Stands for "Do it yourself", and refers to the creating or improvising equipment out of materials on hand, as opposed to purchasing a pre-made product.
18
votes
6answers
1k views
What good DIY projects (which involve a digital camera) do you know?
Recently I found my old digital 3.2 MPix point & shoot camera which has been mainly just sitting on my shelf for the last few years. I'd like to get it back to use, but since it is rather bulky ...
14
votes
6answers
3k views
How could one make a DIY Gray card for exposure/color correction?
I know that there are "gray cards" sold that help with exposure/color correction, but as I'm on a tight budget I'd like to make my own. Is this possible?
Also, are there other objects (paint sample ...
14
votes
4answers
7k views
How can I avoid star trails without an expensive tracking mount?
I want to take pictures of the Milky Way or a lunar eclipse or earth glow on the moon, but I don't have an equatorial tracking mount, and don't want to spend that much money on one.
How can I get ...
14
votes
6answers
748 views
Is there an easy way to force chromatic aberration?
A couple of months ago I was playing with my camera and a magnifying glass and I noticed that this glass produced a very soft chromatic aberration. Here's an example:
(Here is the full size, 18mp ...
14
votes
5answers
12k views
What are the best and worst diffuser materials for DIY softbox/light tent?
There are hundreds of web sites with tips of building a DYI soft box or light tent, and it looks like people are using almost anything as the diffuser material, from white plastic bags to old ...
14
votes
1answer
681 views
How do I to clean prime lenses' internals? Or should I even try?
I have some very old primes (grandfather's 1950s Exakta Varex lenses, ranging from 28mm to 85mm) that I've been really enjoying on my Sony NEX with an adapter. It's partially sentimental, but I've ...
10
votes
2answers
2k views
Are infrared DSLR conversion companies safe? What about DIY infrared conversion?
I'm investigating the possibility of converting a DSLR (Canon T2i) to a infrared-only body. I've seen several websites that offer this service, but man, considering they are tearing your camera apart ...
10
votes
3answers
827 views
How does grid depth determine beam angle?
I just got a 28" Westcott Apollo softbox. They don't sell a grid/egg crate for it, so I'd like to create my own, similar to this.
My understanding is that the deeper the grid, the narrower the angle ...
10
votes
5answers
846 views
Can I make my own Expodisc?
I've been contemplating the purchase of an Expodisc to finally be rid of most white balance corrections. The price is a little steep for me, however. I was wondering, is there a way to make something ...
10
votes
2answers
418 views
Is it possible for a hobbyist to create a lens element?
Is it possible for a hobbyist to create/mold/grind/polish a lens element?
There seems to be lots of astronomy hobbyists polishing mirrors and occasionally a large lens element. Is there an equivalent ...
9
votes
6answers
2k views
How do I build my own soft-box light for illuminating still or stop-motion scenes?
I am working on a small stop-motion video project, although I am sure this kind of lighting will work for individual still shots as well. I need some kind of broad, bright, continuous lighting that ...
9
votes
2answers
4k views
An inexpensive way to make DIY gels?
Have any of you found a way to make inexpensive gels? I'd like to try using a few colors with my lights but have found most shops are mighty proud of theirs. My son saw me looking at them online and ...
9
votes
5answers
707 views
DIY gear successfully made and used?
I am looking around for a DIY project to work on over Christmas.
I have seen lots of suggestions at DIY Photography and a few at The Strobist.
(In particular, there are lots of light modifiers ...
8
votes
2answers
161 views
How do I 'break' a film camera in order to get double exposures?
Film cameras typically refuse to double expose on the same frame of film. Let's take the Olympus trip 35 as the example. They're cheap as chips and don't expose unless you wind on the film. What part ...
8
votes
5answers
632 views
What cheap equipment can I use to hold a reflector in place?
Assuming I don't have any friend that help with my photography, what can I do to hold a reflector in position while I shoot? Let's assume that if I'm cheap enough to use a windshield sunshade as a ...
8
votes
2answers
185 views
What are your favourite tips and tricks for when you don't have your gear?
What tips and tricks do you use when you're forced to take photos with whatever you have available?
My personal favourite is for reducing the rabbit-in-the-headlights look with a point and shoot. ...
