# Macro without Diffuser? **URL:** \ **Category:** Nature Talk\ **Tags:** photography, macro\ **Created:** [June 27, 2025, 2:49am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/macro-without-diffuser/66916 "2025-06-27T02:49:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![localnaturespotter](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/localnaturespotter/32/52282_2.png) [@localnaturespotter](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/localnaturespotter)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 2:49am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/macro-without-diffuser/66916/1 "2025-06-27T02:49:17Z")
I’m going to the Solomon Islands soon, and the diffuser is a bit cumbersome. Can you take good macro photos without a diffuser? ---
**Author:** ![tjeales](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/tjeales/32/28691_2.png) [@tjeales](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tjeales)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 2:55am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/macro-without-diffuser/66916/2 "2025-06-27T02:55:51Z")
You can but it’s generally harder and the photos turn out flat with dark areas lacking detail. Also it’s difficult not to have your subject be shadowed by the lens. One time when I left my diffuser behind I lightly crumpled up some translucent white plastic bags and held them in from of the body flash with a cleaned cut up plastic milk bottle. I’m sure they sell pringles in the Solomons so you could just make one of these then throw it away after [https://www.paulbrowning.photography/diffusing-light-from-your-flash-2/](https://www.paulbrowning.photography/diffusing-light-from-your-flash-2/) ---
**Author:** ![yongestation](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/yongestation/32/56696_2.png) [@yongestation](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/yongestation)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 2:55am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/macro-without-diffuser/66916/3 "2025-06-27T02:55:58Z")
I’m not too knowledgeable about macro stuff, but I’ve heard good things about portable diffusers (like this [kind of thing](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1499346-REG/angler_psfd_100_portable_speedlight_flash_diffuser.html)) which I imagine would take up a trivial amount of baggage space. ---
**Author:** ![tjeales](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/tjeales/32/28691_2.png) [@tjeales](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tjeales)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 2:57am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/macro-without-diffuser/66916/4 "2025-06-27T02:57:24Z")
Another Pringles hack [https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/tutorials/photography-hacks-turn-a-pringles-can-into-a-macro-flash-diffuser](https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/tutorials/photography-hacks-turn-a-pringles-can-into-a-macro-flash-diffuser) ---
**Author:** ![heathermiles1672](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/cdc98d/32.png) [@heathermiles1672](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/heathermiles1672)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 3:31am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/macro-without-diffuser/66916/5 "2025-06-27T03:31:24Z")
Im not an expert, but have found the diffuser from CygnusTech (Melbourne Australia) is really good. Folds flat and fits into the backpack when not in use. [https://www.cygnustechdiffuser.com/shop/p/cygnustech-diffuser](https://www.cygnustechdiffuser.com/shop/p/cygnustech-diffuser) ---
**Author:** ![localnaturespotter](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/localnaturespotter/32/52282_2.png) [@localnaturespotter](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/localnaturespotter)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 3:42am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/macro-without-diffuser/66916/6 "2025-06-27T03:42:12Z")
Yes, I do have a diffuser that folds. But it’s just annoying taking photos with it. Like, I use manual focus, and I can’t even adjust properly because the diffuser is covering that part. Not to mention I’m not even sure if I’m using the diffuser properly. ---
**Author:** ![LostInCR](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/lostincr/32/46854_2.png) [@LostInCR](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/LostInCR)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 4:06am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/macro-without-diffuser/66916/7 "2025-06-27T04:06:54Z")
I use a ring flash with no diffuser and the result are generally ‘meh.’ Areas of brightness interspersed with areas of shadow. Post processing can fix a lot of it but they are still not as good as I would like. I ordered a ring flash diffuser three weeks ago from Germany but all they have done so far is acknowledge my order. ---
**Author:** ![tjeales](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/tjeales/32/28691_2.png) [@tjeales](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tjeales)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 4:07am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/macro-without-diffuser/66916/8 "2025-06-27T04:07:13Z")
It really depends on what you want to do and what you consider a “good” photo. A diffuser is bulky sure, and if your interested in photographing everything, not just macro, it can get in the way. But the difference between no diffuser and diffuser is this ![original (7)](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/3/c/3c94bd4fc1f526ef7cddb78fa9a9fd17b98e2c4f.jpeg) No diffuser to this ![original (8)](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/4/3/437e3dc252e6c3994c573150a971b054dc666864.jpeg) With diffuser. You’ll need to pay attention to your apeture as well, lower number = more light but smaller depth of field. ---
**Author:** ![localnaturespotter](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/localnaturespotter/32/52282_2.png) [@localnaturespotter](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/localnaturespotter)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 4:27am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/macro-without-diffuser/66916/9 "2025-06-27T04:27:08Z")
I may use the diffuser more in the future after I return from the Solomons. In reality, I’ve only received the flash and diffuser this week, so I’m not familiar with them. I will probably only be using the macro setup at night, so I need to know whether it’s fine to take photos with diffuser at night. ---
