The CCRRFDv2 Details

A home-made dirt-cheap solution for using your cam's on-board flash for macro and supermacro photography. The CCRRFDv2 - Cheap Creative Rascals Ring Flash Diffuser Version 2 - concept adaptable to most macro capable cams with on-board flash.

Note (7/15/2006) - new mini-MiLC - details here:

First a CREDIT....This redesign was driven and inspired by CCR Puffinart's innovative adaptation of the original CCRRFD to her larger cam/lens combination. Thank you, Vanda. The "v2" in the name means more than "version 2". It also stands for "vanda's too" because this redesign is as much yours as it is mine.

And two CAUTIONs:

CAUTION #1: The heavier styrofoam of the MaLC can create quite a grip on the lens barrel if the hole is cut too small. Since I do not want anyone damaging their lens retraction mechanism because of me or the gizmo, please cut your mounting holes to have an easy slip fit. Then, as insurance, use your scissors to make a number of 1/4 inch or better radial snips in the hole's perimeter. These will create flexible "teeth" for ease of installation and will allow the bowls to slip right off if the lens is inadvertantly retracted while the CCRRFDv2 is still in place. An even safer solution is to use an appropriate adapter like those by Canon or Lensmate and fit your bowls to that instead of the movable lens barrel. Just please be careful.

CAUTION #2: As noted in the Canon manual, the zero distance sharp focusing in super-macro mode can sucker you in to hitting your subject with your lens. It is easy to forget this. Please be careful.

NOW TO THE DETAILS...a rough overview to get you guys started and then we'll refine the content on the fly.

As you can see in the pic, the CCRRFDv2 System is a home-made contraption that allows use of a cam's on-board flash to create essentially shadowless lighting in macro and super-macro situations. The system as shown above consists of three components for which I have created phunny high-tech sounding names. However, the low tech names are equally descriptive and can be used interchangeably in questions and such if you wish. :-)))

MiLC = Micro Lighting Component ("little bowl")
MaLC = Macro Lighting Component ( "big bowl")
AFA = Auxillary Flash Attenuator ("trimmed foam scrap")

MiLC is best for very small subjects in super-macro range (0-3.9 inches) and/or
tight quarters (range in Canon S2 IS terms)

MaLC is best for larger subjects/wider areas in macro range (3.9 - 39
inches) (range in Canon S2 IS terms)

MaLC + MiLC is best anywhere the most even lighting possible is desired.

AFA is good anytime for any subjects in flash range where some softening is
desired.

AFA + any combination of MiLC and/or MaLC for quick flash attenuation.

Trimmed bowls make for easier handling and manuvering in close quarters (the
flattened rims do nothing for light spread to my knowledge).

The off-center mounting holes offer some distinct advantages:

more even lighting with less hotspotting
reduced "shadowing"
reduced "signature" reflections on shiny subjects
enhanced adaptability to other cameras - larger cam/lens combinations and/or where the on-board flash is not centered ((just turn to align the long axis with the flash tube).

NOW TO THE MATERIALS...