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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
How's this bouncer look?

 
 


Brackish
Veteran


Mar 14, 2007, 6:03 AM

Post #1 of 25 (1249 views)
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How's this bouncer look? Can't Post
One of the high-end guys by me uses this:

http://www.lumiquest.com/lq871.htm

Anyone tried it? It looks like it would be pretty handy.

I wonder how it compares to the Clear Fong Lightsphere,

which is used by some of the mid-priced guys by me:



I'm wondering if I might get a longer light throw with the Lumiquest?
I'm thinking the Sphere might give more light loss because it
leaks out in all directions whereas the Lumiquest gives more
focus - you don't need to light what's behind you but that's
where half the light seems to be going with the Fong device.


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"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."


(This post was edited by Brackish on Mar 14, 2007, 6:07 AM)


Colvin ADTR
Enthusiast

Mar 14, 2007, 7:45 AM

Post #2 of 25 (1243 views)
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Re: [Brackish] How's this bouncer look? [In reply to] Can't Post
TBH I think all those diffusers are a waste of money. The results are compromised just by being used on camera. The first thing a professional should do is work out how to get the flash off camera for far better results. If you have ever seen Nick Broomfield doing his videos, even a flash on a broomstick down the back of your jacket would get rid of that deer in the headlights look.


Toogy
User


Mar 14, 2007, 8:33 AM

Post #3 of 25 (1240 views)
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Re: [Colvin ADTR] How's this bouncer look? [In reply to] Can't Post
I have used both of these setups, and the lightsphere is definitely better. The first one still pushes ALOT of light forward creating some nasty shadows. These days I tend not to use any type of diffusion and just try and bounce the flash of something, anything......
------------------------->
Jeff Toogood
Digital ISO

http://www.digitaliso.ca/blog
http://www.pbase.com/toogy


Brackish
Veteran


Mar 14, 2007, 9:02 AM

Post #4 of 25 (1236 views)
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Re: [Toogy] How's this bouncer look? [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
These days I tend not to use any type of diffusion and just try and bounce the flash of something, anything......
Hey, Toogy.

Have you tried using that little white pull-up card on the 580?
How does that compare in results to the above diffusers?


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"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."


Toogy
User


Mar 14, 2007, 9:21 AM

Post #5 of 25 (1233 views)
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Re: [Brackish] How's this bouncer look? [In reply to] Can't Post
The little pull out white tab, really isn't a diffuser, it's more useful to direct a little light forward when and if you need it. I use it depending on the situation. Like if I need a little catch light in the subjects eyes or something, I'll pull up the card a little bit.
------------------------->
Jeff Toogood
Digital ISO

http://www.digitaliso.ca/blog
http://www.pbase.com/toogy


Brackish
Veteran


Mar 14, 2007, 9:24 AM

Post #6 of 25 (1228 views)
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Re: [Toogy] How's this bouncer look? [In reply to] Can't Post
Why are you getting away from diffusers nowadays?

Don't you run into high and/or dark ceilings? What then?


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"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."


Toogy
User


Mar 14, 2007, 9:28 AM

Post #7 of 25 (1226 views)
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Re: [Brackish] How's this bouncer look? [In reply to] Can't Post
Well it's more because it's a pain in the ass Cool, and I'm trying to limit the amount of crap I drag around all day Tongue

If I do run into high dark ceilings, I pull out the Lightsphere
------------------------->
Jeff Toogood
Digital ISO

http://www.digitaliso.ca/blog
http://www.pbase.com/toogy


Brackish
Veteran


Mar 14, 2007, 9:33 AM

Post #8 of 25 (1222 views)
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Re: [Toogy] How's this bouncer look? [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
If I do run into high dark ceilings, I pull out the Lightsphere
Is the Lightsphere I posted a pic of - the clear one
with the cloudy insert - the best of the Lightspheres?


----------------------------------------------
"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."


Toogy
User


Mar 14, 2007, 9:52 AM

Post #9 of 25 (1220 views)
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Re: [Brackish] How's this bouncer look? [In reply to] Can't Post
I actually have the older hard plastic one, pain in the ass to carry around. I'd like to get the newer one, but I can't be bothered Crazy
------------------------->
Jeff Toogood
Digital ISO

http://www.digitaliso.ca/blog
http://www.pbase.com/toogy


videochicke
Veteran


Mar 14, 2007, 11:14 AM

Post #10 of 25 (1211 views)
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Re: [Brackish] How's this bouncer look? [In reply to] Can't Post
I think a lot of it is knowing what works for you when and why.
Julie


Shadow
Veteran


Mar 14, 2007, 11:33 AM

Post #11 of 25 (1209 views)
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Re: [Toogy] How's this bouncer look? [In reply to] Can't Post
Have you tried the stofen? I have both the lightsphere and the stofen. I did some tests and can't tell them apart.

