Flash diffusers?

StarrToDowler

Anybody have any favorites? I know you can get as basic as a file card with a rubber band to as sophisticated as Gary Fong's Lightsphere, and I'm curious what most people like.

I got an email from a company called PRESSlite selling an interesting concept called the VerteX. It evidently hasn't been released yet (target date is July, supposedly), and I don't know enough about light diffusion to judge...but it sure looks pretty cool: http://www.presslite.com/home.php

As always, thanks for the help!

Paul

Nikolai

StarrToDowler wrote:

Anybody have any favorites? I know you can get as basic as a file card with a rubber band to as sophisticated as Gary Fong's Lightsphere, and I'm curious what most people like.

I got an email from a company called PRESSlite selling an interesting concept called the VerteX. It evidently hasn't been released yet (target date is July, supposedly), and I don't know enough about light diffusion to judge...but it sure looks pretty cool: http://www.presslite.com/home.php

As always, thanks for the help!

Paul

Interesting. Thanks for sharing!

Looks a bit too fragile to me, but at least it seems to be quite foldable.

My biggest issue with all fancy diffusers is that they often a hard to carry, cost a lot and, when push comes to shove, extremely ineffective for the outdoor/high ceiling/dark ceiling scenarios (despite everything thier fancy ads may say/show). I actually tested a few some time ago. Once you get furhter than 3-5 ft away from your subject, it realy doesn't matter..

At tis point index card/paper towel/styrofoam cup cost next to nothing, are very easy to replace and provide the same (if not better) effect.

All that strictly IMHO, YMMV, etc.

Art Scott

StarrToDowler wrote:

Anybody have any favorites? I know you can get as basic as a file card with a rubber band to as sophisticated as Gary Fong's Lightsphere, and I'm curious what most people like.

I got an email from a company called PRESSlite selling an interesting concept called the VerteX. It evidently hasn't been released yet (target date is July, supposedly), and I don't know enough about light diffusion to judge...but it sure looks pretty cool: http://www.presslite.com/home.php

As always, thanks for the help!

Paul

it looks cool but it has to many moving parts that for me would make it too delicate or easy to get broken.......I use a lumniquest large soft box on my sunpak 622's.....it is light weight and cannot break....it can get soiled aand torn but not broken......
Shooting weddings and outdoor portrait and model portfolio shoots things get roughed up............

Nikolai

Art Scott wrote:

it looks cool but it has to many moving parts that for me would make it too delicate or easy to get broken.......I use a lumniquest large soft box on my sunpak 622's.....it is light weight and cannot break....it can get soiled aand torn but not broken......
Shooting weddings and outdoor portrait and model portfolio shoots things get roughed up............

Of all the things on the market lumiquest softboxes are the lesser evils, biggest bangs for the buck.
Yet I stand by my test results, that it's really not a big deal... Positioning the flash off the camera is MUCH more important - which is a totally different story...

Art Scott

Nikolai wrote:

Of all the things on the market lumiquest softboxes are the lesser evils, biggest bangs for the buck.
Yet I stand by my test results, that it's really not a big deal... Positioning the flash off the camera is MUCH more important - which is a totally different story...

I agree also.....but if time constraints or situations do not allow for studio set up on location then.........a diffuser helps to make a photog like me look a bit more competent :D:D rofl

silverstangs

I have been using the http://store.garyfonginc.com/lsu-cloud.html & http://store.garyfonginc.com/lsu-clear.html Gary Fong Lightsphere, the Universal CLOUD version, actually both versions.

gus

I have several from ebay...they all work & fit brilliantly. Cheap as chips.

Scott_Quier

StarrToDowler wrote:

Anybody have any favorites? I know you can get as basic as a file card with a rubber band to as sophisticated as Gary Fong's Lightsphere, and I'm curious what most people like.

I got an email from a company called PRESSlite selling an interesting concept called the VerteX. It evidently hasn't been released yet (target date is July, supposedly), and I don't know enough about light diffusion to judge...but it sure looks pretty cool: http://www.presslite.com/home.php

As always, thanks for the help!

Paul

Yeah, I got that e-mail a while ago. Looking at the site, it appears this is a gizmo that, more than anything else, splits your light power and re-directs it in a couple of directions as the same time. Those two adjustable things appear to be nothing more than a couple of mirrors - no diffusion there. Diffusion would depend on your environment. Effective - maybe. Complicated - fur sure, dude. Fragile - sure looks like it. Quick to use - I don't think so.

It would seem to me that a softbox or a BBC would get you as good (or better) results.

NikonsandVstroms

I've tried a few, and side-by-side with my fancy index cards or the ever so famous 7-11 napkins from Central Square, the index card and/or napkin has either won or tied

Nikolai

NikonsandVstroms wrote:

I've tried a few, and side-by-side with my fancy index cards or the ever so famous 7-11 napkins from Central Square, the index card and/or napkin has either won or tied

Just don't forget the even more famous Rubber Band (tm)

zacker

I found a bouncer somewhere on line, maby diyphotography? anyhow, i made one out of foam sheet from the craft store, works great!! costs me about $2.00 and it folds up neatly in my bag..

this one, i just made mine of white foam paper...
http://www.diyphotography.net/homestudio/blz/flash-mini-bouncer

Shima

silverstangs wrote:

I have been using the http://store.garyfonginc.com/lsu-cloud.html & http://store.garyfonginc.com/lsu-clear.html Gary Fong Lightsphere, the Universal CLOUD version, actually both versions.

