Lighting for both was with the FL50R diverted down a foil lined pringles tube with white perspex sheet as a diffuser.
I'm using some 2mm thick, white acrylic which I got off ebay. It's a compromise. I've got a range of about 6 inches max at f8 ISO 250 - it doesn't let much light through. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-White-Perspex-Acrylic-Sheet-2mm-3mm-5mm-6mm-8mm-10mm-20mm-Panels/312421288282?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&var=611093166314&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649I have the similar setup with FL-600R but I need to work more on diffuser part. I noticed there are still some harsh highlights especially on the eyes of insects. I haven't been getting soft glow the way I imagined.
I'm using some 2mm thick, white acrylic which I got off ebay. It's a compromise. I've got a range of about 6 inches max at f8 ISO 250 - it doesn't let much light through. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-White-Perspex-Acrylic-Sheet-2mm-3mm-5mm-6mm-8mm-10mm-20mm-Panels/312421288282?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&var=611093166314&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
I've got the same problem with the STF-8. The olympus diffusers are fine for photographing matte subjects, but there's an ugly twin highlight on anything shiny. I've partly overcome this by mounting both heads on a twin flash bracket/mini ball heads and using a foam sheet as a diffuser, held onto the lens hood with a hair bobble. The good thing about the STF-8 though is the modelling and ease of flipping the lighting ratios from one side to the other if the insect decides to face the other way.
Not front heavy, the flash heads themselves are roughly the same size as the little one which came with the camera, but with power cables coming out of the top. They are very light.I need to find something similar. Thanks for the idea. I once thought about STF-8 before getting Fl-600R but then I decided it to be too much for my skill level. Also somewhat surprisingly that unit hardly comes up for sale on any forum (I have never seen one being sold here). I do like the trick where you can "shift" the light balance, very useful indeed. My only worry with that unit would be if it makes the whole contraption too front heavy?
Hmm, I think the seller might be using Pespex as a generic term as Perspex rates their Light panels at 60-80% transmission and Edge at 91%. If you're getting more than a stop of loss in the diffuser there should be some improvement from an acrylic more intended for the diffusion, such 2067, 2447, or P95.I'm using some 2mm thick, white acrylic which I got off ebay. It's a compromise. I've got a range of about 6 inches max at f8 ISO 250 - it doesn't let much light through.
I think you are probably right. My Kenro lightbox has a 5mm thick perspex panel and it is nowhere near as dense as the 2mm acrylic I have.Hmm, I think the seller might be using Pespex as a generic term as Perspex rates their Light panels at 60-80% transmission and Edge at 91%. If you're getting more than a stop of loss in the diffuser there should be some improvement from an acrylic more intended for the diffusion, such 2067, 2447, or P95.