DIY Photography Gear

[Nicole]

Ok, so you might also read that as cheap photography gear ;) but sometimes you don't need to spend $200 on something that you can make for $2 that works as well.

For a full list of the DIY projects (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6950#post6950) we've talked about on the site, see below.

Bail showed us how to make your own light tent (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=305) for just a few dollars.
Merlyn suggested using food covers to cover your lenses and camera (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4955#post4955) with.
jhawksley showed us how to make a film can diffuser and colour gel holder (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=222).

What other cheap / DIY solutions have you used in your photography?

I'm a big fan of the ziplock / snaplock bags for putting my camera in when it's raining. Cut a small hole in one corner, stick the end of your lens through, and if you've got a lens hood, put that on to keep the rain off your glass. You might not be able to see perfectly clearly through the view finder, but the auto-focus still works, and you can take a picture while keeping your camera dry. I was very thankful for this over the weekend while taking pictures of a jousting tournament in the rain!
http://static.flickr.com/136/358509321_e4fa5642f0_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicolesphotos/358509321/) http://static.flickr.com/145/358508980_cf05131fa9_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicolesphotos/358508980/)
(sorry for the bad quality of the pics, used my phone)

Share with us what other DIY gear you've used! :)

[mdwsta4]

haha! i love it. much easier than trying to hold a camera and an umbrella!

[alissasanderson]

Well, I don't always (OK, usually) like to pack a tripod around with me. I'm lazy:p .

One of my good friends hunts, and he's got several little beanbag-type thingies that he uses when he shoots a rifle to set the rifle barrel on. They're leather, and sort of form little pouches. I know they sell little beanbag things just for photography for this purpose, but when I can just borrow this thing for free? It works great! I use it all the time to prop the camera on a fence post or a rock or in the branch of a tree to steady a shot. They come in different sizes and you can add or remove fill as needed, and even if you purchase one new I'm fairly certain that they're more inexpensive in the hunting supply at ~$20 that in the photography supply that I've seen at ~$30-$40.

[Nicole]

haha! i love it. much easier than trying to hold a camera and an umbrella!

No kidding! I've tried that one too, somehow I seemed to be short at least one arm to hold the umbrella as I tried to shoot ;)


One of my good friends hunts, and he's got several little beanbag-type thingies that he uses when he shoots a rifle to set the rifle barrel on. They're leather, and sort of form little pouches.I know they sell little beanbag things just for photography for this purpose...I'm fairly certain that they're more inexpensive in the hunting supply at ~$20 that in the photography supply that I've seen at ~$30-$40.

Great suggestion to get the little beanbag thing from a hunting store rather than a photography store :)

Keep the suggestions coming :)

[Saralonde]

If some of you are interested in DIY photo projects, checkout this site:
http://www.diyphotography.net/ You can find some interesting ways to save money.

BTW, my only DIY is a white index card attached to my flash with a rubber band for bounce. I'm not too creative in that area.:o

[smc1377]

I used the ziploc bag trick w/o the hole cut in it during a white water rafting trip. I had my nephew, who was 12 at the time, take the pictures and video clips. My only fear was the bag slipping out of my nephews hands. I have some great rafting videos thanks to Zip-Lock. :D

[Nicole]

Another thread on aquariums made me think of this cheap and easy tip that I saw online a while ago.

If your camera can't take filters (e.g. a P&S) then you can still use a polarizing filter with the help of a pair of polarized sunglasses. As long as the lenses are polarized this will work. When you want to take the picture, hold the sunglasses up in front of your lens so that you can't see the frames or anything else strange, then rotate the sunglasses in front of the camera until you get the look that you were hoping for (and if they're not a pair of sunglasses you wear, you can always pop the lens out and just keep that with your camera bag). This can produce a darker sky or cut out reflections the same way a normal polarizer would. You might feel a bit silly giving your camera sunglasses, but hey, this is coming from the same person who has walked around with their camera in a big ziplock bag ;)

[mdwsta4]

figured i'd put up some pictures of my DIY flash diffuser

here's the original link for the inspiration: http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/1427850
but then stumbled upon this one which even has a template you can use: http://dslrblog.com/blog/chris-garrett/how-to-make-a-diy-flash-bounce-diffuser
i sort of combined the two versions and this was the result:

front
http://images14.fotki.com/v379/photos/5/51621/396461/IMG_1074-vi.jpg

back
http://images20.fotki.com/v382/photos/5/51621/396461/IMG_1075-vi.jpg

on the flash
http://images20.fotki.com/v383/photos/5/51621/396461/IMG_1076-vi.jpg

for some reason i didn't think of taking a picture with it all on the camera. ah well, but here's what the flash looks like on the camera (taken with my camera phone)
http://images14.fotki.com/v379/photos/5/51621/396461/1-vi.jpg

the diffuser defintely helps push light in the right direction and makes a huge difference. i've only messed around with snapshots in my living room so nothing worth posting, but for a total cost of maybe $3 (which is enough materials for two diffusers) why the hell not.

cheers

[Saralonde]

Well done! Certainly better than my index card.:o :)

[Nicole]

Over at Photodoto (http://www.photodoto.com), they had a recent post on how to Build your own 42"x78" free-standing lighting panel for about $40 (http://photodoto.com/index.php/2007/01/23/build-your-own-42x78-free-standing-lighting-panel-for-about-40/).

