Miops Splash Water Drop Kit Review & Examples

You’ve most likely seen dramatic waterdrop photographs like this one and sensibly assumed that it took years of expertise and hundreds of {dollars} in tools to get related outcomes. Frequent Shutterbug Picture of the Day contributor and long-time pictures skilled Jeff Van Scoyk launched us to the Miops Splash, the $150 picture accent for controllable waterdrop pictures.

The Miops Splash Kit seems to be extra like a plumbing restore equipment from Residence Depot than a precision scientific instrument, however Jeff’s photographs satisfied us in any other case. (Sidenote to you English majors on the market, “waterdrop” is one phrase however the title of the product is Water Drop Kit, therefore the inconsistency of our spelling.)

The Miops Splash Water Drop Kit releases one or two drops of liquid onto a container of liquid beneath it in a exactly managed method. You {photograph} the splash that outcomes when the waterdrop impacts the floor of that liquid. The Miops equipment lets you management the dimensions of the droplets and the interval between them, and fireplace your camera by way of Bluetooth in your smartphone. The Miops app additionally enables you to exactly management the timing of your camera’s shutter launch and set off the flash(s). You need to be capable of shoot photographs rivaling these in much less time than you suppose.

The essential equipment {hardware} consists of the Splash Holder that holds and dispenses the liquid and an articulated arm that attaches the Splash Holder to an acceptable assist—a tripod or mild stand for instance. The equipment comes with very complete instructions. Jeff used a camera copy stand, actually a relic of the previous, to carry the equipment, however you possibly can improvise.

Lighting is supplied by a number of digital flash models. You need to use a shoe-mounted flash or, as Jeff did, studio strobes and a shoe-mounted on-camera flash controller. Relying on the categories and types of apparatus you personal you want the suitable cables to make the mandatory connections.

Obtain the free Miops Android or iOS app to handle every part. With it you possibly can fine-tune the delay for triggering the camera and flash. If you elect to launch two drops, you possibly can management the delay between them. It takes apply and persistence, however quickly you’ll be coordinating the drop dimension, launch interval settings and triggering exposures out of your smartphone.

“Watch out concerning the mounting top above the liquid,” Jeff mentioned. “Mounting top determines all subsequent settings.” Jeff additionally recommends that you just start utilizing the settings advisable by Miops and setting the Splash Holder 25cm (9.9 inches) above the floor of the liquid. Additionally, verify the camera specs to establish the Flash Synch Pace and, if doable, the shutter journey delay.

BTW, Jeff additionally captures waterdrops utilizing a baggie and a CorningWare casserole dish. Though we don’t to cowl that immediately, a number of the photographs herein had been completed utilizing that technique. As you possibly can think about, doing every part manually requires plentiful trial are error and may finish in complete failure. Go away a remark in case you’d prefer to learn extra about this au naturel method.

Ability Stage Required
“Any intermediate or above degree photographer should not have any downside mastering the Miops system,” Jeff  advised me. “Freshmen who’re comfy with smartphone options and who can deal with the Miops app will get nice outcomes, too,” he added.

Jeff Van Scoyk’s Gear Checklist
Jeff used one of many Sony Alpha 7-series mirrorless cameras from his arsenal and initially a Sony 90mm macro lens. He later switched to a Sony 55mm f/1.8 lens to get better depth-of-field after which cropped the photographs for extra enticing composition. This can be a good start line, however clearly different tools mixtures will work.

To mild the waterdrops, Jeff used a pair of Godox digital studio strobes and a shoe-mounted on-camera flash controller. Correct publicity depends upon flash output and energy adjustment. In Jeff’s case he different between 1/16 and 1/32 energy to cut back flash length and an aperture between f/11 and f/16 (extra towards f/16) at ISOs ranging between 800 to 1200. Flash synch velocity depends upon your camera specs, and the precise publicity time is set by the length of the flash.

Learn how to Focus
To give attention to the texture-free floor of the water, one thing just about no autofocus system can do, Jeff set an extended woodscrew within the backside of the catch basin on the precise spot the place a check waterdrop landed, as proven above, and centered on the knurls of the screw.

So as to add coloration to the splash images, Jeff used coloured filters over the flash tubes. He recommends mixtures of blue and pink, and pink and inexperienced. You should buy a set of 12 or so totally different coloured gels to suit your flash models for as little as $15 and so they virtually final endlessly.

Utilizing the above tools with the Miops Splash Kit, Jeff acquired good outcomes inside about an hour or so. This took a bit longer as a result of he often stopped the method to verify the outcomes on a pc monitor—and he strongly recommends that you just do the identical.

Which Liquids?
Jeff used solely water within the Miops Splash Holder though you might use different liquids (at your individual danger). Within the catch basin beneath the Splash Holder, the place the actual motion occurs, he used water and later milk. Milk has a better viscosity and displays mild in a different way. He tells us that sooner or later as a substitute of milk he plans to attempt different liquids like motor oil, molasses and maybe thick water, a generally accessible beverage for individuals who have difficulties swallowing (dysphagia).

Go to the Miops website for extra data, and download the instruction manual earlier than you get began. Learn the FAQs and Troubleshooting sections on their web site, too.

Value and Availability
The Miops Splash Water Drop Kit is Available from Amazon for $179. It’s additionally been seen at B&H Photo priced round $150. Be sure to specify the appropriate connection cables when ordering bundles, and get an extended synch wire for extra comfy operation.

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