One of the questions I get asked the most is: “What is the best diffuser for macro photography with flash?”
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Light is the most important ingredient for sharp & high quality macro photographs.
There are both professional and DIY diffusers available, but only few traditional light modifiers that really work for macro photography.
Since the requirements are very specific here, I would like to spare you a lot of trial & error and share this complete guide to different flash diffusers and their pros and cons.
I will also explain what works best and why – photos for reference included, of course.
Using a diffuser for macro photography brings many benefits.
It will soften the light, prevent harsh highlights and hotspots on reflective surfaces (which we find on beetles very often) and helps channeling the light towards our macro lens and subject.
Since using a flash is often essential when it comes to photographing moving subjects, a diffuser is needed to produce an evenly lit photo and make sure we can capture the maximum of details & textures of the subject.
Subjects that are highly reflective and shiny, as well as white ones, are a classic challenge to photograph with (an undiffused) flash.
Back when i was doing portrait photography and started experimenting with flashes and strobist-setups i realized one thing:
If you buy cheap, you buy twice (at least).
While there is good equipment available for reasonable prices, cheap solutions often lack quality and durability.
If you want to save money you can even build a diffuser yourself – but this is only cheaper at first glance: the time invested, the cost of the materials, the numerous trial & error sessions to finalize a working design will be much more expensive in the end than you expected at first.
Starting with a DIY diffuser is great though to understand the designs, and, depending on what image and lighting quality you are going for, may be more than enough..
DIY diffusers range from the simple use of paper towels / kitchen roll, to self-made little softboxes or pringles cans, used as a light tube.
A quick google search will bring up lots of examples of how these might look.
The advantages of a professional diffuser are:
Before you build something like this yourself, it is definitely cheaper and faster to buy a ready-made diffuser.
Except you are doing it for the fun or have enough free time and motivation.
Below you find the diffusers that I currently use and can recommend to have a look at (in alphabetical order).
I might update this post when one of these have new versions released.
The AK Diffuser is designed by Zamir Pena (Florida, USA).
He customizes the diffuser to match the exact setup you are using. This includes measuring the height of the flash, the length of the lens and more.
The diffuser can also be used with other lenses and flashes of course, it is just that it is optimized for the measurements you order it with.
It is available in multiple versions currently: The sizes Large, Medium and Mini cover a broad range of Micro-four-thirds (specifically OM System / Olympus) & mirrorless setups with various body+lens combinations as well as your custom DSLR setups.
For the popular Canon MP-E 65mm there is a tailored diffuser as well.
An improved Pro version has been added recently.
The AK is a sturdy diffuser to assemble via snaps.
It features a well designed reflector and kicker as well, to give you all the tools you need to create a perfect lighting scenario.
Whenever you do not use the reflector/kicker you can simply attach them to the diffuser with the snaps and have them ready at any time.
The website features instructions and assembly videos as well.
Build quality and materials are all high quality and all diffusers come with a transportation bag.
AK has just released its latest model, which was created in collaboration with OM SYSTEM Ambassador Ben Salb, to provide optimized lighting for focus stacks.
The AK PRO introduces a brand new finish and underscores the high quality of the diffuser´s production.
With a completely re-designed top reflector, it now channels even more light onto the subject and also the background.
An improved diffusion layer also enables you to dial down the flash power even more and get a better motion-freeze effect for action shots or simply save battery power.
This is without any question the best AK Diffuser model to date, if you are not focusing on compactness alone.
It is available for 117.75 USD.
AK released a new range of diffuser models, that are the most optimized version yet and show a couple differences to the older models.
They do pack perfectly flat now.
The new variable bouncer, can be used for both reflecting the top and the bottom light.
For small and off-camera flashes, the AK Diffuser Shop offers a custom dual diffuser for the Godox MF12, which are usually attached to the filter ring of the lens.
A Diffuser set for Canon MT-24Ex and MT-26EX twin flashes is also available.
