Rogue flash bender; really that good?

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connersz

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Jamie
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I have been looking into getting more out of my flash gun during on location shoots. In the past I have been using an umbrella or just the flap down diffuser.

I have been looking at the flashbenders and they are rated quite well but I can't picture them being good for some reason, there's just something blocking me.

I think it's because I have used those mini flash softboxes before that were rubbish.

With the flashbender, it looks as though it could take a lot of thumbling around trying to get it bent into the right shape.

If someone can recommend how I would use one for family portraits or if it would really make an improvement I would love to hear it.
 
I've got one and although I don't use it much, it's very useful for throwing softer light to a cerain part of the room.

Best thing I can offer is to watch a few tutorials on YouTube and hope that something clicks.

I've used soft boxes and defusers in the past, but never really found them that much use (I'm not saying they aren't, just not for me).

I find the FB to be at its best when sending light forward from a flash pointing up. My flash has a small bounce card that I've always used, but with the FB it throws more light, with a wider spread, and I feel it's a more even light (combined with the bounced light).

I don't tend to bend it much, just have it pointing up.
 
Basically just a big bounce card then? FYI I was thinking of getting the small one to use on a flash but only if I decide it's really worth it.

I did have a look on Youtube but couldn't find many real life tests. There were a few reviews but they only really covered how it works and not so much whether it's useful or just a gimmick.
 
I guess it is just a big bounce card, but one that can be made to send the light in different directions rather than just forward. You can narrow the spread of light, or open it up for a larger spread.
Mine is the medium one, but by all accounts the larger version is the more effective one. I don't think the smallest one is quite as effective.
I've seen a couple of videos where they use them as a snoot but that doesn't really interest me.

Going a bit OT have you tried a black foamie thing (google it if you haven't heard of it).
I've found this to be pretty good for adding a bit more interest to portraits and general subject flash shots.
 
Dave this video and another members posts on here made me buy 3 of them!


Frank doorhof also uses them really well.


Not as good as two huge soft boxes but so much easier to carry!
 
One thing I worry about with the larger ones is that the spread from the flash at that distance from the flash head can only be so wide. If I go for a larger one it also pretty much means no chance of using it on camera.
 
Brazo said:
Dave this video and another members posts on here made me buy 3 of them!



Frank doorhof also uses them really well.



Not as good as two huge soft boxes but so much easier to carry!
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I'm loving the video's but now wondering how they would be when used on a group of people?
 
dave_bass5 said:
Actually those videos were what got me to buy one as well.
I'd like to have gone for the larger one but I think they look a bit top heavy (even though I don't think they are), and the plan was to use it on camera so I went for the middle size.
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And was it OK on-camera? no flapping about or anything?
 
dave_bass5 said:
Jamie. If you are in the UK you are welcome to borrow mine for a couple of weeks. I do to want to get rid of it but as I said I don't use it much.
Just PM me if you fancy it.
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Thanks for the offer. I was thinking of using one for a shoot on Friday I have so I think I might just buy one and see how it goes. If I really don't get on with it then I can send it back.

I can't seem to find a medium one though, only small and large :-S

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rogue-Flash...F8&qid=1401225797&sr=8-1&keywords=flashbender
 
I have the large. It's great and I use it all the time with my flash. It's great on stands for impromptu portraits and I use it a lot handheld for off camera flash including group shots.
I also have the optional softbox diffuser panel, and whilst it does soften the light a bit I haven't found much use for that - but the standard flashbender is brilliant.
 
I've got two of the mediums and one small but would like the xl size one. I also have the honeycomb grid jobby.
 
OK, I have taken the plunge and ordered one. I will give it a go and post some of the results (providing I don't have to bin them all ;))
 
Rogue FBs are wonderfully versatile, but are highly dependent on a) the user knowing a bit about how light works, and b) the surroundings (ie ceiling, walls) that become the new light source - like most bounce/diffusing devices. The little softbox attachments are less environment-dependent, as they tend to be fired direct.

Another vote for the Black Foamie Thing that I've used quite a bit lately with excellent results. But again you have to know what you're doing and have a suitable bounce surface you can position your subject near to http://neilvn.com/tangents/the-black-foamie-thing/
 
I've got one and use the diffusion panel. If you look at my Flickr stream there are quite a few pics using it!
 
I got the flash bender today. I just spent about 10mins or so taking some pics of myself and comparing it to normal flash. I have to say it seems promising. The light is much softer but as for the bendy bit, I am skeptical as to how much difference that makes because most of the flash is focused between the two wires anyway.
 
I use mine almost exclusively with the flash head pointing straight up, and the FB set wide and with a slight bend to curve it over the top of the flash a little. The effect is like a larger, diffuse light source. I usually hold it in one hand up and left and fire it wirelessly from the camera, works great for gigs and impromptu group shots etc. I've also used it on stands for more posed stuff but it's great as a handheld source too...
 
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