It uses PVC pipes and a translucent fabric panel to create the lighting panel that you can use to diffuse light for portraits, either indoors or outdoors. The instructions are complete with photos to help you build it. Just thought I'd throw this link up here for those who are interested in portraits and want a DIY solution to lighting.

[Nicole]

I realized that the list of projects was starting to actually grow, so I've separated the projects out by category and put in the links. This list will be updated as DIY projects are added here and elsewhere in the forums:

Lighting:
DIY Flash Diffuser (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5750&postcount=8) (mdwsta4)
Make Your Own Studio Lights (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=740) (mikeboy)
Build Your Own Free Standing Light Panel (http://photodoto.com/index.php/2007/01/23/build-your-own-42x78-free-standing-lighting-panel-for-about-40/) (Photodoto (http://www.photodoto.com))
Film Can Diffuser and Color Gel Holder (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=222) (jhawksley)
Putting together a Budget DIY Lighting System (http://www.shuttertalk.com/articles/diylighting)
DIY Ring Light for Portrait Photography (http://www.jyoseph.com/blog/detail.cfm?content_id=19)
DIY Softbox (http://www.instructables.com/id/EX8FILZ16MEQHO9PFQ)
How to Build a Food Photography Light Stand (http://www.instructables.com/id/E67LKWA477EWZMHVQL/)
Using a Water Jug as a Flash Diffuser (http://susanbuck.net/photojojo/flash/index.asp)Studio Equipment:
Build Your Own Light Tent (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=305) (Bail) (Other examples: 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/idiotking/131169962/), 2 (http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/light_box_light_tent))
See the New and Improved Collapsible Light Tent (http://www.jpgmag.com/stories/458) by Bail
Places to find large backdrops (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=950) (smc1377, jiminyclickit, saralonde)
Cheap DIY (Homemade) Muslin Photography Background (http://www.diyphotography.net/homestudio/chaep-diy-muslin-photography-background)
(DIYPhotograpy.net (http://www.diyphotography.net))Filters:
Polarizing "Filters" for your P&S (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5641&postcount=7) (Nicole)
Macro Attachment for your P&S (http://www.instructables.com/id/EREFVJIHC1EQHO9ZEU/)Ways to Stabilize your Camera:
Inexpensive Bean Bag Pods (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4967&postcount=3) (alissasanderson)
"Sand" Bag Pod (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7063&postcount=2) (jiminyClickit)
String "Tripod" (http://www.xs4all.nl/%7Ewiskerke/artikelen/string.html)Miscellaneous:
Protecting Your Camera in the Rain using Ziplock bags (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4962&postcount=1) or Food Covers (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4955#post4955) (Nicole, Merlyn)
DIYPhotography.net (http://www.diyphotography.net/) (Saralonde)
Reflectors and Alternatives (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7011#post7011) (RandomConnections)
Custom White Balance (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7072&postcount=12) (Nicole)
Free Printable Cardboard Lens Hoods (http://www.lenshoods.co.uk/)
DIY Shutter Release for your Canon DSLR (http://clinecompany.wordpress.com/2007/01/15/27/)
The Bucket Method (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2473) (JiminyClickit)

[Nicole]

An easy way to set the custom white balance on your camera is to use a lid from a Pringles Can or a SlimJim Can. Basically a semi-translucent white plastic disc.

From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pringles#Alternative_uses):
In digital photography (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_photography), the translucent Pringles can lid can be used to "white balance (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_balance)" digital cameras. The lid is held over the lens and a photo is taken.The result is a whitish blur that is a diffuse image of the amibent light and its color temperature. The Pringles lid photo is then used to set the camera's manual white balance temperature, so that subsequent photos taken in the same light will have more accurate color reproduction. A search of photography lighting forums for "Pringles" will turn up numerous posts where the Pringles lids' color accuracy and usefulness is compared with other products such as dedicated white balance discs (the "ExpoDisc" (http://www.expodisc.com/index.php)) costing in the USD $100 range. [3] (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1031&message=8059300)I've also heard of coffee filters being used.

While I was thinking about where I could get some Pringles, I realized that I possibly had something right in front of me that I could use. I don't know if Canon uses the same sort of white semi-translucent covers on the back of their lenses, but many of the Nikon lenses come with a kind of cheap looking rear cover that happens to be made out of white plastic:

http://static.flickr.com/167/374032176_a552f54d75_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicolesphotos/374032176/) http://static.flickr.com/144/374032847_5424229621_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicolesphotos/374032847/)

I tried to use this to do my custom white balance, and it gave a "Good" reading every time. Here were my results (Auto WB on Left, Custom WB on Right)

http://static.flickr.com/140/374032477_5ab80d405c_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicolesphotos/374032477/) http://static.flickr.com/160/374032339_244c676a52_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicolesphotos/374032339/)

Personally, I think that the custom WB is actually just a little bit warmer, so I think that it actually did make a difference. Not bad for something that came with my camera.

