(3) Square ring light -- I have in my mind a way of making one with two flashes, but I guess flourescent tubes would work as well. Obviously a couple flashes would put out a lot more light, but would building something with flourescent tubes be significantly cheaper?
In my search I saw someone who did a triangular light with 4' flourescent tubes; that looked kinda neat -- if I do build a square light setup with flourescents I'll have to hinge it to be able to be used as a triangle or square.
So firstly, whoever has additional links to building your own (via hotlights or flashes) I'd love'em! As many as possible That way I'll be armed with tons of knowledge when I build mine, and others interested will have a lot of links to look at.
Also, I have an AlienBees B800 and 30" x 60" softbox -- would it be possible to just make up some black velvet cutout patterns to mask off whatever shape I wanted? (Ring / Square / Triangle / Whatever) Would this be too inefficient? Would I still have enough light using such a method?
Next, what are the cheapest/best flashes to use for this if I were to build something for flash?
Most homeade ring flash designs I've seen used two strobes -- what's the best way to hook these up and ensure they both fire with the camera? Do I get a hotshoe extension cord of some sort to trigger one (also I have a 20D so I have a PC port as well; do they make hotshoe -> PC plug cords?)
Can I rely on an optical sensor to pickup the first flash to trigger the slave, or would it be better / more reliable to wire the two together somehow?
I made one from a 2 light flourescent fixture mounted on a wood base. I use it outdoors in my backyard for macro and flower stuff. I have one of those 12v rapid car starter thingies and an inverter.
Would the Vivitar 560D be a good choice? It says it has a PC terminal. . .so would I be able to join two of these guys together somehow and have one cord going to the PC terminal on my 20D to trigger them both?
I'm not sure what the connection is on the flash itself (presumably it's a PC plug to PC plug??) but here's what I was thinking:
http://static.loneshepherd.org/flash_diagram.png
hook the flashes up to cables which terminate as 1/8" male plugs, join them via a Y connector (rat shack, whatever) ending as a PC plug at the camera. This would be a relatively non-destructive way of using one or two flashes.
I've been thinking about the same thing and would love to see any additional links to DIY flash ring lights. A couple of nights ago I chopped up my off camera sync cable and added a 30' extension with connectors. Now I have ETTL up to 30' away! I've caught the do-it-yourself bug and I think a ring light is next.
Regarding good flashes for the project - maybe look at the Vivitar 283 - chaep and powerful.
That way I'll be armed with tons of knowledge when I build mine, and others interested will have a lot of links to look at.