Close-up photography requires even and omnidirectional lighting. A do-it-yourself LED ring flash can be assembled to surround the lens and provide just such a light. The LED light will also be bereft of any heat which could affect the object being shot, such as a delicate flower. Supplies from an electronics store and a photo store are needed, as are tools from around the house.
Instructions
1. Place a sheet of newspaper on a table. Place the circular LED ring lamp face down on the newspaper. Unscrew the screws from the back with a Phillips screwdriver. Pull the back section off the front. Place the back section on the table with the LEDs facing up.
2. Locate the "+" and "-" labeled contacts on the circuit board inside the back section. Heat up a soldering iron for six minutes. Apply a drop of solder to the ends of the black and red wires attached to the battery clip. Let the solder cool for a minute.
3. Place the end of the black wire against the "-" labeled contact on the circuit board. Touch the tip of the soldering iron to the end of the wire for three seconds. Let the solder cool for a minute. Repeat this procedure, only with the end of the red wire and the "+" labeled contact. Unplug the soldering iron.
4. Place the lens hood adapter face down in the hole in the middle of the back section. Wad pieces of newspaper and place the wadded pieces of newspaper around the adapter so that the hole is now completely covered.
5. Apply bonding glue to the newspaper and around the adapter. Continue applying bonding glue until all the wadded newspaper is saturated with the glue. Let the glue set overnight.
6. Turn the back section over. Apply bonding glue around the adapter. Let the glue set overnight.
7. Turn the back section over. Cut a notch in a side of the back section with a utility knife. Press the wires from the battery clip into the notch. Place the back section on the front and reattach the screws. Screw the adapter onto the front of the camera. Attach a battery to the battery clip to illuminate the ring flash.
Tags: back section, around adapter, battery clip, bonding glue, soldering iron