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Csae
10-20-2009, 11:46 PM
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2584/4030766899_372d1587ea.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4030768773_40e91477b5.jpg

Well fine not completely. Just missing a 2nd or 3rd coat of paint and a diffuser panel.

It packs enough of a punch for most headshots, full portraits maybe only as fill.

The flash fits in at the bottom, and i put a little velcro to ensure it doesn't fall out and to make sure the flash stay tilted, that way its easier to read and hold. If im holding the flash with my left hand, i can also easily change the power settings.

I made the rig mostly for headshots, so i sorta jam my 70-200 f4L hood inside, then i can easily lock the lens in place and the rig will hold, i can hold and operate my camera normally, zooming, manual focus and all, or i can hold the rig by the flash, and use my camera separately with whatever lens i want. A bit hard to center the camera into the rig whenever i do this, so i may cut out some sort of clip on templates or something.

Test shots:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3531/4031516276_87c2e3c49f.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2706/4030764921_1484a42db0.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2488/4030815887_c5eb906103.jpg

The last change i made after seeing the pics was to add that small tab of diffusion right where the flash enters, since that area seems much more powerful, i also added some reflective tape on the very top to try and get the ring of light more even, i will probably make it as even as possible when i make the diffusing panel.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2689/4030770741_39b00190b7.jpg

Link to Flickr set:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43666519@N03/sets/72157622506179623/
(has large format for those interested)

Oh and kudos to my vivitar flash, it fell about 5 something feet, smashing into the floor, batterys flying, that front red cover flying as well exposing all the insides, stitched it back together and it works noproblem, even the yongnuo flash trigger made it out alive. The flash rattles inside now though, but aslong as it works, im not complaining :)

I followed a number of DYI guides on it, with my own changes since i want it mostly for headshots, going vertical - horizontal easily and being able to place it on a tripod were key, so by having the rig clip with the lens hood, it made it all much easier to handle.


Heres some guides:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8472611@N04/
http://www.motleypixel.com/forum/index.php/topic,80.0.html

They mention 25$, truth be told i ended up spending about 100$. I had to buy a number of tools to do this among the tapes glue primer paint flat sheet scissors etc, If i feel up to it, i will make a 3rd version, where i will spraypaint the insides glossy white to help with reflections, since i already have all the tools, it will actually only cost me 25$ at this point. And yeah, v1 never made it out the door.

FLiPMaRC
10-21-2009, 07:20 AM
:cool: Nice work!

adam75south
10-21-2009, 07:55 AM
very cool. now lemme borrow it.

Csae
10-22-2009, 12:13 PM
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2559/4035523924_0d773690f6.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2480/4034769719_afb3634c48.jpg

Done :) Used plexiglass with tracing paper on the inside for the diffusion panel, it got stuck inside a bit awkwardly but its solid, and can take a beating. The only problem now is that the bottom half is still even after double diffusion much much stronger then the top.

I've tested it on a few people, with great results, love the catchlight in the eyes, so much so, that when i saw these, i couldn't help myself.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2557/4035524668_60717634d4.jpg

Thats gonna be v3 right there boys, going from 10" to a 15.5" and much much more reflective, probably gonna get two YN flashes in there to help with the balance and power, also had an idea to get a modelling light thrown in.

FLiPMaRC
10-22-2009, 12:41 PM
I get dibs on V3 :D


What's the difference between what your DIY can do to a $37 ring flash thingy from eBay (http://www.mrstudioone.com/ebay/img/500/F170_01_500.jpg)? Softer ligthing?

Csae
10-22-2009, 01:38 PM
Not quite sure how efficient those ebay ones are, if they spend anytime making it efficient, its probably more efficient then mine, because the light would travel less. With that in mind,

V2 is basically softer lighting, and more durable, way way more durable.

Also cheaper really. Without the tools, the raw materials cost about 20$ to get.

I plan on making v3 more efficient, much bigger, and i want a damn modelling light.

So all in all, i guess aside from looks and build, we're comparing metal to plastic here, there isn't much difference right now. I find the catchlight of V2 to be too small when doing portraits with the 70-200, its about alright with the 50mm, which is why V3 is gonna be much bigger.

nqjudo
10-22-2009, 01:45 PM
You are one sick puppy Csae... I like it!!!

Mark_48
10-22-2009, 02:28 PM
In the sample image you've shown above there appears to be a secondary catchlight besides the circular one. Where did that come from?

Neat DIY project and is that an ebay mannequin?

tim11
10-22-2009, 03:11 PM
"High Speed" strobe? :D

adam75south
10-22-2009, 03:23 PM
put a wig on her.

Csae
10-22-2009, 09:10 PM
In the sample image you've shown above there appears to be a secondary catchlight besides the circular one. Where did that come from?

Neat DIY project and is that an ebay mannequin?

There is a catchlight painted onto the mannequin's eyes, then theres ringflash catchlight.

Don't know where it came from, was a birthday gift i received, can't say i use her too much so theres no point in a wig asfar as im concerned, the hat is more then enough. I tried to put a tripod plate onto her so i could put her onto one of my lightstands for easier use, but the material isn't great to work with.

And if i put a wig on her theres always the possibility that i may get attached.

FLiPMaRC
10-23-2009, 07:21 AM
Looks like you're using the RF-602. How long have you had it? Any good?

Csae
10-23-2009, 01:45 PM
About 3 or 4 months now.

They work great, better then the V4s i had, im very impressed with them. I had to specifically ask for cables though, for some reason they usually ship only with shutter release cables...

FLiPMaRC
10-23-2009, 01:57 PM
About 3 or 4 months now.

They work great, better then the V4s i had, im very impressed with them. I had to specifically ask for cables though, for some reason they usually ship only with shutter release cables...

:cool:Nice. I'm considering trying out a set. eBay has a "OHAVE" brand (not Youngnuo) that sells for $29 a set transmitter/receiver. They do specify for which camera you're going to use it for.

Csae
10-23-2009, 01:59 PM
The point about the YN was that they were 2.4ghz and could wake up your flashes, so they needed to match your camera for the wake up signal to be received.

They can also be used as a remote shutter for the camera with AF, so the cables also have to match your camera...

So all in all, the YNs at least really do need to match your camera but for good reasons.