Conerned about Lightsphere damage to flash unit

PeterGar

I have been using a Gary Fong Lightsphere II on my Canon 580ex flash for about 10 months. I mostly shoot weddings and events, and the LSII has resulted in some very good lighting for my work.

I'm concerned that over time the extra weight of the LSII on my flash head could cause damage to the flash. Especially since I constantly have to adjust the flash head for vertical and horizontal shots, which I do a lot during a wedding or event. Not to mention running around and bumping into people with the LSII attached. So I'm concerned that using the LSII might be placing additional stress on my 580ex, which could eventually damage the flash.

Does anybody have any thoughts or experience on this? I wouldn't be concerned if I was only doing slow portrait shoots, but since the weddings and events are so fast and physically demanding, I've grown concerned.

I don't care much for the Omni-Bounce, which I own. I know there are other options like the Demb Flip-It and Demb FDP which seem to place less stress on the flash head. Does anybody have any opinions on those compared the LSII for my type of work?

Andy

PeterGar wrote:

I have been using a Gary Fong Lightsphere II on my Canon 580ex flash for about 10 months. I mostly shoot weddings and events, and the LSII has resulted in some very good lighting for my work.

I'm concerned that over time the extra weight of the LSII on my flash head could cause damage to the flash. Especially since I constantly have to adjust the flash head for vertical and horizontal shots, which I do a lot during a wedding or event. Not to mention running around and bumping into people with the LSII attached. So I'm concerned that using the LSII might be placing additional stress on my 580ex, which could eventually damage the flash.

Does anybody have any thoughts or experience on this? I wouldn't be concerned if I was only doing slow portrait shoots, but since the weddings and events are so fast and physically demanding, I've grown concerned.

I don't care much for the Omni-Bounce, which I own. I know there are other options like the Demb Flip-It and Demb FDP which seem to place less stress on the flash head. Does anybody have any opinions on those compared the LSII for my type of work?

I use it all the time on 580 EXs and I'm not worried in the least. Enjoy the Lightsphere goodness!

pathfinder

I worry sometimes about the force required to fix a LSPJ to a 580ex

Gus has an easier and a cheaper solution

So does Ziggy

Both can be found here

PeterGar

pathfinder wrote:

I worry sometimes abut the force required to fix a LSPJ to a 580ex

Gus has an easier and a cheaper solution

So does Ziggy

Both can be found here

Thanks Pathfinder...

I'm sure both of those homemade alternatives work just as good as a LS. I just doubt my clients would feel confident in having hired me when I show up for a high-end wedding or corporate event with a milk carton attached to my camera. Perception is 99% reality, and perception is what clients are ultimately paying for. I just don't think I can charge a client a high-end rate and show up with a milk-carton on my flash... lol.

pathfinder

Yeah, I thought that might be a problem:D

Even the LightSphere sets some folks off.....

ziggy53

FWIW, my usual light modifier is similar to this "scoop" style:

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

It works great for event stuff, and it even looks professional, if you take a little time with the construction. It is also very lightweight and can be configured easily to a number of different shapes for slightly different effects.

The main benefit is the amount of lift from the camera body. Used with a "flip" bracket, you can also move it into several different positions from directly over, in either landscape or portrait, or position it to the side and still up.

For low ceilings, I also use a version of the "Better Bounce Card" device. I keep one permanently in my bag, and it has come in very handy.

The milk jug thing is mostly for macro use, but if you get the milk jugs without the indentations, it honestly doesn't look any more cheesy than the LS in use. The LS does have better size, so a larger source, and that promotes softer shadows at close range.

Glenn NK

See thread on "Diffuser for Canon 430".

ian408

Honestly, I'd be more worried about the constant adjustment of the head
than the weight or effort to fix the LS.