Flash diffuser question

Red Bull

I'm going to order a 430ex flash very soon (probably today) and I was wondering about diffusers. I see on B&H's accessories that there's an "SBM Supreme Flash Diffuser" that's about $14 and then there's the Sto-Fen Omnibounce which is about $16. What's the difference between these 2? Are they the same?

Bendr

They do appear to be the same,

As for a diffuser, you might try this...

http://www.abetterbouncecard.com/

thanks to this thread

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=47275

ziggy53

At least they appear to be very similar, and probably do just about the same thing.

For a "really" cheap alternative, that's about as good, you can remove the bottom section from a plastic rubbing alcohol bottle.

http://www.diyphotography.net/homestudio/blz/soft-flash-diffuser

(I've also used the bottom of a large plastic Ketchup (or Catsup) bottle, but the aroma makes it suitable only for personal use.:D

ziggy53

colourbox

Has there ever been any concern about homemade kitchen plastic diffusers distorting the color balance of the flash?

Red Bull

Thanks for the link and help. I just ordered the flash, and I decided to wait on the diffuser to see if I really need it. I'll be trying one of those other cheaper alternatives.

ziggy53

colourbox wrote:

Has there ever been any concern about homemade kitchen plastic diffusers distorting the color balance of the flash?

I have concerns about "anything" to do with lighting. When in doubt, nothing beats your own tests.

My own tests indicate:

Plastic alcohol bottle, pretty neutral color.
Ketchup bottle, slight warming. (Very slight)
Lettuce container from the dollar store, pretty neutral. (That one "looks" really odd, but the light is sweet. I'll show it and some samples someday.)

All in all, I trust the color from these more than I do most ceilings and walls.

Best,

ziggy53

Red J

I had a 430EX and Stofen. If nothing else, the fit on the stofen is very secure and I did like the fact that you could diffuse (stofen) and bounce, or diffuse and fire straight on. It's not a massive difference, but it is a little tool to have in the box.

Something you don't get easily with the betterbouncecard.

I think that both are handy to have.

kygarden

I have the stofen for my Nikon SB600. I'd say it's certainly better than direct flash (for indoor shots), but the link given for the "better bounce card" is a winner for me! I can't believe how well a goofy piece of paper works for spreading out the light. It works great. I rarely use my Stofen anymore. Outdoors I almost always go naked - no diffuser at all. There's usually enough light outdoors anyway so all I need is fill flash.

BigAl

ziggy53 wrote:

All in all, I trust the color from these more than I do most ceilings and walls.

Isn't that the truth!!

Scott_Quier

ziggy53 wrote:

All in all, I trust the color from these more than I do most ceilings and walls.

That's why I shoot something white/gray in the shot or, if I can't find on in the composition, a gray card works very well. Then use that to set the WB in post.

pathfinder

Or consider shooting a frame and using it to set a custom white balance first for the following shots.

Scott_Quier

pathfinder wrote:

Or consider shooting a frame and using it to set a custom white balance first for the following shots.

Works very well if you light is of constant color for the entire shoot.

LiquidAir

I use a better bounce card when I can bounce off a ceiling and a Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer when I can't. Since the Pocket Bouncer attaches with velcro, my version of the better bounce card does too. On my list of things to do is make a bigger version of the Pocket Bouncer so I get more a more diffusion.

As for color shifts from bouncing off ceilings, mostly I find that ceiling paint is white enough that shifts color balance are quite small. Since I white balance all my shots by hand in the RAW conversion process it hasn't been a problem. However, recently I forgot to turn the flash when I shifted to portrait mode and bounded that flash off a red wall. That shot was unrecoverable.

The bigger issue I run into with flash white point is when I am mixing flash with indoor lighting. I carry a Color Temperature Orange gel to match my flash with incandescent which works pretty well. I also have a green gel for Flourescents which is an improvement in some situations but by no means perfect.

Scott_Quier

LiquidAir wrote:

The bigger issue I run into with flash white point is when I am mixing flash with indoor lighting. I carry a Color Temperature Orange gel to match my flash with incandescent which works pretty well. I also have a green gel for Flourescents which is an improvement in some situations but by no means perfect.

I've been kinda looking for something like this. Can you recommend a good and/or cheap place to find such things?

LiquidAir

Scott_Quier wrote:

I've been kinda looking for something like this. Can you recommend a good and/or cheap place to find such things?

I ordered a couple big sheets from B&H and I cut out the shape I need.

These are the ones I use:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=166181&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=1329&A=details&Q=&sku=166308&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation


But they have quite a selection if you want to get creative:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=pagination&A=nextPage&Q=&catId=1329&compareCatId=1329&shs=&ci=1329&ac=&al=169_1184%2C170_1185&mnp=0.0&mxp=0.0&cmpsrch=&cltp=&clsgr=&bl=831&sb=bs%2Cupper%28ds%29&sq=asc&fi=all&pn=1

Scott_Quier

LiquidAir wrote:

I ordered a couple big sheets from B&H and I cut out the shape I need.

These are the ones I use:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=166181&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=1329&A=details&Q=&sku=166308&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation


But they have quite a selection if you want to get creative:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=pagination&A=nextPage&Q=&catId=1329&compareCatId=1329&shs=&ci=1329&ac=&al=169_1184%2C170_1185&mnp=0.0&mxp=0.0&cmpsrch=&cltp=&clsgr=&bl=831&sb=bs%2Cupper%28ds%29&sq=asc&fi=all&pn=1

Excellent! Thanks