Vanishing Point Ent wrote:
So, has any one, built there own computer, or their own

digital camera ?  Honestly.

Yes, I've built a computer from case to completion. I'm currently using it to type this. It also is a dual core that screams in PS CS3 and cost 1/2 what it would if it were purchased premade.

Vanishing Point Ent wrote:
I've rebuilt, almost everything I

use, but that's mostly a because of reliability,

not because I have to.

Needs, as opinions, differ

Vanishing Point Ent wrote:
Also, to build these things, you need a saw & Dremel tool.

Why not use that money, to buy the right item, in the

first place.

You're assuming that I don't already own these most basic of tools that are useful in many  hobbies and professions. I do. Not everything I and others have posted here require such tools.

Vanishing Point Ent wrote:
The 2 greatest lighting inventors, I know, are

Walter Melrose, inventor of the Mola, not something that

you can re-create, by cutting a bowl.  The 2nd one, is

John Mosher, who did the same thing for round reflectors,

( for flashes, like Lumedyne, Quantum & Norman 200 - 400 ),

as Mr. Melrose did with the Mola.

As Cheap Chuck Lewis used to say,

" Don't waste your time & money, reinventing the Wheel. "

Curious, where do you think these inventors began? They began by modifying and building things to work for them, and might be beneficial to others.  Gary Fong is a gazillionaire because of a plastic bowl. A mass marketed plastic bowl.


I'll waste my time and money building whatever I'd like. You can buy it when it comes out because you need a shiny new gadget. I'm cool with that.


On another note, two questions:



1) Why in the hell did you come into a helpful thread to offer what is absolutely zero, except your lame and ignorant opinion? Go away. Troll elsewhere.

2) Are you in some part of the world where punctuation is completely random, or are you typing via morse code? The only thing worse than reading your feckless ill informed rhetoric is stumbling over the random odd punctuation.

Vanishing Point Ent wrote:
So, has any one, built there own computer, or their own

digital camera ?  Honestly.  I've rebuilt, almost everything I

use, but that's mostly a because of reliability,

not because I have to.

Also, to build these things, you need a saw & Dremel tool.

Why not use that money, to buy the right item, in the

first place.  The 2 greatest lighting inventors, I know, are

Walter Melrose, inventor of the Mola, not something that

you can re-create, by cutting a bowl.  The 2nd one, is

John Mosher, who did the same thing for round reflectors,

( for flashes, like Lumedyne, Quantum & Norman 200 - 400 ),

as Mr. Melrose did with the Mola.

As Cheap Chuck Lewis used to say,

" Don't waste your time & money, reinventing the Wheel. "

I have been making my own soft boxes for over 20 years. I started assisting for a guy that used to say "store bought equipment equals store bought results".

Solstice Retouch wrote:
Wow you guys are great at DIY projects. If my head didn't explode walking into home depot and I knew even how to do something as small as drilling I would do all this on my own

Does anyone use a DIY beauty dish for a 430EX or any other speed light? I would pay for a custom made one.

Look at the first picture in the OP- It's a bowl diffuser (based more on motion picture "skypans" than a beauty dish) for my speedlight
made in about 15 minutes with the most basic of tools. I still use the same one, a year later.

Vanishing Point Ent wrote:
So, has any one, built there own computer, or their own

digital camera ?  Honestly.  I've rebuilt, almost everything I

use, but that's mostly a because of reliability,

not because I have to.

Also, to build these things, you need a saw & Dremel tool.

Why not use that money, to buy the right item, in the

first place.  The 2 greatest lighting inventors, I know, are

Walter Melrose, inventor of the Mola, not something that

you can re-create, by cutting a bowl.  The 2nd one, is

John Mosher, who did the same thing for round reflectors,

( for flashes, like Lumedyne, Quantum & Norman 200 - 400 ),

as Mr. Melrose did with the Mola.

As Cheap Chuck Lewis used to say,

" Don't waste your time & money, reinventing the Wheel. "

yes, I've built my own computer.  on more than on occassion.   I've also built cameras

if someone wants to build their own ringflash, car or camera,  who cares?  why does it bug you and why are you worried how they spend their time?  I still shoot film.  Are you going to tell me I should shoot digital because the camera can now do all the processing? 

really, your argument is weak.

slave to the lens wrote:
Look at the first picture in the OP- It's a bowl diffuser (based more on motion picture "skypans" than a beauty dish) for my speedlight
made in about 15 minutes with the most basic of tools. I still use the same one, a year later.

(this is solstice, forgot to log out of the photo account)

That is awesome, I am trying to look for one I can make with a larger surface area. I wonder if that is asking for too much of if there are materials that can be used to make it ultra-light. I have been pondering how to go about it for a while, especially as wide enough to accommodate a large surface area.

Bad Karma Photo wrote:

(this is solstice, forgot to log out of the photo account)

That is awesome, I am trying to look for one I can make with a larger surface area. I wonder if that is asking for too much of if there are materials that can be used to make it ultra-light. I have been pondering how to go about it for a while, especially as wide enough to accommodate a large surface area.

