Other Macro Show us your macro rig

fl.ad said:
Hi.
A few months ago I showed you my complex diffuser. Things have changed since then.


06_fa.jpg

07_fa.jpg


If you interested, feel free to visit http://flash-adapter.com. I'm curious what do you think about it, I would be grateful for every comment.

Cheers
Click to expand...

I saw the prototype on blog a while back can't wait for you to get this to market... Looks awesome.

Only issue I see how it copes with various lens sizes does it extend?
 
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Thanks everyone for comments.

Tintin124 said:
Only issue I see how it copes with various lens sizes does it extend?
Click to expand...

The prototype from a blog was constructed to work with lenses from 50 mm to 150 mm. I only have a 105 mm and 50 mm, so this range I tested successfully. What may be interesting to you, is an optimal range of lighting (measured the same way as lens focus distance), which in the case of the prototype is from 22 cm to about 60 cm. But it seems mainly depends on the diameter of the ring with outlet channels.
Concepts 5.2 and 6.1 are designed to meet similar conditions. For longer lenses, 180 mm – 200 mm, was created concept 7.0 and it's range of efficient lighting should start from 30 cm.
All models are ridgid and don't extend. All contact with camera only and don't touch the lens. So you can mount any lens.
 
Finally got around to getting myself a Macro setup :D (after using my 70-200mm or 400mm f/2.8 most of the time to get dragonfly shots and anything that I could get close to! ) I got the Sigma 150mm f/2.8 as advised from some TP members on here, Only tried in briefly in the Garden but has surprised me how close you can focus with these beast! & IQ is stunning and can crop lots! Looking forward to using it as I have a day planned out tomorrow so hopefully will be able to get some decent shots with it!

Heres a pic of my setup now :

Nikon D800 + Sigma 150mm f/2.8
SB-700 on SB-29 TTL Cord


photo.JPG
 
Joeturner11 said:
Finally got around to getting myself a Macro setup :D (after using my 70-200mm or 400mm f/2.8 most of the time to get dragonfly shots and anything that I could get close to! ) I got the Sigma 150mm f/2.8 as advised from some TP members on here, Only tried in briefly in the Garden but has surprised me how close you can focus with these beast! & IQ is stunning and can crop lots! Looking forward to using it as I have a day planned out tomorrow so hopefully will be able to get some decent shots with it!

Heres a pic of my setup now :

Nikon D800 + Sigma 150mm f/2.8
SB-700 on SB-29 TTL Cord


photo.JPG
Click to expand...
Nice one. Looking forward to seeing some pics.
 
Ok its been a while since I posted my setups...

Reversed Lens 18-55mm - With Flash with sto-fen packaging sleeve and focus light torch (also helps with lighting)


Without adapter lighting setup. by bthomas124, on Flickr

Pringle setup... for Tamron and full tubes and 1.4x TC ------ Work in progress as don't really use full tubes on Tammy any more. so will be cut shorter.

Without adapter lighting setup. by bthomas124, on Flickr

Tamron with Ring Flash diffused

20140709_102420 by bthomas124, on Flickr
 
Can I ask what is the white material you guys use as a diffuser on your set up and where to buy it please?
 
ruffdog64 said:
Can I ask what is the white material you guys use as a diffuser on your set up and where to buy it please?
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Is packing sleeve like what you get around new TVs/electrical items. Also I got some when I bought a print from photobox. Sure you can buy it from amazon or fleabay.
 
I am building my own diffuser ( hopefully ) and just looking for some advise. I want to get the light angled down to focus more on where the action is. I would still like to have the flash mounted on the hot shoe therefore eliminating the need for a heavy bracket. I feel the best route for me is to adjust the flash unit down towards the lens I.E. tilt it down as my unit cant be adjusted below horizontal and this would make building the diffuser alot easier.
I have come across these two adapters.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&sku=89976&is=REG&A=details&Q=

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HAMA-Adjust...317?pt=US_Vintage_Cameras&hash=item56378cb375

So my couple of questions are.

Are these a good idea?

Does anyone know of anything i could use that is better and cheaper and give me the angle downwards that i am looking for.
 
T0p cat said:
I am building my own diffuser ( hopefully ) and just looking for some advise. I want to get the light angled down to focus more on where the action is. I would still like to have the flash mounted on the hot shoe therefore eliminating the need for a heavy bracket. I feel the best route for me is to adjust the flash unit down towards the lens I.E. tilt it down as my unit cant be adjusted below horizontal and this would make building the diffuser alot easier.
I have come across these two adapters.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&sku=89976&is=REG&A=details&Q=

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HAMA-Adjust...317?pt=US_Vintage_Cameras&hash=item56378cb375

So my couple of questions are.

