How to build a Pringles Flash Diffuser for Macro Photography

Products I'm using in this video:
Camera: amzn.to/3bmvn0d
Lens: bit.ly/mwlaowa65
My favorite diffuser (the one I compared with): DÖRR on lens diffuser, not sold internationally. You can find similar ones here: amzn.to/3d0pGqH
Flash - Meike MK-320: amzn.to/2A8064A
This video was filmed with this small action camera: amzn.to/2O154TD
Mic used for voiceover: amzn.to/2UBZb1i
I get all my background music from this awesome service: bit.ly/mwepidemic
Thanks for watching! Subscribe for weekly videos! More regular content from me in these places:
💌 newsletter: mwroll.com
🎞 instagram: / mwroll
🪙 patreon: / micaelwidell
🐦 twitter: / micaelwidell

[@theguynextdoor4978]

This video inspired me to bring out the inner McGyver and do it the free of charge way. Nice hack worth trying.

[@davehaynes1247]

I have had some excellent results using this idea. I sprayed mine black though.........and it looks like a piece of real camera gear.

[@RadVidz1312]

Super cool video Thanks for sharing

[@wewerewildlife]

I'm dying 🤣🤣 1:48 you cut so close to the lens NOOOO Great video by the way! 👍👍

[@runningwithscissors3280]

Another cool video from MW! After watching several other macro vids, all from you, I land on your channel a lot. Loving the presentation, subjects, materials, music and your honesty. My macro photos jumped 'light years' in quality, not bragging, since getting your tutoring. I take notes, you rock!!!

[@MicaelWidell]

Thanks :)

[@spiderschaf]

The insect at 6:28 is a mayfly (also known as shadflies or fishflies in Canada and the upper Midwestern U.S.; also up-winged flies in the United Kingdom) | Ephemeroptera.

[@dr.abyscharles]

Lovely video MIcael... Thank you for the idea. The insect you asked about in the video is a Mayfly

[@tysonator5433]

I have been using a Pringal Tube for years and actually works very well.

[@marcelmaes5275]

I only ate a few Pringles once and it was the last time as well ... this is a much better application 🙂 Thanks for the idea

[@beatboxingskeleton3431]

Hey bro my little brother is also a photographer and he made me and him a flash deflector and it is really helping us!! 😁

[@Dero88]

Ill try this one. I was thinking about cutting the end part at an angle to get even bigger, longer and to get over the subject without the diffuser getting in the shot.

[@MachineOak09]

I live in New York and we have a massive tick / Lyme problem here. I use a spray called permethrin, you treat your clothes / boots and let it dry, it works very good. I used to find ticks on me all the time and now I almost never do.

[@MicaelWidell]

Thanks for watching! Subscribe for weekly videos! More regular content from me in these places: 💌 newsletter: mwroll.com 🎞 instagram: instagram.com/mwroll 🪙 patreon: patreon.com/micaelwidell 🐦 twitter: twitter.com/micaelwidell 📸 the lens I used: bit.ly/mwlaowa65 (best price + free shipping worldwide at that link :)

[@losttofollowup420]

Have you seen either the CL Diffuser or the MK Diffuser being sold over on facebook by 2 different photographers ??? Both look absolutely great and are custom made for the camera / lens & speedlight combo

[@losttofollowup420]

CL Diffuser facebook.com/CLDiffuser2020/

[@losttofollowup420]

MK Diffuser facebook.com/pages/category/Photographer/MK-Diffuser-1074156426083242/

[@MicaelWidell]

@@losttofollowup420 Yes I've seen them but it is probably not for me. They are far too big and bulky for my taste.

[@losttofollowup420]

Would love to hear your thoughts on both products here as I'm looking at them too, I'm shooting with a Canon RP and just upgraded to the Canon 100mm L is usm macro lens. I also use a modified canon 35 - 80mm macro lens that adjusts approx 1:1 to 2:1 macro

[@LuciaHewitt]

Just goes to show. Loved your images!

[@jimpurcell]

Thanks for sharing this great tool!

[@richardhale9664]

If your camera has a built in flash, one of the best diffusers is a tissue or piece of kitchen roll held in front of the flash. Its not quite as handy as a lens mounted sheet or produce quite as good results (close though), but it can always be with you.

[@greeenjeeens]

An emptied tea bag will slide over smaller built in flashes nicely.

[@richardhale9664]

@@greeenjeeens Oooh! I will have to try that one.

