All images shot with a Canon 40D, Canon MPE65 1X-5X macro lens
and Canon MT24EX Twin Flash
with DIY Diffuser.
Sample shots:
There is just this one thing that bothers me though - the twin catch lights in subjects with big reflective eyes, such as my favorite spider - jumping spider! In the image above, the highlight/catch lights in the eyes have been toned down in PP. It was much brighter originally!
Now compare it to another jumper shot lit with a big bowl diffuser:
I prefer a single, bigger catch light like this.
For more lighting comparison, please check out A Comparison of Different Lighting Setups.
Now a couple of sample shots from the newest diffuser:
The dome is transparent PP material from a mineral water bottle, covered with 2 layers of polystyrene sheets. Idea from Stephen's cup diffuser (SteB1) on Juza forum.
I used 3M medical tape to hold the concave diffuser in place. But i think I will get some moldable plastic to DIY a better holder!
3M medical tape
Moldable Plastic
Now the sample shots:
Definitely nicer catch lights in the spider's eyes. However, the catch lights seem to be much brighter in the smaller pair of front-facing eyes though.
More to be improved on the newest diffuser. Perhaps a more opaque material Stay tuned.
Edit: slightly improved version of the cheap but great DIY Concave Diffuser is here.
definitely must better but it is annoying front object ... make a lot of bugs flew off
ReplyDeleteYa...the diffuser gets in the way quite often:(
ReplyDeleteI'll just use the older one for non jumper....and use this cup diffuser for jumper, i guess.
Well I certainly have to do something about diffusing my MT-24EX. There is so much to learn when you are first starting out but now I am focusing on the catch-lights in the eyes of esp my jumper images and I need to tone them down I too like just the one light.
ReplyDeleteI am forever bumping into leaves etc that the above diffuser wouldn't work for me as my jumpers are always hiding in leafy environments.
Still looks good for other situations.
Thanks for sharing your tips and tricks, great stuff Kurt.
Mel (melieli) on Flickr.
Hi Mel, yes, this cup diffuser does get in the way a lot. Maybe you can coax the jumper into coming out. Most jumpers will allow me to hold the leaf they're on.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, Steb @ Juza forum is working on a new design. I can't wait to see what it's going to be like :)
I will keep an eye out for the new Diffusers.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kurt.