What does the ideal macro flash diffuser look like?

**kaseki** · 11-07-2018, 01:45 PM

Originally posted by WPRESTO

My home-made diffuser in the first image, which I like because it is so small & light, easy to attach, easy to fit into a camera bag. Unfortunately, I've not been able to find a new source for the plastic sheet that I used. ...

If there is no plasics fabricator near your location, you might try MSC Industrial Supply | Metalworking and MRO Supplies, or an on-line plastics source. You would have to know your thickness and what the material is.

k1man · 11-07-2018, 03:30 PM

Originally posted by Arach101

I can't imagine it being a priority. Is the AF-160FC discontinued?

yes it is, i will have a look on ebay

**WPRESTO** · 11-07-2018, 03:41 PM

Originally posted by kaseki

If there is no plasics fabricator near your location, you might try MSC Industrial Supply | Metalworking and MRO Supplies, or an on-line plastics source. You would have to know your thickness and what the material is.

FYI: The original plastic sheet was purchased from a local art supply store, but no one there, nor at the few other local art supply stores has ever seen such material, which I guess dates it (sometime in the early 1990's as I recall.

swanlefitte · 11-07-2018, 04:01 PM

I remember that material sold as a flimsy cutting board around 2005. I used it as diffuser but it sliced when cutting vegetables.

Arach101 · 11-07-2018, 09:06 PM

Originally posted by SSGGeezer

The cheapo ring flash I have has the batteries mounted in a box with a hotshoe and can be triggered by the camera or just lighted up at any where from 1/64th power to max. I generally never go over 1/16th since it is pretty bright. And I have shot lenses with this ring light and you can see that the illumination is from a ring light. I also have a couple of "vello socks" like WPresto uses, but I have not tried them for macro.

With my Yongnuo 685 I will flip the close range diffuser down and confuse the flash into thinking we are under 20mm lens length. If I have nothing else available, I will wrap two layers of a facial tissue over the flash. (gets warm if you shoot much though!) The tissues do help though.
Good conversation with some folks who get good results from their macro lighting.

Your ring flash sounds surprisingly bright. I do like my ring flash, but I found it difficult to diffuse nicely.. this was my solution: Macro ringflash softbox diffuser for Pentax AF160FC by Arachnorchis - Thingiverse

---------- Post added 11-07-18 at 09:08 PM ----------

Originally posted by k1man

yes it is, i will have a look on ebay

That's a shame, the AF160 is a gem. I have seen them pop up used occasionally. It wouldn't surprise me if there are still some new ones floating around at some retailers.

garywakeling · 11-07-2018, 11:15 PM

I like what you did with the AF160 diffuser Thanks again

Arach101 · 11-08-2018, 03:35 AM

Originally posted by garywakeling

I like what you did with the AF160 diffuser Thanks again

Cheers Gary.

Arach101 · 11-08-2018, 05:56 AM - **1 Like**

Well, here's my macro flash diffuser version 1.0. I found a "C Bracket" that a bought a few years ago, I'm not sure what I intended to use it for but it seems to work well here. I 3D printed a cradle for the flash with a tripod thread on the bottom to attach to the C bracket, and of course a new (smaller) flash diffuser to match. Included some attachment points for straps on the cradle to fasten the flash, it's not very elegant but it seems to fit all the flashes I have lying around well enough. Will test it out a little tomorrow, if it goes well I'll refine the design further.

Any thoughts on the current iteration?

swanlefitte · 11-08-2018, 06:29 AM

Looks like it will work great. Can't wait to see shots and your thoughts on how it handles.

**kaseki** · 11-08-2018, 06:37 AM

Originally posted by swanlefitte

I remember that material sold as a flimsy cutting board around 2005. I used it as diffuser but it sliced when cutting vegetables.

I think teflon would be too optically dense even at a mm thickness, but nylon or polypropylene might be suitable. There are also some styles of plexiglass (acrylic) that are deliberately white and diffusive. I suggest finding a plastics fabricator and obtaining some scraps for optical density and diffusion testing, or at least for advice.

swanlefitte · 11-08-2018, 07:24 AM

Not sure what it was made of but it was used in this picture. Cant find it since. Now I use trash bags or a plastic table cloth often folded a few times but I miss the rigidness.

