In the middle of setting up lights, I thought I would share this little tip how to modify the beam angle on a basic on-camera LED light. Creating a spot light is handy when you really want to narrow the light beam for a rim light or hair light on a subject. So here's an inexpensive way to change your small off camera LED into a more focused spot light using SpeedLight Gids (found here).
Varying thickness and density of the different honeycomb grids control the spread and feathering of the spotlight. These grids can be attached by simple velcro to any small LED light, and can be an effective way to control spill when working with colored gels so you can get creative with your accent lighting. These grids can often be found for around $5 dollars and up via eBay (click here).
HoneyComb Grid Light Modifier
Felipe
Great tip Emm, any ideas for the F&V R300?, i'd love to be able to create a more focused spot light with it. Greetings from Chile.
Michael G.
@Jessie - I just tried a fluorescent grid with my CN900. It didn't do much good other than cutting down the light a bit. It worked a little better when there's no diffusion panel inserted into the light.
Question for others - any idea where I could find a custom sized honeycomb for my CN900? The size is about 13.5" x 11.5".
P Gell
Great tip. Thanks
Emm
Post author@Kay O. Sweaver - I remember the days of building such grids with black straws and glue when these things were very expensive. Worked great, took a while to assemble. Now they are found for about $4.00+ it seems easier to use a ready made product.
Kay O. Sweaver
Black coroplast or straws glued together work as well. Varying the length of the grid also gives you more control over the light, similar to a snoot.
Emm
Post author@Jesse - Might work. The LitePanels 1x1 lights don't come with barn doors, but have a grid option available if you want to change the beam angle from 30, 60, 45, 90 degrees as seen here: https://goo.gl/r0OwX
Emm
Post author@JSS - The one i'm using fits 'mostly' over the Z96 (not 100%. It's a bit oversized for a flash. The different grids affect how tight the spot light is. They are also available for different thickness.
JSS
Great tip Emm! Question though which do modifier do you use the 1/4" or the 1/8" grid and whats the difference? Also did you use a grid that was able to fit say a 530ex flash or something bigger to accommodate for the z96? Thanks again!
iP337
Thanks Emm, good tip
Jesse
For larger LED panels, I've been meaning to experiment with the various louvers made for commercial flourescent lights in hanging-ceiling style offices.