diffuser

Not really any better than self made items for pennies. Its not that much bigger than the flash head, so doesn't diffuse in itself, and inverse square law means any bounce is going to be very weak. Search on various forums for the love/hate responses this thing induces.

If you must, get a lambency copy off Ebay for a tenner and see if you like it. I dont know any photographers that I admire that use it though.

Hang on, I have a copy somewhere, buy mine off me. It fits a 580exII.
 
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I do think it is a horrific price for a bit of plastic.. but there seems to be a lot of people (americans) that like it and are impressed :) just wanted to see if you guys had heard of it used it or what ever ;) That is the gary fong one I was meaning...
 
G Fong is charismatic and pursuasive in a BS kind of way, and Americans love him. His products work, but often not as well or as efficiently as cheaper (or free) alternatives. Plus they are expensive and bulky.

Efficiency is crucial with this kind of stuff as the moment you start bouncing flash around the light just gets gobbled up in huge lumps, and you haven't got much of it to start with, even with a big hot-shoe gun.

I'm a big fan of Lumiquest, because their stuff works well, are as efficient as these things can be, and they fold flat. Their video demos are also honest and to the point, and brief - if you're new to this stuff, I would watch them all. I particularly their Quik Bounce, because it is so versatile and easy.

I also carry a Stofen-type diffuser cap (the press tog's favourite) which does pretty much what the Fong does, but only costs three quid on Amazon/ebay and slips in your pocket. Buit I only ever seem to use the LQ Quick Bounce :thumbs:

Another one that can turn its hand to a variety of situations is the Demb Flip-it Classic http://www.dembflashproducts.com/flipit/models/ It's just a glorified bounce card similar to the hi-lite panel built it to most guns (same idea as this www.abetterbouncecard.com ) but it's neat, effective, and handy.

PS always remember that the result you get with any diffuser that spreads the light around is entirely dependent on the nature of the surroundings to do anything at all. You need a ceiling or walls, preferably white and close by.
 
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HoppyUK said:
G Fong is charismatic and pursuasive in a BS kind of way, and Americans love him. His products work, but often not as well or as efficiently as cheaper (or free) alternatives. Plus they are expensive and bulky.

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Thanks Hoppy
I think I was deluding myself to think this was the bees knees..if it was 20 quid then I may have just bought one but will look at some you mentioned

thanx:thumbs:
 
LOL You've fallen for the Fong Spin ;) which is invent a complex solution to a simple problem, make it look impressive and stick a very high price on it (so it must be good), then promote it with a load of free YouTube ads and watch the cash roll in. You've gotta respect the guy for that!

It's not that the Fong doesn't work, as thousands of very vocal but ultimately deluded folks will tell you, more that there are better, cheaper and more efficient ways of doing it. And I say again because everybody forgets this bit, when it comes to bouncing flash, the environment you're shooting in has far more influence on the result than the diffuser itself. All they do is send light in a certain direction, but they have no control over what comes bounced back to the subject.
 
I think i will have a go at designing and making my own ;)
 
Mr G said:
I think i will have a go at designing and making my own ;)
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Well why not :) It's the effect that's important, not what brand-name's imprinted on it! Even the branded stuff had to start somewhere, unless all brand-fans are Creationists ;) (And I'm beginning to wonder about that lol)
Loads of stuff on DIY light modifiers the 'net, some of which is truly breathtakingly hideous and possibly unsafe, some of which, though, is worthy of the 'why not for a few quid' shot. Unless, of course, your livelihood depends on it; that's another ball-game altogether.
For fun photographers like myself, who are also cheapskates and like making stuff anyway, and can, I'll give most things a whirl.
 
You couldn't make a light-sphere for a tenner, unless you run an injection moulding firm. So what's the point?

I agree with you about DIY, many things are better made than bought. I've made betterbouncecards, triflectors (scrapped it, hated the weird alien cathlights), snoots, polystyrene v flats, product tables, lightboxes, beauty dishes (from Ikea lamp), pro globes (from ikea lamp) etc and had fun/learnt things doing it.

Try
http://www.diyphotography.net/
 
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Kris said:
You couldn't make a light-sphere for a tenner, unless you run an injection moulding firm. So what's the point?
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Well if I could find a git big ping-pong ball and a plastic beaker............... ;)
Ta for the link, too. Interesting stuff!
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Kris said:
I use the British demb flip it copy on occasions:

www.diffuseit.co.uk

Recommended.
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That's gotta be worth a tenner :thumbs:

Kris said:
You couldn't make a light-sphere for a tenner, unless you run an injection moulding firm. So what's the point?

I agree with you about DIY, many things are better made than bought. I've made betterbouncecards, triflectors (scrapped it, hated the weird alien cathlights), snoots, polystyrene v flats, product tables, lightboxes, beauty dishes (from Ikea lamp), pro globes (from ikea lamp) etc and had fun/learnt things doing it.

Try
http://www.diyphotography.net/
Click to expand...

Some crazy things on that link! Love the guy who did a portrait session using nine iPads as a softbox :eek:
 
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