Nass · 11-08-2018, 09:40 AM - **1 Like**

Shapelock offers an interesting potential, because it is mouldable, rollable and white. Bottom line make any shape, any thickness by dunking it in hot water and it goes soft => mouldable, rollable with a kitchen roller. Something I meant to try and make a diffuser from but a) life intervened and b) I had trouble getting even thickness

Nass · 11-08-2018, 09:43 AM

Originally posted by Nass

Shapelock offers an interesting potential, because it is mouldable, rollable and white. Bottom line make any shape, any thickness by dunking it in hot water and it goes soft => mouldable, rollable with a kitchen roller. Something I meant to try and make a diffuser from but a) life intervened and b) I had trouble getting even thickness

Come to think of it you could combine shapelock with something else to keep the something else rigid

Thagomizer · 11-08-2018, 10:00 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by swanlefitte

Not sure what it was made of but it was used in this picture. Cant find it since. Now I use trash bags or a plastic table cloth often folded a few times but I miss the rigidness.

I thought this was a closeup of some sort of flash shoe adapter. I also thought, though, that it looked a lot like a can opener...

SSGGeezer · 11-08-2018, 02:27 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Nass

Shapelock offers an interesting potential, because it is mouldable, rollable and white. Bottom line make any shape, any thickness by dunking it in hot water and it goes soft => mouldable, rollable with a kitchen roller. Something I meant to try and make a diffuser from but a) life intervened and b) I had trouble getting even thickness

I imagine my wife might be mad if I used her pasta roller to get an even thickness of Shapelock.

11-08-2018, 05:56 AM - 1 Like	#23
Arach101 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Perth Posts: 57 Original Poster	Well, here's my macro flash diffuser version 1.0. I found a "C Bracket" that a bought a few years ago, I'm not sure what I intended to use it for but it seems to work well here. I 3D printed a cradle for the flash with a tripod thread on the bottom to attach to the C bracket, and of course a new (smaller) flash diffuser to match. Included some attachment points for straps on the cradle to fasten the flash, it's not very elegant but it seems to fit all the flashes I have lying around well enough. Will test it out a little tomorrow, if it goes well I'll refine the design further. Any thoughts on the current iteration? Attached Images

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Homemade macro flash diffuser for 35 macro Ltd	pjsaure	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	11	06-20-2018 11:22 PM
Portraiture Gary Fong Diffuser/Flash Modes or does anyone actually do this?	BruceBanner	Photographic Technique	14	11-15-2017 11:19 PM
$2.75 omni-bounce-like Flash Diffuser for YN-560	geekette	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	8	06-12-2011 10:24 PM
The Sony 50mm 2.8 Macro is ideal for macro work	martinkhoa	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	14	08-22-2010 04:33 PM
Macro Yellow dung fly (Vivitar 55/2.8 1:1 macro + macro flash diffuser)	Rense	Post Your Photos!	15	04-15-2010 06:53 AM

11-07-2018, 01:45 PM	#16
kaseki Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2017 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,138	Originally posted by WPRESTO My home-made diffuser in the first image, which I like because it is so small & light, easy to attach, easy to fit into a camera bag. Unfortunately, I've not been able to find a new source for the plastic sheet that I used. ... If there is no plasics fabricator near your location, you might try MSC Industrial Supply \| Metalworking and MRO Supplies, or an on-line plastics source. You would have to know your thickness and what the material is.

11-07-2018, 03:30 PM	#17
k1man Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Si Chiang Mai. Nong Khai Province Photos: Albums Posts: 358	Originally posted by Arach101 I can't imagine it being a priority. Is the AF-160FC discontinued? yes it is, i will have a look on ebay

11-07-2018, 03:41 PM	#18
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,137	Originally posted by kaseki If there is no plasics fabricator near your location, you might try MSC Industrial Supply \| Metalworking and MRO Supplies, or an on-line plastics source. You would have to know your thickness and what the material is. FYI: The original plastic sheet was purchased from a local art supply store, but no one there, nor at the few other local art supply stores has ever seen such material, which I guess dates it (sometime in the early 1990's as I recall.