You can find an overview with all AK Diffuser setup combinations available, here.
https://akdiffuser.com
(using my referral link for your purchase of an AK Diffuser will support me a bit, in keeping up high quality content for this website)
From 103 USD to 128 USD depending on model + shipping (guaranteed shipping within 2 business days)
SAVE 5% OFF when ordering an AK Diffuser with my Code wildmacro-ak
The Cygnustech Diffuser was designed by Brendan James (Australia).
He is a well-known photographer in the macro community and has spent lots of hours and dollars in his ‘search for the perfect light’, as he states himself.
The Cygnustech diffuser tries to provide the best diffusion while still being compact, portable & easy to setup and use.
Does it deliver on the promises?
It certainly does – and gets full marks.
If you are looking for a diffuser that folds completely flat and can easily be traveled with, then the Cygnustech diffuser is a great choice.
It is attached to the flash by a simple rubber band and gets its stability by the diffusion layer being attached to the front lens element as well by another rubber band.
Do all the fancy features some other diffuser brands come up with make the diffusion better?
Not necessarily – so the Cygnustech is really all you need if you are looking for the best combination of compactness, flexibility and perfect diffusion.
The Cygnustech Diffuser will be tailored to fit your setup and its measurements exactly.
Brendan buys new gear all the time to make sure his diffuser provides the best light even for the most exotic body+lens+flash combinations.
Update -01:
I recently got the latest version of Brendan´s Diffuser, which is a big improvement on its predecessors.
It can change the angle in which the light hits the subject and has an upgraded focusing light, which can also act as a strap to attach the diffuser to the flashhead.
https://cygnustechdiffuser.com
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit diffuser board.
(using my referral link for your purchase of a Cygnustech Diffuser will support me a bit, in keeping up high quality content for this website)
Starting from 100 AUD (Australian Dollars) + shipping
SAVE 5 AUD OFF when ordering a Cygnustech Diffuser with my Code WILDMACRO5
Some diffusers with innovative twists which I found just recently – particularly designed for compact OM SYSTEM Olympus setups.
The Macro Diffusers by Trick Bits have some nice features, which seperate it from the many other competitors on the growing diffuser market.
When it comes to its size and diffusion efficiency, they are not any worse or better than the others i tried.
They fold perfectly flat for transportation and can be assembled relatively quickly, which is a big advantage in the field and a must.
With another update the new version of the Trick Bits Diffuser models now have a focusing light added.
These are specifically for macro photography setups with the Godox V350 and TT350 flashes, as these have no integrated modeling light.
The light can be turned on/off with a switch on the outside of the diffuser and is powered by a slim powerbank, which finds space inside the holder that is attached to the flash.
I really like how much work went into the details for these diffusers: there is even a small flap that can be used to hide the opening for the USB port, if you prefer to not use an extra focusing light.
There is a new diffuser model for both the M.Zuiko 60mm and the M.Zuiko 90mm setup with the shorter Godox 350 flashes.
For transportation, the diffusers have a hanger that can be attached to your backback easily.
The new Trick Bits models feature a completely new attachment system, which is unique on the market.
The updated diffusers come for a taller M.Zuiko 90mm IS PRO setup with the V860 and a shorter setup with the V350.
These instantly got me stoked when I discovered them on the website – I love the unique approach to have a fixed mount for the macro diffuser on the flash.
After the first tests I must say it delivers on the promising first look, and definitely is a great budget solution.
However, there also is potential for more improvement and I dearly hope the unique top reflector will make a return for an updated version.
The diffusion layer is maybe a tad to vertical for me, thus why I am experimenting if it can be tilte more, when the rubberband gets pulled back on the lens barrel.
With some minor tweaks this could be a real new favorite.
The first version of the Trick Bits diffusers that i tried, was for an OM-D EM1 II and III setup with the M.Zuiko 60mm macro lens and a Godox 350 flash.
What stood out here, was the extentable/retractable top reflector – a concept which i like a lot and wish to come back in some form for the latest generation of diffusers.
Different to other diffuser brands, with this model the lens is literally enveloped by the diffusion panel, as it uses a thick rubber ring to fit on the lens front end – but without the need to screw it into the filter thread or use a rubber band.
The only gripe for me was that it was for one specific setup only and the diffusion panel adds to much to the bottom and will make shots more difficult when lying flat on the ground.
