Alternative to low-power speedlite for use in studio

Edgar_in_Indy · 05-26-2017, 02:33 PM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

Get yourself a black fabric window screen repair kit from your local Home Depot. Window screens absorb quite a bit of light, and work great as an ND filter on the light source. If you are really ambitious, you can buy the parts required to make a frame, and custom build ND filters for your lights. Do make sure they have some distance from the modeling lights, they will create quite a bit of heat if there isn't ventilation around them.

I never would have thought of using window screen material for that purpose. But it seems like it would not have as much of a diffuser effect, spreading the light around so much, like a solid material might. I'll have to check that out.

Last edited by Edgar_in_Indy; 05-26-2017 at 05:33 PM.

photoptimist · 05-26-2017, 06:52 PM

Originally posted by Edgar_in_Indy

I never would have thought of using window screen material for that purpose. But it seems like it would not have as much of a diffuser effect, spreading the light around so much, like a solid material might. I'll have to check that out.

If you go to the hardware store to get this screen, bring a camera or a light meter. You can get an estimate of how much light attenuation you'll get by comparing the metered exposure with and without a bit of screen in front your lens.

Wheatfield · 05-26-2017, 07:58 PM

Originally posted by Edgar_in_Indy

I never would have thought of using window screen material for that purpose. But it seems like it would not have as much of a diffuser effect, spreading the light around so much, like a solid material might. I'll have to check that out.

If anything, black window screen has a very slight directional effect. I don't know how much light it sucks up, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's a third of a stop.

gatorguy · 05-27-2017, 02:19 PM

Have you considered a constant light? I've had a great experience with RPS Studio/DotLine 50W adjustable power CooLed. Even the 20W (which I use as both a background and hair-light) would work for your product shots. RPS lights might be discontinued now, not sure, but similar accurate color studio lights are available at relatively low prices if they are.

Edgar_in_Indy · 05-27-2017, 03:04 PM

Originally posted by gatorguy

Have you considered a constant light? I've had a great experience with RPS Studio/DotLine 50W adjustable power CooLed. Even the 20W (which I use as both a background and hair-light) would work for your product shots. RPS lights might be discontinued now, not sure, but similar accurate color studio lights are available at relatively low prices if they are.

I shoot at small apertures for more DOF, so using constant light would require me to raise my ISO level and/or use a tripod, neither of which I want to do. I would also have to be working in a dark room in order to not contaminate the scene lighting, and that would not be very convenient.

Heebie · 05-27-2017, 04:25 PM

Trying the paper with a honeycomb in front of it might make the difference. Might require multiple honeycombs layered if they aren't deep enough. (I think my honeycomb for my flash was €5.95)

Originally posted by Edgar_in_Indy

I've tried to use paper before to curtail light output, but in my experience it diffused the light, spreading it out more than I wanted.

Wheatfield · 06-04-2017, 09:00 AM

Originally posted by photoptimist

If you go to the hardware store to get this screen, bring a camera or a light meter. You can get an estimate of how much light attenuation you'll get by comparing the metered exposure with and without a bit of screen in front your lens.

I just measured one. Give or take a bit, a single layer of black mesh window screen cuts about 1/3 stop of light.

photoptimist · 06-05-2017, 05:50 AM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

I just measured one. Give or take a bit, a single layer of black mesh window screen cuts about 1/3 stop of light.

That makes sense. Window screen is typically designed to only block bugs, not light or air. A screen in which the wire or thread diameter is 1/10 the spacing between the strands would let 81% of the light through which about 1/3 of a stop.

I wonder if it's possible to get a large enough piece of "Solar Shades" material which is screen material designed to block most light whilst still providing a clear view. It seems to come in a range of openness from 3% (-5 stops) to 15% (-2.7 stops). Perhaps a local window blinds shop might have a sample or be willing to give you a chunk from a defective/incorrect window shade.

gatorguy · 06-05-2017, 06:44 AM

Could also try some of the perforated one-way window film like used at stores/restaurants if you're really trying to cut light. It comes as a 50/50 and 60/40 ratio of solid area to holes, and the back is typically black. Should be able to pick up small scraps at a local digital sign shop. No idea how it might work but I'll probably try it out myself later just for giggles so see what it does. Maybe at least useful as a gobo?

