Gary Fong System

DGmac

How many here use the Gary Fong System and why? Have a wedding coming in October and I'm thinking about the Gary Fong System. I would like to hear some pros and cons.

Thanks for your help

Dave Clee

I have used it for a few years now and its pretty good at reducing the hard shadows and diffusing the light in most situations. My primary use for it is when I need the flash in the ceremony as well as some reception shots.

But when the action slows down and I have the chance to move the flash off camera, I do and shoot thru an umbrella.

So its a pretty good diffuser, I mostly use the cloud sphere. But its not the end all to onboard diffusers as Gary Fong would suggest ...lol

Back when I bought them, they werent available up here Canada, but now the stores stock them and they are alot cheaper than when I bought direct from the Fong marketing empire..


Cheers

Dave

DGmac wrote:

How many here use the Gary Fong System and why? Have a wedding coming in October and I'm thinking about the Gary Fong System. I would like to hear some pros and cons.

Thanks for your help

Shima

I use the Lightsphere Cloud. I used to the the Lightsphere II, but recently replaced it w/ the Lightsphere universal since the II would come off the flash very easily if I bumped into the slightest thing. The Universal doesn't budge unless you take a hammer to it.

I love the way it softens out and fills in the light on a persons face, plus it has this magical way to get the sparkle in the eyes.

jeffreaux2

I use the lightsphere "cloud" but not the system. I use gels to match light temps rather than the snap on yellow lid.....and use it plenty without a lid anyways.

bendruckerphoto

I use the Lightsphere II. I'll be moving to the universal soon. Once I switch to SB-900s, my Lightsphere II won't work any more.

Matthew Saville

Am I the only person who took "Gary Fong system" to mean Gary Fong's philosophy on wedding photography in general, meaning his business model and tactics?

I've got a lightsphere, I use it on occasion for when I need that perfect blend of bounce and diffusion, but to be quite honest if you're on a budget just get a flip-it, or even cheaper- a better bounce card which would cost you like a dollar or two to make... I prefer the lightsphere because it is so versatile and I do a lot of super-wide angle stuff and need even illumination, or I may do some off-camera stuff and need direct flash diffusion, etc. etc. It's just a very versatile tool. On 90% of my photo shoots I leave it at home, but when certain situations come around there is just nothing to match it.

By far the biggest thing I've gotten from Gary has been learning about his business skills. I dunno if this is what you were talking about, though...

Check Dane Sander's website for one of his FREE video casts, a few weeks back, when Gary Fong was on. He describes his business philosophy in a nutshell very well. If you want to learn more, you can find a copy of his DVD "Getting Rich as a photographer" on Ebay or something as a "pay it forward" kinda deal.


=Matt=