Gary Fong's Delta Point & Shoot Diffuser

[DJFuji]

http://store.garyfonginc.com/delta.html

Anyone tried this? I have a Casio EXILIM Z-850 and hate the harshness of the flash.

That model isn't listed as being compatible with the diffuser although the Z1050 is and i think they use the same body type. Can anyone confirm?

 

[ZOXXO]

Sounds like BS to me. Have you tried diffusing your flash with a piece of plastic or tracing paper?

 

[996GT2]

There's only so much you can do with such a limited flash area, no matter what kind of diffusers you use. You can make your own diffuser that does the same thing for like 25 cents by using some tissue paper, bubble wrap, etc.

A flash diffuser is much more useful on a hot-shoe external flash, since you can "bounce" the flash off a wall or ceiling. On a point and shoot, it may soften the light a little bit at the expense of reducing your flash power.

 

[DJFuji]

I tried tissue paper. Didn't do dick. Do i need to use thick toilet paper or something?

 

[ZOXXO]

Try a coffee filter or maybe a piece of milk jug or alcohol bottle. Layer them to get different results. I don't think most on board flashes vary their output power. It either fires or not. What works in the environment of one shot may mute the flash power too much for the next.

Try using a better bounce card to bounce the light of a wall or ceiling.

Other options are making better use of natural light and/or using off camera slave flash(es).

 

[magomago]

try napkins - i've used them with success at restaurants...its better, although i still think its pretty harsh compared to bouncing light. Btw you can only diffuse so much with onboard flashes because they are so weak, so don't think you can create a perfect smooth spread from that tiny bulb

edit:

lol at the end of the description of lighting the whole room...I honestly don't believe (from the little pic he provided) that the 'pyramid wedges' works any better. if anything try to find out what it is made of and then cut your own. it'll be flat, but i bet you those little wedges don't make much, if any, difference

 

[OdiN]

The smaller the light source, and the farther away, the harsher the light.

So those tiny flashes on those P&S cameras from far away are HORRIBLE light sources. Nothing much you can do about it though.

 

[DJFuji]

Eh, as long as this thing gets rid of the facial shine, i'll be happy.

I'm willing to give it a shot but i don't know if it fits my camera.

 

[spikespiegal]

I tried tissue paper. Didn't do dick. Do i need to use thick toilet paper or something?

Make sure the diffusion material (whatever it is) is a couple inches in front of the flash so it has room to spread out. If diffuser is right against the flash, it wont do much because there's no room to spread out the light source.

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: DJFuji
Eh, as long as this thing gets rid of the facial shine, i'll be happy.

I'm willing to give it a shot but i don't know if it fits my camera.

I tried a piece of bubble wrap taped to some tissue paper (2 layers) held about 2-3 inches in front of the camera's flash. It softened the flash somewhat, so you could give that a try.

 

[angry hampster]

I wouldn't buy it just because it's from Gary Fong. He is almost unanimously hated by pro shooters because of his misleading and deceptive marketing techniques, not to mention his absurdly overpriced, horrid-looking products. Sorry for the rant, but I'd try doing anything and everything else before buying a Fong product.

 

[corkyg]

I have used small pieces of trnaslucent Scoth tape over the flash for close ups. Works for me.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: angry hampster
I wouldn't buy it just because it's from Gary Fong. He is almost unanimously hated by pro shooters because of his misleading and deceptive marketing techniques, not to mention his absurdly overpriced, horrid-looking products. Sorry for the rant, but I'd try doing anything and everything else before buying a Fong product.

+1. I rarely express insults when it comes to pro photogs. He made his way in as a photographer and successful businessman. However, he takes this way too far.
I wouldn't recommend his products to anyone. It's simply peddling elixirs at this point.

 

[DJFuji]

That's what i needed to know, gents. It did sound too good to be true.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Throckmorton]

I have the semi opaque scotch tape on the flash of my Minolta A1. You can also use a milk jug to make a diffuser exactly like that one.