05-27-2017, 04:25 PM	#21
Heebie Forum Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Dublin, Ireland Photos: Albums Posts: 79	Honeycomb Trying the paper with a honeycomb in front of it might make the difference. Might require multiple honeycombs layered if they aren't deep enough. (I think my honeycomb for my flash was €5.95) Originally posted by Edgar_in_Indy I've tried to use paper before to curtail light output, but in my experience it diffused the light, spreading it out more than I wanted.

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05-26-2017, 02:33 PM	#16
Edgar_in_Indy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685 Original Poster	Originally posted by Wheatfield Get yourself a black fabric window screen repair kit from your local Home Depot. Window screens absorb quite a bit of light, and work great as an ND filter on the light source. If you are really ambitious, you can buy the parts required to make a frame, and custom build ND filters for your lights. Do make sure they have some distance from the modeling lights, they will create quite a bit of heat if there isn't ventilation around them. I never would have thought of using window screen material for that purpose. But it seems like it would not have as much of a diffuser effect, spreading the light around so much, like a solid material might. I'll have to check that out. Last edited by Edgar_in_Indy; 05-26-2017 at 05:33 PM.

05-26-2017, 06:52 PM	#17
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,127	Originally posted by Edgar_in_Indy I never would have thought of using window screen material for that purpose. But it seems like it would not have as much of a diffuser effect, spreading the light around so much, like a solid material might. I'll have to check that out. If you go to the hardware store to get this screen, bring a camera or a light meter. You can get an estimate of how much light attenuation you'll get by comparing the metered exposure with and without a bit of screen in front your lens.

05-26-2017, 07:58 PM	#18
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,986	Originally posted by Edgar_in_Indy I never would have thought of using window screen material for that purpose. But it seems like it would not have as much of a diffuser effect, spreading the light around so much, like a solid material might. I'll have to check that out. If anything, black window screen has a very slight directional effect. I don't know how much light it sucks up, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's a third of a stop.

05-27-2017, 02:19 PM	#19
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,093	Have you considered a constant light? I've had a great experience with RPS Studio/DotLine 50W adjustable power CooLed. Even the 20W (which I use as both a background and hair-light) would work for your product shots. RPS lights might be discontinued now, not sure, but similar accurate color studio lights are available at relatively low prices if they are.

05-27-2017, 03:04 PM	#20
Edgar_in_Indy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685 Original Poster	Originally posted by gatorguy Have you considered a constant light? I've had a great experience with RPS Studio/DotLine 50W adjustable power CooLed. Even the 20W (which I use as both a background and hair-light) would work for your product shots. RPS lights might be discontinued now, not sure, but similar accurate color studio lights are available at relatively low prices if they are. I shoot at small apertures for more DOF, so using constant light would require me to raise my ISO level and/or use a tripod, neither of which I want to do. I would also have to be working in a dark room in order to not contaminate the scene lighting, and that would not be very convenient.

06-04-2017, 09:00 AM	#22
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,986	Originally posted by photoptimist If you go to the hardware store to get this screen, bring a camera or a light meter. You can get an estimate of how much light attenuation you'll get by comparing the metered exposure with and without a bit of screen in front your lens. I just measured one. Give or take a bit, a single layer of black mesh window screen cuts about 1/3 stop of light.

06-05-2017, 05:50 AM	#23
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,127	Originally posted by Wheatfield I just measured one. Give or take a bit, a single layer of black mesh window screen cuts about 1/3 stop of light. That makes sense. Window screen is typically designed to only block bugs, not light or air. A screen in which the wire or thread diameter is 1/10 the spacing between the strands would let 81% of the light through which about 1/3 of a stop. I wonder if it's possible to get a large enough piece of "Solar Shades" material which is screen material designed to block most light whilst still providing a clear view. It seems to come in a range of openness from 3% (-5 stops) to 15% (-2.7 stops). Perhaps a local window blinds shop might have a sample or be willing to give you a chunk from a defective/incorrect window shade.

06-05-2017, 06:44 AM	#24
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,093	Could also try some of the perforated one-way window film like used at stores/restaurants if you're really trying to cut light. It comes as a 50/50 and 60/40 ratio of solid area to holes, and the back is typically black. Should be able to pick up small scraps at a local digital sign shop. No idea how it might work but I'll probably try it out myself later just for giggles so see what it does. Maybe at least useful as a gobo?