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99-cent tool to avoid window reflections - by RPCrowe

gjl711

Wait.. you can't unkill your own kill.
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I purchased a light weight black plastic salad bowl from a 99-Cent Store, cut a circle from the bottom to slip my lenses through and place the bowl against the window through which I am shooting.

Salad%20Bowl.jpg


IMAGE LINK: https://photos.smugmug.com …Salad%20Bowl.jpg&lb=1&s=A (external link) on Smugmug

This does a good job to prevent reflections...

Sony α6500 / ILCE-6500 • 1/200 • f/5 • ISO 640

ECOVIVARIUM%202019_0061-X2.jpg


IMAGE LINK: https://photos.smugmug.com …2019_0061-X2.jpg&lb=1&s=A (external link) on Smugmug
 
You can buy silicone rubber hoods to do the same thing. Search amazon for "Silicone Lens Hood". More like $15, but, they likely work better and fold flat.
 
You can buy silicone rubber hoods to do the same thing. Search amazon for "Silicone Lens Hood". More like $15, but, they likely work better and fold flat.

I have a super-old rubber foldable hood like that. If I ever find it, it is probably dry-rotted. That said, the rubber type hoods are size specific. Unless you are using only one lens the majority of the time, you might need several.
 
I just happen to have a silicons hood. Yes, they make them in silicone and they are much more durable.
But I love the "salad bowl" DIY is my favorite past time ;)
 
I have a super-old rubber foldable hood like that. If I ever find it, it is probably dry-rotted. That said, the rubber type hoods are size specific. Unless you are using only one lens the majority of the time, you might need several.
I am talking about the type which is more like a collapsible salad bowl than a lens hood. One I have has a 60mm lens hole which easily stretches over an 80mm lens or lens hood. You could make the hole bigger if needed.
 
I am talking about the type which is more like a collapsible salad bowl than a lens hood. One I have has a 60mm lens hole which easily stretches over an 80mm lens or lens hood. You could make the hole bigger if needed.

Exactly what I have. Even makes a sort of pop or snap when collapsed. If I ever find it again, I might post it here.
 
Mine had/has narrow concentric rings surrounding it. Long out of production, for sure. Circa 1977ish. Collapsed to about 2cm.
 
If you're using a prime lens and shooting at right angles to the window you can gently rest the lens against the window, though this method is probably not for shaky-handed people.
 
If you're using a prime lens and shooting at right angles to the window you can gently rest the lens against the window, though this method is probably not for shaky-handed people.
That works when you can frame your subject properly, but lately I have been shooting my aquarium critters and those guys just hate posing right in front of the lens. Can't get too far off the 90 degree as distortion starts to become noticeable, but they are never quite at 90. :-) Just ordered one of the silicone salad bowls. Well see how it works. I've been using a cardboard cone and it's functional.
 
Can't you just turn the room lights off?
Not really. Aquariums are brightly lit and that light spills out onto the camera, which then reflects. It help most if you can get really close to the glass and shield as much as possible.
 
The OP RPCrowe followed up in his POTN thread with:
The bowl worked quite well but was quite unhandy because of its size and it was totally inappropriate for traveling

I now use a black silicone collapsible dog bowl that I bought from Amazon.com. I cut a 67mm hole in the bottom of the bowl and it works great for a cheap and easily transported reflection shield. It weighs next to nothing and folds flat. Since they come in sets of two from Amazon.com, I keep one in my photo vest and one in my camera bag

https://smile.amazon.com …tle_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
I purchased a light weight black plastic salad bowl from a 99-Cent Store, cut a circle from the bottom to slip my lenses through and place the bowl against the window through which I am shooting.

Salad%20Bowl.jpg


IMAGE LINK: https://photos.smugmug.com …Salad%20Bowl.jpg&lb=1&s=A (external link) on Smugmug

This does a good job to prevent reflections...

Sony α6500 / ILCE-6500 • 1/200 • f/5 • ISO 640

ECOVIVARIUM%202019_0061-X2.jpg


IMAGE LINK: https://photos.smugmug.com …2019_0061-X2.jpg&lb=1&s=A (external link) on Smugmug
Cheaper than custom products available for the purpose 👍🏼
 
Fascinating thread, JJ.
Very creative.
😃👍👍

Though you do realise that everyone has taken a screenshot of this, and they're just waiting for an opportune moment to morph the photo into an amusing meme 🤣

But don't worry.
You can trust me not to do such a silly thing.
😉
 
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