I'm considering getting the Gary Fong Lightsphere II.
I don't shoot flash often, but I'm pretty sure I'll want to have a good diffuser next time I do, so maybe I'll order this so I don't have to wait for delivery when the time comes.
(Here's a review of the Lightsphere.)
Admittedly, $49 (for the most basic version) is a bit expensive for what it is and does, so there are very cheap home-made options.
You know what I'm just realizing... one of the reasons I don't often use Flash is just because I don't have a diffuser! Just for one thing, I often photograph objects and stuff for this blog, but I'm torn between barely-adequate indoor lighting and harsh direct-flash. If I had a good flash sitting on my Canon 5D, with a good diffuser, this would be perfect for it! I'll do it, by gum.
14 comments:
Just to confuse the issue, check out Strobist, and the Lumiquest Softbox II. Cheaper, and more directional. Strobist very good source for small flash lighting.
Bron
Is that the Strobist.blogspot.com site? Or is there a "proper web site" called strobist?
I also ordered a diffuser for popup flashes, that seems like a good idea.
I tried all of the Gary Fong variants and didn't like any of them. Too much direct light. A good website for on/off camera flash using TTL is www.planetneil.com. Neil is a wedding photographer but the principles he espouses are relevant to all styles of photography where you might use flash. He also has an excellent book "On-Camera Flash" published by Amherst Media.
I am *not* speaking from experience here, but I would have guessed that the lightsphere has *less* direct light compared to most diffusers?
Also, I like the image samples I've seen.
Less direct light yes, but usually no direct light is better. Also, the Lightsphere still bounces light off of the ceiling so you get light from directly above. I'm not saying the Lightsphere has no use, it's just not the magic bullet it's made out to be.
Thanks.
Strobist is a Blogger site. Based on info there, I use my Nikon SB 80, either with a neutered nikon cable, or using the reduced power, and diffused Canon G9 flash. I diffuse the G9 flash with material cut from a fallen apart diffuser, velcroed on. On the Nikon flash there is a diffuser "cap". Works well, but the Softbox II is my next gadget.
Bron
Hi,
This guy sells copies of the Fong thing for far less. Scroll down to find them
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=157807
Regards...
From my experience, buying a GF diffuser isn't going to be a magic bullet. Have you tried the in-camera flash compensation? A -2 EV will do wonders for that nuked look.
Off camera bounce or a Lumi-Quest soft box II or III http://www.lumiquest.com/strobist/ and you are getting warm.
If you have a Canon external flash, STO-FEN makes an inexpensive slide on diffuser that will actually fit in the flash pouch. http://www.stofen.com/
My best in your quest.
I find bouncing off a white ceiling or wall works better if theres one handy
Yeah, but it can also give some enormously uneven light.
The Sto-fen diffuser is similar to the one on my Nikon flash. Dial down the flash, use some ambient, manual on the camera, and you can control the light, get some good results. Everything is on manual, which is actually very quick. Thanks to digital, the learning is fast.
Here is a link to fine video tuts., by one of the masters of small flash. Sponsored by Nikon, but can be ported over to a Canon system.
Good primer.
http://nikonusa.com/Learn-And-Explore/Photography-Techniques/fy1hs59m/1/Control-of-Color-Part-1.html#tab=1
Check out both pat 1 and 2 of the Control of Color videos.
Hope this helps.
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