7
votes
1answer
245 views
What are the dimensions of a 110 film cartridge?
I'm looking for the exact dimensions of the 110 film cartridge. I'll take any sort of information including the ISO whitepaper for it (which I would love to read), or if someone already has it in ...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
OEM Camera Sensors for a computer project
First off I'm not sure if this is the place for this question, but it seems to be the closest fit.
I want to buy a small camera sensor (like for netbooks/phones), from what I have read on wikipedia ...
7
votes
2answers
999 views
Where can I buy film for a Kodak Instamatic 500?
I have my father's vintage Kodak Instamatic 500 Camera. He took slides with this camera, of which I am now the fortunate owner (both the camera and the slides). I wonder if someone knows where I can ...
7
votes
1answer
242 views
How often can I change the focusing screen?
I know this sounds crazy, but is anyone here in a habit of swapping their focusing screen between a regular (the ones shipped with the DSLRS) and a split prism screen regularly?
Is is bad to keep ...
6
votes
5answers
281 views
which brand ecosystem is more open for hacking?
I'm a seasoned photographer who used to have a nikon until recently and I am now thinking of buying a new camera and want to experiment more with it. The types of things I want to do is:
control the ...
6
votes
3answers
563 views
Can one radio trigger be used to trigger two speedlights?
I have a pair of Yongnuo RF-603 radio flash transceivers, two SB-600s & D200. I'm planning to build a large rectangular softbox that'll use both speedlights for extra power. Is there a synch cord ...
6
votes
3answers
191 views
I dropped my P&S, can I fix the zoom by myself?
I dropped my P&S, and now the zoom barrel is like this:
It's out of warranty, what's the best way to fix it?
Take it apart? Hit the barrel with something? Push it?
6
votes
2answers
728 views
DIY Lighting for Macro Photography
I am using a simple reversal ring to mess around with macro photography at my home. My question is this what is the best way to light shots for macro photography?
A Few Notes:
I am photographing ...
6
votes
2answers
227 views
I would like to bare open my Canon D-SLR. Which tools should I buy and use in order to get the best results?
By best results, I mean, not damaging the tiny screws or any other fragile part of the camera.
I would like to be able to open it, and then close it again.
6
votes
2answers
2k views
What size hole do I use to make differently shaped bokeh?
This is my question in one huge breath:
What would be the correct size of an elliptic bokeh filter be to create a fake anamorphic distorted bokeh effect with a regular Canon 50mm f/1.8 II lens with a ...
6
votes
3answers
279 views
What grease to use on zoom drive gears?
I've had to tear down my Canon A490 pretty much to individual pieces, in order to get a whole load of sand out of the works. In the process, I've probably washed off most of the grease that was in the ...
6
votes
3answers
392 views
Have I broken my Canon 28-135mm lens after DIY repair?
Last week I removed the front element from my Canon 28 - 135mm lens to remove a grain of sand from the lens. It was easy to remove the 4 screws, take of the top layer of glass and remove the grain.
I ...
5
votes
5answers
636 views
What is a good use for an old 35mm slide projector?
I have a Braun Novamat 35mm slide projector which is now completely redundant since I have scanned my entire 35mm slide collection.
I was going to junk it when I started wondering if there was some ...
5
votes
1answer
843 views
How do I remove a broken lens mount ring from a lens?
Today my Nikon d90 was drop with attached Nikkor 18-200mm lens. The lens detached from the body and ripped of the metal ring with screws from the body. How can I fix it? I don't know how to remove the ...
5
votes
2answers
498 views
Focus ring stuck on Canon 17-85mm lens
I have a Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens on which the focus ring is stuck/jammed.
Is this something I could easily repair myself?
If so, are there any detailed instructions on-line on how to ...
5
votes
1answer
221 views
Are there features to Westcott's Spiderlite TD5 that would be difficult to reproduce if I built a DIY version?
I look at products like Westcott's Spiderlite TD5 head and there looks to be less than $50 in parts (not including the light bulbs) in a product like this... I'm a 'handy guy' with a garage full of ...
5
votes
2answers
569 views
How can I make my own film scanner using a DSLR camera?
How can I make my own film scanner (35mm) using a 16MP DSLR camera?
For using the camera, I understand that I basically need a soft and even light source and a macro lens to focus on the films from ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
Where can I get replacement parts for Canon cameras?
