Flash diffusers - ? [Archive]

Ross

05-03-2009, 15:35

Make the flash light softer

Microglobe are still selling the Fong copies

http://www.microglobe.co.uk/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=lightsphere

Old thread from CT http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=8871

oohweewee

10-03-2009, 13:53

I've decided to invest in a Canon 430EX II unit for my 400D; will the 'Sto-Fen OM-EW Bounce Flash Diffuser' be suitable for nightclub and paparazzi work?

oldfella

10-03-2009, 17:02

I myself use a cut up neon light diffuser as used in offices. Just about finishing a twin front flash for indoor macro work. It has cut to size panels in front of the strobe tubes.

Green Li

10-03-2009, 17:49

I've decided to invest in a Canon 430EX II unit for my 400D; will the 'Sto-Fen OM-EW Bounce Flash Diffuser' be suitable for nightclub and paparazzi work?

Hi,

Sto-Fen may not be the best choice for "paparazzi work". It only woks good when there are many surfaces to bounce off.

For more flexibility you might want to consider Demb Flip-it! flash reflector (http://photo.greenlightstreet.com/www/index.php?/publisher/articleview/frmArticleID/17/)
http://photo.greenlightstreet.com/www/images/reviews/demb-flip-it-flash-reflector/images-small/demb-flip-it-flash-reflector-9.jpghttp://photo.greenlightstreet.com/www/images/reviews/demb-flip-it-flash-reflector/images-small/demb-flip-it-flash-reflector-2.jpg

If you want even more control, then consider PRESSlite Vertex diffuser (http://photo.greenlightstreet.com/www/index.php?/publisher/articleview/frmArticleID/15/)
http://photo.greenlightstreet.com/www/images/reviews/presslite-vertex/images-small/presslite-vertex-8.jpghttp://photo.greenlightstreet.com/www/images/reviews/presslite-vertex/images-small/presslite-vertex-6.jpg

Hope this helps.

oohweewee

12-03-2009, 21:37

My lovely new 430EX II arrived today. I've spotted a slide-out device that shields the flash; I'm presuming this acts as a diffuser? Any good??

malla1962

12-03-2009, 22:23

My lovely new 430EX II arrived today. I've spotted a slide-out device that shields the flash; I'm presuming this acts as a diffuser? Any good??Its a wide angle panel.

oohweewee

13-03-2009, 11:21

Its a wide angle panel.

What exactly does that do then? :shrug:

CanonSax

13-03-2009, 14:01

What exactly does that do then? :shrug:

It spreads (diffuses) the light to provide even light over the extremes of wide angle lenses.

Slipper-one

13-03-2009, 14:08

Prehaps this will be of use/help!
http://safemanuals.com/user-guide-instructions-owner-manual/CANON/SPEEDLITE%20430EX-_E

oohweewee

17-03-2009, 12:43

Thanks for your help guys! In that case, It looks like I will have to invest in a diffuser then. Here's a 'Sto-Fen OM-EW Omni Bounce' diffuser; I'm presuming this one would suit my 430EX II flash unit? Is this the best for pap use and nightclub photography??

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31-v7puGQzL._SS500_.jpg

Flash In The Pan

17-03-2009, 12:48

A Stofen is only really useful indoors, A Demb Flip It! or this (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250376333009) rip-off would be better for pap work

oohweewee

17-03-2009, 12:54

A Stofen is only really useful indoors, A Demb Flip It! or this (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250376333009) rip-off would be better for pap work

Yes I believe so - someone else recommended a similar contraption; it's just a bit big and delicate looking. How about for nightclub stuff?

Flash In The Pan

17-03-2009, 12:57

Yes I believe so - someone else recommended a similar contraption; it's just a bit big and delicate looking. How about for nightclub stuff?

Probably a Stofen, or one of those Gary Fong things - if you don't mind looking like a rep for Tupperware :lol:

photon

17-03-2009, 13:35

The Fong is too heavy for nightclubs. You can rotate the flash head so it won't flop forward but then you run the risk of breaking the flash at its foot.

Use a plain white postcard, index card or section cut from a white plastic container and attach it to the flash with a rubber band or self-adhesive Velcro. The manufactured equivalents such as the Flip-it look better and can be better in portrait orientation.

DavePaliwoda

17-03-2009, 13:42

Of all the times I've drunkenly stumbled around the student night club, the tog in there has a stofen practically glued to the front of his flash, so worth a shot (and worth being in your kit bag either way, light, small and effective)

photon

17-03-2009, 14:42

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/5458/flash4.gif

Lensflare

17-03-2009, 21:16

oohweewee......RTFM

oohweewee

20-03-2009, 12:18

Awesome, thanks guys and the mag' scan is a GREAT example - thanks again photon. As for 'RTFM' - well, thanks to this helpful bunch I don't have to. 'LOL'.

smooth

20-03-2009, 12:22

I have the 'Fong' and I love it. the results are clear above in Photons post.

Mind you I do look a right plonker when using it - bah well no change to normal there then!

Seriously though - it is HUGE but it all depends on how you feel and your personal opinions on its worth.

photon

20-03-2009, 12:51

The page in #17 is from Photojournalism: The Professionals' Approach by Kenneth Kobre.
ISBN:9780750685931

http://www.quartermelon.com/cgi-bin/info.cgi?SKU=AD075068593X

Janice

20-03-2009, 13:05

In those diagrams they have fong and the omnibounce on a flash facing upwards but the Lumiquest (like I have) facing forwards.

