The Coolest Photography Gadget Ever - The Bokeh Masters Kit + Giveaway
Everybody loves shaped bokeh images. So do I. Shaped bokeh images are those cool images that have all the blurred lights spear as a heart or star or any other shape.
This is why I wanted to share a very cool new gadget that's out there for creative photographers - The Bokeh Masters Kit. It is a pro level tool that achieves the same effect as we did with the "Create Your Own Bokeh" post way back when we just started the blog.
Now, I am going to be completely open about it and tell you that I was the chief engineer on this product so I not completely without bias :)
As the old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words - This is the kind of effect you can get with the kit (Click any image to see it larger)
And even more samples here. Now, I know you are thinking Christmas tree images right now, it is inevitable.
The Bokeh Masters Kit allows you to achieve the shaped bokeh effect easily and repeatedly by using a lens-adaptor and bokeh discs system.
The lens adapter attaches to your lens with a rubber band and allows for quick and convenient bokeh disks changes. The kit comes with a variety of shaped Bokeh disks which are made from durable plastic, and are laser cut to precision.
The kit comes in three flavors:
Demo - the most basic kit with the lens adapter and five "classic" discs like stars, hearts and smileys (15$).
Advanced - which adds 16 more shaped bokeh discs with icons, animals, sports, and more (25$)
Masters - which adds 8 empty discs for you to make your own shapes and a discs "wallet" (list 35$ 25$ during introduction period).
It is also worth noting that the kit will work best with 50mm f/1.8 lens or the lenses specified in this page.
To kick things off, I'll be giving away three Masters Edition kits. There are three ways to enter the raffle (and you can do all three):
Comment on this post (make sure you leave a valid site URL/Flickr account as site so I can reach you).
Follow @diyphotography and Tweet this post: "Coolest Photography gadget ever giveaway: the Bokeh Masters Kit #BMK. RT to enter. http://bit.ly/8KIUvK". You can tweet this as much as you'd like, but please no more than once a day - otherwise your followers will get totally sick from it.
Grab one (or a group) of the small people in this image on Flickr by making a note around it (them).
Comes Tuesday, I'll randomly select one winner from each group, and post it on the site. If you can't hold your breath that long, just order the kit here.
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Comments
Ruffle?
Will it ruffle your feathers if I point out ruffles are not raffles? ;)
Mmmm, bokeh.
embarrassing typo fixed
which of course entitles you for a ticket :)
Pick me, pick me!
I normally don't even enter online giveaways, but this is too cool!
This is much nicer than the
This is much nicer than the trick used by old wedding shooters. Same idea but much nice. Beats black construction paper too. This is going on my birthday list.
So what is the old trick used
So what is the old trick used by wedding togs? ;)
Anyways this is way cool! I tried the shaped bokeh, but it's hard to cut precise shapes that small. :)
I bet you could also do some cool shapes with those scrapbooking hole punches shaped like teddybears and snowflakes, etc.
I'm still very new to
I'm still very new to photography just got my dslr last year and have recently been spending a lot more time on it. it would be awesome to add these tools to my collection and to utilize them in my photography. i love it!
Cooles gadget giveaway (CGG)
Woot, awesome idea, thank you diyphotography!
looks to great to pass up!
looks to great to pass up!
Contest Entry
Easily fits into the "Why didn't I think of that?" category. My hats off to everyone with a better imagination than mine.
=)
yes, I was already thinking Christmas lights..
Oooooh, shiny -- pick me,
Oooooh, shiny -- pick me, pick me!
Cool!
Two of my favorite words! Bokeh and FREE!
Great!
I wanna it :)
Really coolest gadget!
Wow!
I really want one!
But...
I´m in low budget this month... :´(
really cool
that is totally sweet! I would love to be picked!
Contest entry
The BMK looks great, I'd sure love to have one.
I want it!!
I just got a nikon 50mm 1.4
I want this kit badly!!!
thks
Sign me up
Sign me up for one.
Contest
So much fun!!!
i want it
really nice kit!
i hope im one of the winners!
Why Follow?
