diffusing material

[cowasaki]

I am after some sheet material that will diffuse light to make a light box. Any ideas about what works best or where to get it?

 

[Big_Bill]

I used a cut up pillow case when I had my home made one, but don't tell the Mrs

 

[Garry Edwards]

You want ripstop nylon, try our friend Mr. Google.
Alternatively, plain white shower curtain will do the job.

 

[cowasaki]

Thanks, I should have stated I am after a rigid material like perspex type stuff

 

[rdh]

Another vote for rip-stop nylon.

Edit: Ah - no idea about hard materials!

 

[Clickawaymedia]

What about this.... 3mm frosted perspex

 

[cowasaki]

Fantastic, just what I was after !!!

I shall buy some.

 

[Suvv]

Not rigid but Ikea plastic sheet drawer liner is quite good, a bit like thick, strong bubblewrap - get the clear not the smokey colour

 

[Flash In The Pan]

Or even a few sheets of A4 paper :nuts:

 

[Richard King]

or a shower curtain

 

[instamatic]

If you want a specific density of diffusing material, try looking for lighting filter on the internet. Also a flexible material can be supported by sandwiching it between two sheets of clear perspex or glass. (Do not try to glue it all over as it effects the diffusion properties in certain cases).

 

[JerrardM]

when you say ripstop nylon do you mean the same stuff they use for parachutes? just found some on ebay and want to buy it but want to be sure it is the right stuff.

thanks

 

[Garry Edwards]

when you say ripstop nylon do you mean the same stuff they use for parachutes? just found some on ebay and want to buy it but want to be sure it is the right stuff.

thanks

It's the stuff used on the diffusing panels of softboxes.

 

[JerrardM]

It's the stuff used on the diffusing panels of softboxes.

thanks but what I'm trying to find out as I don't have a softbox to compare it to is if there are different types of ripstop nylon. When I have googled 'ripstop nylon' it has come up with material used in the making of kites and parachutes and I wasn't sure if this was the same type of nylon used in softboxes. I think I will just buy it as it is not that expensive and see what happens.

 

[oldfella]

using any kind of cloth does give you a small light loss.

 

[instamatic]

Hi Jerrard, ripstop nylon is also known as grid cloth in the film industry. Search the net for "grid cloth". And may be able to get a "swatch" showing you examples.