How To Build A Gridspot From A Quaker Can
Apr 13, 2013
Udi Tirosh
Udi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.
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While we have featured quite a few home made gridspot before I don’t believe I have ever seen a gridspot based on a Quaker Can. This is a fairly easy build, You will need an empty can (preferably Quaker oats) with a plastic cap and some black straws.
The first step is to cut the bottom of the can which creates a hollow cylinder.
On the plastic cap side, trace the shape of your flash head and cut it out.
The next step is to prepare the cells of the grid. Take a bunch of black straws (David hobby recommends Panera Bread + big tip to the hostess), and cut them into similar-sized shorter straws. The length of the cut straws will determine the angle of the light leaving the gridspot. Short straws create a wider spread, while long straws create a tight beam.
Using glue affix the straws in to the bottom of the can. It is easiest to start with the outer circle where you can glue the straws to the walls and work your way inside.
When the glue is dry, it’s just a matter of placing the cap on the can, and pushing a flash through the hole in the cap
Aim the Quakergrid device at a wall or a subject, and behold how light is restricted
Now, admittedly this method is wasting quite a bit of straws on unused parts of the can. But you will be able to say that you are now Quakerring your subjects.
About The Author
Ben Saar is a photographer and DIY-er based in Tel-Aviv, Israel. You can follow his work here.
Udi Tirosh
Udi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.
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9 responses to “How To Build A Gridspot From A Quaker Can”
Pringles can also works and can double as a snoot with no straws.
Please excuse my ignorance, living in a country where there is no such a thing as a “Quaker Can”. Why exactly are “Quaker outs” preferrable?
Genetically modified Oatmeal.
ROFLMAO!!!!!
A Milo tin would probably work, as would a baby formula tin. I’m not sure how matte the inside of the Quaker tin is, but it shouldn’t matter on account of the straws.
LOL it is because of the size… aparrently it gives enough room for a nice initial spread of light and the end result with the grill has a tight spread…
Really, just about any container would work, it just depends on how much work and creativity you want to put into it. I just thought of a Darth Vader helmet with straws coming out of its eyes…
Amazon source of straws . . .
http://www.amazon.com/Giant-Smoothie-Drinking-Milkshake-Frozen/dp/B008E5XX52/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3FJ3TVKQXPH5T&coliid=I3I6KYC60PORQK
For most on-camera flash units, macaroni and cheese boxes are the perfect size. Use the same build technique, but you’ll use fewer straws and have a smaller modifier to carry around.
Cover the outside with gaffer’s tape for a professional* look.
* Underpaid professional, of course.