DIY Fiber Optic Flash - for macro photography

DIY Fiber Optic Flash - Show Notes
Hello all and welcome back to Allan Walls Photography.
First and foremost, a huge thank you to my Patreon supporters and to those kind folks who have made donations through my donation page (www.allanwalls.... None of this would be possible without your generosity!
Creating this content is my full-time job, so if you would like to support my efforts and help keep the videos coming, please consider signing up as a Patreon patron, which can be done by going to / allanwallsphotography .
Thank you all!
The gear used in this video includes a salvaged lens element, but you can also buy something very similar... amzn.to/3rCcgbw
I am working on a more compact version of the device that I can house in an electrical project box like the one I just ordered... amzn.to/3qzlp3p
I really like these individual fiberoptic arms, which cost the same as a used double arm Volpi (if you can find one). My improved device will use two of these... amzn.to/3cf1rps
Today’s project will probably not be considered a triumph of modern engineering. At least not by anyone other than me. I’m pretty chuffed with how it turned out, though.
The idea came to me ages ago. I have messed around with fiber optics in the past, but only with some kind of continuous LED light source. What I have really wanted was a way to use fiber optics to deliver flash to tiny macro subjects, but all previous efforts resulted in contraptions that were unable to get enough light to where I wanted it. But for this project, I had a new thought - what if I used some kind of lens to focus the light from a speedlight directly onto the intake of a fiber optic cable?
This is a realtime experiment video - none of what you see here had been tried (by me) before I pressed the record button. I did edit out some of the more embarrassing gaffs and the parts with actual bleeding, but otherwise this is exactly what happened.
The fiber optic system was purchased from Volpi AG, a Swiss fiber optics manufacturer, and it set me back about $39. The flash I used was an ancient Altura device, but any speedlight will work. The lens was a simple biconvex internal element from an old broken camera lens, but I am almost certain that a simple magnifying glass lens would give similar results. According to my calculations (which are not to be trusted), the focal length of the lens I used was right at 43mm, but I’m not sure if that will be of any real help. If you decide to do something like this, you will need to build your device around the properties of whatever lens you can get your hands on.
If you check out my blog post (which can be found at www.allanwalls... ) you will find some links to materials that I think should work well (it is all stuff that I am gathering for a more sturdy permanent mkII, build that I am already working on).
I am looking forward to doing a macro shoot video in which I use this device exclusively for all my lighting. Keep an eye out for that one!
Thanks for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe and ring the bell!
Cheers,
Allan

[@hut8_newzealand361]

Ingenious, Thank You. Files are defined as (from roughest to smoothest): rough, middle, bastard, second cut, smooth, and dead smooth.

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

I had no idea! Other commenters have said the bastard name was something to do with one side being flat and the other curved. I really don't care what the right answer is, I like the name so much I now use it for every file (big bastard, flat bastard, pointy little bastard, etc.).

[@daletaylor2433]

@@AllanWallsPhotography The one you used is known as a four-in-hand, having 2 file cuts and 2 rasp cuts, 1 each flat and curved, or 4 cuts in-hand.

[@glarvenz]

Your mind absolutely fascinates me! And I love the dry sense of humor as well. I love watching your videos. This is a wonderful project and one I might even attempt to replicate. Thank you!! 😊

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Thank you, Gail!

[@9451shan]

Very interesting was glued down to view the end result.Thanks Allan😀

[@stevenmcgarrity9606]

This was great fun to watch. Reminded me of things I used to build as a teen from parts from Radio Shack.

[@barryt09]

Hi Allan - Extremely ingenious project and very enjoyable to watch. I love how you can put almost anything to practical use and really love doing it. This video was fascinating when you made the light tube to link the flash and lens tube. You have a lot more patience than me! I have still to catch up with your Light series when I have time. Take care!

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Thanks Barry, It was a nice change of pace and great fun to make!

[@70dega31]

Instead of aluminum foil, you can use a rescue blanket. It's more sturdy and as a bonus it has a golden and a silver side. ;)

[@victormultanen1981]

Such an entertaining DIY video!

[@columjevens4612]

Brilliant Allan, what a great idea, lovely to see you bringing us through it's evolution ,jealous of that optic fibre cable, what a super find, well done on putting it together with such basic bits and bobs , you are a genius

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Hardly! But thanks! It was a ton of fun.

[@juancarlosplaza8301]

This is awesome Allan!!!. I am an engineer but I am not shaking my head. Not at all!!! On the contrary, I am admiring you ingenuity. I'll copy your idea and make one of those for myself.

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Thanks Juan Carlos! Good luck with it!

[@mutzelmann]

Many greetings from Germany. This is a fantastic project. Good job!!!! I love it.

