Anyone ever use a diffuser like this?

mutti_wilson · October 27, 2009

I've used a few different diffusers over the years and I recently came across this style while browsing ebay. Any input/opinons? Looks nice to pack into the pack as opposed to a fong setup.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Soft-Flash-Diffuser-for-Nikon-SB-800-SB-600-SB-80-US_W0QQitemZ120483356187QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Flash_Accessories?hash=item1c0d5e1e1b

Art Scott · October 27, 2009

No I haven't

dunno...probably the same as the white kleenex or handkerchief I use to rubberband onto my vivitar 285's

......now I use a Lumiquest softbox+ diffuser dome that came with my SB900.......

mutti_wilson · October 28, 2009

If it did a decent job, I'd be happy, especially with the price. I want something that cast 360 degree light and softens it up considerably. I'm not into having large contraptions hanging off the flash and making use cumbersome...not saying the lumiquest is in the way;)

Any other ideas would be great

B Rock · October 28, 2009

I use a Rubbing Alcohol bottle for a diffuser. I just cut off the end and rubber band it to my sb600. Works decent when I don't want to lug around the studio lights.

ziggy53 · October 28, 2009

mutti_wilson wrote:

I've used a few different diffusers over the years and I recently came across this style while browsing ebay. Any input/opinons? Looks nice to pack into the pack as opposed to a fong setup.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Soft-Flash-Diffuser-for-Nikon-SB-800-SB-600-SB-80-US_W0QQitemZ120483356187QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Flash_Accessories?hash=item1c0d5e1e1b

Mutti_wilson, welcome to the Digital Grin.

Any device which causes the flash to emit from a larger size and/or higher from the camera will yield better light. The best are those which do both increase the size of the light and separate the light from the camera.

A bounce card still works extremely well in situations where you have normal height white ceilings and walls. The bounce card allows you to bounce the light off of the ceiling and walls and the card itself provides some fill light, effectively 2 sources in 1.

For tall ceilings, or dark or colored ceilings, I greatly prefer a "scoop" device. A scoop allows both a larger emitter and separation, without depending on external bounce. It can work with the flash on the hot-shoe or on a bracket.

Both the bounce card and the scoop device can be constructed easily and I have built several of each.

Links to DIY instructions:

http://www.fototime.com/inv/908195739C4C0D3

http://abetterbouncecard.com/

Another pretty good commercial variation on the "bounce card" is:

http://www.dembflashproducts.com/flipit/

Examples using the scoop:

Typical attachment and orientation:

Joves · October 28, 2009

White coffee filters make great diffusers as well. I have an Omnibounce because it is small. But I also use photopaper as a bouncecard.

mutti_wilson · October 28, 2009

I've made a bounce card based off abetterbouncecard and used it for some portraits (bounced off ceiling) and it did work better, but it still seemed a little harsher than the Fong device i demoed.

I like the one from fototime though. Looks easy to make and nice to handle (I like soft things).

I found some white packing foam about 3/16" thick that I am going to use to try and make something with. If it works I'll post a pic or 2 of it.

Nice work on your diffuser by the way.

ziggy53 · October 28, 2009

mutti_wilson wrote:

I've made a bounce card based off abetterbouncecard and used it for some portraits (bounced off ceiling) and it did work better, but it still seemed a little harsher than the Fong device i demoed.

...

A bounce card, including the Better Bounce Card, has to be used as "fill" light, not the primary source of light. If you are seeing a harshness or hard shadows then you are not using the bounce properly.

As a for instance, the following image is from an improvised bounce card, made of a sheet of copier paper folded into quarters, and held in place with a rubber band. I found the light to be more than satisfactory.

Note how all the shadows fall far behind the subjects and the fill card is only adding some fill light to the faces, without casting any obvious shadow from the fill card itself. If you see hard shadows using a fill card, you probably need a smaller fill card. (Alternately you can use a gray card instead, or i would sometimes use my hand as the bounce device.)

paddler4 · October 29, 2009

I have one of the Demb reflectors that Ziggy mentioned, and I think it is great. It has an advantage over homemade cards: it is on a hinge, so you can freely change the angle of the reflector. I have found that very useful for both portraits and macro work. They are also inexpensive and small when folded up. I first bought the small one, but that was a mistake--the regular size is better, and I bought that later.

Ziggy--do you know of good scoops one can buy?

Thanks

JohnBiggs · October 29, 2009

I have that diffuser.

1. It was difficult to get on my flash
2. the back has a foil lining so its not 360 degrees
3. I like the Joe Demb flip it better.

Save your money. The Flipit also allows you to shoot vertical. This will not because of the foil lining.

mutti_wilson · October 29, 2009

Thanks for the input Biggs, nice to have first hand experience on it. I will save my dough.

The bounce card I used worked, but I just wasn't really excited about the results. It looked better than without though. Maybe I'm just expecting too much:)

I did some experimenting with some white foam and I think it was looking pretty good. I will post some pics tonight.

Thanks everybody.

JohnBiggs · October 29, 2009

I'm not sure what you are doing but the balance of ambient light and flash power can make a huge difference when using bounce.

rpcrowe · November 1, 2009

I have two Joe Demb Flip-It Diffusers
I use a Demb Flash Diffuser Pro (DFD) on my 420EX or 550EX flashes. I really like the soft lifgt this diffuser provides. It is light in weight, easily transportable and is very versatile.

I also use a Flip-It Junior on my tiny 270EX flash. The little flash is a neat addition to my lighting but, certainly not a replacement for the larger flashes. I carry one attached to my camera for fill flash outdoors. However, occasionally I need to do a little more than fill with the 270EX and that is where the Flip-It Junior comes in handy. It provides nice lighting for small areas and also, since the 270EX elevates but doesn't rotate, allows me to bounce (the bounce is off the Flip-It itself) in the vertical position.

Anyone ever use a diffuser like this?

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