echeng 0 Posted September 18, 2010 I am currently on the M/V Shear Water anchored just outside of the famous Blue Heron Bridge critter dive in Palm Beach, Florida. Not long ago, we were surprised by a diver who burst out of the water onto our back deck -- it was Shen, who works at Reef Photo & Video (and who, incidentally, is a critter expert at Blue Heron Bridge). Shen of Reef Photo & Video with his close-focus wide-angle rig I noticed that Shen's Subal rig had LocLine arms attached to the end of his Ikelite strobes. I looked inside the arms to see if they were painted white and discovered fiber optic cables! Ingenious! I'm not sure if Reef Photo & Video is selling fiber-optic snoots, but they are usually up for doing custom modifications. I know that I want one! Shen's ingenious snoot system uses fiber optic cabling inside LocLine arms Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gravity 0 Posted September 18, 2010 (edited) Keri Wilk has some dual fiber optic snoots he has designed using loc-line arms-two snoots on one strobe. At this point they are pre production, but I am sure he would send some to you for the right price. Edited September 18, 2010 by gravity Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimSwims 31 Posted September 19, 2010 Convergent evolution of Phil Mercurio's "Fibre Snoot"- http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=36028 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
echeng 0 Posted September 19, 2010 Keri just sent me photos of his setup. Looks nice! I'll post if he allows me to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scuba_SI 39 Posted September 19, 2010 We had a guest out here using some last month. He got some nice shots, but if i tell his secret he'll kill me I ordered a load of fibre to make some snoots too, hopefully it'll be here next month Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex_Mustard 0 Posted September 19, 2010 They are everywhere! Here is one made by Ken Sullivan (with/for Martin Edge) that I showed at my BSoUP talk last week. Fibre snoots are definitely better than standard snoots for "macro spotlighting" because they are more efficient and more easily aimed and therefore can therefore even be used during the day in bright conditions. The downside is, when anyone sees your photos, they say "Oh, that's Keri Wilk's shot...." Alex Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimSwims 31 Posted September 19, 2010 The downside is, when anyone sees your photos, they say "Oh, that's Keri Wilk's shot...." Alex Well he is the Snoot Master. I'll be very interested to see what design Keri comes up with. Cheers, Jim. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marjo 8 Posted September 24, 2010 Hmmm... maybe you could make a flexible ringlight out of two bundles of (plastic) fiberoptics...perhaps spread out on two flexible strips and glued down (or sowed?) with some silicone adhesive and then wrapping them around port and fastening with velcro. Has anyone doen anything like that? Could you use the cheap plastic fiberoptics they use in those party tabletop centerpieces? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gobiodon 58 Posted October 12, 2010 Hmmm... maybe you could make a flexible ringlight out of two bundles of (plastic) fiberoptics...perhaps spread out on two flexible strips and glued down (or sowed?) with some silicone adhesive and then wrapping them around port and fastening with velcro. Has anyone doen anything like that? Could you use the cheap plastic fiberoptics they use in those party tabletop centerpieces? I've tried to do something similar but using 6 bundles instead of 2. I wouldn't use those party tabletop piece. The overall cost of my adapter was less than 30 euro, I don't think it's a good idea to spare more on the fibers. I have a separate thread on my rig but without any reply yet: http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showt...mp;#entry263214 Cheers Marcell Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gobiodon 58 Posted October 12, 2010 They are everywhere! Here is one made by Ken Sullivan (with/for Martin Edge) that I showed at my BSoUP talk last week. Fibre snoots are definitely better than standard snoots for "macro spotlighting" because they are more efficient and more easily aimed and therefore can therefore even be used during the day in bright conditions. The downside is, when anyone sees your photos, they say "Oh, that's Keri Wilk's shot...." Alex Hi Alex, Is it a snoot on the picture or the fibers end on a diffuser? I was thinking to use such a rig to make two small easy to position strobes (but diffused instead of focused light output) out of one. Marcell Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zzz111 1 Posted October 18, 2010 These are really coooooooool, thanks all for sharing. Is it possible to add some glass at the tip, so that the beam width can be adjusted, like topside zoomable strobes? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pfuller 1 Posted October 20, 2010 These are really coooooooool, thanks all for sharing. Is it possible to add some glass at the tip, so that the beam width can be adjusted, like topside zoomable strobes? An adjustable aperture mixed with a lens setup would make a perfect little unit.. then you'd have full control over the size and focus of the output. Probably a bit of overkill for a DIY setup though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
philsokol 1 Posted October 20, 2010 Those look waaaay better than the plumbing parts I'm trying out. Any contact info for Ken or where else to inquire other than Reef? Guess my gorilla pod and Home Depot special will have to do for now... Phil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mcd2000 1 Posted October 20, 2010 Those look waaaay better than the plumbing parts I'm trying out. Any contact info for Ken or where else to inquire other than Reef? Guess my gorilla pod and Home Depot special will have to do for now... Phil Try the lighting department at home depot for fiber optic cabel & the tool department for the lock-line parts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alexis Golding 0 Posted April 27, 2012 I am currently on the M/V Shear Water anchored just outside of the famous Blue Heron Bridge critter dive in Palm Beach, Florida. Not long ago, we were surprised by a diver who burst out of the water onto our back deck -- it was Shen, who works at Reef Photo & Video (and who, incidentally, is a critter expert at Blue Heron Bridge). Shen of Reef Photo & Video with his close-focus wide-angle rig I noticed that Shen's Subal rig had LocLine arms attached to the end of his Ikelite strobes. I looked inside the arms to see if they were painted white and discovered fiber optic cables! Ingenious! I'm not sure if Reef Photo & Video is selling fiber-optic snoots, but they are usually up for doing custom modifications. I know that I want one! Shen's ingenious snoot system uses fiber optic cabling inside LocLine arms Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alexis Golding 0 Posted April 27, 2012 Hi, I think that is perfect, how is called fiber optic cable? get some number? get some specific name? where I can buy? thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stewsmith 14 Posted April 27, 2012 If you do go down the DIY route for fibre optic snoots or ring flash try and get both ends of the cut cables polished by a fibre optic engineer. Polishing the ends should maximise the output from your strobe lighting. I am just starting to gather materials for a couple of fibre optic projects Regards Stew Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