Since i photograph from very low angles a lot, this would have reduced my flexibility considerably.
The Trick Bits shop offers a wide range of diffusers for twin-flashes and ring-lights as well – all custom printed and with almost industrial quality, perfect fit and a professional look and feel.
From Godox MF12 to Canon MT-24Ex and MT-26EX and Yongnuo YN-24EX, there are a lot of diffusers to choose from.
https://www.macrodiffuser.com/
65 £ (77 Euro) Standard Version
88 £ (105 Euro) LED-focusing-light Version
Use the Code WILDMACRO during Checkout to get 10% OFF your order!
The Popeshield uses a different method to attach the diffuser: it can be screwed directly into the filter thread of the lens.
Its latest version comes with a magnetic 2-part system, so that the diffuser can easily be detached from the filter-thread-holder.
That is brilliant in my opinion – the diffuser is produced in Slovakia by Lukas.
This diffuser is very fast to setup and, with the magnetic system, offers a lot of flexibility.
Different from the other models though, the diffusion layer has to be connected to the filter-ring-adapter (or the magnetic counterpart) with 2 screws, which makes the initial setup a bit more fiddly and time-consuming than the others (speaking about a minute here, max, so it is still not a big deal).
The attachment ring gives a very unique look in reflections in spider´s eyes in particular.
It also does not pack completely flat, once assembled – you would have to unscrew the diffusion layer form the holder.
That would be my only gripe with it, regarding portability.
Personally, i have a quick release buckle on my backpack and secure the Popeshield with it, when i carry it.
If you are using one or more Godox MF12 flashes, this is a great system as it will not interfere with the small flash units.
It is by far the cheapest of all three, regarding the price!
What I did not like so much, in comparison with the other 2 diffusers, is the separately sold ‘roof’, which is supposed to channel the flash to the front and intensify the light output.
It is too wobbly and bulky for my taste and too unreliable for me in the field.
The white balance also seems to be a bit tricky sometimes, as my photos come out with a bit of a yellow color cast, but that could be easily corrected via white balance (WB) settings or in post.
Website: https://popeshield.com
Price: 30 EUR normal version, 35,90 EUR magnetic version + shipping
Update :
Currently, there seem to be some issues regarding the turnaround time of the orders, so please contact the seller up-front and ask for a schedule.
I will keep an eye on that as well.
I own all of these diffusers, some even in different versions.
All have their advantages in specific situations or workflows.
Which one works best for you, depends on what you are looking for and what your personal style and approach look like.
I can only offer inspiration and here is when and why i use the 3 diffusers:
When i go on simple and short field trips and do not have much space to pack my camera and additional gear, often by car, just for a couple of hours, I usually grab the Cygnustech diffuser.
However, I always have a Popeshield ready in my car, as my ultimate emergency solution.
Since i do not really like the Popeshield roof, I almost always prefer the Cygnustech diffuser, as it comes with the reflector as well and offers the best compromise of being compact while offering superb diffusion.
The diffuser-holder-ring of the Popeshield creates an interesting reflection in jumping spider eyes for example, which is definetly unique and can look nice but does not make up for the missing reflector.
If i go on a planned fieldtrip my primary diffuser is the AK, simply because i will leave it on the camera setup all the time and it is stable and offers me the most freedom and flexibility in my personal workflow.
The extra reflectors and options for a power bank make it the swiss army knife of macro diffusers.
Lately I have been testing the Trick Bits diffusers as well and was pleasantly surprised.
I have yet to take it out to a full day field trip but it is definitely (with the latest update in particular) on route to become a new favorite.
Regarding the results I think the AK, Cygnustech and Trick Bits diffusers are on the same level, with the Cygnustech giving slightly deeper shadows.
You can read an ever-updated article with a comparison of their diffusion qualities, here.
Given how expensive photographic equipment can be, I think owning several diffusers is absolutely fine (if you can afford it) and increases the versatility of your equipment.
If you ask me, the diffuser is probably the most important ingredient for macro photography with flash.
It will skyrocket image quality immediately.
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