Hi,
I really like that people can enter this contest in three different ways. Consider my entry with this comment.
I'm all for Twitter contests, but I have two questions about the way this contest is run over Twitter:
1) Why the requirement to follow? I don't think it's necessary.
2) Can you do something more creative than ask people to RT a message? Maybe ask what they want to gain by using this bokeh masters kit (or how it would enhance their images)...
Finally, I am curious to find out how you are selecting the random winner.
With regard to the Twitter contests, I have a blog post where I suggest five ways to effectively run a Twitter contest. I also provide motivation for validating contests by using random.org (if you're not using this service, how will users know they were entered into the contest?)
Thanks!
~Eugene
re: why follow
Eugene,
First thansk for the link. Great reading and definitely something to consider for the next round up.
as for the follow question, the requirement to follow is so I can personal message the winner, Otherwise it may get to hard for me to contact them. While there may be other ways, this is the fastest one for me. + any new follower will be getting all my tweeting goodies.
Winners will be selected by ordering the comments/twits/notes and getting a number from random.org (I will post the pictures of selection).
Follow-up
Hi,
Thanks for reading the post...Appreciate the kind words.
As for contacting the winner: you can always contact by sending @reply to them, no? In other words, they don't have to follow you to be eligible to be a winner. As far as getting the details from them, I guess it may involve you following the winner so that they can DM you their email address? But again, I do think the following is unneccessary (though, of course, you're free to run the contest as you wish; I am just providing some feedback).
And thanks for using random.org!
~Eugene
Wow this would be soooo much
Wow this would be soooo much better than the matstack and holepunchers I carry in my camera case lol!!
Good Oppurtunity!
I am an amature photographer...So if i can get this this will help me lot. simple like that.
thanks keep up the good work!
Venu
Flickr
requisite posting :)
been looking at building a bokeh but possibly winning a free one is a good option too.
If I don't win one I will buy one
So cool.
Raffle
I would love to win this, it sounds so neat!
Looks cool
I would be very interested in shooting with it to see how it works. Cheers!
I Hope I Win Contest
I did some bokeh using 35mm f1.8 It worked but harder to get the whole shape. I didn't know there's a bokeh kit.
Contest
This is cool! This would be fun as I have the 50 f/1.4 and 85 f/1.8
Awesome
Super kit! I hope I win one!
Cool
This looks really cool, good luck everyone!
Beyond Bokeh....
I am not sure how this mounts (due to the site not showing the actual product) but I can see this possibly being used as a gobo on small flashes too. Oh, and as a shoot through Gobo to give a shaped vignette.Who knows what else you can use it for. Drink Huggie? Pencil Cup?
good point
Mounting image added to the post. thanks for noticing.
Hehe, I like to think I might
Hehe, I like to think I might have provided a bit of inspiration, here.....
; )
Is there a gallery of all of the shapes that it comes with?
Anyway.....
CheerZ! for bringing something out to help make this accessible to more people.
Is a great deal of fun!
re: Bokeh Keeper
Zaug, you're are definitelly the most bokeh-artistic and knolagable person on the blog. you can watch the shapes on the buy page of the BMK site (click to enlarge).
Wow!,ThankZ Udi! (Zaug bows ;
Wow!,ThankZ Udi! (Zaug bows ; )
This is where I first saw the idea.
This site has been the source of lots of inspiration, indeed!
Master Edition
Bought the masters edition today! can't wait to use it!!!
Contest Entry
I'm in...I love messin' with Bokeh.
I might just have to order a
I might just have to order a set for myself if I don't win.
Contest Entry
Wow, this is awesome, we don't get cool stuff like this here, we always have to order from overseas. How awesome it would be to win and be able to show everyone here!!
This is cool
Hmm. Technically the 11th is my birthday and I have a nifty fifty lens this would work with, so maybe I'm destined to be one of the winners. :-)
Constest
Never been able to used one of these, but I already some ideas in mind.
Thanks!
Crossing my fingers...
Looks cool - thanks for the opportunity!
