DIY TTL Macro Flash!

geekette · 06-01-2011, 06:14 PM

I was inspired by a DIY using a Pringles can as a gobo between the on camera TTL flash and a macro subject:

Use a Pringles Can as a Cheap Diffuser for Macro Photos

I decided I could improve on this and came up with my own (picture attached below).

Just rubber band your diffuser of choice on the end of the can and good to go.

What's nice about this design is there is no light leakage/loss from the back (it is reflected forward). Also it stays in place very well without any rubber bands--just by the friction of the cardboard against the camera flash.

UPDATE: I am going to play around with various angles on the end of the can.. Make on can where it is 90 degree angle and maybe another one inbetween. Maybe this angle isn't the best? But this one does make the light go straight down (or so) when camera is angled down a bit.

Attached Images

Last edited by geekette; 06-23-2011 at 12:32 AM.

panoguy · 06-01-2011, 07:02 PM

Nice variation. Show us the results!

But do I have to use the spicy Pringles?

enoeske · 06-01-2011, 07:05 PM

pretty similar to my old rig

it works well enough

geekette · 06-01-2011, 07:16 PM

Originally posted by panoguy

Nice variation. Show us the results!

But do I have to use the spicy Pringles?

Posting updated with before and after pics--just took them; in fact I just made this DIY pringles can thingy about an hour ago

Yes, you must use spicy; it will spice up the light in your photography.

geekette · 06-01-2011, 07:18 PM

Originally posted by enoeske

pretty similar to my old rig

it works well enough

Enoeske, how did you get the fly to stay put lol. Looks REALLY good.

enoeske · 06-01-2011, 07:21 PM

Originally posted by geekette

Enoeske, how did you get the fly to stay put lol. Looks REALLY good.

patience

erangel · 06-01-2011, 07:29 PM

For a moment I thought you had build a TTL flash from scratch!

I saw that tutorial a couple of weeks ago, and it's a very clever hack. I guess you cut the Pringles can to fit your lens length, am I right?

geekette · 06-01-2011, 07:45 PM

Originally posted by erangel

For a moment I thought you had build a TTL flash from scratch!

I saw that tutorial a couple of weeks ago, and it's a very clever hack. I guess you cut the Pringles can to fit your lens length, am I right?

Yeah and I left the end of the pringles can intact to avoid light loss/leakage. And I cut a rectangular hole in the can for it to slide on, so no need for rubberbands. So in summary, easier to pop on, no interference with lens and no light loss/leakage through back--and the angled end might be advantageous.. dunno yet.. probably good to have 2 or 3 different ones with different angles and play with em.

newarts · 06-01-2011, 07:55 PM

Originally posted by geekette

I was inspired by a DIY using a Pringles can as a gobo between the on camera TTL flash and a macro subject:

Use a Pringles Can as a Cheap Diffuser for Macro Photos

I decided I could improve on this and came up with my own (picture attached below).

Just rubber band your diffuser of choice on the end of the can and good to go.

What's nice about this design is there is no light leakage/loss from the back (it is reflected forward). Also it stays in place very well without any rubber bands--just by the friction of the cardboard against the camera flash.

Before (without pringles can) :
Star Anise without DIY Pringles Can | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
After (with pringles can):
Star Anise with DIY Pringles Can | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

UPDATE: I am going to play around with various angles on the end of the can.. Make on can where it is 90 degree angle and maybe another one inbetween. Maybe this angle isn't the best? But this one does make the light go straight down (or so) when camera is angled down a bit.

Very nice! The slot in the can wall to slip over the pop-up flash was brilliant. The best shape at the exit end depends on where the subject sits with respect to the end of the can. The overall effect of the can will be roughly to redirect the flash beam along the can's axis.

One way to figure out what to do next is to put a plain piece of white paper about where the subject should be and see how the paper is illuminated.... use that as a guide to modify things - like squishing the end of the can down to reflect more light downwards.

newarts · 06-01-2011, 08:08 PM

Originally posted by geekette

Yeah and I left the end of the pringles can intact to avoid light loss/leakage. And I cut a rectangular hole in the can for it to slide on, so no need for rubberbands. So in summary, easier to pop on, no interference with lens and no light loss/leakage through back--and the angled end might be advantageous.. dunno yet.. probably good to have 2 or 3 different ones with different angles and play with em.

