We have featured a bunch of pop up flash diffused before as a poorman’s alternative to getting some nice diffused light. Build materials ranged from cardboard, through cloth hanger and headphone packaging.
The idea is that light coming of the pop up flash will hit the diffusion panel and then two things can happen:
1. Flash will appear bigger since it is coming from the scrim so light will be softer and/or
2. light will be scattered over the room and bounced back from ceiling and walls, again provided softer light.
All those hacks come with a price, they eat light like bears eat honey so be aware.
This new contraption by John Sloan (FB) uses a Heavy-Duty 1-Pint Funnel.
Materials
- Translucent white oil funnel – found this one at auto parts store, make sure you get a semi translucent one.
- Heavy Duty 4-5″ rubber band
Tools
- X-acto knife, or utility knife
- Drill bit (big enough to feed rubber band through)
- Sharpie (to draw your cuts before hand)
Instructions
1. Cut funnel bottom off about 1.5-2 inches from the bottom (narrow end).
2. Cut 1/3 of the funnel away in one piece.
3. Shape edges as desired
4. Super glue the 1/3 of the funnel you removed to the to the 2/3’s piece in the middle (see photo), this diffuses any light that might spill over the top.
5. Drill holes about 1/2-3/4 inch from the corners (again see photo).
6. Secure rubber band through wholes (I knotted them and wrapped the ends in electrical tape)
To attach to camera, place front of diffuser under the pop-up flash housing and the rubber band goes under the viewfinder eyepiece.
Have been using it at events over the past week on my 7D and have been very pleased with the results.. I actually left one at an event and just stopped by the auto parts store on the way home to get another funnel.. Replacement was finished in about 15 minutes 🙂
Sample Images
No flash
Direct Flash
Diffused Flash
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