That is so COOOOOL ! :-)
I love it. Gonna take some test shots with it this weekend. Thanks for a great invention. This is a great idea for a christmas gift.
artistic
These gadgets are awesome! I'd love to have something like this to take my photography to another level. I currently do alot of pics of newborns in the hospital I work for which brings smiles to many new mothers & fathers faces. Having something like this would be great to give the pics a lil extra somethin..somethin..for their lil one's FIRST PHOTOS...I'd be forever greatful...LOL/Regina..aka Dreamn
Looks awesome
Very intrigued! :)
Sweet deal, dude, count me in!
I will make my selection, good sir. Pleasant evening to you, and may the force be with you!
_E
Wow, those are some awesome
Wow, those are some awesome looking pics. Would love to play with those.
Don't pick me
Picking me would be loosing money, cause I'd buy this anyday. So cool.
I've just started working more with bokeh in my images and I'm all hooked to be honest.
But then, on the other hand; If you want to save me some money, pick me. :)
Sweet!
Awesome idea! Consider me entered, 3 times.
it looks cool
What a perfect Christmas gift !
Love it !
Thank you Santa
Maybe I'll finally win something! Sweet kit!
I want this!
This is very cool. I'm posting here to see if I win, otherwise I'll be putting my order in..
way cool
Enter me - we've made a few of our own but this kit looks awesome :D
Throwing my hat in the ring!
I love DIY projects. But I love free things more. Merry Christmas everyone!
Now how about 72mm? :)
If I win one of these, I will have to give it a whirl on the front of the 135/2L with a step-up ring or something. I just can't get enough bokeh from that thing...
-/\/
Just too lazy to make it myself - good business idea!
Good thing you are trying to sell these babies!
One thing I am missing from the website is how to assemble them to the lens. I am assuming it works farely well, but what about a small image series á la "Step 1: Choose your flavor of Bokeh disk, Step 2: Insert bokeh into the BMK, Step 3: Attach the BMK to your lens". Step three is the one I am interested in.
Love your site
Love your site. And like some of the others, I don't generally participate in online giveaways, but this one's too good to skip.
Light loss!
What is the light loss with this adapters?
re: Light loss!
Good point. Light loss depends on the size and shape of the hole. Or in aother words, the ratio between the see through and the plastic. Usually about 1-2 stops.
Looks great
I would love to play with this ! Please enter me in the competition.
Question : would it work on a high-end point and shoot (I'm thinking Panasonic LX3, my boyfriend has one and it would be a good gift idea if it worked)
Bokeh, Bokeh, Bokeeeeeh
The article on Bokeh is what got me to DIYP and I've been hooked ever since (as I'm sure most readers have). There have been some awesome articles on this site, and its also wonderful to see that its growing to an extent where you're able to give away gifts to your readers. Kudos and keep up the good work.
Bokehhhh
I've been meaning to make one of these myself, as it's an especially nice time of the year to do bokeh shots, with all the pretty lights from Christmas decorations! But if I could get the real deal, that'd be even better!
Coolness
In an era of uncool gadgets and un-original ideas, this one shines! Well done.
I needs me some bokeh
Well, more patterned bokeh anyway ;)
bokehlicious!
Hi
I *LOVE* bokehs! Pls pls pls pick me up :) of course see my flickr pictures also. You'll know what I mean.
cheers
Awesome just
Awesome just awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
COOL!
I love the effect you can make with these!
Merry Christmas everyone!
SCRAPBOOKING HOLE PUNCHES WORK GREAT But...
On my christmas wish list...I would love to get rid of the mass amount of hole punches I've been buying!
re: don't loose the punches
You can use thtem on the "blank" discs.
Bokeh
I like and if I don't win will buy
Perfect!
Perfect for the holidays!
bokhen
Wher can I pick one up this is sent my mind with so many different ideas. can't wait to find one to try it
Bokeh burger cutout?
Now that will be a funny custom bokeh profile...Bokeh Burger... I'll try it out when I win the set. Thanks very much!
Count me in!
Count me in!
Count me in!
Count me in!
Contest entry
Looks neat! Great Idea!
I would also like this!
I would also like this!
Awesome!