[Nicole]

Several other threads have addressed the question of how to find cheap portrait backgrounds, or even large portrait backgrounds without breaking the bank.

Places to find large backdrops (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=950) (smc1377, jiminyclickit, saralonde)
Cheap DIY (Homemade) Muslin Photography Background (http://www.diyphotography.net/homestudio/chaep-diy-muslin-photography-background) (DIYPhotograpy.net)

[Nicole]

A few new links:

Free Printable Cardboard Lens Hoods (http://www.lenshoods.co.uk/)
Putting together a Budget DIY Lighting System (http://www.shuttertalk.com/articles/diylighting)
DIY Shutter Release for your Canon DSLR (http://clinecompany.wordpress.com/2007/01/15/27/)
String Tripod (http://www.xs4all.nl/%7Ewiskerke/artikelen/string.html)

[yurik]

I love DIY! I surf Instructables.com and Lifehacker.com daily.
Here's a list of things I've gathered.

Ring Light for Portraits
http://www.jyoseph.com/blog/detail.cfm?content_id=19

DIY Softbox
http://www.instructables.com/id/EX8FILZ16MEQHO9PFQ

Food Photography Light Stand
http://www.instructables.com/id/E67LKWA477EWZMHVQL/

Macro Attachment for P&S
http://www.instructables.com/id/EREFVJIHC1EQHO9ZEU/

And a couple of light boxes
http://www.flickr.com/photos/idiotking/131169962/
http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/light_box_light_tent

This one is made with a water pail!
http://www.jyoseph.com/blog/detail.cfm?content_id=37


Hope I'm not flooding and that this helps!

[Nicole]

Hey, no such thing as too many options for DIY Projects :D Thanks for those links, I'll add them into the "big list" a few posts up! :D

[Bail]

Well after posting up my Light box tent here, People we're messaging me in how it's bulky and in the way. So I gave it some thought and came up with another light tent for around the same price.

I wrote this article hoping it gets published in JPG Magazine.
http://www.jpgmag.com/stories/458

This tent will fold up so you can store it behind a desk/cabinet.

If your a member of JPGmag, Help out a fellow DPS member and vote on the article. Excuse the horrible grammar.

[Nicole]

*Bump* :D

For anyone who might be interested or want to share their own DIY tips

[Flippant]

an expansion of nicole's sunglasses idea:
you will need:
1. a lens from an inexpensive pair of polarized sunglasses
2. 2 rubber bands
3. scissors
4. your existing lens hood

You can make a slightly less awkward version of the 'hold a pair of sunglasses in front your camera' trick by using some rubber bands and the hood that you normally use to block the sun. Using rubber bands (1 has been cut, and tied on the polarized lens) as shown, attach the lens to the reverse end of the hood so that when you clip on the hood in 'stowed' (reversed) position, the rubber bands hold the polarized lens up against the camera lens. this way, you can unclip the hood/filter, adjust the zoom, and clip back on the hood/filter easily. just keep the filter/rubber bands in your camera bag and whip out when needed.

[Englishteacher]

Here's a background solution. Buy a "green screen" then Photo Shop any background you want into the picture.

[Saralonde]

I'm always searching for info from this thread. Stickied it to save myself aggravation;) , plus everyone should checkout all the great links Nicole put on it:) .

[Nicole]

JiminyClickit has posted a great tutorial on using a plastic bucket to photograph flowers in (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2473), link added to the list, of course :D

[matthewchj]

I made a monopod using a piece of PVC pipe with an end cap on the end. There is a 1/4 inch diameter bolt stuck through the cap. No pics yet, but I got the idea from here, except that mine is full size.
http://www.diyphotography.net/diy-cheap-mini-monopod
The only downside is that it is very hard to carry around. :)

[property#1]

This is a link to a page that will instruct you on how to make a cable release for a minimum cost. I have made the release three times all three work I just kept improving on the method. First improvement I purchased the jack and secondly I used five strand telephone wire and thirdly heat shrink around the terminals on the individual switches. This works on *ist, K100D and K10D. There is also a link on the site which will show how to tune a universal remote, TV/VCR/CDplayer, to operate as your IR remote for your camera. This also works for the Pentax cameras and I have tried it on a friends Nikon and it worked.

<a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/ET6EOVE0J1EZ7C93DX/">DIY pentax cable release</a>
</body>
</html>

[Joe Hoetzl]

This is something I came up with - yes, the design is a rip-off, but it costs A LOT less...

http://www.geocities.com/jhoetzl/photography/joego/images/joego_inside1.JPG

For the full story/parts list, have a look here (http://www.geocities.com/jhoetzl/photography/joego/joego.htm)...

