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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
Sweet difusion!

videochicke
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Jul 3, 2006, 1:15 PM

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Sweet difusion!	Can't Post

Saw one of these in operation yesterday. Virtually eliminated those horrible shadows you get when holding the camera vertically without a bracket. Pics looked great! Saw it on a Canon 20D with the 580 EX flash. http://store.garyfonginc.com/liiido.html
Julie

Dieps
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Jul 3, 2006, 4:27 PM

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Re: [videochicke] Sweet difusion! [In reply to]	Can't Post

I bought a LS II after working with some photogs that used them. I don't think they took them off from the time they started pre ceremony shots thru the entire reception. They really work. I think you can find several threads on Fredmiranda.com discussine the LS. I use mine with a 20d and a Canon 580. I just slap it on and shoot away.

Jim

PD-170, VX-2000 (2), TRV-900
Sony Wireless, iRiver, Mini Discs, other stuff
Canon 20D with some lenses

videochicke
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Jul 3, 2006, 5:04 PM

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Re: [Dieps] Sweet difusion! [In reply to]	Can't Post

What is really nice too is is it weighs practically nothing. Much easier on the arms than a bracket.
Julie

RustyB
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Jul 3, 2006, 5:16 PM

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Re: [videochicke] Sweet difusion! [In reply to]	Can't Post

I just can't imagine walking around with one of those monsters attached to my flash at an event.

Someone has some comparison shots between the LS, Omnibounce type, Flip-It, and I think a Lumiquest softbox...can't find the URL. I seem to remember the Flip-It being one of the best, but itwas just one dude's tests, and everyone is biased for one reason or another on the internet. The dude that sells the Flip-It has a lot of good info about lighting on his website: http://www.joedembphotography.com/flipit/

I have the Sto-Fen Omnibounce on one of my old flashes, and a similar Omnibounce type (brand?) on my new DSLR flash. Probably not quite as good as a LightSpere, but they're not quite so awkward.

I was at one wedding, and the drunken groomsmen were making fun of the little photog girl, because she had one of the huge sphere's on her camera.

If I was to try something else, I think I'd try the FlipIt next. My current setup works okay, but I think you lose a lot of light with a diffuser. If I were shooting wedding receptions in those big halls, it might be nice to be able to get more out of the flash. I event thought about sawing the top of my Sto-Fen. Tongue

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Colvin ADTR
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Jul 3, 2006, 5:21 PM

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Re: [RustyB] Sweet difusion! [In reply to]	Can't Post

The trouble with the lightsphere is that it has a tendancy to fall off frequently, so I read. I might ghetto one out of tupperware, so that I can use it to carry my ctp dinner in first Wink

RustyB
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Jul 3, 2006, 5:25 PM

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The trouble with the lightsphere is that it has a tendancy to fall off frequently, so I read. I might ghetto one out of tupperware, so that I can use it to carry my ctp dinner in first Wink

The cheese will keep the tupperware welded to the flash, unless you fire off too many and it heats up.

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Scott Brooks
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Jul 3, 2006, 6:11 PM

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Re: [videochicke] Sweet difusion! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Ah yes ... the old Fong Dong ... been around for quite a few years now. I think it's in it's third generation or so.

Search the photography threads ... you'll find those that swear by it and others that hate it ... pretty much like everything else.

I have the LSPJ with the inverted dome and I've yet to use it at a wedding. Come to think of it, I've NEVER used it. Crazy

I've experimented with it a few times at home, but I find myself more attached to my FlipIt. Just a simple bounce card attached to the flash. It's adjustable so that you can go with no bounced flash forward to a 45 degree when you need more throw. I never use a bracket.

I should probably pull out the Fong this weekend and at least give it a try during the reception.

I disagree about the weight, though. If you tilt the head of your flash at all it does put enough pressure to sometimes pull your flash all the way down. I guess it's not really that heavy as much as it is clumbsy.

