Diffusers - Sto-fens or Gary Fongs?

BalSanghera

BalSanghera

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Bal Sanghera
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Looking to get a diffuser for my Sony Flashgun but dont know whether to go with Sto-fens Omni-Bounce Units or Gary Fongs Lightsphere II... I did do a search but couldnt find anything recent with working pics so does anyone have a comparison on the two?
 
photostar_1 said:
I suppose a lot depends on where you are going to be using it. I use an omni sto-fen thingy........because I use it in nightclubs etc and it is not too daft looking!!
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:agree:

I have a Lightsphere, because I use it mainly for portraits, so it does a really good job.
 
I dont think I will be doing any club photography but I suppose the omni might work better at birthday parties etc with dj setup...

Are they universal fit or is the a certain one for the Sony HVL-F42AM?
 
Or go to Poundland, buy yourself a suitable-sized tupperware container+lid and cut a hole in the bottom of it to fit your flashgun.

It will do the same job and save you £35.....:shrug:
 
You can get much cheaper versions than the Gary Fong on ebay too that work just as well :)
 
I'm sure that is true, I've had mine since before there were copies. OK, it's pricey for a bit of plastic but it does transform a £300 flashgun into something that is properly usefull for portraits.
 
I wouldnt mind a link to the cheaper ones ebay I did a search but could only find the £35 + £5 P+P diffuser...
 
Highly highly recommend the Lightsphere II. Ok you might look like an idiot but it gets some absolutely superb results.

If I had the money (and less sense) I'd go for a ring flash if I could do.

I also use the Stofen for situations where a giant tupperware implement might be a little intrusive. ;)
 
I use a Lumiquest softbox. Its a bit big but looks ok for weddings as people expect you to have all the gear!

I think I may get another stofen for places when I dont want to be noticed toooo much!!! :D
 
Janice said:
I use a Lumiquest softbox. Its a bit big but looks ok for weddings as people expect you to have all the gear!

I think I may get another stofen for places when I dont want to be noticed toooo much!!! :D
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Sounds like a good idea, think I will get myself a sto-fen for now and later when I do alot more I will look at getting a Garry Fong diffuser. Need to save up for a redsnapper first :lol:
 
One problem I have come across with the Gary Fongs are they tend to fall off the flash sometimes, I think the weight is the problem, although they do a great job of lighting portraits. Wayne
 
swanseamale47 said:
One problem I have come across with the Gary Fongs are they tend to fall off the flash sometimes, I think the weight is the problem, although they do a great job of lighting portraits. Wayne
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hmmm...mine hasnt yet fallen off, [lightsphere II, as in specific to my flashgun] when I get it on properly, which can be a bit of gentle brute force I admit. The biggest problem is if you want to position the flash at 45 degrees, any movement and the weight can pull it down, but as I generally only do this when doing off camera work, so not moving it around, its usually ok.
 
swanseamale47 said:
One problem I have come across with the Gary Fongs are they tend to fall off the flash sometimes, I think the weight is the problem, although they do a great job of lighting portraits. Wayne
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They recommend setting the flash vertical and twisting it to prevent that.

I use both and get better results with the fong but prefer the stofen for convenience.
 
What's the difference between these and the diffuser cap that comes with the SB-800, for example?
 
you'll see no difference in the light from using a stofen or a gary fong light sphere but you will look like a tit with a GF sphere and be significantly worse off money wise.
 
I use the one that came with the SB800 it produces the same results as a real Stofen (I tested this) but doesnt zap as much light. Plus it fits properly and triggers the microswitch to pit the SB800 into 14mm beam mode.

Even if POAH did try and break it attempting to fit it to his Canon 480 :D
 
Ah well, I'm going to stick with the diffuser cap I've got, plus my umbrellas.
 
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