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Thanks Martin!

[@keeskraaijeveld4704]

Great job!!! Nice to see you working.... :)

[@paulleather6742]

You never fail to amaze me Alan Brilliant concept. I will defo have a go at that

[@TheVeryBFG]

So glad I'm not Adaptalux! What fun!

[@Zeno_Evil]

Your best video. And with surgical precision too!

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Thank you kindly!

[@Mark-ks9jj]

Well done Alan good proof of concept now make it refined

[@zyban99]

I just watched the most entertaining video on KZbin. Thank you so much for your wonderful videos.

[@maynardtowner2458]

It works, that’s all that matters. Good job Allan!

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Thanks, Maynard!

[@barneyrubble5633]

Excellent project, looking forward to the follow up video. You should have done this laparoscopically though, would have been done in half the time.......

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Great idea - you may well be right!

[@friendfortheartists]

Glad to see a unique project, I think you're the first. Virtual pat on the back and glad to see such creativity.

[@nxu5107]

Hi Allan, nice work. I thought I was good with tools but you seem to be the Jedi! thanks for the video.

[@waynemartin5247]

Underwater snoots are a slave strobe, usually come with optic cable and ball mount, often inexpensive. Good video by the way, with decent editing 👍

[@EricCalabros]

Funny and enjoyable. Thanks.

[@amoughnieh]

Thanks for the inspiration. You gave me something to think about 😊

[@thomastuorto9929]

If you replicate it with a different box, Put the lite tunnel on the flash first(after the flash is in the box) , then slide the wood with the lens into the lite tunnel & glue it in place. Just saying, it might be easier. Great vid for creative minds, well done.

[@MD0MDI]

I get to watch a few of your photos whilst in bed most nights and before I start to drop off, very relaxing and informative stiff, BUT I have a problem, I cannot remember or find which one of your videos I briefly sore that meanthing an updated version of the Nisi Macro Rail, I am after building one of your stands for Horizontal work and I only really want it for parts, any chance that you can give me a pointer to the video that I need to watch so I can find what it was called, I have checked my history but I must have watched it at a friends house on their iPads. Great work as always. All the best from the Isle of Man...

[@balakrishnanadaganti1040]

Allan, this is simply brilliant

[@alessio71r18]

You are right to be proud. Great job!!!👏👏👏👏

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Thanks! It was a lot of fun!

[@jimpurcell]

Thanks for the ideas!!!

[@imagoportraits562]

Hi Allan, Have you heard of Stuart Semple an artist in the UK who makes special paint. The blackest black paint and the chromest chrome, both would be very helpful I feel.

[@murtasma]

When I first saw you vacuum the dust I thought to myself. Why would Allan leave this part in? Then, later on, you use the vacuum with a masterful technique to repair your snoot. Adroit work once again Allan I should have never doubted you. I can't wait to see your rocketry videos next.

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Don't tempt me!

[@spencebarton2947]

Allan, Great idea. It occurred to me that an orphaned microscope condenser might be just the thing to focus the light onto the fiber optic bundle. Can be found cheap.

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Cheers Spence - that idea did not occur to me but I will give it a try. I knew there must be a more efficient way to deliver the light. Great thought!

[@alainadamski7703]

It's OK, that's the main thing, isn't it? Thank you Allan.

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Thanks Alain - indeed it is!

[@mariomifsud1302]

You have really to be proud of your self.I wish that i live near you.

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

That would be a good thing, Mario! I still plan to visit Malta one day!

[@mariomifsud1302]

@@AllanWallsPhotography Keep me informed and I will be your guide to take you around the Maltese islands.

[@johnm7316]

Many Thanks.

[@edwardwalker3229]

Allan if you go to an engineer supply merchant you can get drills any size you want even down to decimal sizes. ie 15.2 mm . Great project though love it. Cheers

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Hahaha - we are lucky to have a hardware store! I will look for such a place online - but the problem with my DIY projects is that I don't know what I need until half way through the video! I really should plan ahead!

[@mikethomas1073]

Well done. Another informative video. If you can get your hands on the disposable tips doctors use to look into your ears, they make tiny "snoots".

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Thanks Mike! I have a box of the things but never thought to use them - brilliant idea!

[@akphoto2010]

Subscribing now!!!! Question, wasnt easier to use a flash snoot and connect it to the lens?

[@MechanicsDIY]

good stuff ,

[@bobabela]

I’ve come back to this video a couple times and I like what you did, Allan. I looked online for the fiber optics you purchased..those are now gone. So I looked at a few other options but not sure I found one that would be satisfactory. The fact that you can have your flash well away from the fiber optic output is advantageous. Anyway, thumbs up...if I get around to trying this, will let you know how it goes.

