Godox V860II-N TTL Flash
- Thread starter Silversnapper
- Start date
In the past, @Scott Murray posted a macro flash diffuser he made. I don't have time to look for the posts right now, but hopefully I'll have time later today or tomorrow. The examples he shared while using it turned out amazing.I'm pleased to say that the TT685 II arrived yesterday evening and what a nice bit of kit it is, now I have to sit down and RTFM.I've ordered some stuff to make a couple of diffusers with - arriving Monday, and plan on doing some online research into popular diffuser designs - all hints and tips most welcome.
Silversnapper
Senior Member
Hmm, let me think ........ ah yes, the one in jeans.
Silversnapper
Senior Member
No, that's Vinnie.
Silversnapper
Senior Member
Thanks for the tip @hark. I did a search and found some of his threads which are interesting, but alas, some of the links no longer work. I've got a couple of ideas in my head though and just some time to set to work on them.
Clovishound
Senior Member
Just for info, early on I bought one of the small, pop on, plastic diffusers. Something like this:
When I used it, I had issues with the flash shutting down. At the time I thought it was running through the battery much, much quicker than usual. In retrospect, I think the flash head overheated and shut things down. Regardless of the reason, I had to quit using it.
The other thing is there is a small pull out diffuser built into the flash head. I had no issues using the built diffuser. It also has a small bounce "card" that pulls out of the same pocket as the diffuser. It may help to bounce some light down towards the subject when shooting close up macro. It is actually designed to be used with the flash head pointing at the ceiling, but works fine with the head horizontal when taking macro shots.
When I used it, I had issues with the flash shutting down. At the time I thought it was running through the battery much, much quicker than usual. In retrospect, I think the flash head overheated and shut things down. Regardless of the reason, I had to quit using it.
The other thing is there is a small pull out diffuser built into the flash head. I had no issues using the built diffuser. It also has a small bounce "card" that pulls out of the same pocket as the diffuser. It may help to bounce some light down towards the subject when shooting close up macro. It is actually designed to be used with the flash head pointing at the ceiling, but works fine with the head horizontal when taking macro shots.
This link in particular shows what he made.
Macro diffuser - what shape?
Hey guys I am after some input regarding diffuser shapes for macro, I have sourced the material which is light weight and a great diffuser but also quite sturdy. Here is a design mock up that I did last night, I am going for max spread of light but also leaving a nice catch light in the eyes of...
nikonites.com
Silversnapper
Senior Member
This type was one of the first I bought for use with my C****n all those years ago and to be honest, I didn't think much of it, plus it also kept popping of the flash.Just for info, early on I bought one of the small, pop on, plastic diffusers. Something like this:
When I used it, I had issues with the flash shutting down. At the time I thought it was running through the battery much, much quicker than usual. In retrospect, I think the flash head overheated and shut things down. Regardless of the reason, I had to quit using it.
The other thing is there is a small pull out diffuser built into the flash head. I had no issues using the built diffuser. It also has a small bounce "card" that pulls out of the same pocket as the diffuser. It may help to bounce some light down towards the subject when shooting close up macro. It is actually designed to be used with the flash head pointing at the ceiling, but works fine with the head horizontal when taking macro shots.
Silversnapper
Senior Member
A rummage through my junk box revealed these commercial diffusers, none of which were particularly good in my opinion. In my naivety I bought the bottom one, the top two were gifted
Silversnapper
Senior Member
Until I'm satisfied that I can cope with my shaky hands problem, I have finalised this version of my Q&D flash diffuser. I have also cut out a couple of pieces of lightweight white plastic to 1) attach under the lens with double-sided 'tacky tape' to act as a bottom fill-in reflector and 2) a larger piece of similar material which attaches at the top of the main diffuser to spread and soften the light even more.
Although it is officially Spring here in the UK, and in the northern counties, the cold nights 2 - 4 ºC and the wind-chill from the cold easterly breezes have made the forecasted daytime temperatures of up to 15 ºC a bit of a joke and I suspect the bees, bugs, and most butterflies are still snuggled under their critter friendly duvets.
Clovishound
Senior Member
We are having highs in the low to mid 80s F (26 -29 C)around here and while there are a few insects out and about, it will be a little while before I consider it macro season. My wildflower plot in the back yard is coming along well. I had my first real flowers bloom this week, but there won't be enough to really attract a lot of bugs for another month or so, most likely. I'm not really seeing many insects out at the local gardens, even though they have lots of flowers already blooming.
Interesting diffuser setup. I look forward to seeing some pictures from it. Was that home made, or commercial.