This looks so cool. I haven't tried the DIY version but I've been thinking about... if that counts for anything...
Nice!
Fantastic! Simple, clean and useful. Very nice. Sign me up!
\oo/ This rocks!
This is such a great idea,
This is such a great idea, especially for those of us who want to be DIY but lack killer cutting skills, like myself!
Very nice, SIGN ME UP!
The list is getting long, but sure I'll join in!
How Cool Is This!
What a great tool for the gear bag.
This is a great creation!
I love the idea of this, especially the custom covers. I could even see making a company logo for event shoots and pulling it out for a few frames. Very cool!
I'll give it a shot...
Sounds good to me, it could only get better if I actually win...
hola!
I'm down with winning some bokeh discs. :)
So great ...
... for Lazy People. Want it ! XD
Bokeh De Beppa!
Very cool. I have seen this type of Bokeh before. I would love one.
Neat concept
I've been really interested in this technique since your first article on the subject, and there have been a bunch of others who ripped off your idea to make variations on your design (including myself http://bit.ly/6NhueJ).
But for this to be a "professional" option, should there be another option other than the rubber band?
Some people may not realize that their battery life will be affected if the band is accidently placed half on the focus ring and half on the lens body. This restriction of movement could also damage the lens.
Seems like the most professional-looking, safest and less expensive way to mass-produce this is provide the disks so they fit inbetween the lens and UV filter -- or a device that screws on the filter threads to hold the custom shaped disks.
This way, you wouldn't be limited to 3 or 4 lens types -- just 3 or 4 thread sizes.
I'm saving for the rubber band
seeing as I'll be winning the bokeh set all I have to do now is save to buy the rubber band.
too bad it doesn't come in the kit (at least it's not in the photos)
Good idea
re: rubber band
Oh, it comes with the kit alright. And if you are really lucky, you get a bright pink band to show off too (otherwise it is purple or green)
BMK give away!
Brilliant! Count me in please. BTW, here's my tweet http://twitter.com/BebopDesigner/status/6570095904
Cheers!
Giveaway
wow, these look so cool...way better than using black construction paper :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandis-photographs/
very cool
looks great-sturdy & easy to adjust angles
Nice!
Fantastic idea! Sign me up!
I'd love to win this. It
I'd love to win this. It looks like fun and I have a couple of projects right now that could use this touch.
fun.
Looks like alot of fun. And the odds are better than playing powerball that I'll win.
I love custom bokeh
...but my chances of winning are looking slimmer and slimmer, especially seening I don't tweet.
Wow!
This looks just perfect for new (well, old) 50 f/1.4 I'm adapting to my rangefinder. Oh the possibilities...
It is quite fun
Used this technique to great effect here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/demonhood/2143144962/
altho that was with thick black paper and was handcut (hence the wobbly looking star).
:-))
Looks fun!
Very cool. I wonder would it
Very cool. I wonder would it arrive in time for Christmas?
Pick Me!
I'd love one of these!
bokeh
I just figured out how to do this last night and its awesome. Sure beats using paper.
Bokehlicious :)
I made one of these bokeh-makers for my Olympus OM-1 some time ago. But, hey! mine is not laser-cut! :)
I just started with this!
Awesome! I just started playing with this the other day! Sure would love to win a set!
Bokeh kit
This looks like a great product and reasonably priced too!
So many opportunities!
There are so many beautiful lights here at the moment which would look so much better as stars and snowflakes!
Awesome
This would make a nice Christmas gift for the aspiring bokeh photog.
I would love to test this
I would love to test this out!
Bring on the bokeh
I've got the 50mm 1.8, but just haven't made the bokeh shapes yet, so this might give my procrastinating self a chance to have them without making them. ;)
Bokeh contest
I'm still not sure how to pronounce 'bokeh,' but I still like the results. Please include me in the raffle.
waaaaaaaannnnnnt
This is so awesome!
I've never seen...
OK, never seen this before...I don't get out much! LOVE it! Kim
Bokehlicious competition!
Wow, that looks soooo cool!
Thanks for the excellent article too.
- Sacha
would love to win!
