Diffuser/reflector for Pop-up Flash

[Kangaruu]

I was playing around with the camera yesterday and noticed I haven't really used the flash before. I had been contemplating on whether or not to invest in an external flash but couldn't justify spending that money on something I wouldn't be using all that often.

So then I decided to see if it is possible to use a diffuser or reflector on the pop-up flash.

Turns out if you hold some thick white paper in front of the flash to bounce the light off walls and such, you can get nice, soft light on your subject.

So I was wondering, have any of you guys made custom diffusers/reflectors for the on-camera flash?

[mrluilou]

i haven't, i think that guy grimindustries made his own custom ones

[Zero]

I've seen some grid thingies that people made to diffuse the light on their external flash.
I don't remember the name, hence the "thingies".

[Zero]

Ah, they're called "Gridspot".

http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35599&highlight=grid

http://digital-photography-school.com/ is also a pretty well informed site, containing info from the basics to advanced.

[Zero]

have any of you guys made custom diffusers/reflectors for the on-camera flash?
It's a bit too small, but I think the same method for ex-flashes could be applied to on-camera flashes.

[Kangaruu]

No one has tried to make one for the on-camera flash? :(

Well these are my comparison shots when I was playing around with it.

1st. No flash.
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/9749/img0629r.jpg

2nd. Flash directed straight at subject.
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/9538/img0628zbi.jpg

3rd. Flash reflected 45 degrees from horizontal with a white mailing envelope.
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/1369/img0627x.jpg

[atrac7GTS]

result doesn't look bad. so how far away do you position this piece of paper away from the flash...? I've been curious about this for awhile myself and want to try it with my pop up flash.

[Kangaruu]

The envelope was less than 1 inch away from the flash.

I didn't want the possibility of the light going around the envelope.

I tried that inside my room which is pretty small so I don't know how well this idea would work elsewhere :sadpace:

[phaqgm]

I would say try your third shot again, but adjust your flash EV to say +1 and see what happens.

[Kangaruu]

That was actually +2 already :laugh:

I had a better sample but I deleted those pictures already :(

Edit**

Took some more test shots with the white envelope reflector :gap:

Direct flash.
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/2674/img0648z.jpg

With the envelope at 45 degrees again.
http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/5263/img0647.jpg

[Kangaruu]

Does anyone know where to get plastic sheets to make the diffuser/reflector?

Couldn't find any at a crafts store :(

[o0o0oitzsuzi]

someone told me you could make it out of a note card and a rubber band?

[kimGT]

http://www.geckoandfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/2137a9950nf3.jpg

[Zero]

:laugh:

[Kangaruu]

someone told me you could make it out of a note card and a rubber band?

Probably can, but wouldn't the note card be flat against the flash and wouldn't let much of the light escape?

Well this is my homemade reflector. I'm planning to make another one in the shape of a chef's hat :laugh:

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/7155/img0723t.jpg

1st shot. With reflector.
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/2881/img0718l.jpg

2nd shot. Direct flash.
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/5023/img0719h.jpg

3rd shot. No flash.
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/8441/img0720h.jpg

[o0o0oitzsuzi]

hm nice job! looks good

[Kangaruu]

So I've been testing this reflector dealio.

So far it works in any area that has something overhead. And obvious it does not work under the open sky :(

[o0o0oitzsuzi]

yeah that's usually the thing. you have to have something to bounce the light off of for the best results.

i think you should try to invest in a sb600 or something. it's really worth it. i just picked one up and it's amazing.

[GrimIndustries]

Fong makes an on camera flash diffuser, it's pretty cheap. Yes, I made my own for my 580exII's but as for on-camera, I think the fong would work best. And it's pretty cheap...

http://store.garyfonginc.com/puf-01.html

[Kangaruu]

Mmm I was looking at the photos taken with that on and it seems like it just reduces the light...

The weird shadows from direct light is still there :(