Olympus FL-LM3 Flash handheld softbox for macro

thingiverse

i couldn't find a commercially made softbox for this little flash because it's such a tiny unusual size, being a kit flash for a micro four thirds camera. i used jerry rigged paper softboxes for a while but they have the durability of paper, although they work equally as well as this in pure functionality. i didn't want to make one out of cardboard because i knew it wouldn't be as compact as a 3d printed one could be and it wouldn't be as durable. as long as you don't do anything crazy with this like sit on it or drive a car over it, it should be able to last you forever. included in this post are pictures of how i use it, and before and after results showing what macro looks like with a plain flash, vs what it looks like with a softbox and the benefits of using one. this design is not appropriate for general use photography because the way i designed needs the flash to be angled all the way back. mounted on a camera, it would be pointed straight up. if anyone wants to remix it to be able to be pointed forward, feel free to do so, but the diffuser is small enough that i don't think it will look any different than the plain flash for normal photography with a normal distance between the flash and the subject and you would also have to increase the size of the diffuser end significantly. it can work but i am skeptical of the practicality of it. in the print settings section are some tips for getting proper fitment. the edges of the lid are a little sharp and may be uncomfortable to use bare handed, when held the way i show in my post printing example picture. sanding the corners and edges may help with this. when i shoot for extended periods of time i wear fingerless gloves, so i don't feel discomfort from things like this. this could potentially be remixed to have a more rounded end without the sharp corners to be more comfortable to hold rather than a square. if i was better at modeling in blender, i might have done this myself, but i am just good enough to make a very basic design than gets the job done.