Are these a good idea?

Does anyone know of anything i could use that is better and cheaper and give me the angle downwards that i am looking for.
Click to expand...
One of these is a standard hotshot so you can only use your flash in manual so if that is how you use your flash then yes it will be fine. The other has no contacts at all from what I can see so you cant just pop your flash on it and expect it to trigger.
 
One's got a cable (if you look at the images) so not sure if it will provide ETTL (or equivalent) but looks like it may be worth a shot (although a bit pricey).

EDIT: Apologies for the excessive use of bracketed comments in the above sentence (not really).
 
TimmyG said:
One's got a cable (if you look at the images) so not sure if it will provide ETTL (or equivalent) but looks like it may be worth a shot (although a bit pricey).

EDIT: Apologies for the excessive use of bracketed comments in the above sentence (not really).
Click to expand...

I found a cheaper version here in the UK, so happy to give it a go. I don't mind using a cable but are you saying if I use a cable the ETTL won't function?. (())
 
@T0p cat

No I'm saying if you trigger the flash off camera, you lose ETTL functionality unless you trigger it with something that supports it (it will usually tell you in the description if it does, it's quite a big selling point). Reading further the cord with the bracket linked above is actually to enable you to fire 2 flashes simultaneously, but it doesn't mention ETTL so my guess is you will l lose that functionality (even just using the hotshoe "trigger").
 
View attachment 20726
This is MK 11, just a square hole cut in and some kitchen role folded and put inside and held with tape, A piece of paper placed over the hole and taped down.
I just want a little bit more length on the diffuser. To be tested this weekend.
 
I can just about put a shelf up, so my DIY skills were challenged!!!

(photo quality poor - taken with a Blackberry!!!)

Pringles Diffuser Mk1 - Didnt really take enough shots to know if it was any good, and struggled to angle it down so decided to upgrade - please ignore dead cactus' !!

IMG-20140918-00204 by jus_tin_rib, on Flickr

Pringles Diffuser Mk2 - Used an indian takeaway tub... taking for a test drive this weekend.

IMG-20140918-00205 by jus_tin_rib, on Flickr

IMG-20140918-00206 by jus_tin_rib, on Flickr

IMG-20140918-00207 by jus_tin_rib, on Flickr

IMG-20140918-00208 by jus_tin_rib, on Flickr

IMG-20140918-00210 by jus_tin_rib, on Flickr
 
jus_tin said:
I can just about put a shelf up, so my DIY skills were challenged!!!

(photo quality poor - taken with a Blackberry!!!)

Pringles Diffuser Mk1 - Didnt really take enough shots to know if it was any good, and struggled to angle it down so decided to upgrade - please ignore dead cactus' !!

IMG-20140918-00204 by jus_tin_rib, on Flickr

Pringles Diffuser Mk2 - Used an indian takeaway tub... taking for a test drive this weekend.

IMG-20140918-00205 by jus_tin_rib, on Flickr

IMG-20140918-00206 by jus_tin_rib, on Flickr

IMG-20140918-00207 by jus_tin_rib, on Flickr

IMG-20140918-00208 by jus_tin_rib, on Flickr

IMG-20140918-00210 by jus_tin_rib, on Flickr
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It's easy to angle it down, you just cut a slit roughly 2/3 way around underneath, push part you want down and tape it to that angle.. Simples.
 
Good looking DIY diffusers we've got going on here. looking forward to seeing how they perform :)
 
He is mine.

Nothing fancy or expensive and more or less the same as a few others on here.

Just a Lumix G6 with Pany 100-300 plus Raynox 250 lens, Olympus FL-36R Flashgun connected with a canon O/C cord on a cheap chinese bracket a LumiQuest Defuser. It does work quite well though, and that's all that counts.




Paul
 
Paul-H said:
He is mine.

Nothing fancy or expensive and more or less the same as a few others on here.

Just a Lumix G6 with Pany 100-300 plus Raynox 250 lens, Olympus FL-36R Flashgun connected with a canon O/C cord on a cheap chinese bracket a LumiQuest Defuser. It does work quite well though, and that's all that counts.




Paul
Click to expand...

Add an extra layer to the softbox surgical tape and some poly sleeve (normally around TVs or photo frames purchased) the extra diffusion will do wonders I was surprised by difference between just Pixico and added layer.
 
