HOWTO: Film Can Diffuser + Color Gel holder

[jhawksley]

In this tutorial I will show you how to build a cheap yet effective diffuser that will also allow you to use theatrical gels from Rosco to color your flash.



Materials needed:

Clear film canister
Utility knife
Roscolux gel samples and a hinged metal ring (the gels come on a plastic rod, making them hard to remove. I simply cut the rod with wire cutters and put the gels on the ring, which allows you to easily access them individually)
Rosco will ship you the gels for FREE. All you have to do is call their offices at +18007672652 and ask the receptionist for a sample set. He/She will ask for your shipping address and send them off to you within the week via UPS, no questions asked. You can also order them from B&H for $.01, but why bother when Rosco will send you them for free?

The Process:

Step 1: Cut a slot in the film can lid

Using your utility knife, hollow out the gap in between the center of the lid and the rim of the lid as shown, about halfway around the cap.

Step 2: Cut slot in film can

Again using your utility knife, cut a slot approximately 1.5cm wide for the entire height of the can. As it will need to fit over your camera's pop-up flash, the size of the gap needed may vary.

Step 3: Slide can over pop up flash and close lid, slide gel into slot in cap so it sits directly in front of flash.

You can, of course, use the diffuser without gels if you so desire.

Step 4: Have fun!
test image

I have also posted a few additional pictures of the project on flickr here.

Enjoy!

[googlit]

that rocks so much. Definitely going to give that a go. Thanks!

Did you come up with this on your own or come across it somewhere else?

[jhawksley]

I heard about the film can diffuser idea from a friend, but kind of figured out how to make it myself. As for the gel insert, I came up with it myself as far as I know. I just modded the can when my gels came as I wanted to secure them in front of the flash.

[Nicole]

Wow! That rocks! I'm so intrigued to try this out Thanks for showing us all how to do that

[PreyingJaws]

I've used mine in a variety of settings; personally, I don't care for it. I prefer a slip or two of lense cleaning tissue as the difuser; I do like the element of the gel. This does add a new dimension to the on camera flash.

[jhawksley]

While the film can does diffuse the light somewhat, I have found that it works a lot better in combination with the Rosco cinegel ND filters included in the samples. I normally use the 1-stop filter and it seems to do the trick.

[heliot]

Very cool! Will have to try this.

[z999]

what's this gel? what is it doing? and does it have another name that I can use to try and find it?

[mdwsta4]

i need to do something similar for my 430ex. i got free gels from Lee Filters, but at the moment i've just been holding them over the flash
where to find free flash gel covers?

[heliot]

Had to modify the film can cutting some but it worked great. here's the test shot with color gel..