[@charlesshepherd9132]

Glad I found your video. Made one up in a few minutes and it works surprisingly well.

[@akshayvdongre]

Bought the TTArtisan 40mm f2.8 Macro based on your review of it - just arrived. Images look soft without the use of flash (very High ISO + cropped mode on FF). Hopefully this hack will change that. Thanks once again for your videos! :)

[@MicaelWidell]

Yeah it is very hard to take good sharp photos without flash.

[@rogerramjet2656]

The bug is a Chad fly or a May fly I believe. Love your video - thank you

[@vanalaphachuasritrakul5593]

I like the beginning best... 😁 Very good video. I am going to try it out!

[@kimpedersen]

Pick the green pringles for more camoflage-look :D Nice video!

[@StewartWoodArt]

Nice video and great tips for flash diffusion for beginners in macro photography :)

[@jackwood8307]

Mayfly. They get so thick around the lakes in this area they can make bridges with lights slick!!!

[@alvinmorris5404]

I remember as a kid seeing the mayfly larvae in the wet areas, I was curious about the little dimples in the water surface and if I touched them they'd disappear after finally seeing one that wasn't hidden in the silt I asked my parents who were scout masters in boy scouts and the girl scouts they told me what they were. I think they and experiences like this were the inspiration behind my interest in science and biology in school and even to this day. My current job has me working alone in the country so I have lots of time to observe nature as it's supposed to be 🙂...don't tell my boss 🤫🤐lol

[@fabersosa]

ficaram muito linda as fotos, parabens!

[@donbrooks8479]

I think is a mayfly. Great idea and video.

[@nelsonclub7722]

Great tip, great pics. You can also just plain old soften a flashgun with Scotch Tape - how many layers you put on is up to you - all good

[@guillemarin8387]

Awesome video. I tried it at the beginning of my macro adventure. Nicely done my friend👏🏻

[@Pumpk1nPlayz]

Awesome video n great idea.. 👏

[@MickeHyman]

The yellowish fly is a mayfly, ephemera danica. In Swedish Åsandslända. Excellent tutorials and macrophotography inspiration, I just found you two days ago so now the pimping of my canon eos r will start.

[@MicaelWidell]

Tack för svenska namnet :)

[@stevegeorge7773]

I just purchased my first photo camera, a hybrid Fujifilm Xt 4.

[@NE_Pigeons]

Time to go buy some Pringles!

[@Ronbc000]

Really good info. Thank you. 🙏

[@SuffolkBobby]

I did the same ages ago but with the speedlight slotting into the side. I also wrapped it in black gaffer tape so it's not looking out of place.

[@michelslangen6633]

@bob; what is the advantage of putting or slotting the flash from the side. Is the light then even more diffused and/or is it because you have a different angle towards your subject?

[@SuffolkBobby]

It makes it a more solid fit and gives better angles.

[@mike1506tube]

Newbie here. Love your channel much. ❤️❤️❤️

[@bengan8642]

Pringles rör vad smart.

[@Evanna11LilyLuna]

Ooh i wonder if this would work with the build in popup flash

[@SinaFarhat]

Tack för tipset! :) Ha en fin vecka!

[@MicaelWidell]

Detsamma :)

[@Oholisfliesandfishing]

Which difuser would you prefer this one or cone shaped one thats attached around the lense? I saw u using something like that already

[@MicaelWidell]

I prefer the one strapped around the lens. It gives softer light as you can see in the end of this video

[@Oholisfliesandfishing]

@@MicaelWidell thank you. I live i china currently so its pretty easy to get loads of stuff.... In all of that its easy to make a mistake.... Any suggestion on what to avoid ？ or these difusers are more or less all the same?

[@mindseyeproductions8798]

Dang how did I miss this? thanks again for the link.

[@mindseyeproductions8798]

I installed mine with the metal ring on the flash unit, and made a door on one side and put wax paper inside a diffuser.

[@RiccardoPareschi]

Great idea and awesome photos, thanks!

[@smkunder1]

What about the little soft box diffusers that Velcro on your flash, are they effective?

[@MicaelWidell]

I haven't tried them, but I am a bit sceptical, because they are hard to get close enough to the subject and in the right angle. But if you can manage that somehow, I think they can work well.

[@justnoted2995]

I love wood, and you have a beautiful wooden table there; I winced at the thought that you might nick it because you were not using a cutting-board to slice the Pringles tube 😰 bro, really!!

