gobiodon

It was a topic before to make DIY optical cables. There were suggestions to simply use optical fibers as cheap options. There are many dealer selling it per meter.

To make the length variable, the fibers can be curled. Previously I tried to use a hair drier to form the fibers but I've just found the hot water approach better. I gave a detailed description on how to curl optical fibers on my blog:

 

http://fiberstrobe.b...-of-fibers.html

 

I haven't tried it underwater but it should work well.

 

 DSC08690_res.jpg   194.23K   12 downloads

 

Cheers

 

Marcell

I couldn't resist and bought a MeiKe cheap UW housing for my nex-5. It's specifically designed for the 16mm pancake lens, hence the whole set-up is really small. First, I thought that I will use for available light photos only mainly in pools or for snorkeling.
This housing also accomodate the the on-board flash (actually it's a small add on GN7 flash), but due to it's position first I thought it's useless.
Later on came the idea to split and channel the light via optical fibers to better positions. I had many non-underwater project combining optical fibers and loc-line flexible arms:
http://www.flickr.co...57625456171059/
and there are many DIY and professional applications on wetpixel using this combination. My only problem was the attechment of the arms to the housing and here came the LEGO to the picture. So I stole some bricks from the collection of my son and glued it to the housing and created this:


So it covers the front and prevent any front lighting but channels the light to the side in the arms.


Recent underwater adapters are mainly using this concept to create snoots (AKA fibersnoot) but I decided to spread the light a bit instead of focusing it:


The same LEGO concept may also work for DIY optical triggering of external stobes.

It might be used best for compact cameras.

I hope you can use some of these ideas
Cheers

Marcell