DIY Ring-Flash with build imgs and sample shots...

[JGonzales]

Hey everyone,

I'm new here and have become a big fan of this DIY ring flash.  I would love to make one myself, I just  simply don't have the time between school and work to build this myself.  Or half of the tools for that matter.  Would anyone who has already completed a build be willing to make one for me, for a few bucks of course?  I'd also pay for all supplies and shipping.  Thanks ahead of time and sorry if this type of request isn't allowed.  

Please feel free to email me directly  @  Joe_Gonzales@mac.com

[motleypixel]

Joe, welcome to the MP.  Hummm...I know I'm the same way right now...just way too busy.  Maybe once you finish up school and gain sometime a project like this would be fun for you.  I wish I could help you but I just can't fullfill a request like this.

[JGonzales]

Thank you for at least considering it. 

[motleypixel]

Well, for shade I used IKEA tureen http://www.ikea.com/ru/ru/catalog/products/30081467 , it's 28cm(11") in diameter, as for vent reducer that's not vent reducer , it's just IKEA tin (3.3") http://www.ikea.com/ru/ru/catalog/products/20083650.
The only one disadvantage of that design is weight (1 kg without camera, flash and flash trigger). What's weight of your device? 

Mine weighs 1lb 5.8oz

[cstark]

Does anyone have an opinion as to whether or not the Nikon SB-400 is powerful enough for a setup like this? (or whatever the entry-level Canon flash is)

I am interested in making a ring flash and I own the sb-400.  Thanks for the help!

[motleypixel]

Welcome cstark to the MP...good questions...I know the Canon 430 is good enough...420 (discontinued?) may not be...well...it lacks manual settings. 

Any Nikonions what to chime in?

[cyan]

Thanks very much for this great work, I have started assembling the bits.
I have a couple of ideas I would like to explore with it.
I have seen some stainless steel mixing bowls ( light weight) that seem to be the correct size and shape and come with a polished surface. They also have a flat base to cut the hole in. I might even go up a size to 15" or 17".
As for the hot spot in the lower section, I note that the flash head actually points slightly towards the inner face of the diffuser, and that will contribute to this effect; perhaps a business card or even a small piece of reflective aluminium placed in the flash head a la press photographers, might be the answer.
Any comments on these points appreciated - I will post my progress.
Thanks again for the great work.

[motleypixel]

As for the hot spot in the lower section, I note that the flash head actually points slightly towards the inner face of the diffuser, and that will contribute to this effect; perhaps a business card or even a small piece of reflective aluminium placed in the flash head a la press photographers, might be the answer.

Yep you are right and what I've done to help is to extend the built-in bounce card on my 580EX before inserting it into the ring-flash and that helps a lot.  So for the next round or starting a new one, I would try to make it insert as straight up as possible.

Welcome to the forum and thanks for posting...please do post your progress.

[motleypixel]

Here's another post on how to create this...the base on this one is really nice:  http://davidtejada.blogspot.com/2007/12/building-ring-flash.html

[StNick]

I just want to throw in my two cents here and give a big thank you for this fantastic tutorial / thread...  I've finally got myself a 580EX II and I'm very excited to get started on building my own Ring-Flash for macro photography.

Living in South Africa though, finding all the materials is going to be somewhat of a mission...  I think my biggest concern is those screws that attach the camera and flash to the bracket...

Wish me luck, and thanks again for a fantastic resource!

[motleypixel]

StNice...welcome to the MP and thanks for the kind words.  The best of luck to you on your build of the ring flash!

[Mike Marchesan]

Hi there,
 
First off, thank you for taking the time and effort for making such a detailed, well thought out and clear tutorial on how to make a ring flash.
 
One question I have though is what do I necessarily look for to get that off-flash sync contraption you use?  I have two flashes, a canon 380 EX, and a very old Vivitar flash.  Honestly, I use the vivitar flash much more because my canon flash seems to only work on an auto mode, and I can never get the proper amount of flash out of it.  Are there such devices for my vivitar flash? Or only for the Canon Flash?
 
Your inquiry will be greatly appreciated,
 
Best,
 
Mike Marchesan

[motleypixel]

Mike thank you for posting this here and registering.  I will try to answer your questions.

One question I have though is what do I necessarily look for to get that off-flash sync contraption you use?

Well since the 380 is only auto/e-ttl, then yes stick with and use your Vivatar flash.  So in your case you simply need a Canon DSLR body sync cord to attached to the camera and then to your Vivitar and here’s one that would work: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/681198-REG/Vivitar_VIV_FC_CAN_Digital_Off_Shoe_Flash_Cord.html&BI=1869&KBID=2515 realize that this version isn’t reviewed very well and my only concern is that you need the flash end of the cord to be compatible with the Vivitar.  How do you fire your Vivitar…assuming via triggers only right?  Now this is still an option, but least preferred if you ask me.  Basically forego the use of a cord and mount the RX to the bracket and attach the flash to the RX and then fold up into the Ring Flash…you’ll need to design the bends in the bracket differently to accommodate this design.

Now if you go the cord route you have two ways to attach the flash end of the cord to the bracket.  First method is direct attach with a ¼” coarse thread thumb screw.  Notice how in the picture of the cord I posted above that the flash end has a female ¼” threaded hole on the underside, simply attach it to the bracket.  The other way, way I did it, is to permanently attach a female cold shoe which allow you to attach and remove the flash end of the cord…a product like this would work:  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/756663-REG/iDC_Photo_Video_E_01_0056_Cold_Shoe.htmll&BI=1869&KBID=2515

Now when you are finished or if you need further help post pictures of your rig in this thread if you can and then ultimately when you have some sample shots post them here too.

Thanks!

[DigitalScape]

Hey Roy, I see that your video got picked up by the Strobist (http://strobist.blogspot.com/2011/04/detailed-diy-ring-flash-tutorial.html).

[motleypixel]

This might explain my Google ad-sense revenue bump   Thanks John!