Macro Homemade Fiber Optic Ringlight

Zephos · 03-23-2015, 11:42 PM

Originally posted by MAS_ttl

Zephos, one of the things that I forgot to mention that I liked about my strange design is that by having the fiber optics 'linked' to my Metz flash is that the PTTL mode works. So where your concept should work fine, I was trying to figure a way to not lose TTL or HSS capabilities.

Oh yeah I know that's the thing my idea just can't do. I didn't mean that as a knock on your design so I'm sorry if it came off that way. Your idea is very good and clever.

MAS_ttl · 03-24-2015, 07:51 AM

Originally posted by Zephos

Oh yeah I know that's the thing my idea just can't do. I didn't mean that as a knock on your design so I'm sorry if it came off that way. Your idea is very good and clever.

Zephos, I didn't take it as a knock at all! I just forgot originally to note that this was part of my reason for creating my monstrosity! Now, I need to refine it to a more streamlined version with what I have learned. For one thing, it is great on a tripod, but if you are hand-holding it as I was for the spider shot, setting it down puts pressure on the bottom fiber. But I plan on using a different hood where I can actually bring the fibers in from the rear, rather than top and bottom, which should hopefully alleviate this issue. But I am having fun playing with this and simply wanted to put the idea out there to gather other input and spur ideas.

Nass · 04-02-2015, 05:17 AM

Interesting, it reminds me of Sam from Adaptalux, who has been working on this thing since last year. He's asked me a lot of questions during its NDA development but I've always been a little reluctant because I doubted there was enough light to freeze movement. I have something similar on my workbench which collects the light from a flash and pipes it via fibre optic cables. Works, but the heads do have to be very close to the subject, I haven't quite got the light transmission % optimal yet.

gatorguy · 04-18-2015, 05:02 AM

Sam's Adaptalux is now a kickstarter project for anyone interested. He's also got a video that explains his idea.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1447024032/adaptalux-an-adaptable-minia...ighting-studio

Nass · 04-18-2015, 05:37 AM

The difference is though, Sam's thing is just continuous lighting with LEDs, whereas this uses flash. Flash is much superior if you want a sharp pic. Flash duration = short exposure = freezing movement.

Not a Number · 04-18-2015, 07:37 AM

There's always this sort of ring light too. It looks like the Ray Ring may use some fiber optics.

The One and Only Ray Flash Ring
The Ring Flash Adapter - The Photojojo Store!

You Tube

MAS_ttl · 04-20-2015, 10:44 AM

Just chiming in on the last few posts since I started this thread. I find both the Adaptalux and the Ray Flash interesting. I had some specific 'needs' that drove me to try my octopus solution. I did want to use the Metz flash because of some of the control it gives me vs. a constant on light. But my problem with most ring lights, including the Ray Flash, is that they are focused straight ahead. I wanted something that really focused the light right in front of my lens for macro work. I needed the ability to throw light an inch or two in front of the lens and didn't really care about throwing off light to the background. The Adaptalux seems very interesting, but based upon my experiences so far I think it needs more fiber optic strands to yield enough light.

I still have my second concept on the drawing board - no time to build it so far. But I think that I can get closer to accomplishing what I want for Macro and minimizing some of the extremely alien look of my original toy!

Liney · 04-25-2015, 03:27 AM

Innovative idea, and although it looks a little Heath Robinson if it works it must be good! I like the idea that the light is effectively pointing inwards rather that forwards, so you will get a wrap around lighting effect. rather than a flat effect. Probably cut down on reflections as well. Well done

MAS_ttl · 04-26-2015, 10:14 AM - **1 Like**

Still haven't built the new unit, but just took this one yesterday with my octopus contraption. Small lizard head - about 1/4". Poor guy decided to walk across the two pins on an AC plug outside. I unplugged the transformer only to find his remains. The rest of his skeleton blew away, but I was able to do a macro of the skull.

Diane · 05-05-2015, 12:39 PM

Originally posted by MAS_ttl

Yes, having a clean cut is important, but it seems that a new blade in a razor knife worked fine. It may be more of an issue when I make the stranded unit, though with the jacket holding the strands in a tight bundle I hope I don't need to use something like a teflon blade.

BTW, here is my latest from earlier today - an orb weaver. Only 3/8" across, but this provides enough light for pretty good detail.