[greggan]

I have actualy just launched my own D.I.Y phot gear website:D
Please take a look and tell me what you think about it!
http://www.stockholmviews.com/diyphotogear/index.html
Some projects are very easy and some abit more advanced.
I have loads of more projects in mind that will show up as soon as
I get time to realize them.

My 6x17 D.I.Y Range finder Camera
http://www.stockholmviews.com/diyphotogear/Diy_6x17_camera/diy_6x17_camera.jpg

Keep D.I.Y / Stefan

[Lex]

I am curious, I've been trying to find padding for my bags, the ones that are usually included in all camera bags to seperate/protect your equipment. I realize those paddings was specifically designed for that specific bag in it's size and shape.

I am wondering if there is a way we can make our own padding from foam blocks that we can get from our local hobby store? I think the foam we can get from a hobby store is a bit harsh on it's feel, and I'd rather not have it rubbing on my lenses and lose it's manufacturer markings (I like to keep my stuff as close to mint as possible). So i guess the real question is, what can we use as another layer to wrap around the foam?

Any input would be appreciated.

[mdwsta4]

I am curious, I've been trying to find padding for my bags, the ones that are usually included in all camera bags to seperate/protect your equipment. I realize those paddings was specifically designed for that specific bag in it's size and shape.

I am wondering if there is a way we can make our own padding from foam blocks that we can get from our local hobby store? I think the foam we can get from a hobby store is a bit harsh on it's feel, and I'd rather not have it rubbing on my lenses and lose it's manufacturer markings (I like to keep my stuff as close to mint as possible). So i guess the real question is, what can we use as another layer to wrap around the foam?

Any input would be appreciated.
if you wanted to do that, just wrap it in felt, microfibre, or suede to soften the foam even further. you don't even need to sew it, you can simply glue the fabric on the foam.

[inkista]

Rather than styrofoam-type foam, why not get closed-cell foam from a fabric store? That's probably the same stuff that's used in camera bags, anyway. Maybe get a cheap yoga mat and cannibalize it?

[Lex]

Thanks Matt and Inkista. Great input, I guess I'll have something crafty to do this weekend. And Inkista, I was talking about the closed-cell foam, sorry if I didn't make it clear. Besides it's more environmentally friendly than styro. But to butcher a Yoga-mat... I didn't even see that coming... LOL. I guess I'll know where to go if I needed a quick cushion fix. Thanks alot.

[D40]

does anyone know how to save a Thread ?

[Nicole]

D40, you can subscribe to the thread using the "Thread Tools" button, or you can bookmark it :p

And I was wondering what to use if I wanted to make my own camera bag inserts... the idea of butchering a yoga mat sounds like a good one :D

[porterd2nz]

I'm currently following an 'History of Photography' course, and had the idea to turn my expensive Sony D-SLR into a pinhole camera. Like everything else these days, someone else has already done it!

Turn your Canon EOS 1Ds into a Pinhole camera (http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/Canon_1ds_pinhole.html).
Another take for the Canon EOS (http://www.camerahacker.com/EOS_Pin-Hole_Lens/index.shtml).

I'm waiting on the delivery of a generic body cap for my Sony to give this one a try. I'm not too keen to hack up the one that came with it for some reason (I'm hoping it's sanity?!:D).

[porterd2nz]

I've seen lots of ideas on how to do this, but I needed a quick & dirty solution today so came up with the...

PING-PONG BALL DIFFUSER

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8852290@N08/1440718459/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1095/1440718459_dedb133c5c.jpg" width="500" height="193" alt="Mount.JPG" /></a>

METHOD:

Take a ping-pong ball and hack liberally so that it will fit over the on-camera flash. I'm using a Sony D-SLR but you should be able to work out how to make it fit yours.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8852290@N08/1441579218/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1113/1441579218_aefb093642_m.jpg" width="240" height="105" alt="Balls.JPG" /></a>

RESULTS:

Bare On-Camera Flash:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8852290@N08/1440716615/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1033/1440716615_abd2fc4a3b.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="Bare Flash.jpg" /></a>

White Diffuser:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8852290@N08/1441580222/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1129/1441580222_52af75281a.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="White Diffuser.jpg" /></a>

The pack of balls I got cost $2 for ten.

[Nicole]

Cool! That's a great one :D Thanks for sharing!

[porterd2nz]

Hit the image limit.

The diffuser looks like this on camera:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8852290@N08/1440719557/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1192/1440719557_9f90540da8.jpg" width="434" height="500" alt="White on Camera.JPG" /></a>

And it also comes in orange:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8852290@N08/1441579590/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1060/1441579590_b5f70bb6e9.jpg" width="424" height="500" alt="Orange on Camera.JPG" /></a>

Orange Diffuser:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8852290@N08/1440717857/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1114/1440717857_f68e22fefd.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="Orange Diffuser.jpg" /></a>

[Nicole]

You realize that seeing the orange ping pong ball on there makes me want to try it with those funky, multi-coloured ping pong balls.

http://www.pet-bliss.com/acatalog/ClassicPingPongBallsSmallImage.jpg

[Dr. WooD]

Great Idea.

