DIY Flash Grid

Ranie

Senior Member
I have been using off cam flash for quite a while and have had used a lot of light modifiers.
One of the light modifiers that I usually use are grids. I have a set of Honl grids Results for Speed Grids
for about a year. I'm very happy with them. As you can see from the link, they are not cheap but
the quality is very good.

I decided to make one since I have the luxury of time this weekend. I had pre-ordered plastic honeycombed multi-cell packs last December for this project.
I got them from saxonpc.com Honeycomb Multi-Cell Pack
Here are your choices: http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-61592496875354_2140_6552

5356280503_02e17d5826.jpg
The list of material I used are:
the grids i ordered
cutter
contact cement
marker
ruler
and some closed cell foam that i have found on some boxes here on my house
these are the foams used to pack electronic appliances and other stuffs
(preferably black)

I fabricated a mount for the grids to my flash using this closed cell foams.
Here it is after gluing the layers

front (this side is where you insert the grid)
5356281927_f1dc80a60f.jpg

back ( this side is where you insert to the flash)
5356283765_fc168ee337.jpg

This is the finished product, I did wrap some black duct tape to finish off some uneven cuts on the foam.
Front
5356285861_b644537543.jpg

Side
5356287845_898d66ddbc.jpg

Back
5356278945_106c71b5e9.jpg
The rubber bands on my flash are used to secure the gels

Total cost for this project is less than $10 ( for 2 grids) and about an hour of your time.
 
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Joseph Bautsch

New member
Raine, thats a real neat project. What does the difference in grid size, 1/4" and 1/8", have in the circle? The grids also come in different thicknesses, what effect does that have?
 

Ranie

Senior Member
Joseph, the grid I ordered is similar in specs to my Honl grids (1/8 and 1/4)
Both grids are also the same in thickness
Here is the effect
5356423087_fdf86560f2_o.jpg
 

Joseph Bautsch

New member
Ranie, OK understood. The size of the cells affects the diameter of the circle, which is what I was thinking but not sure. What effect does the grid thickness have on the circle size? Your source reference indicates they come in different thickness sizes. I know you said the thickness was the same as your Honl grids but what thickness is that? (Sorry about all the questions.)
 

Ranie

Senior Member
Joseph, its 20mm. Both on the 1/4 and 1/8.
I have not used any other grids (size or thickness) aside from those 2.
My guess is, the thicker the grid, the smaller the circle size.
 

Joseph Bautsch

New member
Ranie, the project is simple, inexpensive, and an excellent addition to anyone's creative flash capabilities. You did a great job explaining it. Thanks for taking the time to post it.
 

fotojack

Senior Member
Very cool and very innovative, Ranie. I love it when people improvise and get creative. :) I'm going to attempt my own grid. Great job on the explanation and pictures, Ranie. :) By the way...are you male or female? Hard to tell from the photo of your eye. ;) (something I've been wondering about for some time now! lol)
 

ohkphoto

Snow White
Ranie, thank you so much for posting this . . . my next project is to work with a grid (since I did a snoot! Ha-ha) I have on of the Honl ones (grid), but your innovation looks so much more efficient --looks like it won't let any light bleed out the sides.

Jack, thanks for making this a sticky . . . I won't have to worry about printing it out (and then forgetting where I put it . . .sigh)
 

Ranie

Senior Member
Very cool and very innovative, Ranie. I love it when people improvise and get creative. :) I'm going to attempt my own grid. Great job on the explanation and pictures, Ranie. :) By the way...are you male or female? Hard to tell from the photo of your eye. ;) (something I've been wondering about for some time now! lol)

I'm male Jack.
And the "eye" photo is not mine either.
And yes, its a female's eye. Didn't know you can guess the gender of a person thru its eyes. You must be a CSI or something............... LOLs
 

Ranie

Senior Member
Ranie, thank you so much for posting this . . . my next project is to work with a grid (since I did a snoot! Ha-ha) I have on of the Honl ones (grid), but your innovation looks so much more efficient --looks like it won't let any light bleed out the sides.

Jack, thanks for making this a sticky . . . I won't have to worry about printing it out (and then forgetting where I put it . . .sigh)

You're welcome, Helene. So you've noticed the bleeding of the lights, too, on the Honl grid. That was considered also when I thought on how to make a flash mount on the honeycombs/grids. And I did say to prefer black closed cell foam instead of other colors. My next project will be making more gobo's and snoots. I also have the Honl gobo's and snoots as my templates. Now, if only I know how to use a sewing machine. LOLs
 
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ohkphoto

Snow White
I also have the Honl gobo's and snoots as my templates. Now, if only I know how to use a sewing machine.

I saw a tutorial where David Ziser made a snoot by attaching a thin magazine to the flash --he did have to take the cover off and wrap it around the "bare bulb" . My problem with the Honl snoot is that it's difficult to manage -- sometimes I want more of a "funnel", and maybe a little more feathering?? I guess I don't want much. lol
 

fotojack

Senior Member
I'm male Jack.
And the "eye" photo is not mine either.
And yes, its a female's eye. Didn't know you can guess the gender of a person thru its eyes. You must be a CSI or something............... LOLs
LOL...thanks, Ranie....just wanted to make sure. :) And yes, I knew it was a female eye. That's why I asked. :)
 

Ranie

Senior Member
What effect does the grid thickness have on the circle size? Your source reference indicates they come in different thickness sizes.
Additional info about Joseph question.
5359131716_ac7f822812_o.jpg
The thickness of the honeycomb controls the angle of the light output. The thicker the grid, the narrower the light and vice versa as seen/explained (in degrees) on the picture attached.
 
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PhoenixGB

New member
I saw a tutorial where David Ziser made a snoot by attaching a thin magazine to the flash --he did have to take the cover off and wrap it around the "bare bulb" . My problem with the Honl snoot is that it's difficult to manage -- sometimes I want more of a "funnel", and maybe a little more feathering?? I guess I don't want much. lol

I was thinking of giving this a go using a Pringles tube as a combo "funnel and grid holder" as they are silvered inside and from experience using them as a rough and ready snoot slip over a speedlight head really easily.

Plus u get to eat before u mod :)
 
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