DIY Photography Gear

[tokyorush]

I made this some time ago to try and imitate the effect of twin-flash systems, hope you like it...

fotoamater.com - DIY twin-flash

In the end it looks like this:



And the effect of the light is like this:

[royg]

For my normal photography, I use an EOS50D - but I can't carry that around all the time, so I use a Nokia N95 Camera Phone to capture photos at those times when it's not convenient or appropriate (e.g. at work) to carry the DSLR and associated kit.

The N95 camera has it's limitations, but provided you work within the limitations (e.g. never use the digital zoom, and avoid low light), the 5 meg pixel camera and Zeiss lens do a good job. Today I tried the suggestion to use a polaroid sunglass lens as a polarising filter. It worked OK, but in some instances, I ran into some problems with the auto focus hunting, and the exposure going way off. This seems to occur at maxim polarising angle.

I suspect is is something to do with the difference between a circular polarising filter and a linear polarising filter, but I can't find a decent explanation of what the difference is, and whether a sunglass lens is a linear or a circular polariser. Camera stores always recommend circular polarisers for auto-focus cameras.

I tried using an old Hoya circular polariser held in front of the lens, and it worked without the problem, but you need three hands to do the job, so a simple sunglass polaroid lens is a much easier solution, if it can be made to work.

Does anyone know the answer ?

Originally Posted by 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

[bigd]

Originally Posted by alissasanderson

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

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.

You can make your own using some material and fill with rice. If you want it to be more waterproof then but the rice in a ziplock type bag then put inside material and sew it up. I hope this helps.

[matt.voran]

Hello,

Although I own and use the AWESOME LowePro Slingshot 200AW, I decided I wanted to have my camera with me at all times, as well as my usual stuff. Lunch, gym clothes, laptop etc...... so I bought a Northface bag and RETRO FITTED it with a DSLR holder that fits in the bottom of the bag. I love this combo and now I can take my camera everywhere, without carrying two bags or having a bag within a bag. A bonus is that it doesnt LOOK like a camera bag.....



Check out my DIY SLR BACKPACK INSERT

[Geoscape]

I came across this DIY project and thought many here may enjoy it:

Svarteld blog: Homegrown ultralight lightstands

and video to make em:

http://blog.svarteld.com/2010/02/hom...nds-2-how.html

[jiminyClickit]

This unit can produce this kind of lighting: 2.5-inch glass w/flash - a set on Flickr

It's not expensive and takes an evening to construct. Finding fiber optic material may be an issue - I waited for a UPS delivery for this one. Adapting the idea to your camera may be a challenge. If I can help, let me know in a PM.

[jiminyClickit]

[spazoid1965]

I saw this online. Thought it would be worth posting.
http://www.ksmt.com/dcm-bellows/dcm-bellows_e.htm

[lmatias]

Hi

It's really a good option if I can do this.
Could tell me where did you bought the fiber optic cable? The link please...
How did you cut the optic fiber?

[Just_Jada]

would this work for niagra falls as well?.. im really wanting to get great shots but am looking for a cheap way of water proofing my camera...