Interesting diffuser setup. I look forward to seeing some pictures from it. Was that home made, or commercial.
Silversnapper
Senior Member
The body is the Pringles tube shown in post #13 and painted with some old blackboard paint, the 'head' is the circa 2005 commercial version, top right, in post #29 and the whole thing is secured to the flash with a strip of Velcro type tape.
Silversnapper
Senior Member
Diffuser MkII
This is my latest attempt at a diffuser, visually based on designs seen on the 'net. Making this sort of thing ('Crafting' I believe it's called) is not within my comfort zone, especially with shaky arthritic hands but hey ho, I got there in the end.
The part of the assembly that slides over the flash head (I call it the 'stock'), is based on a cut-down Pringles tube, the open end of which is covered with one or more layers of diffusion material and held in place with the transparent lid from the tube. For the attached test shots, there is just one layer of material and the flash output is set at 1/64th power. I made a second, slightly longer 'stock', to accommodate longer lens assemblies. I also made a 'chin' out of the white plastic sheet, which, when finished, will clip onto the bottom of the diffuser to reflect some bottom fill-in light.
These are the only two shots I have done so far. The subject is a UK Penny coin 20mm in diameter. The full face shot was taken with the Sigma 105mm macro lens at it's closest point which I believe is 1:1 magnification. The ultra close-up was taken with a 28mm f2.8 Canon FD lens reverse mounted onto the Sigma 105mm giving a 4.75:1 ration. These are just test shots and only resizing and a little sharpening has been done on them.
Still a shortage a bugs up here in Yorkshire so I am still practising on small stones etc and trying to control my shaky hands - I'm sure I see a little improvement in these coin shots.
It's an on-going process so watch this space.
This is my latest attempt at a diffuser, visually based on designs seen on the 'net. Making this sort of thing ('Crafting' I believe it's called) is not within my comfort zone, especially with shaky arthritic hands but hey ho, I got there in the end.
The part of the assembly that slides over the flash head (I call it the 'stock'), is based on a cut-down Pringles tube, the open end of which is covered with one or more layers of diffusion material and held in place with the transparent lid from the tube. For the attached test shots, there is just one layer of material and the flash output is set at 1/64th power. I made a second, slightly longer 'stock', to accommodate longer lens assemblies. I also made a 'chin' out of the white plastic sheet, which, when finished, will clip onto the bottom of the diffuser to reflect some bottom fill-in light.
These are the only two shots I have done so far. The subject is a UK Penny coin 20mm in diameter. The full face shot was taken with the Sigma 105mm macro lens at it's closest point which I believe is 1:1 magnification. The ultra close-up was taken with a 28mm f2.8 Canon FD lens reverse mounted onto the Sigma 105mm giving a 4.75:1 ration. These are just test shots and only resizing and a little sharpening has been done on them.
Still a shortage a bugs up here in Yorkshire so I am still practising on small stones etc and trying to control my shaky hands - I'm sure I see a little improvement in these coin shots.
It's an on-going process so watch this space.
Clovishound
Senior Member
Looking good.
The one that's mounted on the flash looks a lot like the AK I have. What material did you use for the body of the diffuser? My AK came with a small reflector that clips on and fits under the lens to reflect back up provide fill lit, as you mentioned.
The images look very good, although you would need to get some insect shots for me to compare properly.
The one that's mounted on the flash looks a lot like the AK I have. What material did you use for the body of the diffuser? My AK came with a small reflector that clips on and fits under the lens to reflect back up provide fill lit, as you mentioned.
The images look very good, although you would need to get some insect shots for me to compare properly.
Silversnapper
Senior Member
I used this for the body and the main diffuser. The white plastic blocks about 2 stops. The single layer of diffuser material on the end of the 'stock' blocks 1 stop.
A3 Coloured Polypropylene Plastic Sheet 0.5mm Model Making, Arts & Crafts
The images look very good, although you would need to get some insect shots for me to compare properly.
Apparently we're due for some hot weather in the near future - along with some heavy rain I understand, so hopefully the little critters will crawl out from under their bug duvets and come and visit.
Clovishound
Senior Member
I'm starting to see a few more insects in my wildflower plot in the back yard. I don't have the flower cover there that will likely come in another few weeks or a month or so. Late June through early September seem to be the prime times. The weather is currently fairly warm, but I guess the insects have their own schedules. It's also been pretty dry for this time of year, which doesn't affect my plot as I water it when needed, but may affect the number of insects due to lower amounts of food available. It was also dry last spring, but by full blown summer I had tons of insects visiting my flowers.