Macro ring light... maybe.

Lighting for close-up shots can sometimes be problematic, especially when you want a larger DOF (and it's cloudy outside, or indoor lighting sucks and you can't plug in a big light or something). I thought about picking up a macro ring light but they're rather expensive.

Solution? Hardware hacking project!

I already had the wire, solder, iron, and CD spool case, and $5 later I had a dozen bright LEDs. The goal here is to attach this to the lens hood with hot melt glue and run it off a 9V battery or something. I've been working at it for a few months but never seem to find the time to finish it off. Maybe soon.

...I guess I could get a regular flash too, but where's the fun in that?