DIY lighting, done for you
There are many of us who are attracted by the idea of low cost, do-it-yourself lighting equipment, but haven’t the time or skill to make something that works well. Now though, a company based in America has developed an appealing compromise. DIY Lighting Kits are affordable self-assembly speedlight accessories – effectively the Ikea of photographic lighting.
The manufacturer currently offers two different products – a ring flash adapter (vaguely resembling the format of the Orbis) and a twin flash bracket.
Carlsberg don’t do ring flash adapters, but the DIY Ring Flash is “probably the best ring flash ever”, or so says the manufacturer. For US$24.95 you get a three-piece kit to assemble, and for an extra $9.95 you can also get a bracket that looks a bit better than gaffer’s tape for grip.
Also on sale is a Double Flash Bracket. For US$19.95 you too can own a metal plate, some “fabulous” rubber bands and a nut for fixing to your swivel bracket. Using multiple speedlights in one place allows you to increase the intensity of your light, or reduce power levels to save battery life and shorten recycle times. It also promises “100% on axis lighting”, whatever that means.
DIY Lighting Kits are available worldwide. For more information, please visit the company web site.
Reviews are on the way.
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I’ve got one of their Ringflash kits. Be warned, it robs a LOT of light from your flash. I’m using a SB-600 in mine, and I have to put my ISO up to 400 for it to be usable. Apart from that however, it works very well and gives that typical ringflash shadow halo around your subject.
Sam: all ringflashes rob a lot of light, don’t they? I’ve tried the Orbis and similar knock-offs, and usually have to dial up the TTL compensation two stops to get the results I want, but I do find the results quite pleasing, even outdoors for fill flash.