[porterd2nz]

You realize that seeing the orange ping pong ball on there makes me want to try it with those funky, multi-coloured ping pong balls.

I only got the orange ones as they came with the white ones. I weren't intending to use them and was going to give them to my kids. But they were there, and I had a few minutes with nothing to do.

PS: it took all of ten minutes to hack the ping pong balls and take the test shots. It took a whole lot extra to post the message on here.

[mdwsta4]

mostly DIY flash gear

homemade snoot out of a cereal box on the left, diffuser made out of opaque plastic on the top left, my old foam diffuser on the top middle, a pack of free lee filters on the top right along with the colors i use most often (CTO, flourescent, tungsten, and red for fun). to secure the gels i simply flip down the flash's clear diffuser panel and stick slide the gel in behind it. holds it perfectly.
nikon sb-25, canon 430ex, and gadget infinity wireless triggers/receiver.
http://images19.fotki.com/v26/photos/5/51621/4246907/flashgear-vi.jpg

[mrodgers]

Since getting my camera a week ago, I had joined another forum until I found this one. This forum seems to be a bit more relaxed and more hobby oriented than professional oriented.

So, since I'm thinking hobbiest and beings I need to be very budget minded financially, I was wondering what anyone else had done DIY with equipment. This thought spurs from what I did today.

I have a Fuji S700, pretty inexpensive camera for all it does and just getting into all the manual setting stuff. A beautiful sunset the other day, a giant moon up in the sky last night, and I'm running outside trying to hold the camera in my hands to take these shots. Yup, I'd like to get a tripod, but it's not in the budget for a while probably.

The wife and I are cleaning out the basement. Lots of old junk down there. We have an old floor lamp that she says, "It's broke, get rid of that". Ok, into the junk pile it goes. So, a little later, I was wondering if there was any DIY tripod ideas out on the internet. I found one idea of using an empty pop bottle with a screw pushed up through the cap. That would work fairly well for small stuff. I'd like to see if I could build something with some stuff laying around out in the garage though.

I'm surfing around and I twist my back to stretch and crack it and my eyes lay upon the floor lamp that doesn't work any more. Hmmmmm....... So, here goes.......

Here's the lamp and the lamp with the socket removed and also the final product. I couldn't figure out how to resize them to make them ok to post on a forum though. We'll see how they look posted.....

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/NightHawk83/DIY%20Tripod/DSCF0756.jpg http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/NightHawk83/DIY%20Tripod/DSCF0757.jpg http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/NightHawk83/DIY%20Tripod/DSCN0438.jpg

Ok, so you can only post 4 pictures in a single post. Is it alright if I finish in subsequent posts then?

[mrodgers]

[continued]

Here's a closeup of my rumagings through the garage for something to mount the camera on. Some PVC fittings slid right over the lamp post. Also a bracket from an old motorcycle windshield that I no longer have. I can mount the camera upright or hang it on the side. It slides down quite tight and solid on the post.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/NightHawk83/DIY%20Tripod/DSCF0758.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/NightHawk83/DIY%20Tripod/DSCN0439.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/NightHawk83/DIY%20Tripod/DSCN0440.jpg

[mrodgers]

[continued]

The lamp breaks down into about 15 inch long pieces + the mount and the base. I tied it together for portability with a bungy cord.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/NightHawk83/DIY%20Tripod/DSCF0759.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/NightHawk83/DIY%20Tripod/DSCF0760.jpg


I know this isn't going to be the most stable platform out in the yard, but for attempting portrait photos of the family in the house on solid floor base, it should do the trick just fine. I just need to use the timer since hitting the shutter button will induce a bit of sway in the post and I don't have a remote shutter capabilities. Or, until I search out some DIY for that too. I think I've briefly spotted some remote shutter DIY stuff on my search for the tripod.

Also, if I don't screw it onto the base legs, I have a perfect monopost, monopod, whatever that is called.

So, does anyone else have any DIY gear that they've created? I want to do some e-baying from the stuff we are clearing out of the basement, so I have already looked into some ideas on the net on a DIY light box made from PVC tube, a white sheet, and a couple of small desk lamps.

Let's see some DIY stuff!

[Nicole]

Great stuff mrodgers, I'm going to move these posts into the DIY gear thread though to keep it all together. :) You'll find a lot of stuff in the thread.

[mrodgers]

Great stuff mrodgers, I'm going to move these posts into the DIY gear thread though to keep it all together. :) You'll find a lot of stuff in the thread.
Ah, thank you. I've been browsing around reading past posts and hadn't come across this DIY thread. Now I have more to read :D. Thanks for moving.

[porterd2nz]

Ingredients:

1x Pringles Cap
1x Used (and empty) Tetra pak frosted plastic.
Elastic thread (optional)

cut out 2-3 circles the size of the pringles cap. these need to fit inside the lip of the cap. Pretty simple.