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Please do, Bob, and check back on eBay from time to time - they frequently have a good selection of surplus FO devices.

[@bobabela]

You might get a kick out of this website by Pete Ganzel...this guy likes to tinker! www.pbase.com/pganzel/fiber_optic_macro_light__guide.

[@youandican2]

how about just using a regular magnifying class. The can be had cheaper then a camera lens and are a lot less expensive

[@IanWilkinson]

32:53 Thinking outside the box - suction!

[@CarlS100]

Congratulations, Allan! I'm impressed. :-)

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Thank you Carl!

[@wayneshaw5006]

I'm super excited about this as well but went to Ebay but can't find your super Volpi AG flexi arms. Looking forward to you using it in one of your videos. Thank you for sharing.

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

www.allanwallsphotography.com... I have the link in my blog post - hope that helps!

[@wayneshaw5006]

@@AllanWallsPhotography Thank you

[@joaovtaveira]

You should patent this (with other fibber optics, of couse), I'm sure it would be a great product!

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

But if I do that, who will make the videos?

[@markstevens6682]

Necessity is the mother of invention…

[@MarcelloBranca]

niiice

[@roybixby6135]

Those fibre optic cables fit one of those old light boxes used in forensic an product photography. Did those fibre cables come with diffusers for the ends? I haven't seen a 2 to 1 version - All the fibre cables I know are discrete single connections. When my light box died I joined 2 reflectors end to end lined with foil to partially replace it...

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

These fibre cables are often sold in the twin-bundle configuration for use as a stereo-microscope light source. That is where I found mine. They did not have diffusers, but they are super-easy to make (I like using ping-pong balls - lovely soft light).

[@ashstubbings2603]

Hi Allan! I must admit I haven't watched one of your videos for a little while, but each time I realise this is the case I wonder the heck why? Hope you're keeping well my friend and have a wonderful Christmas. PS. I've also come across the Adaptalux thing, and although it does look good, it also seem a horrendous price for what it is? What's your opinion?

[@NestoRides514]

You could probably use a CV boot to attach the flash to the lens

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

I had to look up what that is - but you are dead right!

[@NestoRides514]

@@AllanWallsPhotography I have my moments

[@Mark-ks9jj]

Alan Did you end up doing the follow up video to this one using the flash optic fibre setup to illuminate macro subjects?

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Hi Mark, I did but I never released the video. The video was OK, but the images were disappointing. I made a number of changes and was planning to revisit the topic with the improved lights and just have not found the time. This is a timely reminder. By the way, the problem with the images was terrible specular highlights that I could not diffuse away. The new version has much better diffusion.

[@Mark-ks9jj]

Alan good to know I recently scored a volpi twin fibre head similar to what you were using & added the light box, retro fitted it with downlight LED globe which works a treat & also testing a variable microscope LED unit as a light source to be more tuneable.

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

@@Mark-ks9jj Perfect - that is what I was going to do with the setup. Which scope light did you get?

[@Just-a-bystander]

I’m working on making one of these for myself. The one missing element is the magnifying lens. I have one of those Xit macro lenses, which I thought I might be able to use, but it does not really focus the light tight enough. I need to find a lens to do the job. Something cheap. Can you give any direction or suggestions? I do have some old Soviet enlarger lenses being shipped to me, but no idea if they’ll work at all. I will have to track down something.

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

I have had the most luck using salvaged lenses from old projectors - the best I currently have came from and early NEC projection TV, but I also a couple that I pulled from broken slide projectors (Kodak) that work well. Of course, you could simple buy the lens you want and build your own DIY housing to hold it. You can get almost any focal length/diameter lens element through eBay for a few bucks. Look at this ... www.ebay.com/itm/USED-Assorted-Glass-Lens-Elements-For-Hobbyists-Science-Projects/203146439620?hash=item2f4c78abc4:g:Lf0AAOSwex9fjmA-

[@janmexico2024]

amazing work, is the a way I can contact you? Thanks

[@selwol2]

Alan I’m having trouble finding the dual arms, do you have a link to the product page? Cheers Mark

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

It is rather hit and miss, I'm afraid. If you check eBay and search for "dual fiber optic cable" or "dual arm fiber optic", you should see a selection of what is out there. The brand that I used shows up from time to time, but there are plenty of other alternatives like Schott, Dolan-Jenner, and others. This is where I was looking... www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&_nkw=fiber+optic++dual+arm&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_odkw=fiber+optic+cable+dual+arm&_osacat=0

[@joaovtaveira]

22:43 and what glue did you use to permanently glue that?

