can certainly understand the aiming problem with standard flashhead on strobes with macro subjects and relatively short FL lens. With longer FL, even the so-called '100mm' Canon (which is really about 75mm at macro distances), the subject-focalplane distance is 300mm and is it still a problem?

Wilt wrote in post #18664741
I can certainly understand the aiming problem with standard flashhead on strobes with macro subjects and relatively short FL lens. With longer FL, even the so-called '100mm' Canon (which is really about 75mm at macro distances), the subject-focalplane distance is 300mm and is it still a problem?

Sure is. It's so annoying, those flashes either don't aim down at all, or it is just a few degrees. I've contemplated modifying one to aim down 30 degrees or more. But it is easier to just use a snoot.

... or use the twin flash. I have one of those but never used it with the 100mm L. There is not much incentive, though, since I am happy with the fan diffuser.

This is what I used for a while a few years ago. Works, but unless everything is screwed down VERY tight, the flash rotates away with one false move. And that coiled flash cable gets in the way.

How is that a disadvantage?? Yum!! :-9