Flash Owners: What Diffuser (If Any) Do You Use?

[jpeyton]

I've heard some good stuff about Fong's Lightsphere (and the cheaper Chinese knockoffs).

I've been using plain white index cards with mostly good results, but I was wondering if slightly more "professional" solutions would make a difference. I bounce my flash at 90 degrees off the ceiling, but the index card does a good job reflecting some light forward to light the subject and reduce shadows from the ceiling bounce.

 

[pennylane]

I'm curious to hear answers to this question, too.

jpeyton, do you keep the index card held right up to the flash? Or is it at an angle?

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: fanerman91
I'm curious to hear answers to this question, too.

jpeyton, do you keep the index card held right up to the flash? Or is it at an angle?

I make it look like this.

But instead of having the card curved forward, mine is just flat (parallel with the back of the camera).

 

[Zenmervolt]

I have to say that I really like the lightsphere. The only downside to it is having to laugh at the same old "Hey, is that a flash or a streetlamp" jokes that every wise-ass makes.

ZV

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: fanerman91
I'm curious to hear answers to this question, too.

jpeyton, do you keep the index card held right up to the flash? Or is it at an angle?

I make it look like this.

But instead of having the card curved forward, mine is just flat (parallel with the back of the camera).

I use ABBC as well with the foam.

Taken from a thread at Fred Miranda: http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/607877

The big problem with the Lightshpere is that you can't direct the light. This is an extremely inefficient design, because you send light in every direction whether you want to or not. This means your flash may have to work that much harder to light the irrelevant void behind you. This unnecessarily drains your batteries and increases your recycle times. Not good.

But more importantly, you sacrifice creative control! The omni directional Lightsphere will bounce off of EVERY surface whether you want it to or not! But a good photographer wants to control and direct his light. So while the Lightsphere might me a useful crutch for an amateur who doesn't understand more advanced lighting techniques, a more talented pro will prefer a well placed bounce or directional fill over a general shotgun blast of light everywhere. Once again, inefficient and void of creative control.

Also, some believe that the Lightshpere helps outdoors. To significantly increase the quality of your light, you must significantly increase the size of your light source relative to the size of your subject. I use 19" softboxes on my off camera strobes and can barely tell the difference between them and direct flash. This is because my subjects (and yours) and 6 feet tall, and the difference in the size of your light source changing a few inches is insignificant relative to the size of your subject. This is why studios use softboxes that are 4 feet wide. Now there's an improvement of your light source.

So, save your money and learn how to bounce, either direct or with a creative tool like the FlipIt, or a Better Bounce card. Your photos, your clients, and the left side of your brain will thank you for it.

I also heard that the Chinese knock-offs of the LS produce a color tint to the flash.

Also don't buy those inflatable "balloon" style diffusers from eBay. They don't do anything.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
Taken from a thread at Fred Miranda: http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/607877

The big problem with the Lightshpere is that you can't direct the light. This is an extremely inefficient design, because you send light in every direction whether you want to or not. This means your flash may have to work that much harder to light the irrelevant void behind you. This unnecessarily drains your batteries and increases your recycle times. Not good.

But more importantly, you sacrifice creative control! The omni directional Lightsphere will bounce off of EVERY surface whether you want it to or not! But a good photographer wants to control and direct his light. So while the Lightsphere might me a useful crutch for an amateur who doesn't understand more advanced lighting techniques, a more talented pro will prefer a well placed bounce or directional fill over a general shotgun blast of light everywhere. Once again, inefficient and void of creative control.

Also, some believe that the Lightshpere helps outdoors. To significantly increase the quality of your light, you must significantly increase the size of your light source relative to the size of your subject. I use 19" softboxes on my off camera strobes and can barely tell the difference between them and direct flash. This is because my subjects (and yours) and 6 feet tall, and the difference in the size of your light source changing a few inches is insignificant relative to the size of your subject. This is why studios use softboxes that are 4 feet wide. Now there's an improvement of your light source.

So, save your money and learn how to bounce, either direct or with a creative tool like the FlipIt, or a Better Bounce card. Your photos, your clients, and the left side of your brain will thank you for it.

This is not directed at you fuzzy, but just as a counterpoint to the Fred Miranda post.