11-07-2018, 04:01 PM	#19
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	I remember that material sold as a flimsy cutting board around 2005. I used it as diffuser but it sliced when cutting vegetables.

11-07-2018, 09:06 PM	#20
Arach101 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Perth Posts: 57 Original Poster	Originally posted by SSGGeezer The cheapo ring flash I have has the batteries mounted in a box with a hotshoe and can be triggered by the camera or just lighted up at any where from 1/64th power to max. I generally never go over 1/16th since it is pretty bright. And I have shot lenses with this ring light and you can see that the illumination is from a ring light. I also have a couple of "vello socks" like WPresto uses, but I have not tried them for macro. With my Yongnuo 685 I will flip the close range diffuser down and confuse the flash into thinking we are under 20mm lens length. If I have nothing else available, I will wrap two layers of a facial tissue over the flash. (gets warm if you shoot much though!) The tissues do help though. Good conversation with some folks who get good results from their macro lighting. Your ring flash sounds surprisingly bright. I do like my ring flash, but I found it difficult to diffuse nicely.. this was my solution: Macro ringflash softbox diffuser for Pentax AF160FC by Arachnorchis - Thingiverse ---------- Post added 11-07-18 at 09:08 PM ---------- Originally posted by k1man yes it is, i will have a look on ebay That's a shame, the AF160 is a gem. I have seen them pop up used occasionally. It wouldn't surprise me if there are still some new ones floating around at some retailers.

11-07-2018, 11:15 PM	#21
garywakeling Moderator Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,761	I like what you did with the AF160 diffuser Thanks again

11-08-2018, 03:35 AM	#22
Arach101 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Perth Posts: 57 Original Poster	Originally posted by garywakeling I like what you did with the AF160 diffuser Thanks again Cheers Gary.

11-08-2018, 06:29 AM	#24
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	Looks like it will work great. Can't wait to see shots and your thoughts on how it handles.

11-08-2018, 06:37 AM	#25
kaseki Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2017 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,138	Originally posted by swanlefitte I remember that material sold as a flimsy cutting board around 2005. I used it as diffuser but it sliced when cutting vegetables. I think teflon would be too optically dense even at a mm thickness, but nylon or polypropylene might be suitable. There are also some styles of plexiglass (acrylic) that are deliberately white and diffusive. I suggest finding a plastics fabricator and obtaining some scraps for optical density and diffusion testing, or at least for advice.

11-08-2018, 07:24 AM	#26
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	Not sure what it was made of but it was used in this picture. Cant find it since. Now I use trash bags or a plastic table cloth often folded a few times but I miss the rigidness.

11-08-2018, 09:40 AM - 1 Like	#27
Nass Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The British Isles Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,402	Shapelock offers an interesting potential, because it is mouldable, rollable and white. Bottom line make any shape, any thickness by dunking it in hot water and it goes soft => mouldable, rollable with a kitchen roller. Something I meant to try and make a diffuser from but a) life intervened and b) I had trouble getting even thickness

11-08-2018, 09:43 AM	#28
Nass Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The British Isles Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,402	Originally posted by Nass Shapelock offers an interesting potential, because it is mouldable, rollable and white. Bottom line make any shape, any thickness by dunking it in hot water and it goes soft => mouldable, rollable with a kitchen roller. Something I meant to try and make a diffuser from but a) life intervened and b) I had trouble getting even thickness Come to think of it you could combine shapelock with something else to keep the something else rigid

11-08-2018, 10:00 AM - 1 Like	#29
Thagomizer Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: London Ontario Posts: 2,068	Originally posted by swanlefitte Not sure what it was made of but it was used in this picture. Cant find it since. Now I use trash bags or a plastic table cloth often folded a few times but I miss the rigidness. I thought this was a closeup of some sort of flash shoe adapter. I also thought, though, that it looked a lot like a can opener...

11-08-2018, 02:27 PM - 1 Like	#30
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	Originally posted by Nass Shapelock offers an interesting potential, because it is mouldable, rollable and white. Bottom line make any shape, any thickness by dunking it in hot water and it goes soft => mouldable, rollable with a kitchen roller. Something I meant to try and make a diffuser from but a) life intervened and b) I had trouble getting even thickness I imagine my wife might be mad if I used her pasta roller to get an even thickness of Shapelock.