Pardon the grumpy baby photos but here's my test shots...



The pics are as they came from the camera, no post work was done on them other than to stick them into this little chart.

The stofen is about $30 if I remember correctly and very small.


__________________________


rodovideo
Enthusiast


Mar 14, 2007, 12:59 PM

Post #12 of 25 (1202 views)
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Re: [Colvin ADTR] How's this bouncer look? [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
TBH I think all those diffusers are a waste of money.
There must be of some good or the majority of the photog's wouldn't be using them... Crazy I don't think that all of the users are so ignorant that they all have fallen prey to slick marketing conspiracy... On that note, I have observed that on Gary Fong's demos, he is usually shooting with some fast glass... like f1.8 or better... and I'm sure that is a big plus as to how much light the flash needs to pumped out. Mike R.


Look toward the Son, and you will not see the shadows

sample images from RODO PHOTO

Rodo Media BLOG

(This post was edited by rodovideo on Mar 14, 2007, 1:23 PM)


Colvin ADTR
Enthusiast

Mar 14, 2007, 1:13 PM

Post #13 of 25 (1200 views)
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Re: [rodovideo] How's this bouncer look? [In reply to] Can't Post
True, I should have qualified it with saying "for me". I know there are photogs out there that could do more with a bit of card and a rubber band than I could with a studio. It seems to me, it is a lot of expense though, to cure a problem that could be solved easier by moving the flash.


DarrenS
Veteran

Mar 14, 2007, 1:35 PM

Post #14 of 25 (1196 views)
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Postal Boy
Veteran


Mar 14, 2007, 1:56 PM

Post #15 of 25 (1188 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] How's this bouncer look? [In reply to] Can't Post
Sweet photo...what filter did you use to get the lights to look like that?

-Postal


DarrenS
Veteran

Mar 14, 2007, 2:16 PM

Post #16 of 25 (1183 views)
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Brackish
Veteran


Mar 14, 2007, 9:22 PM

Post #17 of 25 (1151 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] How's this bouncer look? [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
Nice pic, Darren.


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"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."


Postal Boy
Veteran


Mar 15, 2007, 9:48 AM

Post #18 of 25 (1096 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] How's this bouncer look? [In reply to] Can't Post
I'm just used to out of focus backgrounds having softer edges, not the crisp edges. Gives it a "fairy tale" type of feel.

-Postal


Shadow
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Mar 15, 2007, 5:42 PM

Post #19 of 25 (1078 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] How's this bouncer look? [In reply to] Can't Post
:) No, I didn't make that one.

Nice photo! I have one very similar with the blurred lights in the background. I was trying to find it on the computer but can't seem to locate it. If I come across it soon I'll post.

Funny her name is Tessa. I noticed the picture before I saw her name and thought she looks like my friend named Tessa - only the Tessa I know is about 30 years older than the one in the photo.


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DarrenS
Veteran

Mar 18, 2007, 8:53 AM

Post #20 of 25 (1026 views)
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Brackish
Veteran


Mar 18, 2007, 6:54 PM

Post #21 of 25 (1011 views)
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Re: [Shadow] How's this bouncer look? [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
Have you tried the stofen? I have both the lightsphere and the stofen. I did some tests and can't tell them apart.
 I'd like to go with the Stofen over the Sphere (just because of the small size) if there really is not much difference. Have you compared the Stofen to the Sphere in other shots? I'm just wondering if there really is any advantage to the Sphere or if the results are basically the same?


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"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."


Shadow
Veteran


Mar 18, 2007, 7:34 PM

Post #22 of 25 (1008 views)
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Re: [Brackish] How's this bouncer look? [In reply to] Can't Post
That's the only test shots I've really done. I would like to try more, I wondered if the stofen is turned when flash is for vertical photo - now there is only a small square, where the sphere is the same no matter how the flash it turned. My father has the sphere at present but I'll do some more tests soon.

There's those little soft boxes that can go over flash units too. I'd imagine they would all produce very similar results. With the stofen looking less dorky.


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Brackish
Veteran


Mar 18, 2007, 7:52 PM

Post #23 of 25 (891 views)
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Re: [Shadow] How's this bouncer look? [In reply to] Can't Post
I've seen plenty of photogs by me using the Stofens so they must
not be terrible.

Keep us informed of any future observations you have
regarding Stofen vs. Lightsphere.


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"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."


Brackish
Veteran


Mar 18, 2007, 9:04 PM

Post #24 of 25 (884 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] How's this bouncer look? [In reply to] Can't Post
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See, I want a bouncer like you used in this shot - so natural.


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"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."


mazzystar
Veteran


Mar 18, 2007, 9:12 PM

Post #25 of 25 (881 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] How's this bouncer look? [In reply to] Can't Post
Darren, I now forgive you for raising hell over at the blog threads. This is one heluuva shot. Wink. Just beautiful!

Cheers,
Jason


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