A set of Nikon SW-11s arrived in the mail today and I after modding them to let more of the light from the MT-24EX's flash heads into the first internal reflector the Puffer set that I made is back on my flash heads. When I first tested the SW-11s (shooting one of my son's Hot Wheals cars) I was losing almost four more stops than the Puffer set, and after modding them I was only able to regain one more stop. So with the Puffers I lose one stop of light compared to the bare flash heads, and with the modded SW-11s I was losing three. The diffusion with the Puffer set was also better, but I'm not going to bother posting test shots since losing three stops of light is losing two stops too much. I can't recommend the SW-11s as a diffuser for the MT-24EX
The SW-11s use two reflectors to bounce the light from the flash into a diffusion panel. Oddly enough the first reflector looks like it's at the wrong angle and it seems to me that it's actually doing more to bounce the light from the flash right back toward it instead of bouncing it to the second reflector. One possible mod would be to change the angle of that first reflector, or replace it with something that would bounce the light in the right direction. But I didn't see enough room inside the diffuser to pull it off and I'm not sure it would make much of a difference. With every reflector I'm probably losing a stop, so at a minimum the best I'd be able to do with the SW-11s is to lose two stops. Not worth it...
9 comments:
Thanks for the update, John :)
Anytime Kurt :)
Just wished it had worked :(
In the process of acquiring all the parts for the Sto-Fen + Fuffer diffuser. Still looking for an alternative to the metallic insert for lumiquest though.
Thanks for sharing. I never really used the SW-11s I got from my R1C1 kit, instead went straight into DIY diffusers.
The diffuser panels on the SW-11 looked rather small to me and they have a tendency to come loose everytime I stuff the flashes in my bag.
Perhaps they're worth a re-look hmm. Am finding it tough to build diffusers for the SB-R200 flash lights as they're so small and there doesn't seem to be much space in front to attach them to.
Must resist temptation to break out the hot glue gun...
Zichar
@ Kurt: Whatever you use make sure it's not smooth -won't diffuse as well.
@ Chin: I know at least one Nikon shooter who is using my Puffer design...
Roger that, John. Thanks!
Ah yes, I saw Kenny's rig and new shots. Must say they're very impressive.
I opened up one of the SW-11s yesterday (just two simple clasps from where the flash head hole is, and it splits open in half) and I think I know what the engineers were doing with the placement of the reflectors (45degree angle in the first one). I'm going to try your mod suggestion to change the angle a little, and perhaps include more reflective material.
You're probably right to suggest that it's going to lose much flash power when it goes by 2 reflectors.
I'm also going to figure out if it's possible to attach the Puffers to the SW-11 front instead of those diffuser panels they come with.
Oh well, more mucking around with tools. Good times :)
Okay, I can say it now: I didn't think you were going to like the Nikon thingies, John. Just a hunch. I've used them and even I could tell I was losing a lot of light. But hey...nothing ventured, nothing ventured, right? By the way, I just purchased a lightly used R1 kit off the FM B&S board. Never hurts to have spares...mine are getting some miles on them.
@ Chin: I think you'll still lose too much light with it -one stop per bounce panel + one stop with the Puffer.
@ Kenny: I'm from Missouri 8D
Cool that you got a backup set!
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