A large pie tin seems like a good candidate. Check smart and final. Also, Ikea has all sorts off odd, smooth, large plastic bowls.

slave to the lens wrote:

A large pie tin seems like a good candidate. Check smart and final. Also, Ikea has all sorts off odd, smooth, large plastic bowls.

That is... a really great idea. Thank you sir.

Solstice Retouch wrote:

That is... a really great idea. Thank you sir.

Most of the speedlight modifiers that I've made and really loved had soft velcro around the opening edges which kept it snug. A hard side velcro strip on my speedlight mates up with it and I use these things handheld (with a cord) standing looking down and I've never had one slip off.

Damon Banner wrote:
I was just building a beauty dish and sliced off my left nutt!

damn....thats gotta hurt..at least you still have the right one......






right?

Cspine wrote:
OK folks, I built me some portable power! All you DIY gear freaks love the step-by-step instructions, so here they are.

ETA: The Vagabond II is a great piece of gear and isn't much more expensive than this unit. My DIY power isn't necessarily any better or worse, just different. It doesn't hurt to have options!

What you need:
1) One battery. I used an Interstate DCM0018 12v 18ah AGM battery ordered from the local 'Jerry's' hardware store. Cost = $55. Geek info at http://www.interstatebatteries.com/cs_e … cm0018.pdf




2)One pure sine power inverter. I used a 600w Samlex (overkill!), but a 300 would be better, and a 150 is fine for a single light. Cost: $200 for the 600w at Fry's, or $130 for the 300w (I think the 'Vagabond II' uses a 300w).

ETA: The 600w has a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interupt) built in so that you wont get killed during a short circuit. It also has a terminal for a grounding wire meant to connect to a grounding stake. THE 300W DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE A GFCI.

Geek info for the 600w at http://www.samlexamerica.com/customer_s … kSheet.pdf

300w at http://www.samlexamerica.com/customer_s … kSheet.pdf



3) 2 (1/4-20) screws and washers.  I already had these, so the cost was $0



4) 2 wires with round connectors on one side, stripped 3/8 on the other. I already had these, so the cost was $0

5) Sturdy bag that doesn't scream 'Steal me!' Cost: $2.50 at Goodwill.



6) Battery charger/maintainer. Cost: $20 at Wal-Mart



Here is the simple step-by-step. The photos suck, but stfu about it.

1) Take your battery


and your inverter


and connect them together. Positive to positive, negative to negative.



2) Stick them in the bag. ETA: Be sure the unit fits snug in the bag and the terminals are covered. A sheet of rubber from a truck inner tube wrapped around the battery wouldn't be a bad idea.


3) Go shoot stuff.

Total cost:
$277.50 for the 600w
$207.50 for the 300w


I have another battery that's too big to carry, but I'll use a hand truck to lug it around if I need all day power. It's an Interstate DCM0075 12v 75ah AGM.




I haven't tested how many shots it can do or weighed it (feels about 20-25lbs) but I did fire off several shots with a White Lightning Ultra 600 and Ultra 1200 full power and it worked great. Recycle times were the same as when they are plugged into a wall socket. 1 sec for the 600, 2 sec for the 1200.

Update: Finally had some time to test this bugger. I hooked up my WL Ultra 1200 (600 watt/sec) at full power firing it off as fast as it would recycle, every 2 sec, for 100 cycles. The battery and inverter remained cool, as did the body of the WL. The reflector sure was hot lol. The recycle time stayed at 2 sec.

ChasmPrism wrote:
I couldn't thank you guys enough. Wow, many of these ideas are really encouraging for someone like me, who is working on a very limited budget.

Make something. Document it, post it here. Use it. That's all the thanks I need.

BlindMike wrote:

I'm building a cyc. Muwahaha.









Got the last of the panels in last weekend. If all goes well, we might be able to paint and wrap it up this week.

Good job , can I bring my skateboard ?

chrismcapo wrote:
Good job , can I bring my skateboard ?

I see 4 feet of Vert. That's rad.

Vanishing Point Ent wrote:
So, has any one, built there own computer, or their own

digital camera ?  Honestly.  I've rebuilt, almost everything I

use, but that's mostly a because of reliability,

not because I have to.

Also, to build these things, you need a saw & Dremel tool.

Why not use that money, to buy the right item, in the

first place.  The 2 greatest lighting inventors, I know, are

Walter Melrose, inventor of the Mola, not something that

you can re-create, by cutting a bowl.  The 2nd one, is

John Mosher, who did the same thing for round reflectors,

( for flashes, like Lumedyne, Quantum & Norman 200 - 400 ),

as Mr. Melrose did with the Mola.

As Cheap Chuck Lewis used to say,

" Don't waste your time & money, reinventing the Wheel. "

What is it to you if a guy has the skill, makes the time, and enjoys what he is doing? Where do you think most of the photo gadgets come from in the first place?

slave to the lens wrote:
Soon, I'll be posting the tank I'm building to haul all of my lights and stands and such around. It's a juggernaut.

Gotta see this!!

SMMurphy wrote:
Home Depot....here I come!

Careful... once you get the DIY bug, that place will suck all your time!

Chip Morton wrote:

Gotta see this!!

I'll shoot it next time I bust it out.