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Cheap DIY reflectors?
I'm looking for a cheap DIY reflector. I was thinking about just going over to the dollar store or even a car parts store and buying a solar reflector. I have seen dual round ones as well. And also going over to target or hallmark and buying the gold opaque shiny wrapping sheets and covering it for a gold reflector. Has anyone tried doing that? The reflectors Iâve seen are usually pricey, (on bhphotovideo) unless someone knows a cheap cost effective one. I'll check the thread later in the evening since I am doing some work, but thank you in advance, I appreciate the time and responses! Mar 25 08 12:19 pm Link I know a few people that use sun screens for cars. I use foam core if I need a white surface and that stuff is pretty cheap. Mar 25 08 12:20 pm Link I also used use foam core if a regular reflector is not available. You can also take foam core or cardboard and attach foil or some other reflective material on it as well. K. Allen Mar 25 08 12:22 pm Link Thank you! That is actually another great idea. The cardboard/foam with some reflective foil. I could do that One question, when you guys use just the foam, I am assuming it gives off more of a difussed reflection than a standard metalic surface, correct? Basically I am trying to clarify the usage and benefits. Mar 25 08 12:27 pm Link Bad Karma Photo wrote: Yes. Mar 25 08 12:37 pm Link Brian Hilson wrote: I just bought one the other day!!!! Mar 25 08 12:39 pm Link Bad Karma Photo wrote: Go to Home Depot and get yourself a 4'x8' panel of foil-faced insulation, 1/2" thick. The 1/2" thickness has a satin-silver finish, and makes for a sweet light. The cost is somewhere in the neighborhood of $10-$15 per panel, and you can make multiple reflectors from that. The image below used a tri-fold reflector made from a 3'x4' piece of this material around the main light source: Mar 25 08 01:08 pm Link I use a $4 can of silver Krylon to hit the foam core. Now one side is silver, the other white. They make it in gold too! + 1 for the windshield reflectors too. They can fold up into a bag. Mar 25 08 03:27 pm Link I use the cheap ole' silver windshield reflector at times. I believe you can also get some with a gold tint, instead of silver. I think I paid $10 for two of the type you can fold into a little bag. I rarely use them, but they work when you need them. Also, you could always get a nice big piece of cardboard, and tape some aluminum foil to it, to see how that works. Make sure it has the shinier side facing out, though. That will run you anywhere from $1-$5 Mar 25 08 03:32 pm Link I know we're talking about reflectors and bounces, but this is related - the sun shades for cars made from black window screen make awesome scrims and are really cheap.. I use a set of two I bought at K-Mart for $6 (they are about 16" x 12" in size) for macro and flowers.  Mar 25 08 03:54 pm Link Rob Domaschuk wrote: Interesting... I'll have to give that a try one day. Thanks for sharing. Mar 25 08 03:57 pm Link Simplesoul26 wrote: No problem - I love finding ways to make lighting props (bounces, etc.) Mar 25 08 04:01 pm Link The cheap doormount mirrors or better yet, self adhesive 12x12 inch mirrored tiles .... take a 4x4 ' hunk of 1/2" plywood with a baby plate attached to the back, smash up a mirror, attach with liquid nails in a random pattern and presto... If its too hot, dulling spray and/or a bit of nd net Mar 25 08 04:04 pm Link lynch231 wrote: does the Krylon paint not "eat" through the foam? Mar 25 08 04:06 pm Link You can also visit Staples and get white or black foam boards. Pack of 3 for about 20 bucks. Mar 25 08 04:15 pm Link Timeless_Photos wrote: foamcore is paper coated. Mar 25 08 04:16 pm Link These are all amazing ideas! Thank you all so much Mar 25 08 04:43 pm Link Timeless_Photos wrote: no the top of the faom core is two pieces of cardboard with foam in the middle so your realy painting the cardboard and krylon paint dry