bounce card/diffuser questions

Deadeye008

I am awaiting my new Canon 430EX and noticed a lot of articles about lambency diffusers and bounce cards. What is the difference between the two and which is better? Thanks.

ziggy53

Deadeye008 wrote:

I am awaiting my new Canon 430EX and noticed a lot of articles about lambency diffusers and bounce cards. What is the difference between the two and which is better? Thanks.

Starting with the latter part of your question first, neither is "better". Sometimes one or the other is more appropriate than the other, but both have applications.

Bounce cards are a type of reflector. Typically you aim the flash towards a ceiling, which provides the bounce surface, and the card reflects a bit of the light directly forward to give a type of fill light. In effect, you have created two light sources from one.

Diffusors tend to either:

1) "Catch" some of the light, and use this light to create a larger source primarily for fill, and allow some to pass through to the ceiling where it is bounced, or
2) Diffuse all of the light trying to create a larger source.

Either can be effective in different circumstances.

All of these systems attempt to modify the light from an electronic flash to yield a more pleasing effect.

All of these systems are less efficient than the flash alone, requiring more power to produce the same exposure.

I generally use either a bounce card (or Demb Flip-It, which is a more adjustable variant of a bounce card) or a "scoop" type reflector, which works well when you don't have, or can't use, a ceiling for bounce.

More information here:

http://dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=652798&postcount=12

... and examples:

http://dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=653072&postcount=14

Deadeye008

Thanks ziggy! Your wisdom is always appreciated!