Lighting angle
Apr 30, 2014 11:12:23 #
I have a SB-28 and I'm going to try a DIY diffuser. After looking at a number of set-ups, it seems that most DIY units are fairly straight but those using ready made diffusers use a flash bracket and light the subject at an angle. I don't want to reinvent the wheel when I start making mine. My goal is some nice bug eye shots, handheld.
Does the diffuser angle make a difference?
Does the diffuser angle make a difference?
Apr 30, 2014 15:49:06 #
Yes, but how much of a difference is very dependent on the type of macro work you are doing. I think that many of our shooters use a homemade diffuser on the flash unit while mounted in the hotshoe. I believe that they get really good results, some of them have made a diffuser that has a slight down angle so that it is better pointed at the area where they would macro focus.
I have a flash bracket because my working distance is generally 2" or less and at that distance the angle becomes much more important. So I have an articulating arm that you can see on page three of the setup section. My diffuser is not there but I use a large diffuser with a paper towel for the diffusing material.
I have a flash bracket because my working distance is generally 2" or less and at that distance the angle becomes much more important. So I have an articulating arm that you can see on page three of the setup section. My diffuser is not there but I use a large diffuser with a paper towel for the diffusing material.
May 1, 2014 00:12:52 #
A world-class macro-photographer, Peter Lee Shiuh Hwa, uses a diffused speedlight directly mounted to his camera hotshoe.
May 1, 2014 02:07:30 #
The closer to perpendicular relative to your subject the front diffuser surface is, the more the light is spread out, so in that sense angle matters, yes. Of course the thing is that as you change subject, mag and lens your working distance will change anyway, so there's not really such a thing as the perfectly angled diffuser for any shot.
May 1, 2014 02:42:58 #
The closer your lens gets to the subject, the further from your hotshoe you'll want your flash, if that makes any sense. At closer and closer range your lens will cause shadows, your camera will cause shadows, your body will cause shadows, in other words, your natural light becomes less even. You'll need to depend on your flash more and more as the main light giver. You might want your flash to point straight down right in front of your lens, or off to the side but still perpendicular to the front of the lens. That's when mounting your flash off camera helps. So with that said, yes, diffuser angle does matter. But who knows, if you get a little creative with your diffuser design maybe you'll teach us all something!
May 1, 2014 03:44:12 #
So you are aware, the Nikon SB-28 is 10-yo, and underpowered compared to current speedlights: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/sb28.htm
May 1, 2014 10:14:31 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
I do understand the SB-28 is old. For $25, it will work while I'm trying different things.So you are aware, the Nikon SB-28 is 10-yo, and underpowered compared to current speedlights: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/sb28.htm
Thanks for the replies! I'll try some different setups this month. A tripod has helped me slow down and really think about each shot, but I don't think I'll be able to get many bug shots that way.
May 1, 2014 16:14:30 #
Curve_in wrote:
Using a speedlight with diffuser set-up will allow you to shoot at shorter shutter durations, and use hand-held. The speedlight helps "freeze" the moment in time much in the same way as a shorter shutter duration does, which makes images sharper.I do understand the SB-28 is old. For $25, it will work while I'm trying different things.
Thanks for the replies! I'll try some different setups this month. A tripod has helped me slow down and really think about each shot, but I don't think I'll be able to get many bug shots that way.
Thanks for the replies! I'll try some different setups this month. A tripod has helped me slow down and really think about each shot, but I don't think I'll be able to get many bug shots that way.
May 1, 2014 22:44:53 #
I am not an expert in these matters but I was under the impression that the voltage generated by the SB-28 may be more than modern digital cameras can withstand without damage. there are places where this can be researched but the guideline I am familiar with is to avoid using any film era flash units on modern digital cameras without testing the discharge voltage. If you plan to use this device I would dig into the matter further.
May 1, 2014 23:22:43 #
jbmauser wrote:
Oer Ken Rockwell 'They only work in A and manual modes (not TTL) on the digital SLRs. " http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/sb28.htm first paragraph. . . . the voltage generated by the SB-28 may be more than modern digital cameras can withstand without damage.
May 1, 2014 23:24:43 #
jbmauser wrote:
... I was under the impression that the voltage generated by the SB-28 may be more than modern digital cameras can withstand without damage. ....
From Nikon's page they say the D7000 is compatible with the SB-28.
http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/d7000/spec.htm
May 1, 2014 23:39:28 #
May 1, 2014 23:51:26 #
Thanks for the clarification. I dug around with Google and did not come up with that info. I will need to pick up one for a backup.
May 2, 2014 00:05:43 #
jbmauser wrote:
No worries, SB-26 is a better flash IMHO. It fires as an optical slave which is quite useful for putting the flash closer to the subject without cables or wireless triggers. It too has a safe trigger voltage, 5.5V. SB-26's go for about $100 on eBay...Thanks for the clarification. I dug around with Google and did not come up with that info. I will need to pick up one for a backup.
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