Hi All

i was sorting through a box of Photographic junk and found this little old gem, only to be known to those of a certain age :whistle:



A pretty useless gadget in its day because of the lack of TTL flash control.

For a laugh I though I would bring it into the modern age and quickly cobbled together a TTL bracket to hold my Olympus FL-36R flashgun on my G6





And surprise surprise it actually worked, it obviously needs some diffusion material to take the harshness of the light but it worked really well, well for a quick bodge it worked well.

Now got to find something to Photograph with it.

Paul
 
Hi all

Had a slight re-arrangement of the above layout to make it a bit more portable, I basicaly replaced the larger FL-36 flash with the smaller FL-220 Gun, I knocked up a small custom bracket the hold the gun and TTL cable, which is a modified Canon TTL type cable. Early tests show it has potential, will post some images when I find something interesting to photograph and its not blowing a gale like it is now, well at least its a gale in the macro world.

Paul




 
Paul-H said:
Hi All

i was sorting through a box of Photographic junk and found this little old gem, only to be known to those of a certain age :whistle:



A pretty useless gadget in its day because of the lack of TTL flash control.

For a laugh I though I would bring it into the modern age and quickly cobbled together a TTL bracket to hold my Olympus FL-36R flashgun on my G6





And surprise surprise it actually worked, it obviously needs some diffusion material to take the harshness of the light but it worked really well, well for a quick bodge it worked well.

Now got to find something to Photograph with it.

Paul
Click to expand...

@TimmyG you see this. That could be the answer to the FMMB.
 
Paul-H said:
Hi All

i was sorting through a box of Photographic junk and found this little old gem, only to be known to those of a certain age :whistle:



A pretty useless gadget in its day because of the lack of TTL flash control.

For a laugh I though I would bring it into the modern age and quickly cobbled together a TTL bracket to hold my Olympus FL-36R flashgun on my G6





And surprise surprise it actually worked, it obviously needs some diffusion material to take the harshness of the light but it worked really well, well for a quick bodge it worked well.

Now got to find something to Photograph with it.

Paul
Click to expand...
That is awesome!
 
Tim
That set up is both ridiculous and amazing at once.
Canon were being muppets not supplying EVF though. What is it like using the lupe?
 
alfbranch said:
Tim
That set up is both ridiculous and amazing at once.
Canon were being muppets not supplying EVF though. What is it like using the lupe?
Click to expand...
It would be great if it didn't keep steaming up! I bought it to overcome any glare in bright sunshine, but I can see it failing miserably if I'm a bit hot a sweaty. I might try puncturing some holes in the eye patch to get the air circulating a bit. Aside from that it's good fun to use. It improves stability by holding it against you face, and it's easy to remove quickly if needed (it's held on by a metal frame you screw into the tripod mount, and the main part of the loupe snaps into place with magnets). It only cost me about a tenner off eBay so it was worth a try.
 
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Just in case anyone should be interested here is a brief description of how I have made a Flash Diffuser/Extender for my Macro/Close Up photography.


Container of Talc/Baby Powder from Asda £1.00 at the time of writing.
Talc Container-1320 by G.K.Jnr., on Flickr

Here I have put dotted lines as to where to cut the container (it's a good idea to empty it first).:)
The dotted line at the tapered right hand end is cut to the size of your speedlight head.
The other end is cut at the sides & bottom to form a hinge type opening. You then need to cut an angle of about 45 degrees to each side and also cut along the bottom to form an angled opening. Both cuts are shown by the dotted lines at the base left hand end of the container.
It's quite easy to cut with a Stanley Knife or even a good pair of Scissors.
Container Cutting Guide-1323 by G.K.Jnr., on Flickr

I have then put three layers of the material that is used for packing around electrical appliances across the opening and hinged top and secured it with black electrical tape. This material forms a diffuser with a light reflector that can be angled to whatever angle you fancy and will give you a reasonable amount of reflected fill in light.
I have then covered the rest of the container with black electrical tape just to give it a bit better look.
Flash Extender (1)-1326 by G.K.Jnr., on Flickr

Diffuser End View.
Flash Extender (2)-1330 by G.K.Jnr., on Flickr

This is the speedlight that I use with the standard diffuser in place, but of coarse you can cut the container aperture size to whatever unit you use.
SB800 Flash-1333 by G.K.Jnr., on Flickr

And here is the finished set up presented on a stand that can be activated with a triggering device or mounted on the hotshoe of whatever camera you use.
Flash & Extender-1336 by G.K.Jnr., on Flickr


Hope all this is of some help to you.,

George.
 
