Oct
06

DIY: Ring flash

Photography, DIY
Ring Flash Example
picture by jedrek

I love to try different stuff in photography but one of my main problems is, like everyone else, MONEY. So I can’t always allow myself to pay for new material specially when I know it won’t be more than a fantasy.That’s why I love so much the do it yourself projects and I am constently seeking for them.

Here are 4 different resources for DIY project to build your own cheap flash ring

First is from jedrek it was posted on flickr and I got it from strobist. You can find here a bigger version of the project and a full discussion on the project on the Strobist Flickr group.

Second is from ReadyMade magazine and the third one is from DigiHack

The fourth and final is how to use your camera built-in flash as a ring flash and it was taken from photography on the net forum


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  • Nam
    I had the same idea too . People that are lazy can use the paper towel roll , since it's always long . We need :
    1. the roll ( after u finish your paper towel )
    2. foil
    3. Foam bowl or plate
    4. whatever kind of glue
    5. xacto knife , or scissor
    6. magnifier lens ,or small fresnel lens if u made it in rectangular shape
    OKi.

    Cut the roll along its length . Open it and put foil on the inside surface ( this is for your popup flash reflection , lose the least light . If you don't put foil , u might creat a snoot tube ^^) . Now the step b4 tape it back to its form.
    fresnel lens , or magnifier lens was used to create the flash extender as u can see around the internet . If you can find a lens that could be fit inside the foil tube/roll , It will be great . If not , there is few options for you . 1 / Drop-in lens : in case that you found a rectangular lens , u can cut a hole on the tube anywhere you want . I prefer the further , the better . 2/ In the end lens : If it s way bigger than the tube ( I prefer the small one . We use the big one for a real flash extender).Just tape it on the side that you decide will be the end of the tube ( Cut the end like a flower then open up , put some glue/hot glue on , put the lens on )
    Now u cantpe the roll back to its original form.
    Ok, we need another tube for the rest .
    We will put the foil onto it the same way we did above . but We need to cut it into some shapes before that . Cut along its length first . Shape 1 : we need to cut it in right-V shape , which create a 45* with the tube and bounce the flash 90* down to where we want. tape it on the end of your tube / lens . Another short tube for it to reach the ring .
    Create the ring , another short tube( depends on your lens diameter) in the middle of the plate/bowl . Everything need to be cover with foil .
    Sometimes, U just need some ideas and create your own style .
  • cheryl
    what exactly does the ring flash do... show a picture with it would be helpful
    thannks
  • @Anon I am sorry about that but the thread is more than 1 year old ! Hyperlink must have died in the process

    @Klei ah you are not ? Too bad ;)
  • klein
    So where are the instructions!?!?!!? Nothing here but a little text and I'm not clicking on every damn hyperlink!
  • Anon
    The ReadyMade and DigiHack links aren't working. :(
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