Ive been trying for months to try and make a working one, but have failed
I definitely NEED one of these!
I've been using cardboard and an excato knife. My results so far have been less than impressive though.
This looks so cool! Would
This looks so cool! Would love to win!
Enter Me!!!
PLEASE enter me!!! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win this!!! I learned how to do the DIY bokeh from one of your previous post and now I'm addicted... I hope you select me!!!!!
Neat trick
Nice idea and nice implementation. Thanks for sharing and helping to keep DIY alive.
ok that is wayyyy cool. I am
ok that is wayyyy cool. I am sooo adding that to my christmas wish list
Cool idea!
SO much simpler than some other approaches I've seen. Please sign me up!
T_T
I tried to buy bokeh master kit by myself using my visa card, but it said please try using other credit card...why???
i really want bokeh master kit =(
or i just need to do myself...but i want..
so sad...my visa card is not accepted by them...why? T_T
no gift at all... at last chance, i try to participate this competition although the chance to win is 0.0001% T___T so sad.. why they reject my credit card T____T
thanks =[
re: visa
Hi nurul,
Sadly (or gladly) I am completly up to paypal mencies on this one. If you have a paypal account you cna try using it.
sadly~
i never try paypal, i always used my visa card directly for online shopping.
@_@
maybe i must try.
btw, thanks =)
Oh yeah, I think the kit would love...
... to be shipped overseas to Germany... ;-D
Very nice invention and as I have already got an 50 mm 1.8, I would not even need to buy a new lens... :-D
Greetings from Germany!
How do you order?
Would love to know how to order!
re: So how do you order?
From this page at the bottom.
Wonderful Bokeh
I live for the wonderful world of pretty bokeh. Oh dear bokeh, come forth to me. I'd like to see some bokeh, bokeh, bokeh. Thank you.
I've been wanting to create
I've been wanting to create neat bokeh effects! That's pretty cool that someone finally started to produce those.
Want!
puhhhh-leeze
Love it!
I was telling someone about this technique at work the other day but I had never tried it. Rather than try and make a lengthy explanation I quickly grabbed some cardboard, cut out a circle, and cut a star into the middle and taped it to my 50mm 1.8 lens on my D90. 5 minutes later I had a visual sample - she was impressed, as was I.
Clever idea!
Clever idea!
I wanna Bokeh Kit!!
Pick me, yep, Merry Christmas!!!
Contest
Pick me !!! I need all the help I can get !!
Love This Idea
I saw your old post for the DIY bokeh and glad that you've given us a chance to...well, do it ourselves.
I had some fun with it!
BOKEH bokeh pokeh!
This would make a wonderful Christmas gift for about 3 different people on my list!
Great idea.
*hope I win*
Very cool give away!
Consider me entered ;-)
I wanna win
I hope to win, but I have a question to, are the disks the same as those in the lensbaby? cause it would be great to double dip them.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigdamlo/
(I hope it's okay if I don't
(I hope it's okay if I don't leave my photography link. Not very comfortable about revealing them!)
That is very cool! I have been playing around with photography for 2 years now and this would be a great kit to change up photos!
http://twitter.com/DeeGee13/s
http://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/6619596574
tweeted and follow!
Hi from Singapore
Oh boy, I don't have a twitter or a flickr account, so I've just left my email. I hope that's okay. I'm not a photographer but my boyfriend is a budding one. I really would like this as a Christmas gift for him. It seems a little too late to buy it via the site to make it for Christmas so I'm really hoping I can win one for him! Otherwise I will have to make one by hand and I'm not very good at crafts :S
Oh My Gosh!!
That IS the coolest gadget I have yet to see!! :) WOW!!
I would love to play with this!! How neat!!
Crossing my fingers ;)
Bokeh Elephant
Tried this last winter after your DIY bokeh post:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/45292762@N00/3148873585/in/set-72157611807341835/
I like how it turned out. Cutting out the elephant was a bit of a pain though. I like the idea of using scrapbooking punches. I need to shop around and see what is available.
-Rob
bokeh di beppo
this would be great to use on my girlfriends ceramic sculptures to make her work really interesting when viewed online.
