Why "Tinker Tubes" ?

If you are of a certain age, the word "TinkerToys" probably brings back fond memories. In the 1980s, photographic lighting guru Dean Collins coined the term "Tinker Tubes" to refer to his do-it-yourself (DIY) snap-together PVC photo-related accessories.

Sadly, Dean died in 2005, but his ideas and concepts live on. You'll want to start by obtaining a copy of Dean's Tinker Tubes ebook, which is available here.

This blog is dedicated to fostering the spirit of Dean Collins' innovative DIY thinking and also extending them with the tools and materials we have to work with in the 21st century. PVC remains a sturdy and inexpensive material for making all manner of DIY photographic equipment. We hope to make the term "Tinker Tubes" well-known again in the DIY photographic community while at the same time paying tribute to all that Dean Collins has done for the edification of photographers worldwide. We'd welcome ideas and comments from all over the world.

The Tinker Tube blog will work hand-in-hand with the Tinker Tube Flickr group. If you are a Flickr member and interested in DIY equipment or Dean Collins' lighting techniques, I hope you will also join us there!