DIY Diffuser

[Padowan]

I've just bought a camera and housing off e-bay and want to start playing with it - I have a spare HID lamp that I was gonna use as a Video light, but know that the light needs to be diffused to stop it having a big hot spot in the middle.

Any advice of a way that I can make a diffuser out of something opaque like a tupperware lid or something? Anyone had any experience of this?

[Colin Marriott]

Tracing paper perhaps ....

The ones that come with the Light Cannon are opaque plactic circles that sit between the lamp holder and the front lens. I guess you could do the same.


ColinM

[triplefin]

I've got a DS50 strobe which I also would like to tone down a bit at times when using it on auto TTL as it only has one power setting (unlike the 125 which I can only dream of at the moment ) So anyone who has made/tried out experiemented with homemade diffusers i would also be interested in.

I find white things very difficult to photograph as the light just bounces off and burns out patches on things. Even putting the strobe as far away as possible doesnt always work as then the rest is not lit properly. Angling it away to get it just in the pool of light rather than the central often results in the same.

[Okeanos]

Milk carton sides, they are cheap and easily replacable. Make it larger than you need, punch holes in the side and bungy it on. This works best with strobes on digital cameras.

For video work you need to get rid of hot spots, as said the light cannon has some thin plastic screens that fit inside the case. Video lenses can be bought for most HID lamps, but they are not cheap, try a milk carton first

[triplefin]

I'm assuming you mean the usual rectangular translucent bottle type cartons that you get in tescos or asda?
I neglected to say that I already use a diffuser practically all the time on my strobe....should I try 2!

[MartinW]

Originally Posted by triplefin

I neglected to say that I already use a diffuser practically all the time on my strobe....should I try 2!

Go for it and let us know!!

[Okeanos]

Originally Posted by triplefin

I'm assuming you mean the usual rectangular translucent bottle type cartons that you get in tescos or asda?
I neglected to say that I already use a diffuser practically all the time on my strobe....should I try 2!

Yes the rectangular ones, just cut out a section of the side big enough to cover the strobe and return around the edges, make a couple of holes and use a bit of bungy cord, a bit like a wrist slate. (for the real DIY'ers they make good wrist slates, put tape on them and write on the tape, replace tape for new schedule, or make another for another depth/runtime)

If you are getting a problem with images burning out, then yes use 2, they are free and don't take too long to make. You can make several and use more than one at once depending on how much you want to reduce the light.

[daz]

Originally Posted by Padowan

Any advice of a way that I can make a diffuser out of something opaque like a tupperware lid or something? Anyone had any experience of this?

That's exactly what I use! Found one that was just the right size.

Daz

[JohnK]

Simple - the end caps off pringles - theyre great and virtually free !!

[frosty the snowman]

Originally Posted by JohnK

Simple - the end caps off pringles - theyre great and virtually free !!

Absolutely. Sour cream and chive work best. Not the lite ones though...