Giveaway
What a great idea for a giveaway!
I would love to win this! I
I would love to win this! I would have so much fun with this.
Cool idea, i'm in! :D
Cool idea, i'm in! :D
Ooooh I love gadgets!
Cool idea. I need to get my kid's hole punches out and see what else I can make..
bokeh!
these would be pretty cool
I'd love one!
Thanks for offering this contest!
mmmm bokeh...
Gonna try out the homemade version tomorrow!
love the tip!
I've got RSI (tendonitis) and can't write much, but loved the post and would be AWESOME to win the kit :)
cheers from Brazil!
Count me in
I'll have to try this...
Awesome!
This is awesome! I love all the different shapes!
bokeh
I found out about bokeh just recently myself but it looks very interesting
ME!
I'd love one of these =) Thanks!
Winner right here
I'd love to get one of these!
oooooooooooooh
just got my dSLR on saturday. I need me one of these :D
love it
I've done some shaped bokeh in the past, but this kit would certainly make it easier. I'd love to try it!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rowdyreptile/3153422681/
Gadget giveaway
really neat giveaway! Awesome idea and good work! Keep it up <3
I Love Bokeh!
I love shaped Bokeh, these are so cool. :-D
Tammy
Very, very cool!
An excellent idea and a great looking product.
Banded
Are there any options available besides the lovely pink rubber band? Perhaps an L-series red?
re: banded
well, we also have striking purple and shocking green :) no yellows or reds.
These are fun!
These are fun!
These look so cool
Love the idea. Simple and inexpensive photo gear, what's not to love?
Oooh
Ooooh I these look really awesome! I'd love to try these out and print some pics with these on Christmas cards this year!
Would love to win!
I love these little bokeh-shapers :) I have made some at home, the standard heart- shaped and had so much fun! My big prblem is, that my hearts are not too pretty iin shape. So- having this amazing kit would be great! :)
What better toy could I get? :)
Thank you!
p.s. I am already twitter follower!
http://twitter.com/joannasfoto
Really cool - found out about
Really cool - found out about this on twitter.
Nice Kit, wish I could have it
It is perfect kit for photographing during the holidays. I was really wondering about such kit. I'm always fan of such photography.
How neat!
I'm about to get my first DSLR in a few weeks and something like this would be great fun to experiment with.
I've tried to make my own
I've tried to make my own with paper, but i can never get it to do right! So maybe i can with this, so i wont have to bother trying anymore ;P
perfect
I am disabled in my hand. Have thought I would love to try this but can't make my own. This would be perfect and a great addition to my new canon sx10is.
Great job but darn it! I
Great job but darn it! I wanted to use these for my 50mm f1.2 lens with 72mm filter thread and these only fit up to 62mm. Any chance of a 72mm size BMK in the future?
re: 72
hi CL,
72mm looks popular and wanted for. Actually I got multiple requests for it. I am working on a 72mm version. will probably take a month or so, but I cant tell for sure.
Thank you!
That's awesome news! I look forward to purchasing said version!
Awesome idea- wonder why
Awesome idea- wonder why nobody thought of it before?
Really cool product.
How could I make an adapter to my P&S camera to be able to fit this as well?
not that trivial
I suggest reading this one and then this one. they have some good pointers on DIYing this kit.
Super idea.
I am just a new photographer, so this would come in handy.
Wonderful
Just got this kit and its easy and fast to use and store. Results are great (assuming I do my part). Thanks again for a wonderful product
Nice!
Nice!
Nice one
I am going to play with this bokeh master kit. Hope it provides good result.
Oh yes please!! I've had my
Oh yes please!!
I've had my eye on this kit for a while....
You should definitely try to
You should definitely try to get creative with some paper and hole punches.
<3
Wowyyy :) don't cameras and light do amazing things ay... i heart whoever decided to create a bokeh filter :D <3
cool!
Wow - hopeuflly we'll see you at WPPI and get a chance to try it on for size. Cool invention!
wow too cool! i need to get
wow too cool! i need to get this! any idea if this can work for p&s cameras too? or only for DSLRs?