DIY Light Modifier Comparison

Hi Folks,

I posted this on FM and thought I'd share here too...

It was kinda slow today so I decided to compare my D.I.Y. light modifiers. It wasn't exaclty a formal test, but it shows the difference. Distance to subject was appx 5 feet.

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Nice comparison, Jason. Was the camera horizontal or vertical for these shots?

Hi Curtis,

The samples were shot vertically.

Others have asked so I thought I'd add it here...

The source for the diffusers needed to make the Hemi-sphere:

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Great idea very helpful thanks alot for doing this - can you tell me where I can find the diy for the mini softbox by jason ryman? I have looked every where, no luck, thanks in advance for any help

fuel123 wrote in post #2886842
Great idea very helpful thanks alot for doing this - can you tell me where I can find the diy for the mini softbox by jason ryman? I have looked every where, no luck, thanks in advance for any help

That's because I haven't posted it anywhere

It's made from foamcore, held together with hot glue and reinforced with packing tape. The inside is lined with aluminum foil, the diffuser is a double layer of white muslin (all materials available at Walmart).

Here's the layout for a larger version, just scale it down to fit your needs...

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Jason

Thanks a lot for the diy instructions - being new to photography and on a very limited budget this helps me out. Have you used this box yet in any portraits or product shots yet?

No, I haven't used it on clients- it's not exactly pro looking enough.

I have used it on some toys...

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That DIY softbox looks functional, but it also looks like it would interfere with the AF assist light.

Curtis N wrote in post #2887378
That DIY softbox looks functional, but it also looks like it would interfere with the AF assist light.

Yes, if you're using the flash unit for the AF. I usually trigger it with a pocket wizard or an ST-E2 which will provide AF assist from the camera.

The mini-softbox wasn't designed for use on camera.

Here's a sample image taken outside after dark with no surface for bouncing.

Personally, I don't see much difference other than a slight warming and slightly softer shadow with the Hemi-sphere .

The on-flash diffuser was deployed for the second image. It wasn't used on the first, but the flash was zoomed out to 105mm. I did the test this way because this is how I would normally use each unit.

I did notice the flash took longer to recycle with the HS and the cap charge was much louder, so I think it probably requires more power to get the results with the HS. The Chuck Gardner design would probably be more effecient in the absence of a bounce surface.

There were no modifications to either diffuser.

Distance to subject appx 5 feet.

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Nice comparison. I would like to see one with direct flash as well.

The lamp shade device looks like a darned inefficient way to use a flash outdoors.

Curtis N wrote in post #2893409
The lamp shade device looks like a darned inefficient way to use a flash outdoors.

I totally agree. Batteries would be dead in a flash (pun intended)