I want to share with you some reflexion over my conception of snoot with 3D printing.

I made some test over 2 year ago now.

My idea was to use a small diaphragme to change the size of the light spot.

Maximal aperture 25mm
I build a system with magnets to open an close the diaphragme. the result show like that

The part in the middle in grey can rotate and open or clos the hole of the diaphragme from 1 mm to 25 mm

It's works really good I was happy

t



Here picture of the previous model

the principe is 100% same

on the Retra

The results (on land) ;)

the smalest point

All this was ok on land but under water I didn't have enough light power I was very happy using this snoot

It is "heavy" for traveling (like the Retra, to heavy for me)

But under water it is floating it is good I like that.

That are the 2 first Snoot I made with the principe of the diaphragme.

Know it time for a third version. I'm in the end phase of the conception and test of this new model.

First picture

After the test if all is ok I ll make a new one without the sepration to gain some gr

To be coutinued...

Wow wow wow DIY next level!!!

As Davide says, WOW!

Some more infomation



A ) is a glas from this type


The idea is to dispatch the light generate with the flash to avoid a hot point (circle with my retra) And for the Retra Maxi the 2 line (i'm still waiting for it ;) )

B ) a fresnel lens to concentrate all the light on a disk C

C ) a glas

D) a normal glas, or a lens test are not finished

C & D are all 50 mm diameter glas + lens

Between C and D I can put an try some diffrent lenses (focal lenght and type of lenses)

20 cm from the wall diameter of the light 20 cm

10 cm -> +/- 10 cm

5 cm -> 7-8 cm

This picture are with the retra focus light first power level

With one extension and a lens in it (not strong magnification)

An other experimentation

Now I need to try other combination, make some small extension to find different size of light, edges, types

After that the step of mount all this part with silicon an epoxy before going to test it underwater.

The snoot is shorter as the previous 15 cm and also lighter. With the volume it will be positive under waterand with a carabiner can be attached where it will float and did not disturb anything.

I will probably make in a second step a small extension with a diaphragm in it to have the possibility of changing the size of the light.

The main changes in the new snoot is to bring a maximum of the light from the strobe to the ouput the different lenses concentrate the light step by step in the midle.. This will reduce the power need of the strobe. and with more power I will be able to shoot at F22 to increase the deep of field on very small subject.

Comment and question are welcome ( idea also :) )

Will you be selling them?

Bill

20 hours ago, bvanant said:

Will you be selling them?

Bill

No... it's only for the fun thatz I do that... but the reader can be inspired from my realisation :)

I really like the idea of a variable diaphragm but am too busy to try to make one myself.

Cheers

BVA

Hi

The project is one step futher.

I sealed the lens and glass with silicon. After that I glued the pieces together with epoxy and cover it with epoxy to ensure that no water is going in the snoot.

I screwed the 2 part together.. there is an O-Ring. That is the result.

As you ca see there are no reflexion the circle is clean

I allready build some test parts to put on the top of the snoot to change the focus, size and the shape of the light.

I'm not happy of the first test I need to make some more experimentation.

The idea also to made a add-on with a diaphragme in it. to change the size of the spot light.

All this part will be stackable

But for the moment I need to test the main part of the snoot under water to be sure that it is correctly sealed and to show the result of the light output.

I hope you enjoy reading the building process of my new snoot.

One point I find that the position of the lens, the lenght of the tube and other details are very important.
5 mm change a lot but It seems that the actual setup is good now.

Edited June 9Jun 9 by CaolIla

Nice work!, one tip, from my experience, try it in a container in water, sometimes with the test in air and the test in water you may find differences

41 minutes ago, Giancarlo M. said:

Nice work!, one tip, from my experience, try it in a container in water, sometimes with the test in air and the test in water you may find differences

Thanks
That is the next step... in the pool ;)

Edited June 9Jun 9 by CaolIla