DIY Strip Light Modifier for Speedlights. Strip Light Portrait Photography in Studio or on Location
LitePipe P, SaberStrip and StrobiStrip are all tube like strip light modifiers that you can buy. Or if you are on a budget with your photography you can build your own DIY strip light modifier that looks bigger, better and cooler than any Star Wars light saber. These easy to build speed light strip modifiers are awesome for shooting portraits both in studio and on location.
For less than $25.00 in materials, you can build this DIY strip light modifier and you can mount it vertically or horizontally and the adjustable speedlight umbrella holder let’s you set up in just about any angle or position you want to and you can access the controls of your speedlight – without having to remove it from the unit. And since it’s lightweight – it will easily work on compact light stands without wobbling. The tube is also wind resistant meaning it’s not going to blow around outside like a big softbox would.
Speedlite Light modifiers come in all shapes and sizes and indeed the cooler they are the more they tend to cost. As I have shown you in the past – the only thing that makes one modifier better than another is how well it solves a problem in any given situation. If you understand light and the Inverse Square Law you can work with inexpensive modifiers and do the same things that the more expensive ones do.
THE PARTS
3″ x 6″ Kraft Mailing Tube:
Hook and Loop Cable Tie Down Straps Reusable 1″ x 12″ Pack of 10:
Tripod Screw Holder Adapter(1/4″ to 3/8″):
Able DIY 24″ x 48″ in. White Translucent Plastic Film:
Flash Speedlight Umbrella Holder:
1″ flat Washer
3/8″ x 1″ screw
Gaffers Tape:
Gloss White Spray Paint:
Super Glue:
OTHER GEAR IN THE VIDEO
TetherBlock:
Aero SecureStrap:
TetherPro USB 3.0 Cable:
Nikon D810:
Tokina 100mm f/2.8:
LumoPro LP180R:
Broncolor LitePipe P:
SaberStrip:
Beauty Dish Lighting Tutorial & How to make a DIY Beauty Dish with an umbrella for less than $7.00:
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Nice video
The plastic sheet used in the video is no longer available on Amazon. Other plastic sheets similar are $40-$50. I've also spent a week calling and shopping for shipping tubes and nobody here has anything longer than 3 feet. At this point, probably cheaper to just buy an actual strip box with grid 🙁
Does it have to be a round tube? Especially the part with a plastic film … I have the feeling that the "O" shape scatters the light around the environment. Maybe it would be a better "U" shape with flat film , in which case , a grid could be mounted on it ?
Thank you.
This is a brilliant plan for such a useful lighting tool 👍
You never cease to amaze me with your crafty money saving tips.
The light was harder than I expected. My DIY striplight (different design) was soft in one direction.
I couldn't find the kraft tubing, so I used a 3" plastic drain pipe. These are corrugated pipes that aren't as heavy as solid 3" PVC pipes. The trick is properly preparing the black inside to accept white paint. (I sanded, cleaned with acetone, then used plastic compatible primer and paint. Just Google it. On the other hand, it might be easier to line it with glossy white tape.) For an end cap I found some 3" mirrors on ebay for about $1.30 each that reflect the light nicely from the end. Finished 5' project (with a 47" light slot) weighs about 2.2 lbs. One HomeDepot pipe cost me less than $8 and makes 2 lights. https://www.homedepot.com/p/3-in-x-10-ft-Drain-Pipe-Solid-3550010/100185642
Is it possible to use 6 saber strip and make a star shape and click…..will it give a star shape catch light in model eyes ?
Can anybody tell me how many stops of light are lost with this film strip? It looks quite thick. Thanks
Thanks for this dude…..i built 2 and they work fine. I did make a few modification though which worked just fine. I added silver foil inside and a round mirror to the end cap so as to bounce light back. The best modification was attaching a velcro hook & loop to the 60in cut out and use it as a protector for the translucent film and also to shape the amount of light need on my subject or background
Joe Edelman would this work with the Godox AD200 pocket flash? My Godson is getting more in flash and wants a strip light softbox, so as he saving up his grass cutting money for one and before I show him this video wanted to run it past you. Sorry asking here just right now the Wednesday Togchat Q/A is a really bad time for me to attend just get to see the rerun of it when you post it. Thanks for your time.
Excellent work Joe ! you can start your own light modifier company with this ideas, where can I buy these tubes?
This is so great thanks for sharing
That’s incredible, you’re on a roll Joe! I’ve learned so much from you and I’m definitely adding this to my kit.
Great idea Joe, would adding a second speedlight in the other end counteract the light fall off for the 60" tube?
Another great video! One observation is that the catchlights are somewhat odd with the two strips oriented vertically. I couldn't get past the shape of them.
The results ate great, of course you ate a master of lighting but is very useful at any level
Bloody clever! I'm going to try it. All power to you.
Working on just getting the tubes. I can’t them anywhere that you don’t have to order an entire case. And what is the thickness of the tube?
One of the best DIY striplight video's I have seen. I have a couple of Saberstrips, and I am very happy with them. Very light and rugged, which makes them very easy to take on location. Wind and rain have no effect on them. Depening upon what speedlights you use, you can adjust the power from the camera, via radio. I use older Canon flashes, which do not offer that feature, so taking out the flash is required, to adjust the power. But one or two test shots, and I have dailed in the correct exposure. Finetuning is done by moving the lightsource closer or further away. It works fine for me.
If you look inside the Saberstrip, you will notice an additional angled reflector which bounces the light towards the diffusion material. It helps to create a more evenly lit subject.
I can’t find the tubes anywhere unless I order in bulk
Great idea. Thanks a lot, Joe.
Hi Joe. Will make a couple of these for sure but as a heads up I have found that the Yongnou flashes which are controlled by the YN560tx on camera still change settings and fire whilst inside the tube (end of tube was open, flash was mounted on a small flash stand which stops it dropping inside the tube). As I won't need to change the flash settings on the actual flash I will not cut this section out but work out how to mount it securely at the end of the tube (flash stand and some velcro I'm thinking). Is there a reason you leave 6 inches in front of the flash cutout? Is this to help the light spread before getting to the diffused area? Do you recommend a distance from the end of the flash head before the cutout area? I'm also wondering if having the zoom as wide as possible and the flash diffuser panel over the flash would also help spread the light more evenly? Thanks for a great DIY video.
Just built two of this Strip Light Modifier made of 3" PVC plastic pipe. It has a 36" opening for the diffuser. A Godox TT600 flash fits just fine. Still waiting for the U-type swivel flash holder from China though. Expecting them anytime soon. The build has a few ideas applied from other builds that are available. I am excited to use them in our family reunion next week. Thanks. 🙂 Shalom.
You Sir are AMAZING!!! Thanks for the video!
This is absolutely amazing 😉👍👌
Hi Joe I love your channel. So much information!
I am new to photography and I am wondering if I should build your DIY laserstrips with speedlight attachement or your DIY Led striplights for a small studio in my living room.
What should I build/buy? What is the better solution?
Can you give me an advice?
Thanks a lot!
Just found this joe thank you making it!!