curvable rods for DIY EyeLighter reflector?

Anyone know of a good source for bendable rods (metal rods that won't break from metal fatique from being bent back and forth?) for a DIY Eyelighter?
http://www.theeyelight​er.com

The bottom catchlight is interesting:
http://www.modelmayhem​.com/portfolio/pic/102​75073

Seems like a perfect Dave project

A DIY version would certainly be better than the asking price of the Eyelighter.

Have you considered just using a standard oval or rectangular 'potato chip' reflector and create some sort of tri-lite type bracket with arms to keep the key positions in place?

I've taken collapsible reflectors and created that shape by hand holding them so why not just have a doodad gizmo to bend and hold the reflector?

$485!!! That's a good one! A real knee-slapper! Just like the "remastered" frame, I think anyone who buys one of those Eyelighters at that price is being "CNC Rolled". Not much love for this thing over on MM either:

http://www.modelmayhem​.com/po.php?thread_id=​656613

Best idea over there was to fabricate your own out of fiberglass tent poles and a reflective mylar space blanket.

I'm occupied puttering with other projects at the moment. In any case, I don't think the long, white slab of a catchlight the Eyelighter produces at the bottom of the eye is particularly flattering.

Another expensive solution in search of a problem.

Dave F.

I'm ok with that catch light for certain beauty or glamour but I don't see it as something flexible enough or universally applicable to use all too often.

I have a Lastolite tri-lite that I love but I only use it once every 15 or 20 shoots and very selectively.

I still think it's easier to figure out a way to maneuver and hold an oval or rectangular collapsible reflector rather than trying to make a frame with curved rods. I could be wrong but that's how I see it.

If I had a reason to I'd build my own out of lots of rods welded together. You just make the curve on a graphing paper and figure out how many rods you need and at what length. When I did welding I had projects that required this kind of tedious, precise work that's quite rewarding when you finish. Probably not worth the time if you're not good at building things out of metal however--it can take a long time and at that point I'd just buy this.

EDIT: The rods in this case can be straight; it's just a matter of knowing how many small rods you need to achieve the curves.

The redneck in me thinks you could just bend a couple wire coathangers into that shape and stretch some shiny fabric over the wire frame.

"Black and white high contrast portraits were brought to the Midwest by Dave Peters in 1985."

With that kind of opening statement, he immediately lost my business interest, I don't care if they are $39.95. I absolutely loathe s**t like that.

Hey, Dave Peters also brought indoor plumbing and chrome napkin dispensers in 1983, thereby saving the Midwest from near total rejection from the rest of the U.S. Thanks you, Dave Peters! You're our hero!!

LOL. That is ghetto.

dave63 wrote in post #11435374
"Black and white high contrast portraits were brought to the Midwest by Dave Peters in 1985."

With that kind of opening statement, he immediately lost my business interest, I don't care if they are $39.95. I absolutely loathe s**t like that.

Hey, Dave Peters also brought indoor plumbing and chrome napkin dispensers in 1983, thereby saving the Midwest from near total rejection from the rest of the U.S. Thanks you, Dave Peters! You're our hero!!

Do I sense a hint of jealousy from another Dave? haha

I actually like the look of that catchlight. But then I see the price, my wallet starts thinking DIY. If it was $200-250 range, I think people would jump at it. I does have a rolling stand, and looks very sturdy.

A key response over on MM, do you really want to sit a client directly in front of something that "looks" DIY. You have to admit, the EyeLighter does have a "pro" look.

How does someone get to copyright a "shape"? This seems like it would be too generic to be able to copyright, and prevent someone from making one. Two bent rods, with a clamp to a rolling stand... seems like about 1 hour of DIY, including some flat black spraypaint. I have a friend who does custom auto parts, this looks like 10 minutes of bending and welding.

Where can I buy reflective material like this? I was thinking a used silver projection screen that rolls up and you hang on the wall -- but that might be too expensive compared to just -- $5 white cardboard

SuperHuman21 wrote in post #11435392
Do I sense a hint of jealousy from another Dave? haha

Jealous? Over what? Glaring ego?

No, thanks.

KurtGoss wrote in post #11435401
...A key response over on MM, do you really want to sit a client directly in front of something that "looks" DIY. ...

Well, there's diy and then there's DIY. Rob, for example, I'm sure would have no qualms seating a paying client in front of his DIY fluorescent ringlight. Certainly Dean Collins had clients clamoring to get in front of his PVC "Tinkertube" constructs. A DIY can be made to work very well and look very professional.

Dave F.

A decent option for bendable robs would be the support rods for suspended ceilings. You can probably find them in a package of about 80,000 at Home Despot or some other place that sells stuff like that to contractors.

tetrode wrote in post #11435445
Well, there's diy and then there's DIY. Rob, for example, I'm sure would have no qualms seating a paying client in front of his DIY fluorescent ringlight. Certainly Dean Collins had clients clamoring to get in front of his PVC "Tinkertube" constructs. A DIY can be made to work very well and look very professional.

Dave F.

Exactly, Dave. Of course it all depends on who is using the DIY and how you handle and present yourself. When Dean Collins used a single Metz potato masher and DIY diffusion panel with foam core reflectors and flags, I don't think anyone cared. If Dean was shooting them nothing else mattered.

I bet you could bend some refrigerator coil pretty nicely, although it's not that strong and can get kinks. Another option would be the threaded rods they have at your hardware store, a bit harder to bend but can be done and would hold up better. Or you can just get a 9 gauge wire and twist a few around each other and then bend them.