I have the Lightsphere Cloud II

As long as the ceiling isn't super tall, it's ok with batteries, if you add a crazy high ceiling to the mix though you'll kill batteries like there's no tomorrow. I love how it lights up faces and gets the sparkle in the eyes.

rpcrowe

I like the Joe demb Flip-It
I have had very good results from a Demb Flash Diffuser Pro (DFD Pro) and have used it for about two years.

http://www.dembflashproducts.com/diffuser/models/

Additional information regarding the creative use of flash is at Planet Neil:

http://planetneil.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/

joshhuntnm

I have used a piece of paper taped to the back of the flash with good results. It just looks a unprofessional.

rpcrowe

Art Scott Mentioned Lumiquest
I used to use the Lumiquest in conjunction with the Sunpak 120J flash in wedding work. The 120J has a reflector which can be removed for bare bulb flash. It works great with a Lumiquest softbox. The light is absolutely lovely. The Lumiquest doesn't need to soften a light source that has already been concentrated by a reflector.

Sorry I don't have any images to share but I am retired and haven't shot a wedding since my film days.

wesscott

So, I am trying to decide between a lumiquest softbow or the Gary Fong Lightsphere. Has anyone tried both? Or can anyone explain why one might have an advantage over the other?

Thanks

Nikolai

wesscott wrote:

So, I am trying to decide between a lumiquest softbow or the Gary Fong Lightsphere. Has anyone tried both? Or can anyone explain why one might have an advantage over the other?

Thanks

This question is akin Mac vs PC, Nikon vs Canon,e tc. Lots of zealotry on one side..:-) If you can't decide, flip a coin.

Scott_Quier

joshhuntnm wrote:

I have used a piece of paper taped to the back of the flash with good results. It just looks a unprofessional.

I've had a couple of comments/questions from clients about my BBC attached to my flash - mostlyl along the line of "What's that do for you?" When I explain the idea, they're nodding their heads agreeing with the whole results are what counts theory. I think some of them like the idea that they aren't paying for a lot of expensive gizmos

To my mind (and I'm probably wrong about this too), professional is about (among other things) how you treat your clients, your dedication to delivering the product, and the quality of the product you deliver. Not the appearance of the tools you use to get the product to the client.

Nikolai

Scott_Quier wrote:

I've had a couple of comments/questions from clients about my BBC attached to my flash - mostlyl along the line of "What's that do for you?" When I explain the idea, they're nodding their heads agreeing with the whole results are what counts theory. I think some of them like the idea that they aren't paying for a lot of expensive gizmos

To my mind (and I'm probably wrong about this too), professional is about (among other things) how you treat your clients, your dedication to delivering the product, and the quality of the product you deliver. Not the appearance of the tools you use to get the product to the client.

Totally .

And for those who are still questioning this approach there is a way to prove/validate your point: It's not the size...

zacker

I also made this out of a tupperware bowl!!









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Nikolai

zacker wrote:

I also made this out of a tupperware bowl!!

Nice!
Which custom function was it to turn the power saver mode off?

davidweaver

NikonsandVstroms wrote:

I've tried a few, and side-by-side with my fancy index cards or the ever so famous 7-11 napkins from Central Square, the index card and/or napkin has either won or tied

That's why I buy Sto-Fen Onmi bounce. I used to lose them all the time until I gaffer-taped them to my strobe. Cheap. work great.

You will suck up batteries if you use larger things. There is more diffuse light going places you don't need.

photogreen

StarrToDowler wrote:

Anybody have any favorites? I know you can get as basic as a file card with a rubber band to as sophisticated as Gary Fong's Lightsphere, and I'm curious what most people like.

I got an email from a company called PRESSlite selling an interesting concept called the VerteX. It evidently hasn't been released yet (target date is July, supposedly), and I don't know enough about light diffusion to judge...but it sure looks pretty cool: http://www.presslite.com/home.php

As always, thanks for the help!

Paul

Here is PRESSlite VerteX review

jchin

I started with the Stofen Omnibounce. Felt that it "ate" too much light.

I have used the Gary Fong Lightsphere ... absolutely hated it!
It throws light everywhere, almost uncontrolled. Drained the batteries much faster than I anticipated. Plus it makes the flash very top heavy.

I ended up getting a few generic versions of the Stofen Omnibounce from eBay. The plastic is thinner and thus "ate" less of the light.

My friend had me try with him a bunch of "a better bounce card" versions and I found that it worked OK, but wasn't too ergonomic for my taste.

So for the last several months, I have been using the generic (read: cheap) Stofen Omnibounce with gaffers tape to hold to to the flash, otherwise they fall off (then again the genuine one falls off easily too, just not as easily).