Uber-cheap light modifier for just over 50 cents!

[jerryph]

Today I invested in a new light modifier for a larger room and it was very expensive... an entire 57 cents each! :p

The local pharmacy had bottles of isopropyl alcohol on sale and I took the last 2 and made "Gary Fong" quality diffusers out of them, but instead of paying $45-$60 each, I saved a few pennies. :rolleyes:

I sometimes chuckle at how amazing what a knife, some gaffers tape and literally 2 minutes of time can do! :D
(shot taken beside the factory Nikon diffuser that comes with a SB-800)
http://www.syner-g.org/files/8.jpghttp://www.syner-g.org/files/9.jpg

Straight flash into the ceiling and the plastic bottle on top of the flash to give you an idea of the top dispersion pattern. Ideally, you would want to lower the top tip of the bottle to the same height as the bare flash head, but this was a totally unscientific and not very accurate test:
http://www.syner-g.org/files/133.jpghttp://www.syner-g.org/files/134.jpg

The bottle really sends out a nice swath of soft light and I can light an entire room of 15 X 15 feet at a flash power settings of 1/16th and camera settings of F/2.8, ISO 400 and any shutter speed up to 1/250th quite evenly (or I can light a nice area of 15 X 30 foot area by using 2 of these puppies in a cross lit situation). Of course if I needed more DOF, raise the power up 2 stops to 1/4 and push the aperture to F/5.6 and I should be gold for about any situation needed.

I cannot light that same room to anywhere close to that even level just bouncing a bare flash upwards like I can with the bottle diffuser.

Another little tool for the tool chest! :)

[Kaye]

Jerry, I love this.

I myself use some very "primative methods" and some work rather well and cost nothing apart from looking around the house, as you have said.

The simple things just need some brain power and a bit of thought, but not much money. You have so many great ideas. I am saving them all for when I am ready and have learned enough.
I believe that part of the "artist" in photography is the capability of being able to invent.....

Thanks for sharing all your experiences.

[roadkill]

Jerry,

Read this post a couple months back. It definitely works. I modified mine and placed a strips of duct tape on on side facing the me in order to project more light outward. It is funny to see my friends facial expressions who have spent a few dollars on the gary fong type and I tell them mine cost a $1.49. I just smile. Thanks

[jerryph]

I just spoke to someone who spent $85 on a GF fong-dong and was all ga-ga over how good it was. I whipped out my $10 diffuser and he was actually a little insulting... until I insisted that he put it on his flash.

About 5 minutes later, he was extremely apologetic and flat out told me that he agreed he was getting consistently better results with the diffuser than his fong-dong and was 100% going to make his own this weekend.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1294/4679250072_56cf90a842.jpg

I just love it when I can save a nice amount plus take the time to make it better than the commercial unit! :D

Version 4 is just around the corner, I have the materials, now I just need the time to make it!

If I saved 1 person the money and showed them how to make a better light modifier cheaper and hence improve their photography with it, that thought puts a smile on my face. :D