G.K.Jnr. said:
Just in case anyone should be interested here is a brief description of how I have made a Flash Diffuser/Extender for my Macro/Close Up photography.


Container of Talc/Baby Powder from Asda £1.00 at the time of writing.
Talc Container-1320 by G.K.Jnr., on Flickr

Here I have put dotted lines as to where to cut the container (it's a good idea to empty it first).:)
The dotted line at the tapered right hand end is cut to the size of your speedlight head.
The other end is cut at the sides & bottom to form a hinge type opening. You then need to cut an angle of about 45 degrees to each side and also cut along the bottom to form an angled opening. Both cuts are shown by the dotted lines at the base left hand end of the container.
It's quite easy to cut with a Stanley Knife or even a good pair of Scissors.
Container Cutting Guide-1323 by G.K.Jnr., on Flickr

I have then put three layers of the material that is used for packing around electrical appliances across the opening and hinged top and secured it with black electrical tape. This material forms a diffuser with a light reflector that can be angled to whatever angle you fancy and will give you a reasonable amount of reflected fill in light.
I have then covered the rest of the container with black electrical tape just to give it a bit better look.
Flash Extender (1)-1326 by G.K.Jnr., on Flickr

Diffuser End View.
Flash Extender (2)-1330 by G.K.Jnr., on Flickr

This is the speedlight that I use with the standard diffuser in place, but of coarse you can cut the container aperture size to whatever unit you use.
SB800 Flash-1333 by G.K.Jnr., on Flickr

And here is the finished set up presented on a stand that can be activated with a triggering device or mounted on the hotshoe of whatever camera you use.
Flash & Extender-1336 by G.K.Jnr., on Flickr


Hope all this is of some help to you.,

George.
Click to expand...

That looks ok George, I hope its reaches the end of your lens. Looking forward to more shots with this setup too.
 
Graham said:
That looks ok George, I hope its reaches the end of your lens. Looking forward to more shots with this setup too.
Click to expand...

Thanks Graham, no problems with reach it appears to be working very well.

George.
 
G.K.Jnr. said:
Just in case anyone should be interested here is a brief description of how I have made a Flash Diffuser/Extender for my Macro/Close Up photography.


Container of Talc/Baby Powder from Asda £1.00 at the time of writing.
Talc Container-1320 by G.K.Jnr., on Flickr

Here I have put dotted lines as to where to cut the container (it's a good idea to empty it first).:)
The dotted line at the tapered right hand end is cut to the size of your speedlight head.
The other end is cut at the sides & bottom to form a hinge type opening. You then need to cut an angle of about 45 degrees to each side and also cut along the bottom to form an angled opening. Both cuts are shown by the dotted lines at the base left hand end of the container.
It's quite easy to cut with a Stanley Knife or even a good pair of Scissors.
Container Cutting Guide-1323 by G.K.Jnr., on Flickr

I have then put three layers of the material that is used for packing around electrical appliances across the opening and hinged top and secured it with black electrical tape. This material forms a diffuser with a light reflector that can be angled to whatever angle you fancy and will give you a reasonable amount of reflected fill in light.
I have then covered the rest of the container with black electrical tape just to give it a bit better look.
Flash Extender (1)-1326 by G.K.Jnr., on Flickr

Diffuser End View.
Flash Extender (2)-1330 by G.K.Jnr., on Flickr

This is the speedlight that I use with the standard diffuser in place, but of coarse you can cut the container aperture size to whatever unit you use.
SB800 Flash-1333 by G.K.Jnr., on Flickr

And here is the finished set up presented on a stand that can be activated with a triggering device or mounted on the hotshoe of whatever camera you use.
Flash & Extender-1336 by G.K.Jnr., on Flickr


Hope all this is of some help to you.,

George.
Click to expand...

Brilliant George just be careful of light bounce with that as light will be reflected back into end of len's.

It looks great, did you line the inside with foil/runners foil blanket.

This may just provide a solution for my reverse setup thanks.
 
Tintin124 said:
Brilliant George just be careful of light bounce with that as light will be reflected back into end of len's.

It looks great, did you line the inside with foil/runners foil blanket.

This may just provide a solution for my reverse setup thanks.
Click to expand...


Thanks Bryn, much appreciated.(y)

The inside is as it comes just the white of the container.

George.
 
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