If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
Julia very kindly modelled for me a while back so I could evaluate a flash diffuser. The article was published a few days ago and these are the evaluation shots. You can see which was taken with what there:
A subject covered which many like me I think found of real interest. Thanks.
We were visiting our son recently who is an avid shooter (Pentax K-5) and on top of his flash he had a Gary Fong defuser which seemed to work quite well on his young family. Although fairly large in size it didn't seem so large as the one you have reviewed. Have you had any dealings with the Gary Fong item Ian and if so what are your thoughts please?
Unless you're a regular studio person, I think flash is very easy to misunderstand and also it's easy to be unaware of the potential for getting the lighting right.
There hasn't been a great deal of response to this thread and this also supports my feeling that people tend to take flash with a pinch of salt and don't realise how complex flash can be and of course how much better their pictures would turn out thanks to some better knowledge.
As for the Gary Fong (LightSphere) diffuser. I haven't yet used one but I think it has, in theory, pros and cons. It's a kind of bigger form of standard dome diffuser. But what concerns me is that its overall size is still much smaller than the 22cm square Lastolite mini soft box. So I doubt it would be as good for direct use. But it seems to be designed primarily for bounce use, so you need a ceiling and walls to use it - so it would be pretty useless outdoors. As some of the light would still come directly from the flash (out of the side of the unit) onto the subject, some sharp shadows could still be cast. It looks like a dramatic product but I remain a little sceptical to be frank. I would like to obtain one in order to test it.
It seems to me that the Gary Fong device is really intended as a supplement to the ambient light, in much the same way as a Stofen diffuser is. It is not a device intended for the studio, where largely flash is used as the only light source. The Lastolite device fits more into this category, and looking at the exif data it seems you have used ISO200 at 1/250s & f.5 I would guess that at this setting and indoors an exposure without flash would be pretty dark, therefore the flash is doing all the work. In this respect it seems to do a pretty good job, though I also suspect it really comes into its own with close up portraiture type work due to the limited output from the on camera flash.
I wouldn't normally want to use a Gary Fong diffuser with such exposures and would reserve it for fill in flash use, as I would with a Stofen diffuser, or indeed any on camera flash where it is providing all the illumination. The Lastolite is a different sort of beast altogether IMHO
It seems to me that the Gary Fong device is really intended as a supplement to the ambient light, in much the same way as a Stofen diffuser is. It is not a device intended for the studio, where largely flash is used as the only light source. The Lastolite device fits more into this category, and looking at the exif data it seems you have used ISO200 at 1/250s & f.5 I would guess that at this setting and indoors an exposure without flash would be pretty dark, therefore the flash is doing all the work. In this respect it seems to do a pretty good job, though I also suspect it really comes into its own with close up portraiture type work due to the limited output from the on camera flash.
I wouldn't normally want to use a Gary Fong diffuser with such exposures and would reserve it for fill in flash use, as I would with a Stofen diffuser, or indeed any on camera flash where it is providing all the illumination. The Lastolite is a different sort of beast altogether IMHO
Interesting. If there was already some good ambient light, then I am tempted to ask why you would need a diffuser at all? Why not simply use direct flash on low power?
Direct flash does have advantages that could be useful in terms of bringing out detail and improving contrast that soft light wouldn't.
A Sto-fen or Gary Fong solution still needs walls and ceilings to work in the way such a device is designed to. That means they need to be used indoors and often the ambient light indoors is not great.
I forgot to add - I used the fastest sync speed (1/250th) in order to reduce the effect of ambient light for the purposes of the test shots. I wanted the shadows thrown by the flash to be clear.
I forgot to add - I used the fastest sync speed (1/250th) in order to reduce the effect of ambient light for the purposes of the test shots. I wanted the shadows thrown by the flash to be clear.
Ian
I thought as much and I definitely think this was the correct thing to do when taking these shots.
Out of the studio though in real world situations I will usually just use ambient light and depending on circumstances throw some extra fill in flash at the scene too which lifts shadows and dark areas. It isn't always the best way to go as you can get problems with mixed lighting.
I actually lost my Stofen recently, it fell off without me noticing, so I've been using the built in white reflector that pulls out from the head, and its given me quite acceptable results..............I hate bare direct flash as a general rule unless there is loads of ambient light and then it turns itself down and you don't notice it so much.
Here are a couple of shots where the built in reflector worked well enough. ISO2000 + 1/2EV The flash was pointed up with the reflector pulled up which just brightened up the shots, essentially though I was relying on ambient light
It seems to me that the Gary Fong device is really intended as a supplement to the ambient light, in much the same way as a Stofen diffuser is. It is not a device intended for the studio, where largely flash is used as the only light source. The Lastolite device fits more into this category, and looking at the exif data it seems you have used ISO200 at 1/250s & f.5 I would guess that at this setting and indoors an exposure without flash would be pretty dark, therefore the flash is doing all the work. In this respect it seems to do a pretty good job, though I also suspect it really comes into its own with close up portraiture type work due to the limited output from the on camera flash.
I wouldn't normally want to use a Gary Fong diffuser with such exposures and would reserve it for fill in flash use, as I would with a Stofen diffuser, or indeed any on camera flash where it is providing all the illumination. The Lastolite is a different sort of beast altogether IMHO
i totally agree with you here Stephen. when using diffusers, i use the Stoffen to throw light further and the Lightsphere in close quarters. the Lighsphere cuts the output much more but is great when "your back is against the wall".
One of the main messages I would like to get across is that Stofens and Gary Fong Lightspheres, on their own, don't soften shadows - you need walls and ceilings or other convenient surfaces. I see so many people using these things in large spaces or even outside when there is no chance that any softening can happen, instead they simply waste the power of their flash units.
One of the main messages I would like to get across is that Stofens and Gary Fong Lightspheres, on their own, don't soften shadows - you need walls and ceilings or other convenient surfaces. I see so many people using these things in large spaces or even outside when there is no chance that any softening can happen, instead they simply waste the power of their flash units.
Ian
agreed. i reserve the use of tupperware to indoors. and as i said earlier like the fong jug for tight quarters.
We process personal data about users of our site, through the use of cookies and other technologies, to deliver our services, personalise advertising, and to analyse site activity. We may share certain information about our users with our advertising and analytics partners. For additional details, refer to our Privacy Policy.
By clicking "I AGREE" below, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our personal data processing and cookie practices as described therein. You also acknowledge that this forum may be hosted outside your country and you consent to the collection, storage, and processing of your data in the country where this forum is hosted.
Tweet
Comment