For awhile now I’ve been checking out all the DIY projects that show up on the Strobist blog. Tom Seibert’s DIY beauty dish caught my eye so I decided I’d have a go at it. I followed his tutorial on his blog and added a few modifications to mine (some that I got from Jon Haverstick’s blog. It ended up costing me $42 to make. The most expensive piece of making it was the bowl which I found for $20 at Cost Plus World Market. Beauty dishes on the market average between $120 to $300 (with some a lot more). I’m excited to test it out on my shoots this week.
Edit: Photos shot with this beauty dish can be found here.
Update (9/13/09): To attach the L-bracket to a light stand you’ll need a Swivel Umbrella Adapter. The specific pieces that connects the L-bracket are the Reversible studs which screw together with the L-bracket in between. I had to make the holes in the L-bracket bigger to fit the studs. I would buy dedicated studs that stay on the L-bracket (and even glue them to it) as they are a pain to take on and off. You’ll also need to buy a hot-shoe to connect to the studs.
Also MJP brought to my attention that instead of using a plastic gutter downspout connector you can buy the Interfit flex mount. It’s a little more expensive but it looks like it fits much better. I just bought one and will let everyone know how it works when it comes in the mail.
Tags: beauty dish, bowl, camera projects, Canon 35mm f/1.4 L lens, canon 580ex, convex mirror, DIY bd, DIY beauty dish, DIY photography projects, DIY projects, Isaac Lane Koval, Jon Haverstick, L bracket, light modifier, lighting projects, photography, spray paint, strobbist DIY beauty dish, strobe, strobist, Strobist blog, strobist DIY, Tom Seibert
February 8, 2009 at 9:53 PM
DUDE. Uh, can you make me one? I’ll let you stay at my place in NY when you visit. =)
February 9, 2009 at 1:56 AM
NICE! I am loving the DIY
February 10, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Isaac,
Thanks for following the DIY tutorial, you did a wonderful job on the dish! I can’t wait to see your photos using it. I’ll be checking back soon!
Tom
February 19, 2009 at 4:24 AM
best one ive see so far
February 27, 2009 at 7:05 PM
Is the downspout attached to the bowl in anyway?
February 27, 2009 at 7:40 PM
I was planning on glueing it to the bowl but it stays in there pretty good just by itself. So no it isn’t attached to the bowl.
May 19, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Not sure if anyone checks this, but how far away should the wall guard be mounted from the base of the bowl? I’ll be giving this a go this weekend!
May 19, 2009 at 1:11 PM
I’m not sure there’s a specific distance that it should be mounted from the base of the bowl. For mine I just had to move it back and forth till it reached the sweet spot.
May 20, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Terrific writing! will come back…
May 21, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Great idea! I couldn’t found the bamboo bowl but yesterday I bought a stainless steel for $22 and I will make one for my Hensel’s studio strobe.
The size of the bowl is 22-1/2″Wide x 7″High, 9-3/8″ Base
This is the link of the product: http://www.cometsupply.com/pm/ADCSBL30/
I know Admiral Craft has another of 26-3/8″ wide but I couldn’t find any store who sell it. If you want to Google it the name of the Gigantic bowl is SBL-45
Thank you for sharing Issac. I’ve been cheching your website and I love you work!
Juan
May 21, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Hi again Isaac!
Where do you bought it the convex mirror ?
Thank you!
May 21, 2009 at 1:35 PM
I got mine at Ace Hardware but I’m sure you could find one at any hardware or auto parts store.
May 21, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Thanks Isaac!
September 8, 2009 at 7:22 PM
Can you describe how you attach the L-bracket to the light stand? I can’t figure out what all the needed pieces are. Thanks!
October 13, 2009 at 12:11 PM
To attach the L-bracket to the light stand you’ll need a Swivel Umbrella Adapter
The specific pieces that connects the L-bracket are the Reversible studs which screw together with the L-bracket in between.
I had to make the holes in the L-bracket bigger to fit the studs.
I would buy dedicated studs that stay on the L-bracket (and even glue them to it) as they are a pain to take on and off.
September 10, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Interfit makes a speedlight modification kit that uses a push on rubber adapter as the base. These are custom fit to specific flash heads and have a wide circular mounting plate – for $7.95. While this is a bit more than the gutter outlet, it is much more robust – and tight fitting.
http://www.adorama.com/catlite.tpl?op=large_imagemulti&sku=PASGM500
Reply
September 10, 2009 at 10:34 PM
nice, thanks for passing the info on. I’ll have to pick up one of those.
September 16, 2009 at 5:07 AM
[...] check out this site…he did a great job in doing a DIY beauty Dish. [...]
September 26, 2009 at 11:11 AM
[...] pics from their photographer neighbor. Here are 2 The light was super easy to make and I used this as a guideline and tweaked it to my flavor. With the exception of the vignette blur on the first, [...]
October 6, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Which wireless triggers and transmitter are you using?
October 13, 2009 at 12:00 PM
I’m using the CyberSyncs from alienbees
They work great and Alienbees has great customer service.
October 6, 2009 at 3:32 PM
I been using a cheap chinesse trigger but only for my studio strobe. I just ordered a new one to fire my two studio strobes and up to four speedlights. I bought two of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/PT-04-Radio-Wireless-Studio-Flash-Trigger-PT04-3receive_W0QQitemZ270399680779QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Flash_Accessories?hash=item3ef513b10b
But I didn’t tried yet.
With the old one I had several issues when I shoot outdoors and I hope with these guys will be fine and CHEAP.
Of course with PW will be great but if I need to fire 6 lights I need to spend around $1200…No thanks!
October 13, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Look into the CyberSyncs from Alienbees