[@alexaudiovisuals]

Nice, so my last pringles can which won me a polaroid is gonna have a second use now .D

[@Phantomias7]

6:30 : i think that's a type of mayfly (cloeon) but i don't know which one. edit: just saw that i was 28 minutes to late ^^ oh well

[@gelderman1]

Nice video Micael, and i'm also gonna make one. What music is playing on the background?

[@MicaelWidell]

Sorry I don’t remember the track names. But the music is from Epidemic Sound.

[@PatrickWithCamera]

How u protect ur self from ticks, any spray or gel on skin? Or you just remove them and nothing else was needed?

[@MicaelWidell]

I try to stay out of tall grass as far as possible. I also got vaccinated against TBE, which is one of the nastiest diseases you can get from ticks. But you can still get very nasty bacterial infections, so it is important not to get bitten. What I do is that when I have been in tall grass, I check my body when I get home and remove any ticks I find - they usually take around 24h to settle and start biting. That way I can remove most ticks before they have bitten me. But earlier in life I have had maybe 25-30 ticks bite me over the years, and never got sick, so the risk is not super high I think (or I just got lucky :)

[@PatrickWithCamera]

​@@MicaelWidell thank you for the answer, you reassured me a bit by saying that I have some time before they bite me ;)

[@bewbtewb]

Did you ever try the version where you cut a space for your flash in the side of the Pringle’s can instead of from the bottom? That seems to provide better angle control.

[@MicaelWidell]

Will try that next time!

[@celestialdrums486]

Howdy! I got inspired by you. In fact I just ordered 90d and 25mm laowa macro lens. They're on the way now and I feel excited to try macrophotography out. But I have a question. Does the camera's built in flash work fine or I have to buy an external flash instead?

[@MicaelWidell]

I recommend getting an external flash, as the built in flash is often too weak and small to get you nice results. You can buy a cheap flash such as the Meike mk320, that is what I use. See my video about that flash for more thoughts on this subject.

[@celestialdrums486]

@@MicaelWidell okay, thank you. My lens has just arrived.

[@kowkl]

What power were you using on the flash with this tube ?

[@MicaelWidell]

I don’t remember exactly but I would guess 1/16

[@viewmaxphotography2708]

Awesome

[@pleatedskirt18]

An excellent idea. Do you happen to have any tips that would give us an excuse to buy some Mars bars? Just asking for a friend if my wife drops you a line.

[@PapaStrumfPS3]

Hi Micael, what are your settings on pictures you took with Pringles diffuser outside? It would help much... I'm interested in flash settings because I can't get used to use properly one (even tho it's macro ring).

[@geofflongford2008]

Does it matter what flavour of Pringle's?

[@MicaelWidell]

Red ones definitely gives a nicer diffusion 👍

[@rommme]

Mayflies are called "døgnflue" in Norwegian, probably not too far from what they're called in Swedish 😉

[@mb-hb1fr]

I am using macro extension tubes with 50 mm 1.8 STM on my canon APSC. Should I buy a dedicated macro lens? I have gone through the rates of various macro lenses I can only afford Tokina 100 mm 2.8 is it a good lens to go for?

[@MicaelWidell]

Most macro lenses are good. They will not give you better image quality than extension tubes, but they are more convenient as you can easily adjust focusing distance. I would buy a macro lens with 2 times magnification, such as one of the Laowa lenses.

[@mb-hb1fr]

@@MicaelWidell thanks a lot dear 💐💐

[@florians.3546]

Hello Micael, thanks for the video ! I'm considering buying a flash for my macro lens (105mm Sigma), but I can't chose between a ring flash or a cobra flash. I'm shooting a lot of dragonflies and spiders. What would you recommend ?

[@MicaelWidell]

I would never buy a ring flash as the light is too harsh and hard to diffuse. Personally I like the cheap and small Meike Mk320. I made a video about that flash. Search for it for more details about my view on flashes :)

[@florians.3546]

@@MicaelWidell Will do ! Yeah, i read a ton of forums about that and ringflashes seem to be too harsh. So i gonna follow your advice and get a cobra with diffuser. Thanks for your help, and keep up the good video content, it helps a lot when entering the macro world.

[@carbonCB]

Hi, that one strange insect is an ephemeroptera. I live in the countryside and my house is actually teeming with those guys, mostly during wet seasons. :v

[@davidhefner5668]

But if the subject is 1/2" in front of the lens its sitting in the shadow of the lens itself.

[@sofievanherle4570]

mayfly, indeed!

[@alexaudiovisuals]

Would you prefer this over an on-lens dörr diffusor?