fast so they don't penitrait that deep Mar 25 08 04:50 pm Link I use 4x8 sheets of foam core for bookends. One side left white, the other spray painted matte black to use as a catch (rarely have I had the need to use this side) I would suggest getting the white foam core, and using spray adhesive, glue tinfoil to the other side. Wrinkle it up real good though and use the wide thick heavy duty stuff, so it'll act more like a silver reflector than a mirror. Mar 25 08 04:50 pm Link Richard Gorremans wrote: I still have reflectors that I made several years ago from foamcore with silver or gold finish mat board (available from art supply store) fastened to one side. A tee nut makes for a handy tripod mount for such. Spring clamps are handy for mounting your reflector(s) on whatever. Mar 25 08 04:58 pm Link They sell rolls of Reflectix insulation.....foil on both sides with a thin layer of foam in the middle. It rolls up, it shapes, it clamps to things. If you are out in Yellowstone in February and its 17 degrees you can wrap it around your sleeping bag... Mar 25 08 06:15 pm Link Aren't reflectors cheap anyhow? Like really really cheap? Mar 25 08 06:19 pm Link The polly pipe is handy...make some clips from short peices ...change the material easily...  Mar 25 08 06:23 pm Link Anthony Stubbs wrote: this is most definitely the creepiest picture on MM. Not sure why. It just is. Mar 25 08 06:25 pm Link We use foam core 1/2" x 4' x 8' white id about $40 a sheet and the solid black is about $45 a sheet. I have taped 2 together so they hinge.. It makes a nice reflector or light modifier for neg lite... Mar 25 08 06:26 pm Link IrisSwope wrote: theyre not *inexpensive* Mar 25 08 06:28 pm Link They're really cheap on ebay.... Mar 25 08 06:30 pm Link just spend $150 and get the wescott reflector kit and dont be cheap. Mar 25 08 06:31 pm Link After Hours photos wrote: Would you like to donate that money to enable us to not be a cheap ass? Mar 25 08 06:33 pm Link After Hours photos wrote: Not helpful, especially since legitimate alternatives exist. Mar 25 08 06:46 pm Link Foamcore is my friend too. Travel tip: score it to bend and make it collapsable. Reinforce the scores with electrical tape. Mar 25 08 06:50 pm Link D A N I E L W wrote: You obviously hav'nt seen them nude! Mar 25 08 06:58 pm Link . Mar 25 08 10:25 pm Link Lots of good ideas. Try going to a home improvement store, you can really find some nice stuff there. I think someone earlier mentioned that. Mar 25 08 10:27 pm Link Richard Dubois wrote: Thats the ticket! I have done that, and it works great. Mar 25 08 10:27 pm Link I saw that cardboard covered with tin foil was mentioned. I actually find the dull side of the foil more useful. The shiny side creates hot spots. You can also use the "poster board" or poster sized card stock. It has a glossy white finish, and works well for softening shadows. I think they run about 60 cents a piece. I like the pvc frame idea... I might have to try that out. If you have any umbrellas with stands they double great as reflectors, and you don't need anyone to assist you. Good luck with it, and happy shooting. Mar 25 08 10:43 pm Link Jeez folks,just get a 5 in one set on ebay,they are dirt cheap.Less than $24. I got mine there. Here is a link to one that I bought: http://cgi.ebay.com/43-5in1-REFLECTOR-L … dZViewItem Works great and folds up making it easy to bring on a shoot. Mar 25 08 10:46 pm Link Anthony Stubbs wrote: This is funny on so many levels. Mar 25 08 10:47 pm Link Rob Domaschuk wrote: This is awesome. A car shade as a scrim! Mar 25 08 10:48 pm Link Photocyco2000 wrote: The pop-up reflectors are fine, but there are some things that the "homebrew" reflectors do better. For example, you can make them pretty much any size you want, and you can make structures from them (bookends and trifolds come to mind). I have tripod mounts on two of my foamcore reflectors. This allows me to "dial in" the reflection or subtraction that I want. Mar 26 08 01:28 am Link |
