DIY: Less Better Bounce Card for Nikon SB-400 Speedlight

[8thgenuser]

Note: This DIY is specifically for use with the tiny Nikon SB-400 speedlight flash.

If you've searched around the internet for bounce cards, you'll notice that simply attaching a white index card to your speedlight with tape or a rubber band is a popular budget-conscious choice. I'll show you how to use that index card and attach it to your Nikon SB-400 without the use of rubber bands or tape.

I apologize for the dark pictures.

Items:

• Nikon SB-400 Speedlight, $105
• 3" X 5" Index Card, $1.29 for a pack of 100 cards
• Nikon camera with hot-shoe, price varies

Step 1: Take index card out.


Step 2: Fold a triangle from one corner of the card.


Step 3: Fold a triangle from the other corner of the card.


Step 4: Fold the card width-wise bisecting the intersection of the creases made from the two triangles.


Here's what the card looks like with the creases made thus far:


Step 5: Push in the crease you just made to make a house. Crease down the
roof of the house.


Step 6: Fold the card width-wise at the base of the roof and crease down. The card should now resemble an envelope.


Step 7: Undo step 6. The card should resemble a house again. Flip the house
upside down.

Step 8: Insert the roof into the flash as shown. The fit is tight, but there should be enough clearance as long as you have sufficiently creased everything down on the card.




The crease made in Step 6 allows the card to be bent backwards to allow only a little bit of flash to bouce forward.



Step 9: Take pictures!

[8thgenuser]

Camera: Nikon D40
Lens: Sigma 30mm f1.4 EX HSM
Flash: Nikon SB-400
Mode: Program Mode
Subject: Gumby



Example without use of flash:

Kinda dark...looks like I need some light.


Example with use of external flash (direct flash):

Whoa! Too much light! Glare everywhere!


Example with use of external flash (bounced flash):

The bounced light is a lot nicer, but Gumby still looks dark.


Example with use of external flash (bounced flash, bounce card attached):

The bounce card allows light to go forward, but maybe it's a bit too much light going forward, especially for a close shot like this.


Example with use of external flash (bounced flash, bounce card attached and folded back so that only a little bit of flash is bounced forward):

Not perfect lighting, but much better.

[8thgenuser]

This was slightly inspired by "A Better Bounce Card", hence the name "Less Better Bounce Card"

[8thgenuser]

To store the Less Better Bounce Card, fold the card back to resemble an envelope. It fits quite nicely into the Nikon SS-400 pouch that comes with the SB-400 flash.