Yours is a really good concept but I doubt the rear lid does much in saving light because I don't think there'll be much backscatter off the Pringle's can's aluminized interior surface.

If you need to reflect more light downwards, maybe you could reverse the can & use the shiny can bottom to reflect light where you want it to go.

Or just put tissue paper over the end of the can the way you've cut it in the photo.

Ooooo! I got it! Just put the plastic lid back on the open can! it will act as a diffuser; put a hole in the side of the can so the can sits in the right place for the lens/subject location you are using!

geekette · 06-01-2011, 08:57 PM

Originally posted by newarts

Yours is a really good concept but I doubt the rear lid does much in saving light because I don't think there'll be much backscatter off the Pringle's can's aluminized interior surface.

If you need to reflect more light downwards, maybe you could reverse the can & use the shiny can bottom to reflect light where you want it to go.

Or just put tissue paper over the end of the can the way you've cut it in the photo.

Ooooo! I got it! Just put the plastic lid back on the open can! it will act as a diffuser; put a hole in the side of the can so the can sits in the right place for the lens/subject location you are using!

Very cool idea

Yeah I put some diffuser over the end with a rubber band.

slip · 06-02-2011, 04:06 AM

what a great idea!

cheers

**kiwi_jono** · 07-08-2011, 03:56 AM

Thanks for bringing this great idea to our attention!

I used the full length Pringles tin with my FA100 f2.8 macro. Just cut the flash opening about an inch in from metal end and put a tissue over end then put Pringles clear cap over the top.
Amazed at how good it is.

Here is a 100% crop of an old 8748 microprocessor through its quartz window - took it hand held!

Micro 100% crop

Thanks again!

06-01-2011, 06:14 PM	#1
geekette Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 528	DIY TTL Macro Flash! I was inspired by a DIY using a Pringles can as a gobo between the on camera TTL flash and a macro subject: Use a Pringles Can as a Cheap Diffuser for Macro Photos I decided I could improve on this and came up with my own (picture attached below). Just rubber band your diffuser of choice on the end of the can and good to go. What's nice about this design is there is no light leakage/loss from the back (it is reflected forward). Also it stays in place very well without any rubber bands--just by the friction of the cardboard against the camera flash. UPDATE: I am going to play around with various angles on the end of the can.. Make on can where it is 90 degree angle and maybe another one inbetween. Maybe this angle isn't the best? But this one does make the light go straight down (or so) when camera is angled down a bit. Attached Images Last edited by geekette; 06-23-2011 at 12:32 AM.

07-08-2011, 03:56 AM	#13
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	This really inspired me! Thanks for bringing this great idea to our attention! I used the full length Pringles tin with my FA100 f2.8 macro. Just cut the flash opening about an inch in from metal end and put a tissue over end then put Pringles clear cap over the top. Amazed at how good it is. Here is a 100% crop of an old 8748 microprocessor through its quartz window - took it hand held! Micro 100% crop Thanks again! Attached Images

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06-01-2011, 07:02 PM	#2
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	Nice variation. Show us the results! But do I have to use the spicy Pringles?

06-01-2011, 07:05 PM	#3
enoeske Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, Az Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,136	pretty similar to my old rig it works well enough

06-01-2011, 07:16 PM	#4
geekette Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 528 Original Poster	Originally posted by panoguy Nice variation. Show us the results! But do I have to use the spicy Pringles? Posting updated with before and after pics--just took them; in fact I just made this DIY pringles can thingy about an hour ago Yes, you must use spicy; it will spice up the light in your photography.

06-01-2011, 07:18 PM	#5
geekette Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 528 Original Poster	Originally posted by enoeske pretty similar to my old rig it works well enough Enoeske, how did you get the fly to stay put lol. Looks REALLY good.

