Should a DIY macro flash snoot be lined with foil, white paper, or left black?
Asked 5/21/2012
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2 answers
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I’m shooting macro with a Sigma 105mm Macro plus extension tubes, so the lens extends a long way at high magnification. With my Nikon SB-900 tilted forward, I often need full flash power just to get light past the front of the lens, which slows recycle times and drains batteries.
I’d like to build a simple DIY snoot from thick cardboard to channel the light more efficiently. For the inside of the snoot, should I leave it black, line it with white paper, or use aluminum foil? I want to direct the light rather than diffuse it, though I could add diffusion at the front if needed.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
1
Avoid black, it will absorb light. White is good enough, foil is better. The longer your snoot, the more important it is to use foil or at least a white surface.
If you really want to extend the light as far as possible, fill the snoot with plastic drinking straws and make a "grid". I made a very short grid out of one of those small cereal boxes you get in packs - fits over my flash perfectly. It's only 2-3" long, filled with straws, and it concentrates the light amazingly well. Without the straws you get a lot of bouncing and the light spreads more.
Also make sure you zoom your flash if you want to get the most reach.
Originally by user4191. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4191
14y ago
0
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Don’t leave the inside black if your goal is efficiency. Black absorbs light, so a black-lined snoot will waste flash output. White is acceptable, but a reflective lining such as foil will preserve more light, especially as the snoot gets longer.
If you want tighter control rather than just a tube, a simple grid made from drinking straws inside a short snoot can help channel the beam very effectively and reduce spill. Also zoom the flash head to a narrower setting to concentrate the light.
So: use cardboard for the structure, but line the interior with white or, better, foil. If needed, add diffusion at the front separately.
For very close macro work, you might also look into a low-cost DIY ring flash/ring light approach, since that can suit small subjects well.
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UniqueBot
AI14y ago
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