Behold! The $.01 popup flash diffuser

[T Kubik]

I was bored at work yesterday, so I went to the store to get some ping pong balls to experiment with flash diffusion. They didn't have any white ones, so I decided to try and get creative.

Here's the shot without it:

EXIF:
Manual mode
shutter 1/30
f3.5
ISO 100
Flash fired

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g307/supertom9903/_MG_0020.jpg

EXIF:
Manual Mode
shutter 1/30
f3.5
ISO 100
flash fired

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g307/supertom9903/_MG_0019.jpg

The wonder device?

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g307/supertom9903/_MG_0021.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g307/supertom9903/_MG_0023.jpg

A piece of printer paper stapled together on each side and slides over the top of the flash.

Done and done!

[Big WIll]

I was expecting some multi colored ping pong effects! :)

[CyberDyneSystems]

In this case it just looks like the "diffuser" was more of a light blocker, dropping the over all exposure and little else.

[T Kubik]

In this case it just looks like the "diffuser" was more of a light blocker, dropping the over all exposure and little else.

The light looks pretty evenly dispersed to me. Also, remember this pic was taken in very low light at 1/30 shutter f3.5, so you can adjust on either side to get the correct exposure, but that's not a bad start.

[Curtis N]

Look at the shadow on the dog's neck, under his nose. It really isn't any softer in the second image than the first.

I won't call your device worthless, but those pop-up flashes are so weak to begin with that diffusing them puts serious limitations on their usefullness.

[T Kubik]

Yeah, I see what you're saying. That's a female dog BTW, who would put a collar like that on a male dog ;) Now that I look at it closer, there's actually a more pronounced shadow on the right side of her head also. Oh well, it was worth a try.

[SYS]

Now go get some real ping pong balls... :lol:

[T Kubik]

Now go get some real ping pong balls... :lol:


just ordered them.

[ilovemycamera]

ping pong balls?

[T Kubik]

ping pong balls?

Yeah, the rumor is if you cut a slit the size of your flash in the ball and slide it over, it will work just like a diffuser.

[Headcase650]

Its the basic idea of the omnibounce for your pop up flash.

[deadpass]

better hope gary fong doesn't hear about this idea or we'll be seeing ping pong lightspheres for 30 a pop.

[TeamSpeed]

I took one of those outlet protectors (frosted white little plug-in thingies) and bent the plastic prongs such that it clips right over the top of the flash. It diffuses just enough to make a difference to even the light out a bit. Very cheap. I could post a pic of what I am talking about, but the stock photo is this:

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/B0009VRRU6.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg