The Gary Fong lighsphere - test

[Josh Bear]

Well test may be too strong a word.

Imagine the scene, I am pretty much naked, the door bell rings, a glance out of the bedroom window reveals the postman with a small box. Brain "springs" into life, "what have I ordered?".

The only thing it could be was a Gary Fong Lighsphere! Only ordered it on Thursday night! Excitement takes over, dressing gown goes loosely on and off I bound downstairs, fumble with keys, open the door, mentally scar the postman for life, sign for the package, rip open the box, run back upstais, get the camera, run back downstairs, order the kids to sit down and start taking pictures!

Everyone out of breath?

Here is a link to my initial test.

http://www.pbase.com/joshbear/lightsphere

I shot the same subject 6 times.
1. Straight flash
2. Bounced flash
3. Straight flash with Stofen
4. Bounced flash with stofen
5. Straight lighsphere
6. Bounced lighsphere

Shot in RAW, converted in lightroom -No colour of WB alterations made. Remember I am looking at the light not the quality of the pictures which frankly are rubbish. Camera was a 5D fitted with a 550EX Flash

more details on the lighsphere can be found here.

http://www.garyfong.com/

[Stephen]

Re: The Gary Fong lighsphere - test

Great stuff Josh, I wish more would tell us about their new gear and offer comparison images such as these. I'd like to know your personal opinions on the lightsphere though and actually using it in the field. I appreciate though you haven't had it 5mins yet though

I think its clear from your images that there is some benefit to be had over the Stofen. I've looked at the Lightsphere before though and frankly its the bulk and appearance of it that puts me off using it. In the privacy of my own environment that may be different of course

[coupekid]

Re: The Gary Fong lighsphere - test

Well test may be too strong a word.

Imagine the scene, I am pretty much naked, the door bell rings, a glance out of the bedroom window reveals the postman with a small box. Brain "springs" into life, "what have I ordered?".

The only thing it could be was a Gary Fong Lighsphere! Only ordered it on Thursday night! Excitement takes over, dressing gown goes loosely on and off I bound downstairs, fumble with keys, open the door, mentally scar the postman for life, sign for the package, rip open the box, run back upstais, get the camera, run back downstairs, order the kids to sit down and start taking pictures!

Everyone out of breath?

Here is a link to my initial test.

http://www.pbase.com/joshbear/lightsphere

I shot the same subject 6 times.
1. Straight flash
2. Bounced flash
3. Straight flash with Stofen
4. Bounced flash with stofen
5. Straight lighsphere
6. Bounced lighsphere

Shot in RAW, converted in lightroom -No colour of WB alterations made. Remember I am looking at the light not the quality of the pictures which frankly are rubbish. Camera was a 5D fitted with a 550EX Flash

more details on the lighsphere can be found here.

http://www.garyfong.com/

Hi there,

Well obviously I am a LOT less experienced in this sort of thing to you and Stephen, but to my (untrained) eye, I think the nicest and most natural looking shot is the bounced Stofen.

I would be interested to hear why Stephen prefers the look of the lightsphere, as I cant see it myself?

[Tom]

Re: The Gary Fong lighsphere - test

To my untrained eye it is six of one and seven of the other. No doubt there are subtle differences and improvements. Can these differences not be sorted out with our other gadget, Photoshop? These are the days of 'there must be a new gadget for everything'. Maybe I'm just a grumpy old cynic .

[Stephen]

Re: The Gary Fong lighsphere - test

If the truth be known these are probably not the best examples to use. Perhaps some closer shots and head shots may show more marked differences. However its my opinion that the bounced Stofen has a distinct 'bounced' look about it that the equiv Lightsphere shot doesn't. I also feel that the shadows are slightly softer and overall illumination slightly better in the L'phere shots. In these particular examples it may be marginal,and for my own part it ain't gonna make me rush out and buy one. I use a Stofen all the time and have always been happy with it.

You can see further examples on the L'phere website, though I'd be keen to see some further examples from Josh too

[Josh Bear]

Re: The Gary Fong lighsphere - test

Yes the lightsphere website has loads of good examples and videos. I got the cloud version.

The wife dragged me out shopping have just got back. Will post more shots as I get chance. for me the lightsphere comes out the best as the light seems to "fill better" if that makes sense.

hope better examples to come.

Best Regards

Josh

[ash]

Re: The Gary Fong lighsphere - test

clicked on link but nothing apeared!

[Josh Bear]

Re: The Gary Fong lighsphere - test

Sorry, got a weired message about my kids so took the pictures down. Will replace with non people examples soon.

Best Regards

Josh

PS there are some strange folk out there

[Goatsmilkuk]

Re: The Gary Fong lighsphere - test

I have looked at the lightsphere a few times, but it seems a bit on the pricey side for what it is. Perhaps I am just looking at the item and not the results. Will be interesting to see them when you post some more shots, I imagine they could be a good icebreaker at times and everyone would know who the photographer is

How robust are they? Does it look like it would stand up to being carried around or would it need extra protection?

[Stephen]

Re: The Gary Fong lighsphere - test

I have looked at the lightsphere a few times, but it seems a bit on the pricey side for what it is. Perhaps I am just looking at the item and not the results. Will be interesting to see them when you post some more shots, I imagine they could be a good icebreaker at times and everyone would know who the photographer is

How robust are they? Does it look like it would stand up to being carried around or would it need extra protection?

I think it would need an extra camera bag Stu

[Josh Bear]

Re: The Gary Fong lighsphere - test

Any excuse for a new camera bag

It is actually quite bendy and hopefully therefore robost from the pictures you might think it was brittle but it is essentially heavy duty plastic.

Best Regards

Josh

[StuartR]

Re: The Gary Fong lighsphere - test

Sorry, got a weired message about my kids so took the pictures down. Will replace with non people examples soon.

Best Regards

Josh

PS there are some strange folk out there

Happened to me on PhotoBox (public albums) last year. I may have misunderstood what was being said but something just didn't feel right so I pulled the pictures. As you say, there's some strange people out there.