Expodisc Alternative : Coffee Filter 2
Coffee Filter UV Filter
I took an unused Tiffen UV Filter, unscrewed the retaining ring, and slipped the coffee filter between the ring and the glass.
Overall it works remarkably well. Like the normal Expo Disc, you stand in place of your subject to be photographed, and point the camera TOWARD the source of light. (not toward the subject to be photographed) You then perform a manual white balance setting with your camera. After this, the camera will be properly calibrated for the light in the room...
And, if you have a spare filter, you save about $88.95. If you don't have a spare filter, you can simply just hold the filter in front of the lens to take the WB shot.
Other photos in the test sequence are here:
The Test Examples:
flickr.com/photos/10718203@N08/2225059130/
flickr.com/photos/10718203@N08/2225058030/
flickr.com/photos/10718203@N08/2224264777/
flickr.com/photos/10718203@N08/2224263587/
flickr.com/photos/10718203@N08/2225052742/
Directions to make the Filter:
flickr.com/photos/10718203@N08/2225051744/
flickr.com/photos/10718203@N08/2224259237/
Comments and faves
Gilbert Gonzalez, TLid, Luissss, valiant ho, and 34 other people added this photo to their favorites.
Joh63 (52 months ago | reply)
It works great ! Thank you :)
You've just made me save 100$ xD
Ashenzil (50 months ago | reply)
cool thanks.
Asked Man (50 months ago | reply)
Thanks for sharing!
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http://diyphotography.net/ (?)
*yucca* (49 months ago | reply)
Thank you Jason, i save 115€ in PAris !!!
TLS Photo (47 months ago | reply)
Wow, that is a great idea! Guess I could have saved lots of coin (almost $100 for my 77mm expo disk) with this method....... Although it is convenient to have the blue strap attached to the filter like the one that comes with the expo disk. Also I think the expo disk is more durable. Of course for a penny coffee filter you can always RENEW your disk.
thouzndwords (44 months ago | reply)
how do you get the retaining ring unscrewed? Mine seems to be one piece? thanks :)
- Jason W (44 months ago | reply)
on my particular filter, the ring has two very small notches opposite each other. You might be able to use fingernails, but more likely you'll need some type of tool. Scissors can often work, expanding enough to let you get into the notches and turn, or needle nose pliers. You'll need to try to apply even pressure between the two notches (don't just try to turn one, but turn both with even strength, or it will just bind up and fight you) Once you can apply equal turning force to both, you'll probably find that it's not turned down all that tight. -hope that helps
Nan Griffin (43 months ago | reply)
Just made mine today, works great!
[http://flickr.com/photos/renaissancewind/305 9789646/sizes/s/]
Thanks!
CanIshootYouToday [deleted] (41 months ago | reply)
just stumbled onto this today.. great tip!
C_C_R (41 months ago | reply)
dude, this is awesome. Thanks for the help! Saving $$$$$ is top of the list right now and it works pretty great
Arty Smokes (deaf mute) (41 months ago | reply)
Very useful. Cheers!
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Seen in a discussion of the group "*DIY Photography Equipment" (?)
bobcangreen (41 months ago | reply)
Nice.. Necessity is the Mother of "something something"... ;-)
Keep it up!!
Ralloh (Hawk-eye) (40 months ago | reply)
I appreciate your posting this. I've actually used a coffee filter before but never thought to give it a more staple attachment like in an UV filter ring. Thanks!
heartdelay. (36 months ago | reply)
That's cool :)
FRâ–²NCK JULIEN (34 months ago | reply)
great !
Emaad (33 months ago | reply)
amazing and inspirational. I was looking expodisc for research purpose. Research for making my diy version and than i came to your stream via google. Thanks a lot you saved ma time......:)
Joel Abella (28 months ago | reply)
your the man. this is great..
TheDigiPix (27 months ago | reply)
I've been wanting to try this but want to try it with a piece of plastic like Tupperware to make it more durable
stevelewisphotography (17 months ago | reply)
Has anyone put this method up against the expodisc to see which is more accurate?
Ralloh (Hawk-eye) (17 months ago | reply)
I did back almost two years ago at a local photo shop ... honestly ... darn near the same. I had a series of test shots I made but unfortunately I didn't retain them. But this method works well. Sill carry my DIY Expodisc
teresatrimm (17 months ago | reply)
I am going to reproduce this how to on www.wikihow.com. Is there any particular shot/page you want used as the resource/citations???
It will be in my own words, but will credit you with the information. Fantastic job!!!
Primus975 (11 months ago | reply)
Great tip! Thanks very much!