What would happen if the Lumiquest was bounced upwards like the other two?

oohweewee

24-03-2009, 10:41

whiteflyer

24-03-2009, 11:12

Hi,

Sto-Fen may not be the best choice for "paparazzi work". It only woks good when there are many surfaces to bounce off.

For more flexibility you might want to consider Demb Flip-it! flash reflector (http://photo.greenlightstreet.com/www/index.php?/publisher/articleview/frmArticleID/17/)
http://photo.greenlightstreet.com/www/images/reviews/demb-flip-it-flash-reflector/images-small/demb-flip-it-flash-reflector-9.jpghttp://photo.greenlightstreet.com/www/images/reviews/demb-flip-it-flash-reflector/images-small/demb-flip-it-flash-reflector-2.jpg

Hope this helps.

The cheaper version of the demb-flip, would be to buy a sheet of funky foam and build yourself a better bounce card (http://abetterbouncecard.com/)

HoppyUK

24-03-2009, 13:06

Although I think I'll eventually be investing in the Sto-Fen product, I desperately need something for an event tomorrow night. Problem is, nobody has one in stock and my local Jessops branch only have the sock-like Universal Diffusers at £5 each - any good?

http://www.jessops.com/ce-images/PRODUCT/PRODUCT_ENLARGED/AJESSCA215116637.jpg

I have one of these stuffed in the corner of my bag. It works fine, just like the Stofen in post #11. Doesn't look too professional though, and it slips off, and I've never actually used it! I much prefer my Lumiquest but that is big and not really robust enough if you're jossling with people.

Whenever you see a group of photographers elbow to elbow outside Number 10 or somewhere, they usually have Stofens.

Oxygen

24-03-2009, 14:01

The cheaper version of the demb-flip, would be to buy a sheet of funky foam and build yourself a better bounce card (http://abetterbouncecard.com/)

Interesting link and a good idea, but come on... 18mins to explain how to cut a piece of card and then charge for it? That's just crazy. DIY for the win. :D

HoppyUK

24-03-2009, 15:18

The cheaper version of the demb-flip, would be to buy a sheet of funky foam and build yourself a better bounce card (http://abetterbouncecard.com/)

That guy is funny! :) He actually talks a lot of sense about flash lighting, and the Better Bounce Card he demonstates - a small piece of card and a lacky band - will give great results if you're shooting people indoors with a nice ceiling to bounce off. Just as good as that Fong thing, but doesn't waste as much light, and at zero cost.

Big_Ham

24-03-2009, 16:27

If you're really skint just get some white toilet roll/tissue and wrap that around it with an elastic band. Looks crap, but it does the job.

oohweewee

25-03-2009, 13:02

I've just picked up one of those universal diffusers from Jessops as a temporary measure; the bloke in there said there's little difference?!?!

c_robinson

25-03-2009, 13:11

a couple of rizzla rolling (smoking) papers will do the job if needed, not great but better than nowt!

oohweewee

25-03-2009, 13:16

a couple of rizzla rolling (smoking) papers will do the job if needed, not great but better than nowt!

Are you serious? That's crazy.

Ric Type R

25-03-2009, 13:17

Just bought a Microglobe one Gary Fong ripoff, Taken a couple of test shots seems to work very well quite impressed.

Tyke Tiler

25-03-2009, 13:31

Awesome, thanks guys and the mag' scan is a GREAT example - thanks again photon. As for 'RTFM' - well, thanks to this helpful bunch I don't have to. 'LOL'.

Yeah :lol: Why do the work when others will do it for you? :lol:

Sorry if this sounds a little blunt but I fail to grasp the nurturing of ignorance.

Read the manual. It will help you if you encounter an issue whilst out and about you hadn't previously thought about asking folk on here.

It's beneficial for you to understand the gear that you wish to use and how to use it.

You seem to ask an awful lot of the same questions and sometimes more than once.
I really don't want to sound harsh but that will only do you some harm somewhere along the line.:

Don't get me wrong, I encourage anyone to ask a question if they do not understand something but at least try to do as much as you can as well, like read a manual, read a product description, read the thousands of articles available online, it's really only going to benefit you.

oohweewee

25-03-2009, 14:37

Yeah :lol: Why do the work when others will do it for you? :lol:

Sorry if this sounds a little blunt but I fail to grasp the nurturing of ignorance.

Read the manual. It will help you if you encounter an issue whilst out and about you hadn't previously thought about asking folk on here.

It's beneficial for you to understand the gear that you wish to use and how to use it.

You seem to ask an awful lot of the same questions and sometimes more than once.
I really don't want to sound harsh but that will only do you some harm somewhere along the line.:

Don't get me wrong, I encourage anyone to ask a question if they do not understand something but at least try to do as much as you can as well, like read a manual, read a product description, read the thousands of articles available online, it's really only going to benefit you.

Thanks Tom, I appreciate your advice and will almost certainly take it on-board (including those tips you posted in response to my nightclub photography questions). I have been reading suitable documentation and to be perfectly honest, I only post questions here because I get understandable answers. I'm merely and super keen amateur. PEACE. :geek:

Tyke Tiler

25-03-2009, 14:39

Thanks Tom, I appreciate your advice and will almost certainly take it on-board (including those tips you posted in response to my nightclub photography questions). I have been reading suitable documentation and to be perfectly honest, I only post questions here because I get understandable answers. I'm merely and super keen amateur. PEACE. :geek:

Good on yer then! :thumbs: