Home made macro flash with fibre optics

[whom]

So I thought I should sell off some bits and bobs and found my old home made macro flash. I took some pictures ready to sell it... but couldn't bring myself to. So instead I will put the pictures up here to save them going to waste.

I have no use for this any more since the 5D2 doesn't have a pop up flash. But anyway, using velcro and fibre optic cable I created the following:

to fit on my 50mm with macro tubes

 

[johnnypanic]

Fantastic idea.

Did it work well or was there any obvious drawbacks to this method?

 

[whom]

I found it worked very well. Nice and tight to the lens meaning it didn't effect composure.

The largest flaw was that it cant be moved forwards or backwards so only works with a very certain length lens and tube combo. Too short and you get some glare, too long and you get shadows.

 

[johnnypanic]

What did you use to attach it to the pop up flash?

I can see some velcro there but something else also.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

amazing. Try to develop a commercial product, and don't forget Speedlite users.

 

[gnrpix]

Wow Really impressed with the results, how did you come up with the idea?

 

[whom]

Yeah velcro just wraps around the pop up flash.

I got the idea from those great big "o ring" things from ebay. They seem too clumsy though so I made this instead

Just wish I had a pop up flash again! Or a flash so small it sits in the same place as a pop up flash!

 

[johnnypanic]

Forgot to ask, where did you purchase the fibre optic cable and what size (thickness)?

 

[squishy]

Just wish I had a pop up flash again! Or a flash so small it sits in the same place as a pop up flash!

Have you looked into the 270 exII? Might fit the bill.


That certainly is an excellent idea, I'd probably buy something like that if it was commercially available!
As it is, I may have to have a go at making something similar myself

 

[whom]

It's a couple of mil thick and I got it from the one and only electronic bay.

The problem with any external flash is that the head is too big so you'd need a lot of fibres to catch all the light. I think the 270ex is the same. I took apart my Jessops 360 yesterday and might remove the head and extend the cables to make a new macro flash.

Haha I'd love to try and turn it commercial. I don't think it could be profitable though. There is a lot more than meets the eye to making one so it would take a good couple of hours. Plus each one would need to be bespoke depending on the lens people plan to use it with. I couldn't imagine it being reasonable to price it any higher than £25. Hmm...