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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> What's the best flash diffuser for the $$$?
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 02/04/2006 09:41:19 PM · #1
What's the best flash diffuser for the money? An omnibounce? A little softbox? Lightsphere? There are so many to choose from, and my eyes hurt from reading about them all day. You guys have worked with all kinds of flash diffusion so tell me...what's the best? Show me some examples of why one is better than another. I'll be using it for weddings mostly, so help me out and give me your guidance I've so greatly come to rely upon! :)
 02/04/2006 09:47:07 PM · #2
Originally posted by laurielblack:
What's the best flash diffuser for the money?


Pringles cover :P
 02/04/2006 09:51:05 PM · #3
Actually cheapest would be a Facial Tissue held on by a rubberband. I use an omnibounce and it seems to do the job.

Message edited by author 2006-02-04 21:52:57.
 02/04/2006 09:52:46 PM · #4
Originally posted by faidoi:
Originally posted by laurielblack:
What's the best flash diffuser for the money?


Pringles cover :P


Lightsphere II, absolutely the best thing I have seen.

Look at this page on Gary Fong's site, it has some examples comparing direct, cieling bounce and LSII. I'll post a few of my LSII shots later.


02/04/2006 09:58:04 PM · #5
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Originally posted by faidoi:
Originally posted by laurielblack:
What's the best flash diffuser for the money?


Pringles cover :P


Lightsphere II, absolutely the best thing I have seen.

Look at this page on Gary Fong's site, it has some examples comparing direct, cieling bounce and LSII. I'll post a few of my LSII shots later.


I guess it's good since the guy charges $108K starting price for a wedding and since retired.
 02/04/2006 09:58:54 PM · #6
Hi Laurie,

I did one wedding in my life, a friend, I used one of those small (5 inch wide) soft boxes you Velcro to the flash. I also used an arm to lift the flash higher then the camera and also you could rotate it so when you shot long ways you could have the flash directly over the lens. What I found is this works great weather using the flash as a fill or to completely illuminate a scene. This casts the shadow down behind the subject not on the side or directly behind them. All of the images came out great, no shadow and no glare. I'll send you a couple directly.

Michael
 02/05/2006 08:21:55 AM · #7
Personally, I use a piece of tracing paper attached to the flash with a rubber band. Works well for me and costs under a dollar.

Though using a tissue instead sounds like an interesting idea. I wonder if anyone makes at 81C warming tissue?

02/05/2006 08:49:09 AM · #8
For what it is worth I use these
You get 2 for under $20.00. I like them better then the paper idea they are way more durable.

Enjoy
 02/05/2006 09:18:33 AM · #9
I personally use the Sto Fen Omnibounce. It softens the light and works great. They dont make the Lightsphere to fit my FL-36 so thats the route I went.

MattO
 02/05/2006 12:58:30 PM · #10
Originally posted by faidoi:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Originally posted by faidoi:
Originally posted by laurielblack:
What's the best flash diffuser for the money?


Pringles cover :P


Lightsphere II, absolutely the best thing I have seen.

Look at this page on Gary Fong's site, it has some examples comparing direct, cieling bounce and LSII. I'll post a few of my LSII shots later.


I guess it's good since the guy charges $108K starting price for a wedding and since retired.


How does what he charged relate to the LSII?

It's good because of the results it gives.
 02/05/2006 01:01:52 PM · #11
Originally posted by MattO:
I personally use the Sto Fen Omnibounce. It softens the light and works great. They dont make the Lightsphere to fit my FL-36 so thats the route I went.

MattO


If you look at the bottom of the page, there's a sizing chart if your flash is not listed.
02/05/2006 01:04:02 PM · #12
I bought a LSII, as I could not obtain a Sto-Fen Omnibounce to fit a Sigma 500 for love nor money. I would have preferred the Omnibounce, as it's smaller and easier to get onto the flash. The Lightsphere is a real %^&(*(*$ to get onto the flash and it's relatively heavier, so the flash head can rotate on its own, especially when I'm trying to bounce the flash in portrait orientation, as the head doesn't lock in the swivelled position.
 02/05/2006 01:44:03 PM · #13
Lightsphere 2.
Don't ask me how it works, but it does, and very well.
Even in portrait mode I get some side shadowing so i got a flash bracket last week and will be giving that a go at my next wedding.
I don't have any shots in my portfolio that i can show and say 'this is it'and 'this is not'.
this one was done with the LS - see any harsh shadowing? The only shadows i see are the butt area of the gent on the left (HA HA! cought you looking at his butt! LOL)
This one was taken with the LS and a Metz 54 MZ4 - again, no on ein the front is throwing nasty shadows on teh people behind them. no flash bracket was used for additional height or anything. No cover on the LS, just open dome.


this one too - notice no shadow of his head against the door behind him



02/05/2006 01:52:51 PM · #14
OK, OK, OK...enough arm-twisting. ;)

I went ahead and ordered the Lightsphere II. Hopefully I'll get to try it out at a wedding in March (crossing fingers they choose me). :)
 02/05/2006 01:53:02 PM · #15
another cheapo solution that works great are the plastic CD Sleeves (I use Fellowes #90661)

They slip right over the flash light a mini soft box.

Dave


02/05/2006 02:04:17 PM · #16
yeah, those results from the lightsphere do look convincing.... I have used a tracing paper 'lightbox' on mine that i made. It still makes somewhat hard shadows. :(
 02/05/2006 02:38:52 PM · #17
I have seen many home made diffusers, and many work. but if you are putting yourself out there you can't be rubberbanding a CD sleeve or cut off rubing alcohol bottle of the flash.

But then, you WILL get comments when useing the LS.

Candy dish, rain guage are popular ones.

Message edited by author 2006-02-05 14:43:59.
 02/05/2006 02:44:18 PM · #18
Originally posted by laurielblack:
OK, OK, OK...enough arm-twisting. ;)

I went ahead and ordered the Lightsphere II. Hopefully I'll get to try it out at a wedding in March (crossing fingers they choose me). :)


I would love to see how your photos turn out using this! Looks great on the sight....but I'm still curious! :)

02/05/2006 02:46:44 PM · #19
Originally posted by faidoi:
Actually cheapest would be a Facial Tissue held on by a rubberband. I use an omnibounce and it seems to do the job.


And nude toned panty hose used in a similar way will make quite a nice warming flash diffuser.
 02/05/2006 02:54:54 PM · #20
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Originally posted by faidoi:
Actually cheapest would be a Facial Tissue held on by a rubberband. I use an omnibounce and it seems to do the job.


And nude toned panty hose used in a similar way will make quite a nice warming flash diffuser.


... or soft focus filter when put over a lens :p
 02/05/2006 02:55:58 PM · #21
Originally posted by faidoi:
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Originally posted by faidoi:
Actually cheapest would be a Facial Tissue held on by a rubberband. I use an omnibounce and it seems to do the job.


And nude toned panty hose used in a similar way will make quite a nice warming flash diffuser.


... or soft focus filter when put over a lens :p


Very TRUE!
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