Diffuser Material - Advice on what to use

katcall · Apr 15, 2008

Hi everyone

I was hoping that someone could give me some advice regarding material to use for a diffuser. I have been looking at the Lastolite Skylite and have convinced my husband that he should be able to make me one for a lot less than the purchase price. I'm not sure what the best material would be to use and was hoping that someone on APUG may have made one and would be able to provide some suggestions for material or even what type of material Lastolite might use.

Thanks in anticipation.

Regards

Kathy

RobC · Apr 15, 2008

Lee filters sell various diffusion materials in rolls or lengths which can be used to construct diffusion panels.

http://www.leefilters.com/

Dinesh · Apr 15, 2008

Try a shower curtain.

panastasia · Apr 15, 2008

Nylon stockings, or something similar.

Pinholemaster · Apr 15, 2008

Sail Cloth is good, too. Call a local marina to inquire where you can buy it wholesale.

Lee L · Apr 15, 2008

There are a variety of materials that you can use to make your own diffusion panels. Rosco and Lee both make the sheet and roll materials mentioned earlier.

http://www.rosco.com/us/technotes/filters/technote_3fv.asp
http://www.leefilters.com/lighting/products/range/ref:I46C9C14F8BA5B/

You can make your own panels from PVC plumbing pipe and white rip-stop nylon. Here's a place for ideas: http://www.software-cinema.com/tinkertubes/tt-book.pdf

Some white rip-stop nylon may have brighteners that fluoresce with excess blue content, so you may need to ask about that. A well stocked fabric supplier will have rip-stop nylon. Kite making suppliers may also have what you'd need.

Other people use white shower curtains (as mentioned) or bedsheets. The Lee and Rosco theater and lighting gels provide the greatest variety of degrees and types of diffusion. The collapsible frame diffusers like the Lastolite are very handy and portable for location work.

Lee

Peter De Smidt · Apr 15, 2008

I'm a photo assistant. The studio manager where I work has found that a white nylon lining material gives exactly the same results as Matthews's diffusion fabric. I think it was at Jo Ann fabrics, but other places probably have it. It was about $5 a yard. The main issue you'll run into is matching color response if you use a variety of fabrics. Some fabrics also tend to yellow.

pwitkop · Apr 15, 2008

I've used mylar drafting film quit a lot. It works great particularly for specular surfaces because it can easily be made nice and smooth.

Peter

katcall · Apr 15, 2008

Hi again

Thankyou so much for the responses, information and the links to websites. Now I have quite a few options and will take a look at them all.

Regards

Kathy

Diffuser Material - Advice on what to use

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