[@MicaelWidell]

I suggest you watch the video and you will get the answer.. ;)

[@alexaudiovisuals]

@@MicaelWidell haha, thanks, wasnt at the end yet, so ill stick with that one as well .)

[@hailynewma9122]

remember, you don‘t need to eat the pringles you are allowed to also throw them away. And you could build your own roll easily too

[@spex357]

Excellent advice

[@jrunestone]

Maybe cover the back opening of the tube to avoid getting light backwards? Maybe not a problem. Or something less translucent than paper as the material. Have you heard of john hallmen? Would be interesting to see you try some of his (cheap/simple) diffuser setups. In particular I'm interested to see if moving the actual flash unit even closer to the subject (right at the lens) would make a difference. Like in farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4757680215_b2c22af9ab.jpg for example. Thanks for a great vid! I love your diffuser tests.

[@davidwhite1974]

How much coffee do you drink, please?

[@MicaelWidell]

Try to keep it to just 1-2 cups per day, but sometimes more.

[@klaustomasini]

cloeon dipterium, species of mayfly

[@Hannemanneke]

You can use baking paper instead of kitchen paper because it’s no problem when it gets wet…

[@jeffmolatore9234]

May fly

[@maciejpszczoa2003]

Right now I know how to make cheap diffuser. My next step is to buy a flash.

[@spex357]

Looking back I have a picture of camera with bellows on with some extra tubes and an extending macro lens and the lighting system was double Pringle. I look on the purchase of a non extending macro lens as a great leap forward. In reality I would rather not have all that mass as I think more mass equals less insects. As for Ticks, Locusts, Army worms, Rats, Mice and most of the Animal kingdom including ourselves, we are in a low sunspot period with a lowered shield strength so more rays from the Sun are getting through than normal and they don't have to be friendly. Our bodies either sense this or some of the rays are triggers. Fertility is increased as we sense danger, so Plagues are common as are Pandemics, as it's possible the virus world is affected as well. Some say the Plagues are to combat the Pandemics as they travel through all of the species. So China in particular with 20% of the worlds population, has lost most of its Pigs from Swine flu, and most of its Chickens through Bird flu. Masses of Army worms have eaten their grain and Soya crops. Imports of foods have increased by 200% in some areas. India is in much the same boat and the Locusts spread North up to the cooler areas. In the cooler North rust outbreaks and dry weather early in the year have reduced yields of everything. Price rises are already kicking in. Famines are common in these periods and rising prices have led to rioting and wars in the past. Low sunspot periods are famous for food shortages which can be caused by the increase in heavy localised messed up weather, heavy localised plant disease, and pests. Locust damage can be seen from Space and damage from Mice can be seen in Germany, for a first time from Space. Producers don't have to consider their local population, and will sell to the bidder with the most Gold. So we will all feel the effects in this global village we live in. I've never seen so many Ticks on the Hedgehogs that appear my garden in the evening, and I've been studying them for over twenty years as they are part of the calendar for the Garden. This years teenagers are more heavily infested than I've ever seen before by far. Luckily the Fleas are species dependant, so don't live on cats or dogs or us. Luckily these are not my resident Female and son but time is not on their side as we have many infested visitors. The correlation between our own existence is amazing. They've been in Lockdown in my garden since November and not a tick in sight, and all of a sudden the Teenagers have just been let out for a second wave of infection. I can see Ticks on the visitors getting ready to drop off like little globules. Interesting to hear you protect yourself from these blood suckers, is it a once in a lifeteam protection, or do you have it every year?

[@philipedwardcaddick4294]

The insect that you didn't recognize was a mayfly

[@canadianmohawk]

Tape a coffee filter over the flash and see what happens....old school

[@MicaelWidell]

That's actually pretty brilliant :) Will try sometime

[@raktimbora880]

Raktim

[@nikonman3971]

Mayfly

[@luzr6613]

Pringles are expensive.

[@EdwardIglesias]

Wow, I thought Pringles cans were just for stealing WiFi, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantenna#/media/File:Pringles_Can_Antenna_Wifi_(106601670).jpg

[@alexbrooks2]

That bug you asked about was a fishfly

[@doxfie.]

buying expensive camera gear yet too cheap to buy a diffusor. doesnt add up.

[@ashpowell9451]

Spend money when you don't have to, yeah that makes a lot more sense..

[@martindennis9531]

It would make so much more sense for him to use a home made cardboard pin hole camera 😂.

[@betolov]

Mayfly