Stuck indoors with pop-up flash?

Eruditass · 11-03-2009, 08:17 AM

Use tin foil taped to a piece of cardboard (or better yet, a mirror) to bounce to a ceiling or wall, remember to let it bounce such that the light is still heading towards the subject. I had always suggested it to people who wanted tips with pop-up flash, but never got around to testing it. Worked better than I thought, at least on close distance still life with a low ceiling. Lights were off, flash is only source of light.

Limitations occur due to flash power of the pop-up flash. Maybe I'll test with some real subjects when it isn't in the middle of the night and I should be sleeping or at least cleaning up this dirty mess of a table, but you guys can test too!

Last edited by Eruditass; 11-17-2009 at 03:22 PM.

blu3ness · 11-03-2009, 10:25 AM

did you use tin-foil or mirror in these pictures? thanks.

**Ash** · 11-03-2009, 01:06 PM

Not bad results at all.
Good tip.

Arpe · 11-03-2009, 01:44 PM

Lack of flash power would be rather limiting though, unless, as you say, you have a convenient, low, white ceiling.

res3567 · 11-03-2009, 02:19 PM

There is something on the market that slides under the flash that acts as a mirror that will redirect the flash light; to the ceiling if camera in the horizontal position and to a wall if in vertical. I have seen it tn the back of Photo mags.( The ad section).

audiobomber · 11-03-2009, 02:44 PM

I use a Gary Fong Puffer to diffuse the built-in flash. Works pretty damn good, small to carry (especially dissasembled) and dead simple to use. PUFFER - Pop-Up Flash Diffuser

Marc Sabatella · 11-03-2009, 02:48 PM

Originally posted by res3567

There is something on the market that slides under the flash that acts as a mirror that will redirect the flash light; to the ceiling if camera in the horizontal position and to a wall if in vertical. I have seen it tn the back of Photo mags.( The ad section).

You mean this one, probably: light scoop digital photography pop-up flash Olympus Nikon Fuji Canon Pentax

I've also had good results using just a piece of white cardboard. Yes, you need the ceiling the be relatively white and relatively low, but in most homes, this is not a problem. The built-in flash of most DSLR's provides enough power bounced in this way for f/4 at maybe ISO 400 or so - f/5.6 at a higher ISO, or f/2.8 at lower.

Eruditass · 11-03-2009, 03:38 PM

Originally posted by blu3ness

did you use tin-foil or mirror in these pictures? thanks.

Tin-foil, unfortunately I don't have a small mirror but I imagine tin foil robs a notable amount of power.

blu3ness · 11-03-2009, 03:47 PM

lifehacker has one article that teaches about a DIY lightbox, I've been wondering if it's possible to use the tracing paper to make a diffuser to place on the pop-up flash to make the light more soft. hmm, should be interesting, I'll try that when I have a chance

res3567 · 11-03-2009, 07:27 PM

Originally posted by Marc Sabatella

You mean this one, probably: light scoop digital photography pop-up flash Olympus Nikon Fuji Canon Pentax

I've also had good results using just a piece of white cardboard. Yes, you need the ceiling the be relatively white and relatively low, but in most homes, this is not a problem. The built-in flash of most DSLR's provides enough power bounced in this way for f/4 at maybe ISO 400 or so - f/5.6 at a higher ISO, or f/2.8 at lower.

Yep that be the one. Probably a good addition to a camra bag if your external flash goes dead cause of depleated batteries and bounce flash is perferred for flattering images or just wanna travel light.

THAN THE SWORD · 11-03-2009, 09:07 PM

My quick DIY is to use an old style white plastic film canister with a hole cut to fit the pop up.

Of course the hard part may be to find one nowadays.

You do lose some flash power but it does work for close ups or macro shots.

Eruditass · 11-03-2009, 10:35 PM

Originally posted by THAN THE SWORD

My quick DIY is to use an old style white plastic film canister with a hole cut to fit the pop up.

Of course the hard part may be to find one nowadays.

You do lose some flash power but it does work for close ups or macro shots.

Oh man, I totally forgot about that trick. I had planned to but hid them somewhere:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/777568-post13.html

I imagine it would be good if there is nothing to bounce off of, but if there is, I like light more when its not from the lens area

Eruditass · 11-03-2009, 10:38 PM

Originally posted by Marc Sabatella

You mean this one, probably: light scoop digital photography pop-up flash Olympus Nikon Fuji Canon Pentax

I've also had good results using just a piece of white cardboard. Yes, you need the ceiling the be relatively white and relatively low, but in most homes, this is not a problem. The built-in flash of most DSLR's provides enough power bounced in this way for f/4 at maybe ISO 400 or so - f/5.6 at a higher ISO, or f/2.8 at lower.

Ah! Cardboard + tin foil on top = flat mirror-like reflector.

Marc Sabatella · 11-04-2009, 10:57 AM

BTW, the main issue I have with bouncing the built-in flash is that it can be pretty blinding to the photographer. Way too much of that reflected light ends up coming right back at you. So on the occasions when I try this, I usually close my eyes after lining up the shot. I've thought about trying to come up with bounce device that also shielded my eyes from the flash. Preferably one that flods flat, as opposed the Lightscoop, which looks like it takes "almost" as much space in a bag as a small external flash.

