New Macro Experiments

[Ray]

So I got a sweet deal on a used macro lens for my camera, and decided I "needed" a ring light to give me "flatter" lighting. However, the idea of shelling out some serious bucks left me cold.

Following a D-I-Y guide, I constructed my own from two automotive LED "angel eyes" rings, and a case from a spool of CDs. It attaches to the lens via what's left of a lens hood. It is powered by a small box containing 8 D-cells in series, but can also use an AC adapter (I have a 12V one from an old scanner) for stationary "studio" work. Total cost around $15. (images of the light are attached.)

The photo of the flower spike (Stenorrhychos albidomaculatum) was my first hand-held shot, and I was surprised to find the lights too bright, so I will continue to experiment with diffusers. I'm also sure it would have been a better shot with the tripod.

[trdyl]

Pretty neat Ray!

Looks like it works very well.

[This Side of Paradise]

nice ring

[Val]

Originally Posted by Ray

I was surprised to find the lights too bright, so I will continue to experiment with diffusers.

Why don't you just close the aperture a little more - you'd also get more depth of field. However, diffraction will rise its ugly head from f/22 (which is higher for macro lenses than for general purpose lenses).

Anyway, smart ring, congrats!

[lepanthes89]

What I do when the pic. turns out too bright no matter what I do, is I take the ring light off the lens, and use it like a hand held flash.
I can vary the distance and the angle of the light ,for a more three-dimentional picture.

[Ray]

Val, I am aware that I have a LOT more adjusting to do - that was literally the first shot after assembly, making no adjustments other than turning off the internal flash. Aperture and shutter speeds were "as-is".

Here's the assembly guide: Modding Project: Ring Light MetkuMods - Because you love your hardware!

[Val]

The engineer in me absolutely loves this creative solution.
The satisfaction multiplies when you know you took the picture using an unexpensive yet competent homemade tool.

[IraGlacialis]

Quite innovate. Mad props to you, and that is something I may look into making.

[tropterrarium]

Have you tried exposure correction (specifically around -1 f-stop) to get the light levels down? The rather large area of very dark background fools most cameras into overexposing the shot.

[Connie Star]

I'm struck by the very shallow depth of field. The problem might be the lens, as the exposure looks reasonably okay. What about the color balance? Does your camera do it automatically? I couldn't tell without actually seeing the flowers.