Flash Diffusers

mobilevirgin

mobilevirgin

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What do people use?

I've got a Canon 430EX and I've been thinking about a diffuser. Any recommendations?

This : http://SPAM/awtpjp ?

I'd welcome any coments

Ta

MV
 
Not seen that one before, but really it depends on what you are using flash for and where.

The cheapest cost effective option is the ABBC (a better bounce card), Fab Foam from Hobbycraft or Funky Foam from Range stores (range being cheaper).

The Fong type are ok in smaller rooms or close up, and some people swear by the Stofen but i've not used one.

Dont forget that you can manually zoom the flash to get different effects similar to using a diffuser, i.e. the diffuser spreads the light and you lose some of it, you can manually zoom the flash head out to 24mm and put the wide angle attachment over to spread it further.

Thats assuming the 430 does manual zoom. Personally in rooms with white ceilings close by bouncing with abbc throwing some light forward works well. If there's no ceiling say outdoors then a diffuser will tone down the harshness a bit, but you are better then taking the camera off flash a la Strobist.
 
Bouncing is the way forward. You can use a better bounce card or a stofen to make sure you have some light going forward as well.

To get soft light, you need a large light source and that's only going to come off your ceiling unless you are going to put an umbrella or large softbox on your flash off camera.
 
430 does manual zoom I sometimes have to use that in places where I can't bounce, abetterbouncecard.com (no idea if i spelt tht right) is where they show you how to make the bounce cards, I used normal A4 then photo paper, photo paper is much better, try the other ones like the featherlight ect. Next thing on the list to try is the stofen
 
Thanks all - off to do some research based on these replies.

If anyone else has any further input - I'd be grateful.

MV
 
I have the Gary Fong Lightsphere and it is very good but it's one helluva expensive piece of kit. If you shop around you may get a 2nd hand one,
 
Looking forward to the review. :)
 
mobilevirgin said:
Oh, well, I've ordered one. I'll do a review when it arrives. Figured for the price it would make an interesting exercise.
Click to expand...
Did you get a chance to play with your diffuser yet? That one seems to be not bad.

Personally, I like PRESSlite Vertex and Demb Flip-it!

PRESSlite Vertex flash light modifier gives you a lot of control, but may require some getting used to.
Here is my review: PRESSlite Vertex diffuser review

presslite-vertex-8.jpg
presslite-vertex-6.jpg




Demb Flip-it! flash reflector is popular. Easy to use and produces great results.
The Flip-it! review is here: Demb Flip-it! flash reflector review

demb-flip-it-flash-reflector-2.jpg
demb-flip-it-flash-reflector-9.jpg




There is also a new diffuser that is sold in UK. It's called DiffuseiT.
Very similar to the Demb product but cheaper: DiffuseiT vari-angle flash reflector review

diffuseit-flash-reflector-1.jpg


I hope this helps. Cheers!
 
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