Flash Help. Make shift diffuser ideas?

[Pumpkin]

Hi there. I use a Minolta A2 and I just purchased the 5600HS (D) program flash. I have been meaning to buy somesort of diffuser to go over it to soften the flash when doing portraits. I have a session schduled tomorrow and I could normally bounce the flash off the ceiling, but they are 12 foot ceilings and I am afraid it will not be enough. So any "trade secrets" you can share with me of a good make-shift diffuser I can use?

We are setting up by some good windows, but I would like to have the flash handy if I need to use it. I will be taking pictures of a 4 month old in her nursery. I will be taking close-ups of her. I guess I could just use my built in right and adjust the settings on it to not be so powerful? I can probably do that on this new flash as well, but I am still trying to figure it out.

I am very new to all this, especially using such a powerful flash so all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[mjs1973]

Hi there. I use a Minolta A2 and I just purchased the 5600HS (D) program flash. I have been meaning to buy somesort of diffuser to go over it to soften the flash when doing portraits. I have a session schduled tomorrow and I could normally bounce the flash off the ceiling, but they are 12 foot ceilings and I am afraid it will not be enough. So any "trade secrets" you can share with me of a good make-shift diffuser I can use?

We are setting up by some good windows, but I would like to have the flash handy if I need to use it. I will be taking pictures of a 4 month old in her nursery. I will be taking close-ups of her. I guess I could just use my built in right and adjust the settings on it to not be so powerful? I can probably do that on this new flash as well, but I am still trying to figure it out.

I am very new to all this, especially using such a powerful flash so all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

From what I have read, a clean white handkerchief will do the trick. One layer will cut your light output to aprox 1/2, which is equal to one f/stop. If you need more than that, double it, or tripple it.

Hope this helps.
Michael

[Pumpkin]

From what I have read, a clean white handkerchief will do the trick. One layer will cut your light output to aprox 1/2, which is equal to one f/stop. If you need more than that, double it, or tripple it.

Hope this helps.
Michael

Michael. Thank you so much for a quick response! I thought I had read once about tissue paper, but I cannot remember exactly what it said. But your suggestion is perfect.

Thanks!

[Clemmie]

Good idea on the 'handkerchief diffuser'. I would add translucent White plastic or card stock as alternatives.

I think this subject would be a good time to link up all the automation, and let Minolta's computers do their thing. The 5600 is capable of firing at as little as 1/30th power - which is about what would be called for here. At full power, it oughta require a license!

[Pumpkin]

Good idea on the 'handkerchief diffuser'. I would add translucent White plastic or card stock as alternatives.

I think this subject would be a good time to link up all the automation, and let Minolta's computers do their thing. The 5600 is capable of firing at as little as 1/30th power - which is about what would be called for here. At full power, it oughta require a license!

Hi there. Thanks for everyone's ideas. Dumb question, how do you attach the handkerchief or the other alternatives to the flash? The answer is probably very obvious, but I have a hard time wrapping my head around it. Do you just place the handderchief around the flash itself?

Also Clemmie, I did play around with the flash. It will go down to a value of 1/32nd of power. So that will help greatly.

Thanks again!

[mjs1973]

Hi there. Thanks for everyone's ideas. Dumb question, how do you attach the handkerchief or the other alternatives to the flash? The answer is probably very obvious, but I have a hard time wrapping my head around it. Do you just place the handderchief around the flash itself?

Also Clemmie, I did play around with the flash. It will go down to a value of 1/32nd of power. So that will help greatly.

Thanks again!

I would try attaching it with a rubber band like the red in the photo shows. Also, make sure the handkerchief isn't covering anything important on the flash, such as a photo cell, or obstructing the TTL function on the flash.

Hope this helps.
Michael

[Outdoorsman]

The best solution to this is to make your own version of the plastic ones they sell for 20 clams.
Finish a gallon of milk (or juice). Rinse the jug thoroughly with hot water. Find the flattest part of the jug and cut it out. Then make it into a rectangle as wide as the flash head and three times as tall. Then fold it using a ruler or straightedge to get sharp creases. You will fold it so it ends up with three identical panels, the center one of which you put in front of the flash tube. Using a rubber band as was described for the handkerchief idea and shown in the attached image, secure the plastic in place.
It will end up looking a lot more professional than a hanky and it will allow more light through. You can double two of them up to get more diffusion. My estimate is that one of these diffusers cuts about 1/3 to 1/2 stop off the flash power (non-scientific guess).
Also, when you have the rubber band in place, it gives you the ability to stick a white card under it to get some forward bounce when you are shooting with the flash head in a more verical orientation.
The two pics illustrate the diffuser on my flash and how to insert the white card. This system works very well for me and costs nothing. The plastic is durable and easy to clean. Oh, and the blusih cast to the plastic in the pics is the fault of the digital camera I borrowed. This method does not alter the color of your images at all.
Good luck!

[Pumpkin]

The best solution to this is to make your own version of the plastic ones they sell for 20 clams.
Finish a gallon of milk (or juice). Rinse the jug thoroughly with hot water. Find the flattest part of the jug and cut it out. Then make it into a rectangle as wide as the flash head and three times as tall. Then fold it using a ruler or straightedge to get sharp creases. You will fold it so it ends up with three identical panels, the center one of which you put in front of the flash tube. Using a rubber band as was described for the handkerchief idea and shown in the attached image, secure the plastic in place.
It will end up looking a lot more professional than a hanky and it will allow more light through. You can double two of them up to get more diffusion. My estimate is that one of these diffusers cuts about 1/3 to 1/2 stop off the flash power (non-scientific guess).
Also, when you have the rubber band in place, it gives you the ability to stick a white card under it to get some forward bounce when you are shooting with the flash head in a more verical orientation.
The two pics illustrate the diffuser on my flash and how to insert the white card. This system works very well for me and costs nothing. The plastic is durable and easy to clean. Oh, and the blusih cast to the plastic in the pics is the fault of the digital camera I borrowed. This method does not alter the color of your images at all.
Good luck!

You guys have been great! I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to explain that to me in more detail. I guess I was over thinking it. I am almost done with a gallon of milk and I have a new way of recycling some of that plastic. Thanks again!