Making some use of onboard flash

**pentagor** · 02-23-2008, 02:46 PM

Hi guys!

Since I got my external flash, I almost didn't use the onboard one. So I was thinking, that since it is a P-TTL flash, it has to be good for something - especialy for close shooting. I came up with an idea of home made macro flash.
I used one empty roll of paper hand towels, aluminous foil, scissors and black insulating tape... and of course hour and a half of free time...

This is what I finished with (sorry for poor IQ, but those were made with my Canon P&S):

I have one old Tokina zoom lense. I set it to cca 100mm, put the +10 diopter on it and here we go:

I especialy like the last shot. Guess what it is....

bluespearbone · 02-23-2008, 03:21 PM

Very resourceful. Well Done
Am going to take a guess at ...sand?

**pentagor** · 02-23-2008, 03:30 PM

Originally posted by bluespearbone

Very resourceful. Well Done
Am going to take a guess at ...sand?

No, but close (in terms of size)

barbosas · 02-23-2008, 04:22 PM

Looks salt.

**pentagor** · 02-23-2008, 11:55 PM

Originally posted by Pornflake

Looks salt.

Even closer... it's a sugar

benplaut · 02-24-2008, 12:10 AM

Nice idea, but you're doing it wrong!
I've already made a half dozen of these popup enhancers, and there's the secret: use the hotshoe. Take a coat hanger, bend it into a square, and stick it in the hotshoe--it's secure, fast, and easy.

I made myself a small softbox (softscreen, really) a while ago... it doesn't get much use anymore, but here's an old picture:

Or how about a cheap-as-chips lightscoop that fits as if nothing in your pocket? Just pop in a notecard as a soft reflector, tinfoil-coated card as a lightscoop, or some semi-opaque plastic as a diffuser.

Still, the most effective method is to just stick your hand in front of the flash (as if giving a salute) and bounce it up. It only gives you about a stop and a half over natural light, but the results are GREAT.

BOZZ Savage · 02-26-2008, 09:39 PM

Still, the most effective method is to just stick your hand in front of the flash (as if giving a salute) and bounce it up. It only gives you about a stop and a half over natural light, but the results are GREAT.

[/QUOTE]

Could you show me a picture of what hand position you're talking about?

Ian

benplaut · 02-26-2008, 11:31 PM

Like so:

Images might turn out with a slight color cast depending on the color of your hand, but that's what RAW is for!

BOZZ Savage · 02-27-2008, 12:14 AM

Sweet! Thanks a lot, I'm guessing since I shoot in RAW, I can brighten the image a bit also, along with the white balance/color cast?

Ian

Peter Zack · 02-27-2008, 12:48 AM

Originally posted by pentagor

Hi guys!

Since I got my external flash, I almost didn't use the onboard one. So I was thinking, that since it is a P-TTL flash, it has to be good for something - especialy for close shooting. I came up with an idea of home made macro flash.
I used one empty roll of paper hand towels, aluminous foil, scissors and black insulating tape... and of course hour and a half of free time...

This is what I finished with (sorry for poor IQ, but those were made with my Canon P&S):

I have one old Tokina zoom lense. I set it to cca 100mm, put the +10 diopter on it and here we go:

I especialy like the last shot. Guess what it is....

Well that is damn ugly! But very resourceful and clearly works very will in close quarters. I really disappointed there's no duct tape or elastic bands.

To think I've been searching for a ringlight all this time and the answer was literally right in front of me....

benplaut · 02-27-2008, 01:24 AM

Originally posted by BOZZ Savage

Sweet! Thanks a lot, I'm guessing since I shoot in RAW, I can brighten the image a bit also, along with the white balance/color cast?

Ian

Much better just to get the exposure right the first time. With this technique, it's better to use manual and expose for -1.5EV comp, because your flash doesn't do as much bounced twice!

@Peter: do the coat hanger thing... it's purty!