One other consideration ... have plenty of battery power because your flash will have to work overtime to get the light out.

Many people talked about them falling off and chasing them around the dance floor. I got the P4 for the 580 flash and it's a very snug fit. Unless I run into a wayward bridesmaid it'll probably stay on the flash.

If I can remember I'll use it at this weeks reception. Although this won't be the best test as it is a cake and punch reception. Frown

I really hate those. The following two weeks, though ... big time parties. Cool

videochicke
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Jul 3, 2006, 6:35 PM

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There are 2 versions. One is whitish and hard and the other is clear and soft. I saw the soft clear one and it seemed to stay put.
Julie

Scott Brooks
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Jul 3, 2006, 8:00 PM

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In Reply To

There are 2 versions. One is whitish and hard and the other is clear and soft. I saw the soft clear one and it seemed to stay put.

I have the clear soft one. (That doesn't exactly sound good. Unsure

)

The original was a bit more opqaue and hard. When he came out with the clear/flexible one, it had no dome ... then he added the inverted dome. Then the pros didn't like the light that it produced so he came out with the "cloud" version, which I believe is the same as the PJII ... just colored. Of course, each one has been touted as the best thing that ever happened to diffused light. Wink

RustyB
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Jul 3, 2006, 8:35 PM

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Re: [RustyB] Sweet difusion! [In reply to]	Can't Post

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....Someone has some comparison shots between the LS, Omnibounce type, Flip-It, and I think a Lumiquest softbox...can't find the URL. ....

Speak of the devil, someone asked the same question, and the dude re-posted the link to his site with the comparison shots today over in the Olympus forum...where the same question came up:

http://www.the-meissners.org/...-flashmod/index.html

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Storm Crow
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Jul 4, 2006, 11:22 AM

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Re: [videochicke] Sweet difusion! [In reply to]	Can't Post

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I bought one about three months ago and love it!!! It comes with a DVD that shows you how to use it in different situations. It worked so well that a big photo studio out this way hired me to shoot for them on my off days from video for their studio! Not bad, $500 to shoot a wedding and then hand the cards over to them and I'm done with that wedding Wink

i have the soft clear one and use it on my 580 flash. I'm heading down to St. Simons Island with my entire family including brother and sister and their familys for a week kayaking in the atlantic and in the saltwater marshes and having fun on the beach. I'm bringing my still photo stuff along and we are taking some family portraits on the beach in the Sea Oats grass with the beach and the ocean in the background. I'll be using the fongster for these shots and will post when I'm done playing with the images.
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(This post was edited by Storm Crow on Jul 4, 2006, 11:29 AM)

Scott Brooks
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Jul 4, 2006, 5:21 PM

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Re: [Storm Crow] Sweet difusion! [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm not saying it's good or bad. I haven't used it in a wedding or portrait situation (maybe this weekend?) so I wouldn't know. However, I like the Flip-It because I can take the card and have it anywhere between all the way back (for direct flash) to having it 45 degrees forward if I choose.

If you go to the Flit-It site you'll see some goofey-assed photos I took of the cast from Forever Plaid. I didn't even know they existed on the site until about 3 am this morning. (It's listed as Brian Scott on the credit.)

I've always had an aversion to diffusers because it really stops down the light. I think Sto-Fen says anything from 1 1/2 to 2 stops. Too me, it's a lot of wasted light and power.

I've experimented at home with the LSPJ and tried to do side by side examples to see which worked better and honestly ... I just don't see there's a clear cut winner, so if I can go with less weight and much less clumbsey, then that's the one for me.

Oh yeah ... my Sto-Fen ... I took a knife and cut the very top of it off. It softened the light but allows more to bounce off the ceiling, wall or anything else available. Typically I put it on my daughter's flash and have her shoot with it pointed straight up. If she continues to get good results I'll be done purchasing light diffusers.

You probably can't go wrong with any of them ... it's just personal preference.