Lightsphere II believer

ziggy53

ian408 wrote:

Hopefully, that will solve some of the supply problems that plague the current
distributor

Tupperware?

dancinkate

.

ziggy53

One thing I don't understand about the Lightsphere products is why they don't have something as a reflector on the backside of the device. In a large room, when you are not by a wall and working with tall ceilings, it would seem you are wasting all the light that goes rearward and that the lens "can't see".

If you watch the demo video that Gary has on his site, he uses the device in a hallway, where the surrounding surfaces lend greatly as reflectors.

In the large room scenario I described above, the device works more like a bare-bulb, which is not very efficient. (The frosted version is just a larger light source, which will soften the shadows when used close to the subject. The effect is more like the StoFen, another frosted light modifier.)

Am I missing something in how it works?

Thanks,

ziggy53

PeterGar

I just ordered one from BH with my new 580ex. They are special order items with an estimated 3-7 day arrival time to BH. My 580ex was shipped today, but the Lightsphere is on backorder.

Scott_Quier

I ordered mine directly from the Gary Fong site. Contrary to what I have read on dgrin and elsewhere, I discovered that I had actually ordered the clear one and, on reflection, thought I would rather have the clouded one. On a lark, I e-mailed them asking them to change the order. Unfortunetly, the order had already been packed and was scheduled to go out the door that night. The person who responded (within about 30 minutes of my sending) offered to let me swap if I still wanted to. I haven't made up my mind yet - the clear one did really well for me last week-end.

Bottom-line, ordering from the GF site went very well.

Zoom Raider

I've ordered mine yesterday afternoon from B&H. I decided on the Clear model,`cos of the seminars... (dimly lit stage).
I'll order the Cloud another day if the Clear doesn't do well or not well enough.
I've read way more good about both models than bad. Some prefer the OmniBounce.
Some don't notice a difference at all with any kind of diffuser on the market, so they use a bare flash.
I hope I do see a difference. It would be a waste of $61.50 if I don't.
I guess since the Clear model can make way softer pictures than a bare flash, then I should be okay with just the Clear for now.
I'm trying to do everything I can with my camera system to get great pictures and blow the minds of those in my town.
Still 8 or 9 out of 10 pictures that I take are just pathetic.

ziggy53

Comparison
Comparison of different LightSphere products. (Not mine)

http://www.pbase.com/philip_kwong/lightsphere

Ryan Armbrust

I ordered this product directly from Gary Fong's website. Ordered on a Sunday night. Got the thing on the next Thursday. I'm in Ky by the way.

I have used this thing in wide open areas with great results. I take the inverted half domed top off and set the flash to 0.

LOVE IT!

Zoom Raider

ziggy53 wrote:

Comparison of different LightSphere products. (Not mine)

http://www.pbase.com/philip_kwong/lightsphere

I'm thinking the fourth picture is the best... (the Flexible Clear + Internal Dome). Although they're all very sharp.

ExposeTheMoment

Zoom Raider wrote:

I'm thinking the fourth picture is the best... (the Flexible Clear + Eternal Dome). Although they're all very sharp.

I have been using the LS since it came out. I have both models now one of each.

ziggy53

ExposeTheMoment wrote:

I have been using the LS since it came out. I have both models now one of each.

Gary,

Which model do you use when? How do the LightSpheres work differently from other light modifiers?

Thanks,

ziggy53

System

mine came with a dvd-

I just got the clear one-

one of the first things on the dvd was fong suggesting pulling out the diffuser if you have one and use it with the ls-

I have one of those omnibounce? thingies and I think I will try it with the ls for the portrait shots-

I'm far from knowing its capabilities yet-

george

Zoom Raider

gefillmore wrote:

mine came with a dvd-

I just got the clear one-

one of the first things on the dvd was fong suggesting pulling out the diffuser if you have one and use it with the ls-

I have one of those omnibounce? thingies and I think I will try it with the ls for the portrait shots-

I'm far from knowing its capabilities yet-

george

Do you mean put the OmniBounce on the flashhead then the LS ontop of that?
That's what I was thinking about last week.
If the LS could fit on the OB and the f/h and work just as well as having the Cloud,
then that would save money,`cos the OB is about $15.
But I don't think the LS can fit over the two.
It's a good idea anyway.