My son accidentally cracked a glass on the back of the camera. It is not an LCD itself, but rather a protective cover over the LCD. I took the camera to photo store and they said they can order the ...
4
votes
2answers
330 views
How to set up Three Point Lighting without (much) real equipment?
I'm setting up basic three point lighting in my room to photograph myself facing the camera (actually, this is for video, but I understand questions about lighting are ok).
What I have is two Smith ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Are there cheap or DIY focus assist solutions for the Canon 5D?
I want a better autofocus system for low light. Low light auto focus is my biggest bane.
I use a 5D so the options are AF on a flash like the 430 or 580. I happen to use the Pocket Wizard TT1 so I ...
4
votes
2answers
133 views
How can I adjust for any inaccuracy in a homemade white card?
Quite a number of years ago, I made my own white card. It is basically made up by two white access cards in plastic glued together and sanded down so that they have a matte finish.
The cards have ...
4
votes
1answer
192 views
I can't buy a streak filter where I live. How do go about making myself one for my DSLR?
Generally used to achieve the anamorphic 'streak' effect.
4
votes
2answers
860 views
How can I create a DIY ND400 filter?
I would rather not buy a $100 ND400 filter that I may or may not use multiple times. To get a taste for the options, I want to see if it is possible to create one inexpensively. I am not looking for ...
4
votes
1answer
571 views
Can I develop Kodak Ektachrome 160 film myself, and if so, how?
I have three (3) Kodak Ektachrome 160 Super 8 (process EM-26, Type G) cartridges that are undeveloped. How difficult would it be for a complete amateur to develop these? If it is not very ...
4
votes
2answers
154 views
How do welder's glass shades translate to stops when used as an ND filter?
I've been inspired by this to try using Welder's glass as an ND filter.
For welders' glass, they use values of "shade" from about 4 up to 11 or so. I know 11 is really dark. Does anybody know if ...
4
votes
2answers
576 views
What lenses can I use to build a DIY tilt/shift lens for a Nikon DX body?
I've found an awesome description for how to build your own tilt/shift lens (http://www.creativepro.com/article/build-a-tilt-shift-camera-lens-peanuts) that mentions using, for example, a lens for the ...
3
votes
5answers
3k views
How to do DIY repair of rubber grips on Nikon cameras?
The rubber grip is peeling away from my D700, just near the autofocus mode selection switch. That whole (tiny) section of the grib is pretty much coming away. How can I do a DIY repair? What ...
3
votes
1answer
177 views
How would i go about re-covering a Hasselblad?
I have just bought a Hasselblad (500EL) medium format camera for a play with, and it's in quite "used" condition.
Some of the leather covering is starting to show its age (peeling/shrinking) so I ...
3
votes
2answers
638 views
What would be a good indoor setup to find a lens's sharpest aperture?
I read the whole of How do you find out the "sweet spot" of a lens? — great question and answer, but it didn't discuss a potential homemade rig for finding the sharpness aperture of my ...
3
votes
1answer
332 views
How can I cheaply set up a small studio and learn how to use it?
Recently I've been thinking a lot about how I can increase the production value of my photos and films. I've come to the conclusion that I need to learn how to set up a small studio and how to use ...
3
votes
2answers
153 views
What visible-blocking filter to use for XSI IR conversion?
I have converted a XT at home with excellent results. I now wish to convert a XSi and I am having trouble locating a visibe blocking filter except for the Life Pixel filter. Their filter price is out ...
2
votes
3answers
464 views
How to create candle reflections?
I put some burning candles on a cement floor, and I could see their reflections; so could my f1.8 50mm G lens.
Because of the dull background wall, and the floor and the wall together making a ...
2
votes
2answers
441 views
Can I make a panorama mount for occasional panorama shooting?
I sometimes (about 5 times per year) decide to shoot a panorama, just for me, with no intentions to sell or use the photo outside my family and close relatives.
Currently I use my Pentax DAL 18-55 ...
2
votes
2answers
161 views
How do I develop black and white film myself?
I have recently got a film SLR and I have shot a lot of pictures (say like 6 rolls in a weeks time). To develop these pictures in my area takes up to a week or two.... so what struck my head was to ...
