Camera Flash Diffusers

snapzz

snapzz

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Graham
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For years I've always used a StoFen for my 580 flash in fact its gaffer taped on!. Stofen's are ok if shooting landscape but bloody awful when switching to portrait. So I thought it about time I looked again for any suitable alternatives.

I know someone with Lightsphere and he reckons its good, other's I've heard say its rubbish. Anyway one thing that always put me off was the size of the contraption. I see now he's created a collapable version and although dearer (about £55) does mean I can sling in my bag when not in use. Also looked at the Lumiquest offerings but not sure about then. Anyone with any suggestions, preferences or alternatives?

Must give good results in portrait & landscape and easy to store and wont fall of when I'm not looking!
 
Another solution is to use a flash bracket to keep the flash above the camera.

I have stofens (one with a hole cut in the top, after all you don't really need the light to be diffuse if it is going straight up to bounce off the ceiling).

I also have the lumiquest pocket bounce and a couple of diffuseit things.
http://diffuseit.co.uk/
The lumiquest is a bit clunky, especially if a flash bracket is used as well.
The diffuseit is much neater and can be folded at any angle or flat out of the way.

The cheapest solution is to make your own (google for "a better bounce card")
I made one myself using vecro and black + white self-adhesive foam from a craft shop. :)
(then left it behind me the first time I used it, still, it only cost me <£2)
 
At that price it's worth a try - it looks solid and keeps the flash upright when in portrait orientation.

I have the Custom Brackets Digital Pro M kit (which wasn't cheap :whistling: ) and the Custom Brackets CB Folding T.

The Digital Pro M is camera rotating all singing all dancing, but quite big! (and a lot to carry with a gripped 5D2).
The CB folding T is lighter but still very sturdy, but is flash rotating, so the flash ends up sideways in portrait.

That eBay one looks good. :cool:
 
snapzz said:
Thanks guys
At weddings I shoot quite a bit ususing fill flash so imprtant that is usable outside as well as inside. I've been pointed to one of these
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Flash-Rotatin...ories_CameraFlashUnits_JN?hash=item19b4ce6117

Not sure if it'll fit my mk3 bodies but have asked the seller. Anyone use anything similar?
Click to expand...

Check the video in the Lumiquest link - you don't need a bracket for vertical shooting, because of the way it fits to the flash head - just tilt the head.

One of the best things about the LQ Quik Bounce is that it's very usable outside, as a mini-softbox - and it doesn't waste light blasting everywhere like some. Plus of course bounce-fill inside.

You can also alter the bounce-fill ratio a lot more with that one too - open the flaps and zoom the head to max puts a lot more light directly to the ceiling. Handy for high ceilings where most of the others are uselsss :thumbs:
 
snapzz said:
It does require the off camera cable and he recommends the Canon one as its better quality.
Click to expand...

I have a couple of curly Yung Nuo ones and they are good quality and significantly cheaper than the canon version. The lock-down lever looks identical to the canon lever (looks like they came from the same mould!).
 
What is wrong with bouncing the light of the ceiling (if you can)? Frontal light is never excellent anyway - both harsh and diffuse. You don't have to shoot ISO100 with digital so there is plenty of power. External speedlite in a softbox is the ultimate weapon.
 
daugirdas said:
What is wrong with bouncing the light of the ceiling (if you can)? Frontal light is never excellent anyway - both harsh and diffuse. You don't have to shoot ISO100 with digital so there is plenty of power. External speedlite in a softbox is the ultimate weapon.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your comments but maybe you should re-read the posts.
 
HoppyUK said:
Check the video in the Lumiquest link - you don't need a bracket for vertical shooting, because of the way it fits to the flash head - just tilt the head.

One of the best things about the LQ Quik Bounce is that it's very usable outside, as a mini-softbox - and it doesn't waste light blasting everywhere like some. Plus of course bounce-fill inside.

You can also alter the bounce-fill ratio a lot more with that one too - open the flaps and zoom the head to max puts a lot more light directly to the ceiling. Handy for high ceilings where most of the others are uselsss :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Yep saw that and watched the vid.
 
I've been experimenting with (home made) diffusers on my 450Ds on board flash.

I've just bough a 2" diameter white ball for £1.00 from Poundland.

It was a little toy with a changing colour LED which I removed.

With a little cutting at the bottom it now sits perfectly on my flash and gives perfect pics in my flat.

I'll be trying it in a larger room to take some family pics tomorrow so I'll let you know how I get on with it.
 
I've always been happy with the StoFen results in landscape but not when turning the camera to portrait. This always gives harsh shadows. However outside when using as fill it can be very effective with strong side lighting.

Having discussed the ebay model with someone I think I'll give that a go and it certainly does look as cumbersome as the Lightsphere and should still feel quite balanced when hand holded.

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions.
 
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