Fiber optic snoot system for underwater strobes

I am currently on the M/V Shear Water anchored just outside of the famous Blue Heron Bridge critter dive in Palm Beach, Florida. Not long ago, we were surprised by a diver who burst out of the water onto our back deck -- it was Shen, who works at Reef Photo & Video (and who, incidentally, is a critter expert at Blue Heron Bridge).

Shen of Reef Photo & Video with his close-focus wide-angle rig

I noticed that Shen's Subal rig had LocLine arms attached to the end of his Ikelite strobes. I looked inside the arms to see if they were painted white and discovered fiber optic cables! Ingenious!

I'm not sure if Reef Photo & Video is selling fiber-optic snoots, but they are usually up for doing custom modifications. I know that I want one!

Shen's ingenious snoot system uses fiber optic cabling inside LocLine arms

Keri Wilk has some dual fiber optic snoots he has designed using loc-line arms-two snoots on one strobe. At this point they are pre production, but I am sure he would send some to you for the right price.

Convergent evolution of Phil Mercurio's "Fibre Snoot"- http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=36028

Keri just sent me photos of his setup. Looks nice! I'll post if he allows me to.

We had a guest out here using some last month. He got some nice shots, but if i tell his secret he'll kill me

I ordered a load of fibre to make some snoots too, hopefully it'll be here next month

They are everywhere!

Here is one made by Ken Sullivan (with/for Martin Edge) that I showed at my BSoUP talk last week.

Fibre snoots are definitely better than standard snoots for "macro spotlighting" because they are more efficient and more easily aimed and therefore can therefore even be used during the day in bright conditions.

The downside is, when anyone sees your photos, they say "Oh, that's Keri Wilk's shot...."

Alex

The downside is, when anyone sees your photos, they say "Oh, that's Keri Wilk's shot...."

 

Alex

Well he is the Snoot Master. I'll be very interested to see what design Keri comes up with.

Cheers,

Jim.

Hmmm... maybe you could make a flexible ringlight out of two bundles of (plastic) fiberoptics...perhaps spread out on two flexible strips and glued down (or sowed?) with some silicone adhesive and then wrapping them around port and fastening with velcro. Has anyone doen anything like that? Could you use the cheap plastic fiberoptics they use in those party tabletop centerpieces?

Hmmm... maybe you could make a flexible ringlight out of two bundles of (plastic) fiberoptics...perhaps spread out on two flexible strips and glued down (or sowed?) with some silicone adhesive and then wrapping them around port and fastening with velcro. Has anyone doen anything like that? Could you use the cheap plastic fiberoptics they use in those party tabletop centerpieces?

I've tried to do something similar but using 6 bundles instead of 2. I wouldn't use those party tabletop piece. The overall cost of my adapter was less than 30 euro, I don't think it's a good idea to spare more on the fibers.

I have a separate thread on my rig but without any reply yet:

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showt...mp;#entry263214

Cheers

Marcell

They are everywhere!

 

Here is one made by Ken Sullivan (with/for Martin Edge) that I showed at my BSoUP talk last week.

 

Fibre snoots are definitely better than standard snoots for "macro spotlighting" because they are more efficient and more easily aimed and therefore can therefore even be used during the day in bright conditions.

 

The downside is, when anyone sees your photos, they say "Oh, that's Keri Wilk's shot...."

 

Alex

Hi Alex,

Is it a snoot on the picture or the fibers end on a diffuser? I was thinking to use such a rig to make two small easy to position strobes (but diffused instead of focused light output) out of one.

Marcell

These are really coooooooool, thanks all for sharing.

Is it possible to add some glass at the tip, so that the beam width can be adjusted, like topside zoomable strobes?

These are really coooooooool, thanks all for sharing.

 

Is it possible to add some glass at the tip, so that the beam width can be adjusted, like topside zoomable strobes?

An adjustable aperture mixed with a lens setup would make a perfect little unit.. then you'd have full control over the size and focus of the output. Probably a bit of overkill for a DIY setup though.

Those look waaaay better than the plumbing parts I'm trying out. Any contact info for Ken or where else to inquire other than Reef?

Guess my gorilla pod and Home Depot special will have to do for now...

Phil

Those look waaaay better than the plumbing parts I'm trying out. Any contact info for Ken or where else to inquire other than Reef?

 

Guess my gorilla pod and Home Depot special will have to do for now...

 

Phil

Try the lighting department at home depot for fiber optic cabel & the tool department for the lock-line parts.

I am currently on the M/V Shear Water anchored just outside of the famous Blue Heron Bridge critter dive in Palm Beach, Florida. Not long ago, we were surprised by a diver who burst out of the water onto our back deck -- it was Shen, who works at Reef Photo & Video (and who, incidentally, is a critter expert at Blue Heron Bridge).

 

Shen of Reef Photo & Video with his close-focus wide-angle rig

 

I noticed that Shen's Subal rig had LocLine arms attached to the end of his Ikelite strobes. I looked inside the arms to see if they were painted white and discovered fiber optic cables! Ingenious!

 

I'm not sure if Reef Photo & Video is selling fiber-optic snoots, but they are usually up for doing custom modifications. I know that I want one!

 

 

Shen's ingenious snoot system uses fiber optic cabling inside LocLine arms

Hi, I think that is perfect, how is called fiber optic cable? get some number? get some specific name? where I can buy? thanks

If you do go down the DIY route for fibre optic snoots or ring flash try and get both ends of the cut cables polished by a fibre optic engineer. Polishing the ends should maximise the output from your strobe lighting. I am just starting to gather materials for a couple of fibre optic projects

Regards

Stew