New DIY project (pt II)
Here are the shots of the ring light.
The flash being used here is a Vivitar 285 HV. They were originally made in the 70's or 80's (maybe early 90's) and current photographers loved them so much that Vivitar decided to begin manufacturing them again. The secondary market for these was hot. Units were going for $125+ for essentially a manual flash. But new units are now $89 with a warranty......speaking of warranty.....I have a unit I sent in TWICE to Vivitar in California. I sent it out Jan 9th. It returned to me Jan 23rd. Unfixed. Then I sent it out again Jan 24th. It's not back yet and supposedly they are going to replace it. If you can believe customer service that speaks broken English. I think the only thing they did was put batteries in it and saw the pretty red and green lights. But they probably never test fired it or put it on a camera. If they would have, they would know the damn thing is BROKE. Arhghghgh.
Okay, sorry.
I didn't take any pictures of the process of making the ringlight. I also know I will make another one, since this one isn't perfect. But it should work for now.
THe main part of the flash is a salad/mixing bowl. The inside where the camera lens fits is a piece of PVC pipe. The inside of the bowl is also lined with aluminum foil to help reflect as much light around and out as possible. The first version only had silver spray paint in it and it didn't reflect enough light. This one also has a large diffuser (the white part) which makes the center hole too small. I will increase the center shoot through hole and that will make the diffuser smaller, which will make the light a little more contrasty. The next diffuser will also be less white. Right now there is probably 4 coats of white primer. Perhaps a tad too much.
Here is a shot of the kit-n-kaboodle. The 285, Canon 1D and a bracket that normally goes on a light stand. That bracket will be replaced. I don't like the one right now. I will probably use metal angle brackets instead.
This shot is of the flash firing. You can see the ring of light.....LOL
Here is a picture straight on as a model would see it. Dang, that is kind of intimidating.
The flash being used here is a Vivitar 285 HV. They were originally made in the 70's or 80's (maybe early 90's) and current photographers loved them so much that Vivitar decided to begin manufacturing them again. The secondary market for these was hot. Units were going for $125+ for essentially a manual flash. But new units are now $89 with a warranty......speaking of warranty.....I have a unit I sent in TWICE to Vivitar in California. I sent it out Jan 9th. It returned to me Jan 23rd. Unfixed. Then I sent it out again Jan 24th. It's not back yet and supposedly they are going to replace it. If you can believe customer service that speaks broken English. I think the only thing they did was put batteries in it and saw the pretty red and green lights. But they probably never test fired it or put it on a camera. If they would have, they would know the damn thing is BROKE. Arhghghgh.
Okay, sorry.
I didn't take any pictures of the process of making the ringlight. I also know I will make another one, since this one isn't perfect. But it should work for now.
THe main part of the flash is a salad/mixing bowl. The inside where the camera lens fits is a piece of PVC pipe. The inside of the bowl is also lined with aluminum foil to help reflect as much light around and out as possible. The first version only had silver spray paint in it and it didn't reflect enough light. This one also has a large diffuser (the white part) which makes the center hole too small. I will increase the center shoot through hole and that will make the diffuser smaller, which will make the light a little more contrasty. The next diffuser will also be less white. Right now there is probably 4 coats of white primer. Perhaps a tad too much.
Here is a shot of the kit-n-kaboodle. The 285, Canon 1D and a bracket that normally goes on a light stand. That bracket will be replaced. I don't like the one right now. I will probably use metal angle brackets instead.
This shot is of the flash firing. You can see the ring of light.....LOL
Here is a picture straight on as a model would see it. Dang, that is kind of intimidating.
posted by Brent Rust at
11:40 PM
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