11-03-2009, 08:17 AM	#1
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Stuck indoors with pop-up flash? Use tin foil taped to a piece of cardboard (or better yet, a mirror) to bounce to a ceiling or wall, remember to let it bounce such that the light is still heading towards the subject. I had always suggested it to people who wanted tips with pop-up flash, but never got around to testing it. Worked better than I thought, at least on close distance still life with a low ceiling. Lights were off, flash is only source of light. Limitations occur due to flash power of the pop-up flash. Maybe I'll test with some real subjects when it isn't in the middle of the night and I should be sleeping or at least cleaning up this dirty mess of a table, but you guys can test too! Last edited by Eruditass; 11-17-2009 at 03:22 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
How to switch off pop-up flash on K7?	andyt22	Pentax DSLR Discussion	20	08-02-2010 02:51 PM
Help! KX Pop-up Flash	TAP	Pentax DSLR Discussion	2	05-26-2010 01:06 PM
K7 pop up flash @#%!	ordinaryimages	Pentax DSLR Discussion	12	04-05-2010 02:55 PM
K2000 - Pop up flash will not pop up.	tkindred	Pentax DSLR Discussion	6	08-17-2009 08:54 AM
K-7 Pop Up Flash Higher?	lawsonstone	Pentax DSLR Discussion	3	06-20-2009 11:39 AM

11-03-2009, 10:25 AM	#2
blu3ness Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 117	did you use tin-foil or mirror in these pictures? thanks.

11-03-2009, 01:06 PM	#3
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Not bad results at all. Good tip.

11-03-2009, 01:44 PM	#4
Arpe Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,452	Lack of flash power would be rather limiting though, unless, as you say, you have a convenient, low, white ceiling.

11-03-2009, 02:19 PM	#5
res3567 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Houston Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,876	There is something on the market that slides under the flash that acts as a mirror that will redirect the flash light; to the ceiling if camera in the horizontal position and to a wall if in vertical. I have seen it tn the back of Photo mags.( The ad section).

11-03-2009, 02:44 PM	#6
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	I use a Gary Fong Puffer to diffuse the built-in flash. Works pretty damn good, small to carry (especially dissasembled) and dead simple to use. PUFFER - Pop-Up Flash Diffuser

11-03-2009, 02:48 PM	#7
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by res3567 There is something on the market that slides under the flash that acts as a mirror that will redirect the flash light; to the ceiling if camera in the horizontal position and to a wall if in vertical. I have seen it tn the back of Photo mags.( The ad section). You mean this one, probably: light scoop digital photography pop-up flash Olympus Nikon Fuji Canon Pentax I've also had good results using just a piece of white cardboard. Yes, you need the ceiling the be relatively white and relatively low, but in most homes, this is not a problem. The built-in flash of most DSLR's provides enough power bounced in this way for f/4 at maybe ISO 400 or so - f/5.6 at a higher ISO, or f/2.8 at lower.

11-03-2009, 03:38 PM	#8
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207 Original Poster	Originally posted by blu3ness did you use tin-foil or mirror in these pictures? thanks. Tin-foil, unfortunately I don't have a small mirror but I imagine tin foil robs a notable amount of power.

11-03-2009, 03:47 PM	#9
blu3ness Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 117	lifehacker has one article that teaches about a DIY lightbox, I've been wondering if it's possible to use the tracing paper to make a diffuser to place on the pop-up flash to make the light more soft. hmm, should be interesting, I'll try that when I have a chance

11-03-2009, 07:27 PM	#10
res3567 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Houston Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,876	Originally posted by Marc Sabatella You mean this one, probably: light scoop digital photography pop-up flash Olympus Nikon Fuji Canon Pentax I've also had good results using just a piece of white cardboard. Yes, you need the ceiling the be relatively white and relatively low, but in most homes, this is not a problem. The built-in flash of most DSLR's provides enough power bounced in this way for f/4 at maybe ISO 400 or so - f/5.6 at a higher ISO, or f/2.8 at lower. Yep that be the one. Probably a good addition to a camra bag if your external flash goes dead cause of depleated batteries and bounce flash is perferred for flattering images or just wanna travel light.

11-03-2009, 09:07 PM	#11
THAN THE SWORD Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: TEXASS Photos: Gallery Posts: 151	My quick DIY is to use an old style white plastic film canister with a hole cut to fit the pop up. Of course the hard part may be to find one nowadays. You do lose some flash power but it does work for close ups or macro shots.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

11-03-2009, 10:35 PM	#12
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207 Original Poster	Originally posted by THAN THE SWORD My quick DIY is to use an old style white plastic film canister with a hole cut to fit the pop up. Of course the hard part may be to find one nowadays. You do lose some flash power but it does work for close ups or macro shots. Oh man, I totally forgot about that trick. I had planned to but hid them somewhere: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/777568-post13.html I imagine it would be good if there is nothing to bounce off of, but if there is, I like light more when its not from the lens area

11-03-2009, 10:38 PM	#13
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207 Original Poster	Originally posted by Marc Sabatella You mean this one, probably: light scoop digital photography pop-up flash Olympus Nikon Fuji Canon Pentax I've also had good results using just a piece of white cardboard. Yes, you need the ceiling the be relatively white and relatively low, but in most homes, this is not a problem. The built-in flash of most DSLR's provides enough power bounced in this way for f/4 at maybe ISO 400 or so - f/5.6 at a higher ISO, or f/2.8 at lower. Ah! Cardboard + tin foil on top = flat mirror-like reflector.

11-04-2009, 10:57 AM	#14
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	BTW, the main issue I have with bouncing the built-in flash is that it can be pretty blinding to the photographer. Way too much of that reflected light ends up coming right back at you. So on the occasions when I try this, I usually close my eyes after lining up the shot. I've thought about trying to come up with bounce device that also shielded my eyes from the flash. Preferably one that flods flat, as opposed the Lightscoop, which looks like it takes "almost" as much space in a bag as a small external flash.