You should get something like this:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8852290@N08/2172565331/" title="DSC00559.JPG (by porterd2nz)"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/2356/2172565331_08020c9ea8.jpg" title="DSC00559.JPG (by porterd2nz)" alt="DSC00559.JPG (by porterd2nz)" width="500" height="334" /></a>

The elastic thread holds the circles inside the lid when not in use, and with a little modification to the lens hood you can use it to free up your hand while using it at the expense of the time to remove it afterwards.

Another photo of it on the camera:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8852290@N08/2172562445/" title="P1070006_x.jpg (by porterd2nz)"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/2239/2172562445_5e839fa055.jpg" title="P1070006_x.jpg (by porterd2nz)" alt="P1070006_x.jpg (by porterd2nz)" width="500" height="307" /></a>

And an example: (not very good!)

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8852290@N08/2172624463/" title="DSC00535 copy.jpg (by porterd2nz)"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/2219/2172624463_1c4de707c5.jpg" title="DSC00535 copy.jpg (by porterd2nz)" alt="DSC00535 copy.jpg (by porterd2nz)" width="373" height="500" /></a>

[Andy Clarke]

I suppose I must be more lucky than most, in that I come from a professional engineering background.
Besides photography, my other hobbies include model engineering, angling, kite making and flying etc etc.

Having my own lathe and workshop etc and a scrap metal dealer just around the block from where I live, I am able to machine and convert lumps of scrap metal into other things.

Things such as filter adapters, adpators to mate cameras with telescopes (Digiscoping) and a million and one other ideas.
I am no slouch with a sewing machine either, self taught, I make all my own kites and back to photography, have just made a series of webbing items to complement a Lowepro 75AW Toploader bag. Although big enough for the camera, the straps as provided did not fit around the vast expanse that is my body... Hee Hee. Whilst modyfying, I thought of other ideas using 1inch (25mm) and 2inch (50mm) nylon webbing and now have a utility belt with velcro patches and loops and clips to suit all purposes eg carrying bags around the waist, carrying filter pouches etc.

In reality, the DIYer is only restricted by his/her imagination and by looking around and thinking, it is amazing what can be gotten quite cheaply and pressed into service.

Good luck and enjoy your photography!!!

[kristarella]

I just posted this DIY protective wrap (http://www.kristarella.com/2008/01/diy-protective-wrap/) on my blog and then I saw this thread!

http://www.kristarella.com/wp-content/uploads/wrapped-half.jpg

Thanks for the tips! Love the ping pong ball flash diffuser and Pringles lid.

[AJTx0]

That plastic bag idea for a dslr is amazing. Haha!

[DeadlyDad]

I'm doing macro studio photography (I guess that's what you would call it. I don't even know enough terminology to be sure that's the proper term. :)) on the cheap, and the biggest problem I had with my shoestring operation was keeping the camera from moving between shots. To that end, I came up with this simple, yet effective method:

http://www3.telus.net/ksoft/tripod_stabilizer(600x200).jpg

Yup. It's just a couple of free weights held in place under a cheap tripod with cable ties. (The grey stuff on the end of the legs is just some duct tape to keep the weights off of the ground and keep the cable ties from slipping off the end of the legs.) The split ring is off of a set of keys, and probably isn't necessary. To pack it up, all I have to do is slide one leg around the curve of the weights until they are all on one side. Voila! Out come the weights. This could also be done by hanging a bag of gravel/lead fishing weights/etc. from where the legs join the tripod, but I had the free weights handy, and it works well.

[DeadlyDad]

Thanks Matt and Inkista. Great input, I guess I'll have something crafty to do this weekend. And Inkista, I was talking about the closed-cell foam, sorry if I didn't make it clear. Besides it's more environmentally friendly than styro. But to butcher a Yoga-mat... I didn't even see that coming... LOL. I guess I'll know where to go if I needed a quick cushion fix. Thanks a lot.
What one case I used to have had was layers of heavy cardboard glued together, with cutouts a bit bigger than the size of the items (plus finger access holes). The sides of the cutouts were lined with a couple of layers of felt for cushioning, and more felt was glued onto the top. It looked good, and worked even better than it looked. It is also more environmentally friendly, and should be dead simple to make.

[Revald]

I built my own led ring light for macro photography. Take a look at http://blog.revald.dk/?p=34

[klew]

an Instructables post with how to turn a $3 hands-free phone headset into a remote shutter trigger for Canon cameras.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Remote-shutter-trigger-for-Canon-Cameras/

[Nicole]

an Instructables post with how to turn a $3 hands-free phone headset into a remote shutter trigger for Canon cameras.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Remote-shutter-trigger-for-Canon-Cameras/
Have you noticed that apparently Canons can be triggered by like any remote? :p It sure seems that way after seeing the DIY remote using a Universal TV remote and now this one ;)

[Dr. WooD]

Had an old tripod laying around from my P&S days. After having to hang my hair light from its bare cord from a plant hook in my garage, I got to thinking.......Yeah I know, bad idea!

Was thinking how nice it wood be to be able to have a little more freedom in my light placement. I did order some real light stands, but that still left me with one light hanging from the ceiling.

Dug around in my garage, and found everything I needed to make a small boom stand with a 4 foot reach. Never visited the hardware store once. I already had the 5" light.

1. Old tripod
2. Pieces of electrical PVC pipe
1. Really odd clamp that was already tapped 1/4 20 for the tripod head
2. Barbell locking collars
1. 12" piece of 1/2 key bar stock
1. Home Depot 5" refector that cost around $6.00 with tax
1. Can of satin black spray paint

It actually works really good. Its balanced, and stable for what it is.


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wood-shot/2282189700/" title="_DSC5844 by wood420, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2144/2282189700_0d02355d3e.jpg" width="500" height="335" alt="_DSC5844" /></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wood-shot/2281398291/" title="_DSC5849 by wood420, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/2281398291_e0d6762909.jpg" width="500" height="335" alt="_DSC5849" /></a>


There are a couple more shots of it on flickr.

[RussHeath]

Nice work! Seems a good size for a hairlight too. It's always satisfying to DIY and not even make a trip to the store . . .

[wannabehorsephotographer]

This is very "beginnery", but I carry around tissue paper I salvaged from opening presents at Christmas time to diffuse my flash. A piece or two of white keeps the flash from washing out my girl's face. It is kinda fun to play around with the other colors, but usually I think it is better to just mess with the color cast post-production instead of altering the original.

Great do-it-yourself ideas on here! I've already bookmarked a huge list - to make someone else do up for me :) I am not engineerically inclined!

[shawngrimes]

Just wanted to share this, I came up with it today.

I'm using medium binder clips and 2" binder rings to hang my backdrops from my stand. The stand is just a 1" PVC pipe. I don't have to sew and i can hang multiple backdrops from the stand and slide them across when I want to use one.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shawngrimes/2320246956/" title="Studio Curtains by ShawnGrimes, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3150/2320246956_f6951fc5f2.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Studio Curtains" /></a>

[wannabehorsephotographer]

I love this idea - simple - yet efficient

[Joeb]

I made a DIY ringflash using this tutorial by Jedrek on flickr. Link (http://flickr.com/photos/jedrek/239141592/)

I decided to fabricate a bracket so that it would be easier to hold and use, but after using it, I found it to be a bit wobbly even though the whole this is actually light. So I plan on adding a few more strips of aluminum to strengthen it, as well as a more secure way to keep the flash and trigger in place instead of just rubberbands.

Here are the pictures.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/joebaboba/2417902394/" title="IMG_0134 by joebaboba, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2002/2417902394_0cd953c509.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="IMG_0134" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/joebaboba/2417900764/" title="IMG_0128 by joebaboba, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2264/2417900764_749bf9a63d.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="IMG_0128" /></a>

Without the diffuser
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/joebaboba/2417083367/" title="IMG_0131 by joebaboba, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2042/2417083367_95bab73742.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="IMG_0131" /></a>

With the diffuser
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/joebaboba/2417083367/" title="IMG_0131 by joebaboba, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2042/2417083367_95bab73742.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="IMG_0131" /></a>

Four more pictures in next post.

[Joeb]

Here are the last four pictures

Mounted on a cheap tripod
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/joebaboba/2417902898/" title="IMG_0144 by joebaboba, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2266/2417902898_340480927e.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="IMG_0144" /></a>

Pretty even light spread
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/joebaboba/2417084181/" title="IMG_0138 by joebaboba, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2221/2417084181_cd74225724.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="IMG_0138" /></a>

And finally, two sample pictures straight from the camera.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/joebaboba/2417082103/" title="IMG_0015 by joebaboba, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2080/2417082103_eba809f751.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="IMG_0015" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/joebaboba/2417900150/" title="IMG_0013 by joebaboba, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3170/2417900150_02759ea528.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="IMG_0013" /></a>

[frad-ster]

Another thread on aquariums made me think of this cheap and easy tip that I saw online a while ago.

If your camera can't take filters (e.g. a P&S) then you can still use a polarizing filter with the help of a pair of polarized sunglasses. As long as the lenses are polarized this will work. When you want to take the picture, hold the sunglasses up in front of your lens so that you can't see the frames or anything else strange, then rotate the sunglasses in front of the camera until you get the look that you were hoping for (and if they're not a pair of sunglasses you wear, you can always pop the lens out and just keep that with your camera bag). This can produce a darker sky or cut out reflections the same way a normal polarizer would. You might feel a bit silly giving your camera sunglasses, but hey, this is coming from the same person who has walked around with their camera in a big ziplock bag ;)

This works well with a P&S. When I don't want to bring my DSLR, I have a nice little pocket sized P&S and I do this all the time with shots that need the polarize filter. I like the added suggestions of actually popping the sunglass lens out and keeping it with the camera - thats super great! LOL!