I can kind of see that, but anyone who thinks a LS is designed to replace a full setup (and then criticizes it because it doesn't) is insane. It's not a replacement for a studio setup, it's an aid for photojournalism-style event photography where there just plain isn't time or space to have a full lighting setup. Calling the LS a "useful crutch for an amateur who doesn't understand" sounds a lot like the people who say that the only shooters who use RAW are those who can't get the shot right the first time. Ridiculous. It's a tool that can help in some situations and hurt in others. Just like ever other tool.

Bottom line, the LS is consistent and produces very good results for what it is, but no-one should expect it to take the place of a full studio setup.

ZV

 

[randomlinh]

I had a lightsphere, but sold it. It's draws far too much attention. Then again, I got rid of my fancy flash too because of that... I will say it was nice, but I'm not sure if it was worth it. I believe it has inserts now to direct more of the light forward, but at a cost of course. I now have a couple of cheap manual flashes for trying to play with lighting more. I'm just going to slap some variation of ABBC for 'em.

 

[tdawg]

I use the stock diffuser that came with my sb-80dx and it works flawlessly. I rarely, if ever, use my flash without the diffuser attached (only when I need to "zoom" the flash).

 

[jamesbond007]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
Taken from a thread at Fred Miranda: http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/607877

The big problem with the Lightshpere is that you can't direct the light. This is an extremely inefficient design, because you send light in every direction whether you want to or not. This means your flash may have to work that much harder to light the irrelevant void behind you. This unnecessarily drains your batteries and increases your recycle times. Not good.

But more importantly, you sacrifice creative control! The omni directional Lightsphere will bounce off of EVERY surface whether you want it to or not! But a good photographer wants to control and direct his light. So while the Lightsphere might me a useful crutch for an amateur who doesn't understand more advanced lighting techniques, a more talented pro will prefer a well placed bounce or directional fill over a general shotgun blast of light everywhere. Once again, inefficient and void of creative control.

Also, some believe that the Lightshpere helps outdoors. To significantly increase the quality of your light, you must significantly increase the size of your light source relative to the size of your subject. I use 19" softboxes on my off camera strobes and can barely tell the difference between them and direct flash. This is because my subjects (and yours) and 6 feet tall, and the difference in the size of your light source changing a few inches is insignificant relative to the size of your subject. This is why studios use softboxes that are 4 feet wide. Now there's an improvement of your light source.

So, save your money and learn how to bounce, either direct or with a creative tool like the FlipIt, or a Better Bounce card. Your photos, your clients, and the left side of your brain will thank you for it.

This is not directed at you fuzzy, but just as a counterpoint to the Fred Miranda post.

I can kind of see that, but anyone who thinks a LS is designed to replace a full setup (and then criticizes it because it doesn't) is insane. It's not a replacement for a studio setup, it's an aid for photojournalism-style event photography where there just plain isn't time or space to have a full lighting setup. Calling the LS a "useful crutch for an amateur who doesn't understand" sounds a lot like the people who say that the only shooters who use RAW are those who can't get the shot right the first time. Ridiculous. It's a tool that can help in some situations and hurt in others. Just like ever other tool.

Bottom line, the LS is consistent and produces very good results for what it is, but no-one should expect it to take the place of a full studio setup.

ZV

Well said! To answer the OP's question, I also use the Lightsphere (cloud) version for my 580EX. I really enjoy the soft light it creates in those near-dark reception halls where the dancing goes on! Never really over-powers the crowds, as long as the power on the flash is set right. I do believe it sends light at a greater distance than a bounced, directed flash could produce.

With that said, I absolutely hate flashing and use ambient light whenever possible. Flash only comes out for fill on some particular shots to get rid of the racoon eyes. Gotta love that fast glass!

EDIT: Anyone ever think of trying to wrap some tin foil on the back half of the lightsphere? Yeah, it'd look tacky as hell, but whatever works! Maybe put something white behind it so it wouldn't look so distracting and tacky.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: jamesbond007
EDIT: Anyone ever think of trying to wrap some tin foil on the back half of the lightsphere? Yeah, it'd look tacky as hell, but whatever works! Maybe put something white behind it so it wouldn't look so distracting and tacky.

I've taped an index card to it. Less harsh than using foil.

ZV

 

[Shimmishim]

i have an stofen omnibounce. it works well for my intended use but i don't use it as much as i possibly could.

 

[corkyg]

I use what is built into my current flash unit. The diffuser/spreader and bounce card pull out when needed and are part of the flash unit. The flash head angles and swivels.

Flash