I need diffusers to make beam as even as possible - ie. much bigger or no hotspot

Anyone know where to get diffusers as add on for several flashlight bodies (501, 502, 504, C8, ...). I'm having trouble to make good photos in a caves. Cave photography is big problem by itself, but with all flashlights I have the problem is too intensive hotspot. It makes pictures partialy burnt out.

I still need somewhat directed light, but it has to be more even. Hotspot is good when you want to reach distance objects, but no good if you want a picture of nearby objects (stalagmits, stalactits, stone curtions, etc.....).

I'm afraid things like this are no good as the light gets completly diffused and it's mostly lost.

How about an aspheric lens mounted out of the optimal focal point? This will make a perfectly round and even pool of flood. Alternatively, you could use a flood-to-throw zooming light which is effectively doing the same thing in flood mode...

Aspheric lenses has to be mounted just in front of led dome to get nice wide beam. Mounting outside of tipical flashlight will produce even more narowed beam with nasty black ring from reflector. Zoomies are too weak and has very defined borders so all pictures would look like taken from a hole. I've tried that out. I'll post some examples when I get home.

I just yesterday ordered this lens to try some aspheric madness. I too want that hotspotless wide beam. I also have XML U2 emitter and 3.3 amp driver coming in. I’m not yet sure how I will get the emitter close enough to the lens for that crazy flood/spill, but when they get here I’m sure I’ll figure it out somehow…

By removing the reflector from any XM-L flashlight you get some pretty nice full flood. The problem is the range it provides illumination is heavily reduced.

By removing the reflector from any XM-L flashlight you get some pretty nice full flood. The problem is the range it provides illumination is heavily reduced. Maybe some dedicated tir optics with wider dispersion might be the real solution. Anyone wants to be a giunea pig for those?

As promised here are some more or less problematic pictures from caves. First with XM-L and reflector from C8. More of those you can see here

Now one with aspheric lens. More also can be seen here

I can publish more (also good pictures with flash) if someone is interested.

All in all I've asked for a diffusers to be mounted on tipical flashlights - no DIY project. At least to be used until I make my own flashlight, but this can take time.

I was about to say this but you beat me to it by an hour and a half. The beam is pretty even.

Something like the UF-H3D might work if you don't need the sheer output of an XM-L. All you actually need is an XM-L dropin with the reflector removed and a 4.2V power source.

Oh, and some wires to connect one to the other.

And a pair of welding gloves to hold the dropin if long exposures are called for.

Here is my 100% ghetto approach to a floodlight.

Or remove the head entirely then the reflector from any P60 light and wire down the dropin into the body. Should give over 120o coverage.

Something like this could be useful, but bigger sizes. Anyone knows if something bigger exists for 501, 502, 504, C8?

If a mfg'r puts out an XM-L with a focusing aspheric, that thing would have an awesome throw... I'd get it!

There are stick on diffusers for sale on CPF, and Diffusion lenes at Flashlightlens.com, just the UCL lens with LDF on it. The Acylite is great, but basically makes the hotspot slightly bigger and super smooth.

UCL lenses are costly. It can be more than $10 for just one with LDF and shippment. A way too much. But thanks for idea.