**Author:** ![spiphany](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/spiphany/32/31332_2.png) [@spiphany](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/spiphany)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 4:30am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/macro-without-diffuser/66916/10 "2025-06-27T04:30:05Z")
Those two photos do not demonstrate the difference between “no diffuser” and “with diffuser”. They are in completely different styles at very different magnifications — they are not comparable. (For what it is worth, I find the “no diffuser” photo more aesthetically pleasing and I think it tells a more interesting story.) ---
**Author:** ![tjeales](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/tjeales/32/28691_2.png) [@tjeales](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tjeales)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 4:35am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/macro-without-diffuser/66916/11 "2025-06-27T04:35:57Z")
They are quite different styles and magnifications but those differences were to an extent dictated by the set up. I would never be chasing a flying bee with a big ole diffuser on. And I could never get the close up sharp detail of the second without a diffuser. FWIW I like both photos but the second one was the first photo I took using a diffuser and I was shocked at the difference it made. ---
**Author:** ![tjeales](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/tjeales/32/28691_2.png) [@tjeales](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tjeales)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 4:43am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/macro-without-diffuser/66916/12 "2025-06-27T04:43:55Z")
Much more difficult at night. You’ll have the problem of the lens shadow and the flat lighting. One of the big jobs a diffuser does is bring the light from the flash down past the lens and onto the subject. In sunshine that’s not a big issue but at night you’ll struggle to light the subject. If you’re never getting that close or have other big lights you may get away with it. Do some night practice shots to see how it goes ---
**Author:** ![localnaturespotter](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/localnaturespotter/32/52282_2.png) [@localnaturespotter](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/localnaturespotter)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 5:35am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/macro-without-diffuser/66916/13 "2025-06-27T05:35:42Z")
It’s Friday today and I’m going on Sunday. I won’t have a lot of time to practice. I might just take it there and practice there. ---
**Author:** ![tjeales](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/tjeales/32/28691_2.png) [@tjeales](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tjeales)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 7:19am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/macro-without-diffuser/66916/14 "2025-06-27T07:19:04Z")
Have a wonderful time. I’m sure you’ll see some amazing stuff ---
**Author:** ![eyekosaeder](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/eyekosaeder/32/66699_2.png) [@eyekosaeder](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/eyekosaeder)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 8:02am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/macro-without-diffuser/66916/15 "2025-06-27T08:02:35Z")
It depends. Generally, I find that the closer to the subject you want or need to be, the more essential a diffuser becomes. So if you are taking photos of “larger” creatures (honey-bee-sized and up), it’s absolutely no problem to shoot without. For small stuff, like ants, springtails, not having a diffuser makes it really hard to get the subject lit up, as most of the light will just go over the subject. ---
**Author:** ![macrotim](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/macrotim/32/58204_2.png) [@macrotim](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/macrotim)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 10:15am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/macro-without-diffuser/66916/16 "2025-06-27T10:15:41Z")
Most of the time, a diffuser is very useful. Without one, photos often have harsh details and shadows. I use one of Laowa’s amazing lenses; the Laowa 25mm 2.5x-5x lens. This lens is manual focus, and has no focus ring, so to chance focus, I simply move the camera closer/farther. Just curious, but did you make your own diffuser or buy it? ---
**Author:** ![oksanaetal](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/oksanaetal/32/60589_2.png) [@oksanaetal](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/oksanaetal)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 1:09pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/macro-without-diffuser/66916/17 "2025-06-27T13:09:34Z")
I think the zoom also did something here. ---
**Author:** ![upupa-epops](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/upupa-epops/32/1972_2.png) [@upupa-epops](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/upupa-epops)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 5:26pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/macro-without-diffuser/66916/18 "2025-06-27T17:26:20Z")
When I do macro photography I usually don’t use a diffuser, or just use an elastic to hold some toilet paper or whatever over the flash. I should really get a proper diffuser at some point though… ---
**Author:** ![sebastiandoak](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/sebastiandoak/32/3710_2.png) [@sebastiandoak](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/sebastiandoak)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 7:40pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/macro-without-diffuser/66916/19 "2025-06-27T19:40:31Z")
I use the cygnus tech as well, though AK looks to be in a similar class. Now that I have changed my gear a bit, I may look at getting a new one cut. Its true that it doesnt fit in my “go bag” for cameras, which is why I usually carry it in a pack and have it sitting flat in the pack. ---
**Author:** ![localnaturespotter](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/localnaturespotter/32/52282_2.png) [@localnaturespotter](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/localnaturespotter)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2025, 9:56pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/macro-without-diffuser/66916/20 "2025-06-27T21:56:02Z")
I bought a guage tiny world diffuser. I use a Canon EF60mm lens. [Next page](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/macro-without-diffuser/66916.md?page=2)