---------- Post added 03-23-15 at 08:07 PM ----------

Zephos, one of the things that I forgot to mention that I liked about my strange design is that by having the fiber optics 'linked' to my Metz flash is that the PTTL mode works. So where your concept should work fine, I was trying to figure a way to not lose TTL or HSS capabilities.

This is going to give me nightmares!!

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03-23-2015, 11:42 PM	#16
Zephos Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Photos: Albums Posts: 341	Originally posted by MAS_ttl Zephos, one of the things that I forgot to mention that I liked about my strange design is that by having the fiber optics 'linked' to my Metz flash is that the PTTL mode works. So where your concept should work fine, I was trying to figure a way to not lose TTL or HSS capabilities. Oh yeah I know that's the thing my idea just can't do. I didn't mean that as a knock on your design so I'm sorry if it came off that way. Your idea is very good and clever.

03-24-2015, 07:51 AM	#17
MAS_ttl Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 34 Original Poster	Originally posted by Zephos Oh yeah I know that's the thing my idea just can't do. I didn't mean that as a knock on your design so I'm sorry if it came off that way. Your idea is very good and clever. Zephos, I didn't take it as a knock at all! I just forgot originally to note that this was part of my reason for creating my monstrosity! Now, I need to refine it to a more streamlined version with what I have learned. For one thing, it is great on a tripod, but if you are hand-holding it as I was for the spider shot, setting it down puts pressure on the bottom fiber. But I plan on using a different hood where I can actually bring the fibers in from the rear, rather than top and bottom, which should hopefully alleviate this issue. But I am having fun playing with this and simply wanted to put the idea out there to gather other input and spur ideas.

04-02-2015, 05:17 AM	#18
Nass Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The British Isles Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,402	Interesting, it reminds me of Sam from Adaptalux, who has been working on this thing since last year. He's asked me a lot of questions during its NDA development but I've always been a little reluctant because I doubted there was enough light to freeze movement. I have something similar on my workbench which collects the light from a flash and pipes it via fibre optic cables. Works, but the heads do have to be very close to the subject, I haven't quite got the light transmission % optimal yet.

04-18-2015, 05:02 AM	#19
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,092	Sam's Adaptalux is now a kickstarter project for anyone interested. He's also got a video that explains his idea. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1447024032/adaptalux-an-adaptable-minia...ighting-studio

04-18-2015, 05:37 AM	#20
Nass Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The British Isles Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,402	The difference is though, Sam's thing is just continuous lighting with LEDs, whereas this uses flash. Flash is much superior if you want a sharp pic. Flash duration = short exposure = freezing movement.

04-20-2015, 10:44 AM	#22
MAS_ttl Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 34 Original Poster	Just chiming in on the last few posts since I started this thread. I find both the Adaptalux and the Ray Flash interesting. I had some specific 'needs' that drove me to try my octopus solution. I did want to use the Metz flash because of some of the control it gives me vs. a constant on light. But my problem with most ring lights, including the Ray Flash, is that they are focused straight ahead. I wanted something that really focused the light right in front of my lens for macro work. I needed the ability to throw light an inch or two in front of the lens and didn't really care about throwing off light to the background. The Adaptalux seems very interesting, but based upon my experiences so far I think it needs more fiber optic strands to yield enough light. I still have my second concept on the drawing board - no time to build it so far. But I think that I can get closer to accomplishing what I want for Macro and minimizing some of the extremely alien look of my original toy!

04-25-2015, 03:27 AM	#23
Liney Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,237	Innovative idea, and although it looks a little Heath Robinson if it works it must be good! I like the idea that the light is effectively pointing inwards rather that forwards, so you will get a wrap around lighting effect. rather than a flat effect. Probably cut down on reflections as well. Well done

05-05-2015, 12:39 PM	#25
Diane Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 40	Originally posted by MAS_ttl Yes, having a clean cut is important, but it seems that a new blade in a razor knife worked fine. It may be more of an issue when I make the stranded unit, though with the jacket holding the strands in a tight bundle I hope I don't need to use something like a teflon blade. BTW, here is my latest from earlier today - an orb weaver. Only 3/8" across, but this provides enough light for pretty good detail. ---------- Post added 03-23-15 at 08:07 PM ---------- Zephos, one of the things that I forgot to mention that I liked about my strange design is that by having the fiber optics 'linked' to my Metz flash is that the PTTL mode works. So where your concept should work fine, I was trying to figure a way to not lose TTL or HSS capabilities. This is going to give me nightmares!!