DIY accessories

What with the credit crunch, worldwide recession etc and my urgent need to save all my spare cash for a 5D MkII, I have decided to have a go at making my own photographic accessories. My first attempt is pictured below - bugs beware, I now have off-shoe macro flash capability for my EF 100mmmacro lens!


I made the flash bracket out of some 8mm stainless steel tubing. The adjustable joints were cannibalised from some redundant instrument stands and the diffuser is a sto-fen omnibounce with a paper picnic bowl attached. The off-shoe cordandtripod mount are Chinese made cheapies purchased on a well known auction site - I didn't want to risk destroying Canon products while experimenting with my design.


The whole thing is hand holdable if a bit front heavy! Any suggestions for improving the design are welcome.I don't have any results yet - the bugs are still all hibernating over here in Ireland. Does anyone else have any cash saving DIY tips to share?





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LOL very nice. What did you use for that? is that a plastic plate?


Now show us some macro taken with this setup.

Its a paper plate, but I want to get a lightweight plasic one for durability. Here's the first attempt - further experimentation will be required[:)]


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Very very nice.

I have a whole slew of DIY things from lighting mods to battery packs for my flash. Let me know what your interested in and I'll post up some plans.

Post away. Any and all.

<div class="Section1"]
<p class="MsoNormal"]<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"]<span style="font-size: small;"]<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"]Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) <st1:place w:st="on"]Battery</st1:place> Pack<o:p></o:p>[/b]
<p class="MsoNormal"]<o:p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]</o:p>
<p class="MsoNormal"]<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"]<span style="font-size: small;"]<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"]Materials Needed[/b]<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"]<br clear="all" style="page-break-before: auto; mso-break-type: section-break;" />
</div>
<div class="Section2"]
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]1 male 4 pin chassis mount microphone jack
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]2 female 4 pin microphone plugs
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]1 SPST rocker or toggle switch
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]1 6&rdquo; x 4&rdquo;x 2&rdquo; Project Box
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]1 6v 5 amp hr <st1:place w:st="on"]SLA</st1:place> battery
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]1&rsquo; Dowell rod, same diameter as AA batteries
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]1 lamp cord/speaker wire/car charger or similar wire
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]1 <st1:place w:st="on"]SLA</st1:place> battery charger
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]1 spool of 20 gauge wire in red
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]1 spool of 20 gauge wire in black, white or green
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]2 domed top wood screws, 1&rdquo; &ndash; 1 &frac14;&rdquo; long
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]2 female spade wire connecters (same size as terminals on battery)
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]2 D ring with strap mirror hangers
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]1 camera strap
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]24 Hour Epoxy, JB Weld or similar
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]Solder
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]Electrical tape
<p class="MsoNormal"]<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"]<span style="font-size: small;"]<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"][/b]
<p class="MsoNormal"]<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"]<span style="font-size: small;"]<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"]Tools Needed:<o:p></o:p>[/b]
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]Dremel Tool
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]Drill and bits
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]Phillips head screwdriver
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]Solder iron
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]Wire stripper
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]Saw
<p class="MsoNormal"]<o:p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]</o:p>
<p class="MsoNormal"]<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"]<span style="font-size: small;"]<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"]Instructions:<o:p></o:p>[/b]
<ul type="disc" style="margin-top: 0in;"]
<li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;" class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small;"]<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"]Test fit the battery in the project box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"] I find that I have had to sand off the inner ridges to get a good fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"] Use the Dremel tool and sanding disk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"]
<li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;" class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]On the short side of the project box, mark the centers of the holes for the microphone jack and the switch with a small hole or marker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"] Clamp down the box and drill out the holes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"] Go SLOW as the plastic can catch the bit and jump around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"] A &frac34;&rdquo; bit is needed for the mic jack. Sand as needed until they fit snug. Do NOT secure to the box yet.
<li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;" class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small;"]<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"]C<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"]ut a 6&rdquo; length of wire from the red spool and strip 1/16&rdquo; to 1/8&rdquo; from both ends. One on end, crimp a spade connector.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"] On the opposite end, twist the exposed wire lightly together and apply a small amount of solder. This is tinning the wire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"]
<li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;" class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small;"]<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"]<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"]S<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]older the tinned wire to the right most pole on the switch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"] Make sure it&rsquo;s a good connection and not a blob of solder.
<li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;" class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]Cut a 3&rdquo; section of red wire, strip and tin both ends. Solder one end to the left most post of the switch. Mount the switch to the project box.
<li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;" class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]Cut a 6&rdquo; section of black/white/green wire and strip both ends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"] Connect a spade connector to one end and tin the opposite end.
<li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;" class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]Solder the tinned end of the black wire onto Pin 1 of the male microphone jack. Mount the jack to the project box.
<li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;" class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]Solder the tinned end of the unattached red wire leading from the switch to Pin 2 on the microphone jack.
<li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;" class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small;"]<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"]Attach the spade connectors to the <st1:place w:st="on"]SLA</st1:place> batter terminals, insert the battery into the project box and attach the plastic cover, you can use the metal cover as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"]
<li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;" class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small;"]<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"]Use the voltmeter to test connections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"]
<li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;" class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]Strip and separate one end of the speaker/lamp/car charger cord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"] Mark on the opposite end the positive and negative wires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"] Solder the POSITIVE wire to Pin 2 of the plug. Solder the NEGATIVE wire to Pin 1 of the plug. Assemble the plug.
<li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;" class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small;"]<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"]Cut 4 pieces of dowel rods to the size of AA batteries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"] Insert a wood screw into the tops of two of the rod.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"] Mark the positive and negative as appropriate and attached the appropriate wires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"] You will need to spit the cable a few inches to have room for battery placement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"]
<li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;" class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]See diagrams for battery placement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"] Be sure to test connections with a voltmeter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"] You may have to cut a small notch in the battery door for threading the cable through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"] If you have a battery holder, use the dummy batteries like normal batteries.
<li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;" class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]Glue the mirror straps to the sides of the battery pack, and thread the camera strap through after the glue dries. Attached the microphone jack and turn the switch on the ON position. Test fire.<o:p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]</o:p>
<li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;" class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small;"]<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"]Cut the alligator clips off the charger and solder the plug as you did for the flash cord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"] To charge, attached the charger plug to the battery and turn the battery on, it helps to leave the <st1:place w:st="on"]SLA</st1:place> battery charging when not in use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"] [/list]
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: small;"]<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"]<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"][img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/800x400/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.24.72/420_5F00_430EZ.gif[/img][img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/400x400/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.24.72/550EX.jpg[/img][img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.24.72/viv_5F00_300EZ.gif[/img]