02-23-2008, 02:46 PM	#1
pentagor Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia Posts: 495	Making some use of onboard flash Hi guys! Since I got my external flash, I almost didn't use the onboard one. So I was thinking, that since it is a P-TTL flash, it has to be good for something - especialy for close shooting. I came up with an idea of home made macro flash. I used one empty roll of paper hand towels, aluminous foil, scissors and black insulating tape... and of course hour and a half of free time... This is what I finished with (sorry for poor IQ, but those were made with my Canon P&S): I have one old Tokina zoom lense. I set it to cca 100mm, put the +10 diopter on it and here we go: I especialy like the last shot. Guess what it is....

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02-23-2008, 03:21 PM	#2
bluespearbone Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Derbyshire, United Kingdom Posts: 325	Very resourceful. Well Done Am going to take a guess at ...sand?

02-23-2008, 03:30 PM	#3
pentagor Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia Posts: 495 Original Poster	Originally posted by bluespearbone Very resourceful. Well Done Am going to take a guess at ...sand? No, but close (in terms of size)

02-23-2008, 04:22 PM	#4
barbosas Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lisbon Photos: Gallery Posts: 683	Looks salt.

02-23-2008, 11:55 PM	#5
pentagor Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia Posts: 495 Original Poster	Originally posted by Pornflake Looks salt. Even closer... it's a sugar

02-24-2008, 12:10 AM	#6
benplaut Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Central NY Posts: 268	Nice idea, but you're doing it wrong! I've already made a half dozen of these popup enhancers, and there's the secret: use the hotshoe. Take a coat hanger, bend it into a square, and stick it in the hotshoe--it's secure, fast, and easy. I made myself a small softbox (softscreen, really) a while ago... it doesn't get much use anymore, but here's an old picture: Or how about a cheap-as-chips lightscoop that fits as if nothing in your pocket? Just pop in a notecard as a soft reflector, tinfoil-coated card as a lightscoop, or some semi-opaque plastic as a diffuser. Still, the most effective method is to just stick your hand in front of the flash (as if giving a salute) and bounce it up. It only gives you about a stop and a half over natural light, but the results are GREAT.

02-26-2008, 09:39 PM	#7
BOZZ Savage Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 3	Still, the most effective method is to just stick your hand in front of the flash (as if giving a salute) and bounce it up. It only gives you about a stop and a half over natural light, but the results are GREAT. [/QUOTE] Could you show me a picture of what hand position you're talking about? Ian

02-26-2008, 11:31 PM	#8
benplaut Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Central NY Posts: 268	Like so: Images might turn out with a slight color cast depending on the color of your hand, but that's what RAW is for!

02-27-2008, 12:14 AM	#9
BOZZ Savage Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 3	Sweet! Thanks a lot, I'm guessing since I shoot in RAW, I can brighten the image a bit also, along with the white balance/color cast? Ian

02-27-2008, 12:48 AM	#10
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Originally posted by pentagor Hi guys! Since I got my external flash, I almost didn't use the onboard one. So I was thinking, that since it is a P-TTL flash, it has to be good for something - especialy for close shooting. I came up with an idea of home made macro flash. I used one empty roll of paper hand towels, aluminous foil, scissors and black insulating tape... and of course hour and a half of free time... This is what I finished with (sorry for poor IQ, but those were made with my Canon P&S): I have one old Tokina zoom lense. I set it to cca 100mm, put the +10 diopter on it and here we go: I especialy like the last shot. Guess what it is.... Well that is damn ugly! But very resourceful and clearly works very will in close quarters. I really disappointed there's no duct tape or elastic bands. To think I've been searching for a ringlight all this time and the answer was literally right in front of me....

02-27-2008, 01:24 AM	#11
benplaut Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Central NY Posts: 268	Originally posted by BOZZ Savage Sweet! Thanks a lot, I'm guessing since I shoot in RAW, I can brighten the image a bit also, along with the white balance/color cast? Ian Much better just to get the exposure right the first time. With this technique, it's better to use manual and expose for -1.5EV comp, because your flash doesn't do as much bounced twice! @Peter: do the coat hanger thing... it's purty!