06-01-2011, 07:21 PM	#6
enoeske Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, Az Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,136	Originally posted by geekette Enoeske, how did you get the fly to stay put lol. Looks REALLY good. patience

06-01-2011, 07:29 PM	#7
erangel Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Panama Photos: Gallery Posts: 83	For a moment I thought you had build a TTL flash from scratch! I saw that tutorial a couple of weeks ago, and it's a very clever hack. I guess you cut the Pringles can to fit your lens length, am I right?

06-01-2011, 07:45 PM	#8
geekette Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 528 Original Poster	Originally posted by erangel For a moment I thought you had build a TTL flash from scratch! I saw that tutorial a couple of weeks ago, and it's a very clever hack. I guess you cut the Pringles can to fit your lens length, am I right? Yeah and I left the end of the pringles can intact to avoid light loss/leakage. And I cut a rectangular hole in the can for it to slide on, so no need for rubberbands. So in summary, easier to pop on, no interference with lens and no light loss/leakage through back--and the angled end might be advantageous.. dunno yet.. probably good to have 2 or 3 different ones with different angles and play with em.

06-01-2011, 07:55 PM	#9
newarts Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ames, Iowa, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 2,965	Originally posted by geekette I was inspired by a DIY using a Pringles can as a gobo between the on camera TTL flash and a macro subject: Use a Pringles Can as a Cheap Diffuser for Macro Photos I decided I could improve on this and came up with my own (picture attached below). Just rubber band your diffuser of choice on the end of the can and good to go. What's nice about this design is there is no light leakage/loss from the back (it is reflected forward). Also it stays in place very well without any rubber bands--just by the friction of the cardboard against the camera flash. Before (without pringles can) : Star Anise without DIY Pringles Can \| Flickr - Photo Sharing! After (with pringles can): Star Anise with DIY Pringles Can \| Flickr - Photo Sharing! UPDATE: I am going to play around with various angles on the end of the can.. Make on can where it is 90 degree angle and maybe another one inbetween. Maybe this angle isn't the best? But this one does make the light go straight down (or so) when camera is angled down a bit. Very nice! The slot in the can wall to slip over the pop-up flash was brilliant. The best shape at the exit end depends on where the subject sits with respect to the end of the can. The overall effect of the can will be roughly to redirect the flash beam along the can's axis. One way to figure out what to do next is to put a plain piece of white paper about where the subject should be and see how the paper is illuminated.... use that as a guide to modify things - like squishing the end of the can down to reflect more light downwards.

06-01-2011, 08:08 PM	#10
newarts Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ames, Iowa, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 2,965	Originally posted by geekette Yeah and I left the end of the pringles can intact to avoid light loss/leakage. And I cut a rectangular hole in the can for it to slide on, so no need for rubberbands. So in summary, easier to pop on, no interference with lens and no light loss/leakage through back--and the angled end might be advantageous.. dunno yet.. probably good to have 2 or 3 different ones with different angles and play with em. Yours is a really good concept but I doubt the rear lid does much in saving light because I don't think there'll be much backscatter off the Pringle's can's aluminized interior surface. If you need to reflect more light downwards, maybe you could reverse the can & use the shiny can bottom to reflect light where you want it to go. Or just put tissue paper over the end of the can the way you've cut it in the photo. Ooooo! I got it! Just put the plastic lid back on the open can! it will act as a diffuser; put a hole in the side of the can so the can sits in the right place for the lens/subject location you are using!

06-01-2011, 08:57 PM	#11
geekette Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 528 Original Poster	Originally posted by newarts Yours is a really good concept but I doubt the rear lid does much in saving light because I don't think there'll be much backscatter off the Pringle's can's aluminized interior surface. If you need to reflect more light downwards, maybe you could reverse the can & use the shiny can bottom to reflect light where you want it to go. Or just put tissue paper over the end of the can the way you've cut it in the photo. Ooooo! I got it! Just put the plastic lid back on the open can! it will act as a diffuser; put a hole in the side of the can so the can sits in the right place for the lens/subject location you are using! Very cool idea Yeah I put some diffuser over the end with a rubber band.

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06-02-2011, 04:06 AM	#12
slip Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 2 hours north of toronto ontario canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,535	what a great idea! cheers