I couldn't
resist and bought a MeiKe cheap UW housing for my nex-5. It's specifically
designed for the 16mm pancake lens, hence the whole set-up is really small.
First I thought that I will use for available light photos mainly in pool or
for snorkelling.
This housing also accommodate the on-board flash (actually it’s a small add on GN7 flash), but due to it's position first I thought it's useless.
Later on came the idea to split and channel the light via optical fibers to a better position. I had many non-underwater project combining optical fibers and loc-line flexible arms.
This housing also accommodate the on-board flash (actually it’s a small add on GN7 flash), but due to it's position first I thought it's useless.
Later on came the idea to split and channel the light via optical fibers to a better position. I had many non-underwater project combining optical fibers and loc-line flexible arms.
My only
problem was the attachment of the arms to the housing and here came the LEGO to
the picture. So I stole some bricks from the collection of my son and glued it
to the housing and created this:
So it
covers the front and prevent any front lighting but channels the light to the
side in the arms.
Recent
underwater adapters are mainly using this concept to create snoots (AKA
fibersnoot) but I decided to spread the light a bit instead of focusing it:
The same
LEGO concept may also work for DIY optical triggering of external stobes.
Picture
below shows the rig in work (taken in the mirror):
I tested
only once (actually today) in a local lake with not so good visibility and the
results are not bad (but don't expect spectacular pictures mainly due to the
conditions, lack of good subjects and skills of the photographer). But at least
the flash didn't cause any backscatter.
That is freaking RAD!!! That pike looks wicked. Such a cool project! Makes me want to go shopping for fiber.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this.
Hi Jamie!
ReplyDeleteIt's not a universal solution but it works in several cases but won't replace an external strobe (but it might be combined with it).
It's a cheap add on and works fine for close subjects and add a "kiss of light" for fish photos.