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Easy to make 3D-Printed Gel Adapter for Bowens Reflector

INTRO

I’m going to show you a neat little gadget that will help you incorporate more colored gels into your lighting setups.

It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I personally am a huge fan of colorful lighting setups. I have a few RGB lights, but they’re generally on the smaller side. Depending on what lights you’re using sometimes it’s easier to just use color gels.

In the last video I showed you two Bowens mount lights that I was really excited about. Now I’m going to show you a little gadget I designed to attach color gels to them.

So key here is this little reflective bell. This is common with a lot of lights that I’ve owned that use the Bowens mount, so you should have a few of these lying around. If you don’t… you can buy them.

I wanted a way to quickly attach gels without having to use tape or C-47’s, and I came up with this little doo hickey. I don’t know if something like this already exists on the market, but I wasn’t aware of it. It’s just a little ring with magnets attached. So simple, so simple. So sim-po. These bells are usually made of aluminum so they’re not magnetic in and of themselves, but we attached little binder clips to them to make it all magnetic and have this little fast connect system.

HOW TO

Let me show you how we did it: You’ll need access to a 3D printer to print out the frame. And if you don’t have access to one, check your local library to see if they might have one available to you. You’ll find the printing files in the description box below. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of printing it out and assembling it yourself. You can also purchase it directly from us on our store.

So I made this little magnetic doohickey that should attach to most seven inch bells. You’ll notice little recessed indentations in the frame for the magnets to be mounted in. We’ll be using magnets with a 5 millimeter diameter and 3 millimeters in height for this project. You can use whatever adhesive you like to set the magnets, but I’m going to use this very professional glue gun. While it heats up, I’m gonna set my magnets space them apart so they don’t stick together.

The hole is a little bit deeper than the magnet is tall and that’s so we have a little space for the glue to settle if you’re using hot glue like I am. Be really quick with the magnet because the glue is going to harden pretty quick.

So I got the magnet at the ready. I’m actually going to put it on the side, a little dollop in there. And then slide the magnet in. Wipe some of the excess out of the way. So simple. You’re watching a tutorial showing you how to glue stuff. Glue in.

I MESSED UP

So I messed up there, the magnet got in a little crooked. That glue in there is going to harden a little bit. What I’m going to do right now is I’m just going to stick the nozzle in there and kind of warm that glue up and magnet in. Also when you’re using a glue gun on a 3D print, make sure you don’t touch the nozzle to the print for too long. Otherwise you could melt it and no one wants that.

You can also use this with a modifier like an umbrella. Instead of having to gel the entire forward surface
hashtag gel the bell. So there you have it, a simple little modifier for your modifier. I hope this little contraption can save you a little bit of time and make life a little bit more convenient so you can focus on Creative lighting setups, comment down below the cheapest piece of gear you own that’s made the biggest difference in your workflow.

If this video was at all helpful, please like and consider subscribing. Until next time. Thank you for watching. And thank you for the recipe. And thank you for the meatloaf recipes guys. Keep sending them in. And thanks for the cupcakes. They were delicious.

Buy the Doohickey Bowens mount adapter: tripletangocustoms.etsy.com/listing/1169039780/gel-adapter-for-bowens-reflector

– Affiliate links –

=== Gear Used in Video ===

— Main Camera —
Sony Alpha 7S III – https://amzn.to/3bbNurZ

— Overhead Camera —
Sony Alpha a6400 – https://amzn.to/3pu0YUZ

— Lighting —
GVM 80 – https://amzn.to/3avWMA1
28″ Deep Parabolic – https://amzn.to/2NvulsS
Godox Strip softbox – https://amzn.to/3qreR7O

— Backdrop Lights —
Aputure 2 H672W LED Panels – https://amzn.to/37jSaL4

— Backdrop —
Westcott 139 9×20-Feet White – https://amzn.to/37lKDeZ

— Lenses —
Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 – https://amzn.to/2LV4V7k
Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 – https://amzn.to/3dlUBkm
Tokina ATXAF120DXC 11-20mm f/2.8 – https://amzn.to/37mB6nF

— Mic —
Deity V-Mic D4 Duo – https://amzn.to/3s5G28B

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