[dimitrz]

:)Trying to build a DIY reliable waterproof cover that will protect the cam even if it falls in water - without effecting the clarity of photos taken using the cover ( I do a lot of rafting & kayaking) and if there is one thing that scares me that is the fear of damaging my Sony DSC H2 :)

Its my life:o

[Bail]

:)Trying to build a DIY reliable waterproof cover that will protect the cam even if it falls in water - without effecting the clarity of photos taken using the cover ( I do a lot of rafting & kayaking) and if there is one thing that scares me that is the fear of damaging my Sony DSC H2 :)

Its my life:o


I tried doing something similar. I started by gluing a ring adapter to a piece of glass then gluing the remains of a rain coat around it.

[mhuk05]

Here's a link to a DIY beauty dish:

http://www.imageguy.com/make-your-own-beauty-dish/

I found it via strobist:

http://davidtejada.blogspot.com/2008/04/beauty-dish-for-sb-800.html

Also:

http://www.diyphotography.net/studio-lighting-flash-mounted-homemade-diy-beauty-dish

[mhuk05]

I recently modified my Vivitar 2800 flash to have variable power output by adding a 100k potentiometer to it. The details are described below (please check my flickr page for any future changes to the description and any additional photos).

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mhuk/2554929724/" title="Vivitar 2800 Flash Modification - variable output by ukespresso, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3056/2554929724_f5f7d857d2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Vivitar 2800 Flash Modification - variable output" /></a>

Part One:

1. Use a fine blade or screwdriver to remove the plastic &quot;cap&quot; (black cirle with blue ring- not shown) that was originally where the red cap now is. Remove the screw and white plastic grommet that are under this.
2. Remove the top part of the flash- you may need to remove the two screws circled in red.
3. Remove the four screws in the hotshoe and remove it.
4. Gently separate the front and rear sections of the flash.
5. Go to Part Two.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mhuk/2554932398/" title="Vivitar 2800 Flash Modification - variable output by ukespresso, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3270/2554932398_c5c603e87d.jpg" width="500" height="377" alt="Vivitar 2800 Flash Modification - variable output" /></a>

Part Two:

6. The disassembled flash unit is shown in "ONE", together will the newly soldered cable to the photo diode. You will need to use thin wire, no thicker than the existing wire in the flash. I replaced the white cable shown with thinner wire at a later stage.
7. Gently pull out the bottom PCB as far as you can.
8. Solder a cable to left and right connections of the photo diode as shown in "TWO". These wires should be about 15cm in length- they need to be long enough to feed up the side of the flash as indicated by the red dotted line in "ONE".
9. The other side of this PCB is shown in THREE.
10. Now comes the messy part. Using a soldering iron or the tool of your choice, make a ) shaped hole in the top side of the upper flash unit. The outer part is shown in photo "FOUR"- you will need to make a similar hole in the inner part (not shown). This hole needs to be long enough to allow the cables to move freely when the upper part of the flash is angled when using the flash.

(The following part may be amended later).

11. Feed the newly soldered wires alongside the existing wires, feeding it through the holes in the PCBs and refit the lower PCB.
12. Feed the wires through the new hole in the upper inner part of the flash head and reassemble the flash unit.
13. Take a 100k miniature potentiometer (mine is linear; I may try a log one later; a 250k potentiometer may be better but I don't have one) and snip off the prongs.
14. Solder the new wires to the centre and right terminals of the potentiometer (the underside of the potentiometer).
15. Push the wires back into the flash head and glue the potentiometer to the centre of the part shown in photo "FOUR".
16. Dtrill a 6mm hole in the centre of a cap that fits over the circular moulding shown in photo FOUR (I used the lid from a milk carton- the red cap shown in the other photo). Push it over the spindle of the potentiometer (cut the spindle to length prior to soldering the wires to it) and tighten up the washer/ nut.
17. Attach a knob to the spindle.
18. Test it. You have a 50% chance of turning the knob clockwise will increase the power output. If it reduces the power output, unsolder and reverse the wires on the back of the potentiometer (you did leave enough slack to do this didn't you?).

I think that covers it- please correct me if I've made mistakes, missed out a step or if it's unclear (I need to upload a missing photo). I will also be trying out a smaller sub-miniature potentiometer at a later date.

Total cost of this flash and mod was £4.85:

Flash: £3.21 (fleabay)
Knob: 94p
Potentiometer: 70p
Plastic cap and wire: free.

[filemanager]

I don't know if any of you have heard of this before, but someone just told me about a <b>DIY Macro Lens</b>

I haven't tried it yet, but this is what he said:
You don't have to have a macro lens. Have you heard of the reverse lens stuff? Just grab any old lens, detach it from your camera, and hold it tight the "wrong" way round in front of the body and there you have your macro lens. You'll need shitloads of light and you'll have no autofocus, but you'll get brilliant macro shots once you get the feel of it.

Here's a shot I did with this technique (it was made outside in the sun): <a href="http://m.blog.hu/ef/efbe/image/kepek/rhythm.jpg">[link]</a>
You can even see the wee bits of dust around the letters, it's the first two letters of "rythm" on an electric guitar's pickup switch.