Godox MF-12 Flash Diffuser

Intro: Godox MF-12 Flash Diffuser

I’m a big fan of Youtube videos for learning, and I kept seeing macro photographers using the Godox MF-12 lighting setup and liked what I saw. So I bought myself a Godox MF-12 Speedlight set up.

I started testing it and found that the included dome diffusers were of little or no value, so once again, I went to Youtube and looked for MF-12 diffusers. Allen Wall, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNS0atyD910 , uses a piece of velum taped to the flash heads to create a diffuser dome. That was cool and cheap, but it also flapped around in the wind too much.

Then I found a video by Stewart Wood, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQYzgtA9Ufw&t=300s , building a diffuser attached to the flash holder on the front of the lens. I liked that but didn’t care for the use of 400, alright, maybe just 6 or 7 adapter rings to attach the diffuser itself. I also wasn’t fond of the cloth device he used for the actual diffuser. Once again, this seemed too floppy. So I took what I had learned and set out to develop what I consider a better system. 

STEP 1: Print Diffuser Adapter

The first thing was to design a 3D-printed Diffuser Adapter for mounting the diffuser in front of the flash units. Use the accompanying .stl file to 3D-print your Diffuser Adapter. 

Update- After I took these photos I moved the diffuser further from the strobes with a longer extension on the mounting ring. So folks wanted the shorter mount so I have uploaded the .stl for it below.

STEP 2: Attach Adapter to MF-12

Then you will find that the tapered portion of the adapter fits snugly inside the MF-12 “Adapter Ring.” Next, I use Hot-Glue to hold the Diffuser Adapter in place. I only apply the Hot-Glue to the exterior of the two parts to be easily removed if need be. Also, be very careful applying the glue as the flash units need to slide around the “Adapter Ring,” and the adhesive can interfere with that movement. 

STEP 3: Cut Out Diffuser

Next, I designed the diffuser itself using card stock to determine the correct shape. I then transferred the design to CAD then to a .pdf file. The MF-12 Diffuser.pdf can be printed full size onto a Legal (11”x14”) sheet of paper. You then need to acquire a sheet of “Natural Polyproylene stress relieved sheet .03” thick a min. of 12”W x 14L” with one side smooth and the other side matte.” You can find this material online. I then apply a light coating of spray glue to the printed layout and stick it to the Polypropylene sheet. I then used a pair of large scissors or tin snips to cut out her diffuser. I then drill the holes, either 1/8” to use without a gromet or 5/16” to use with a gromet. Finally, remove the pattern and clean the diffuser with acetone as required. 

STEP 4: Cut Bungee Cord

Take a piece of 1/8” bungee cord about 5” long and fold over one end and wrap with a stiff wire or tie a knot in it. Measure from the knot 2 ½” and mark with a Sharpie. 

STEP 5:

Feed the bungee through the holes in the diffuser, pulling it tight and folding over and wrapping with wire or tying a knot to leave 2 ½” of bungee to stretch. Trim off the excess bungee.

Fit the diffuser into the groove in the 3D-printed Diffuser Adapter and work it around finally placing the bungee in the bottom of the Diffuser Adapter groove.

Adjust as required and go out and shoot some great photos!

If you feel you need more diffusion spray glue thin sheets of “Packing Foam” from Walmart to the diffuser, one side should be enough.

Comments

[Trevlac1812]

Do I assume that the matt side of the polypropylene sheet should facing the flash?

[curreta]

Some build notes:
- I was initially confused about the plastics to
use as the author mentions he used one plastic, then offers a different
plastic to purchase along with packing foam.
- I purchased the cutting boards, and they were only a touch opaque. I decided to layer on packing foam as well (from Walmart).
- 3D print went well - no issues there
-
I used clear elmers kid's glue to adhere the template to the cutting
board for cutting. This worked well, and was able to wash off easily.
- I tried using the elmers craft spray adhesive to attach the foam, but it did not stick
-
I ended up getting 77 Spray Adhesive by 3M. This worked REALLY well for
sticking, but a lot of those adhesives say to not use them on
polypropylene so we shall see.
- The 77 spray has a bit of a yellow tint, but I don't think it impacts the colors too much. It's not "perfect" though
-
I had trouble finding the right bungee cords. Bungee cords also were
pretty expensive where I looked. Target had these hair bands (see image)
that worked PERFECTLY and were just the right size to slot into the 3d
print
- When attaching the 3d print to the ring, I put down some glue
and used a curved piece of thin hard cardboard to smear it along the
crevice

Thanks for the tutorial! I've had some great shots because of it!

[BugBob]

Hi Lynn.
Since my printer can't print US Legal, I made a US Letter-sized version of your diffuser template. I hope you like it.
-Bob

[BugBob]

Hi TX. Very nice! I printed a couple of your rings, one for me and one for Stewart Wood. They differ from your photo. The middle ring is much thicker than in your photo, which reduces the depth of the intruding part. Could it be that you posted an older version of the file? Thank you.

[txcromer]

Yes it is thicker....I did that because the strobes were too close to the diffuser and I though it caused hot spots.

[BugBob]

Good point. Still, I'd like to have the other design to try out.

[txcromer]

Bob,
I just added the shorter mount to the project page. I hope you enjoy this diffuser as I do.

[rafasees]

Hello, I want to congratulate you, for your excellent contribution. It is not clear to me, the material you are using for the diffuser. You say at some point packing foam, but I see this rigid in the photos. Could you give me an idea or link to review this one. Thanks a lot

[txcromer]

The hard material is a plastic cutting board mat material that is linked in the article. The thin foam packing material (1/8" thick) is a product that I get at Walmart or any office supply company. BTW- I now use three strobes on this rig for better light and to save on batteries. Good Luck!!! Lynn Cromer

[rafasees]

Thank you very much for your answer. I have already ordered the sheets through amazon. One question, you say that it can be printed on a legal sheet size and you give measurements of 11"x14". When checking on my printer, the size of the legal sheet is 8.5 x 14. Does this size difference matter, or should I print it on an 11x14 sheet? thank you

[Snoogly]

Is the cutting mat an alternative diffuser material, or do we need the stuff you mentioned in the instructions? (Or is the cutting mat just used for cutting?!)

[txcromer]

Yes

[maker_soup]

This is really helpful, good job!

[txcromer]

Thank You Bradley!! I hope you enjoy it!!