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Photography F.A.Q (Last Updated: 2024 Dec 31 10:42 am)




Subject: dSLR Pop-up Flash Diffuser

NightGallery opened this issue on Jul 21, 2009 · 4 posts
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NightGallery ( ) posted Tue, 21 July 2009 at 10:46 AM · edited Tue, 24 December 2024 at 7:11 AM

Attached Link: Gary Fong Puffer Diffuser

file_435034.jpg

Just an FYI post. I recently decided to start trying some of my macro shots using my flash, Since I had my cast on and it was effecting how steady I could hold the camera at somewhat lower shutter speeds. Also with the recent heatwave we are having here in So. Cal. the morning has been the best time to get some insect shots. While its still cool in the morning the insects are not moving so fast and easier to get shots of.

The draw back is that most of my shots are in light shade and I was forced to up the ISO and caused a lot of graininess or open the aperture so much that I have too narrow a DOF.

Past results with my flash had some mixed success. Usually harsh shadows and hot spots in the image. So I started playing with a homemade diffuser made out of a plastic Milk Carton. It worked alright and was giving consistently good results.

After looking around online I found the Gary Fong Puffer Diffuser (link attached). I found one at a local camera shop for 19$. And have to say I am really impressed with it so far. It does a great job diffusing the pop-up flash and in shade allows me to keep my ISO at 200 (which has little noise on my XTi) and a great f/11 to f/13 setting in AV mode. Also seems to eliminate the lens shadow I was getting without it since my 50mm with the close-up filters has my shooting distance at about 2 inches.

I have even been using the flash in my shots in sunlight as well to help fill and ease some shadows. For 19$ I am pretty happy with it so far. For pretty much any flash shots in any style I would recommend it.

Will fit most dSLR cameras with a standard hot shoe.

Shot attached is of a small spider taken this morn with it. ISO 200, 1/200 f/10

helanker ( ) posted Tue, 21 July 2009 at 11:07 AM

Yes that looks really interesting. Thanks for the link.

kgb224 ( ) posted Wed, 22 July 2009 at 5:29 AM

The other option is to make your own flash diffuser.

kgb224 ( ) posted Wed, 22 July 2009 at 5:33 AM

Here is some links on how to make your own pop up flash diffusers.
http://www.diyphotography.net/diy-built-in-pop-up-flash-diffuser
http://www.dphotojournal.com/diy-dslr-pop-up-flash-diffuser/
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-built-in-pop-up-flash-diffuser-soft-screen/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Diffuser-for-a-pop-up-flash/
Trust this will be of help for everyone.

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