[@patrickmarcelissen9329]

Hi Allan, Maybe I missed it in the comment! But did you take a light measurement with a lens and without a lens, and what was the difference?

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Hi Patrick - I did, but I can't find my notes from that video. It wasn't a huge difference but the lens added about 20% (the results changed every time I remounted the lens!). The biggest improvement, by far, was when I used an old salvaged 50mm prime - but that was long after I made this video.

[@joaovtaveira]

28:38 oh, there's a small mistake, you left a strip of foam, without foil.

[@christiankirkenes5922]

A bastard file is only one particular type of file..... Half rounded half flat, hence the term "bastard"

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Seriously?! That's where the name came from? Love it! But I'm calling them all bastards from now on.

[@anthonybailey7628]

Bastard refers to the cut, the coarseness of the teeth, not the shape. It’s comes between a middle cut and a second cut.

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

@@anthonybailey7628 Like I told Christiån, I'm calling them all bastards from now on! Too good a name to leave on the shelf.

[@joaovtaveira]

21:02 how did you repair that?

[@messylaura]

16:28 everyone is shouting 'its in the box' 19:16 well that explains the plasters. excellent job, you deserve treat, have an ice cream, little tip, make sure its a cornetto, careful, dont destroy the wrapper....................... i managed to pick up a cheap adaptalux on ebay, they are not that great, the uv is low powered

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Hahaha! It was in the damn box! I hunted everywhere for it! Let me go get that ice cream...

[@messylaura]

@@AllanWallsPhotography i take it you got the ice cream reference?

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

@@messylaura The Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy? Simon Pegg?

[@messylaura]

@@AllanWallsPhotography nope its a cone, use the wrapper as a snoot!!

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

@@messylaura I thought you were channeling the "Cornetto Trilogy", AKA, the blood and ice cream trilogy (Sean of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and End of the World). The Cornetto came up several times in all three, usually at the bloodier moment. Well, I laughed my butt off anyway! Even though I was of a 99 kid.

[@jeffreyschutt7451]

Brilliant amazing i would of smash it with a hammer with in the first five min i would not have the patience LOL but good Job

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Thanks Jeffrey - believe me, I thought the same thing!

[@XJarhead360]

This project is for the gadgeteer who does inhouse macro. It's not very practical out in the field. Agree with others that it is entertaining.

[@ronhyde8758]

Please don't do any rehearsals we will miss all the good bits :-)

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

No danger, Ron!

[@jamesc2212]

adaptalux is expensive for what they are.... for me not worth the moola for what you get....

[@joaovtaveira]

21:46 and 21:53, NOT good lens cleaning techniques, at all!

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Not good lens, either, João. Scratched up salvage from old projector. I could have cleaned it with a wire brush!

[@kenjohnston4561]

Reference my previous comment on one of your DIY lighting projects when I recommended just buying Adaptalux instead of spending hours creating junk. You have obviously now discovered the Adaptalux lighting system. Still think buying a system that actually looks good is a better answer.

[@mikethomas1073]

I own this..... No where near the versatility of the Adaptalux, but also nowhere near the cost. www.checkfrank.co.uk/falcon-eyes-led-lamp-for-macro-dv-3b-on-battery

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

For your information, Kenneth... Adaptalux does not offer a fiber optic flash. The Adaptalux flash system uses flash tubes attached to flexible arms, and it won't be available until next year. My "junk" does use actual fiberoptic flash, you can make one today, and it will cost you a fraction of the price. Oh, and I am more interested in how my photographs look than how my equipment looks. But to each his own.

[@kenjohnston4561]

Wow! Didn't have you down as a snowflake, must have hit a nerve. My criticism was positive, not negative. Firstly, I am well aware of what Adaptalux is and isn't. You miss my point completely. Most of your videos are extremely interesting indeed but seem to have descended recently into how to manufacture scrap rather than showing subscribers how they might improve their macro photography skills and become more accomplished photographers as you obviously are. Your channel is called "Allan Walls Photography" not "Allan Walls Junkyard Empire" If you apply the same logic as you do in these videos I guess you must have made your own DSLR camera out of some old stuff too or did you try to buy the best camera you could afford. I too am more interested in how my photographs look and also learning new photography skills from more accomplished photographers so having good equipment fit for purpose is not vanity as you suggest but trying to use the best tools you can afford, as any aspiring tradesman would. I look forward to watching some more of your videos based on imparting your knowledge of macro photography and less about making scrap using stuff nobody else has. But to each his own, as they say!

[@Sammus7t]

​@@kenjohnston4561 "Your channel is called "Allan Walls Photography...'" Emphasis on "Your channel". His channel. And it's a good one. But you're clearly the expert. As far as the snowflake bit? Look in the mirror.