saurora

I don't know if my assumptions are correct, but as you said in a prior post ZR, you can order the dome separately for $12. It does not say whether it is cloudy or clear, it's kind of confusing. Maybe it's just the lid? Anyway, if it is the dome i am assuming it is clear. So, I ordered the Cloud set and ordered an extra dome (hopefully) in the clear for $12. I'll let you know if my thinking is right (prolly not!).

ginger_55

I got mine from Gary Fong a couple of weeks ago. Used it once, just before my camera error 99 sent it to Canon..........but I still have the Gary Fong thing.

I have the cloudy one, I love it. Yes, I see a difference.

I have a question.

Do you all tape the dome thing to the other thing?????

(The way I shoot, I am going to lose the dome if it is not secured better)

ginger

Zoom Raider

saurora wrote:

I don't know if my assumptions are correct, but as you said in a prior post ZR, you can order the dome separately for $12. It does not say whether it is cloudy or clear, it's kind of confusing. Maybe it's just the lid? Anyway, if it is the dome i am assuming it is clear. So, I ordered the Cloud set and ordered an extra dome (hopefully) in the clear for $12. I'll let you know if my thinking is right (prolly not!).

Thank you!

I was thinking since it says Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion "System",
that it would be both the parts. I can even see on both sites (Gary's and B&H's)
the lid attached to the bottom... the main part.
So I hope we don't have to order a lid, too,
`cos I only see the seperately sold lid as a Cloudy one, and here I've ordered the Clear bottom.
Which it probably wouldn't matter too much if they're mixed.

Zoom Raider

ginger_55 wrote:

I got mine from Gary Fong a couple of weeks ago. Used it once, just before my camera error 99 sent it to Canon..........but I still have the Gary Fong thing.

I have the cloudy one, I love it. Yes, I see a difference.

I have a question.

Do you all tape the dome thing to the other thing?????

(The way I shoot, I am going to lose the dome if it is not secured better)

ginger

Surely the lid snaps on... I hope! That wouldn't be at all attractive to have tape on our LSs.
The base is suppose to fit snugly on the flash head.

Zoom Raider

And by the way, Saurora,
from my Mercury Poisoning thread...

I've received an e.mail yesterday from B&H. They said that the LS does have some mercury in it,
and that they have to leave the warning on their site for it by law.
But... they also said there's nothing to worry about unless we break our LSs.
Well, how does one break an LS? It's vinyl.
I'm not gonna worry about it unless,`cos I won't eat it nor nibble on it.

ginger_55

The lid does kind of snap on, but not as securely as say Tupperware, and I have had it fall off. If I do not get it on just right, set it down wrong, etc. I put scotch tape on it this weekend, and I kept checking it like a nervous photographer.

I move around a lot. Maybe if one just shoots portraits, it would not be a problem, but I don't care what the fix looks like, I would like to put something on it. Duct tape? More secure, but not see thru. That first weekend I used it at the church, it fell off several times. Different places. Then it stayed on at the Strawberry Patch, but I was checking it constantly. Love it, though. Only flaw, IMO.

I can't use iron on patches..........thinking of the challenge subject being patches, smile.

As far as eating this poisonous thing. I don't plan on doing that either. But my dogs eat most other things, they can open child proof pill bottles.
Just a thought: watch your dogs, of course I wouldn't want to lose my LS to my dogs anyway.

But I smiled when I read that comment about not eating it. Also toddlers, they love to "chew" on anything forbidden.

ginger

docwalker

Ginger,

It has been reported that Gary claims the warning was in error. No poison risk. As for the kids chewing on it, thats what I keep the rubber duck for :-)

Doc

saurora

When I ordered mine Monday, the mercury warning at B&H was still there. Interesting that there is a conflict between what B&H says and what Gary says. Disappointing to hear that the thing falls apart, Ginger. Yes, I think duct tape would probably be the answer. I'll let you know how mine works out. :uhoh

Zoom Raider

ginger_55 wrote:

The lid does kind of snap on, but not as securely as say Tupperware, and I have had it fall off. If I do not get it on just right, set it down wrong, etc. I put scotch tape on it this weekend, and I kept checking it like a nervous photographer.

I move around a lot. Maybe if one just shoots portraits, it would not be a problem, but I don't care what the fix looks like, I would like to put something on it. Duct tape? More secure, but not see thru. That first weekend I used it at the church, it fell off several times. Different places. Then it stayed on at the Strawberry Patch, but I was checking it constantly. Love it, though. Only flaw, IMO.

I can't use iron on patches..........thinking of the challenge subject being patches, smile.

As far as eating this poisonous thing. I don't plan on doing that either. But my dogs eat most other things, they can open child proof pill bottles.
Just a thought: watch your dogs, of course I wouldn't want to lose my LS to my dogs anyway.

But I smiled when I read that comment about not eating it. Also toddlers, they love to "chew" on anything forbidden.

ginger

Do you know those 2-sided sticky, rubbery-like stuff that's usually found in envelopes
that come in the mail, and they use it to stick maybe credit cards to the letters they send with the card?
Most of them are clear, some light yellow. Maybe a couple of these will hold it pretty well...
the more, the better. It's just an idea of mine that I think will work better than tape.:):
I've had several laying around, but never saved them.
Now if my lid comes off a lot, then I'll need to save some when I start getting them in the mail again.

System

zr-

you're right about the dome not fitting over the bouncey thing-

somebody mentioned tupperware--I'm going to cut a piece of translucent tupperware lid to fit directly on top of the flash and see how that works-should not be any problem with the ls-

george

Zoom Raider

saurora wrote:

When I ordered mine Monday, the mercury warning at B&H was still there. Interesting that there is a conflict between what B&H says and what Gary says. Disappointing to hear that the thing falls apart, Ginger. Yes, I think duct tape would probably be the answer. I'll let you know how mine works out. :uhoh

I'm gonna try not to worry about this supposed mercury in the LSs.
And I still don't see the need for mercury in vinyl anyway.
So I don't think there's any anyway.
We may have 20 years taken off our lifespan from pollution in the air
that we breathe day and night.

Zoom Raider

saurora wrote:

When I ordered mine Monday...

I see you've ordered yours on the same day I've ordered mine.:):
I paid $12.50 to get it here by today, but I get the feeling that's not gonna happen.
I hope to get it no later than late-afternoon Friday,`cos I have to leave for the seminar before 6pm EST.
And I was hoping to have it for all the rest of the seminars.

docwalker

I find it interesting that some people have trouble keeping the dome in place. I have had no problems. Sure it is not real tight, but I have not had it fall off without a big bump. I think it might have something to do with changing tolerances in the manufacturing process.

For those of you with loose domes, try a mini binder clip on the edge. I was sitting here thinking about how to secure it and had one on the desk. The mini binder clip works very well.

http://www.overstock.com/?page=proframe&prod_id=992404

saurora

Zoom Raider wrote:

I see you've ordered yours on the same day I've ordered mine.:):
I paid $12.50 to get it here by today, but I get the feeling that's not gonna happen.
I hope to get it no later than late-afternoon Friday,`cos I have to leave for the seminar before 6pm EST.
And I was hoping to have it for all the rest of the seminars.

They said it was backordered when I ordered. But I put a rush on my flash so I could start using that! Ok, Doc, I have lots of mini clips here at the office...I'll just borrow a couple.

Zoom Raider

saurora wrote:

They said it was backordered when I ordered.

I didn't receive anything on my LS being on back-order, so some would think it
will be here today before UPS closes, but I still get the feeling it it won't be
here until late as Saturday evening, but I could be wrong.
I think UPS closes at 6pm in my town.
I know how the post-office and all can be... slow.
I use to write this girl back in the late 80s.
What should have taken 3 days for *a* letter to get to her, (from TN to NE) took over a week.
Nine days, I think it was.

System

lauren
got three quick shots as my son's girl friend came out of the house--used the ls straight ahead--

System

zr-

the omnibounce will fit inside the ls upside down-not sure what it might do yet-