Gary Phong Lightsphere

Craig2008

Craig2008

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Craig Thomas
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Hi All,

been reading alot of good things about the Gary Phong Lightsphere is it worth the money? and if you in a jam and have to shoot with flash on the camera will you get reasonably results. Would love someone who has used it to let me know

Cheers
 
got one and its lovely, just personal opinion mind, I have used both cloud and clear and they do make a big difference, reducing the harshness of shadows and being quit egentle for portraits [cloud] whilst powerful enough for action stuff [clear]
 
You could always search for fong or lightsphere. A fair few results come up in this forum. :)
 
I think that it's a pretty expensive piece of kit for what it is.
Nothing you couldn't achieve with a tupperware pot tbh :shrug:

Tupperware pot with the base cut out, and then dependant on what you want it for, you can have foil, white paint on the inside, cloth over the end, or nothing over the end, all producing vastly different results!
 
foodpoison said:
I think that it's a pretty expensive piece of kit for what it is.
Nothing you couldn't achieve with a tupperware pot tbh :shrug:

Tupperware pot with the base cut out, and then dependant on what you want it for, you can have foil, white paint on the inside, cloth over the end, or nothing over the end, all producing vastly different results!
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i like you thinking but wouldn't look that professional at a wedding lol:D
 
Craig2008 said:
Hi All,

been reading alot of good things about the Gary Phong Lightsphere is it worth the money? and if you in a jam and have to shoot with flash on the camera will you get reasonably results. Would love someone who has used it to let me know

Cheers
Click to expand...

Since you considering the Lightsphere you might want as well consider the WhaleTail.
I've done quite some testing with Gary Fong WhaleTail and have the results published in this review: http://photo.greenlightstreet.com/www/index.php?/publisher/articleview/frmArticleID/5/

gary_fong_whaletail_techniques_config_test2.jpg
gary_fong_whaletail_techniques_config_test4.jpg
gary_fong_whaletail_techniques_config_test6.jpg


I keep seeing people asking about the lightsphere. May be I should write a review on that one too :)
 
The lightspere is pretty good, but I have to admit I don't use mine much, I tend to use the so-fens most of the time, not much difference lighting wise and a lot more practical.
The Gary Fong
Pros, nice soft lighting.
Con's, cuts power of flash down, bulky, heavy (for what it is) mine falls off ocasionally, and very overpriced for whats a bit of plastic.
Check out the copy ones, a lot cheaper (or go to poundland and get a tupperware thing) Wayne
 
This is quite interesting as most of my photography is of the kids indoors.
Do these diffusers offer anything better than just bouncing off the ceiling?
 
Karen said:
I find them very good but their downside is they are very cumbersome when you have 2 cameras to contend with at weddings etc and if they do happen to fall off they are a beggar to put back on quickly.
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I have the lghtsphere II, which is sized spefically for different flash units, and I do find it stays on very well indeed if attached firmly in the first place, bu the biggest problem is the weight on the flash hinge, you can have it pointing totally upwards, or totally 90 degrees, anythng inbetween, the weight pulls the head down to 90degrees aain after a few moments. However, as there is rarely need to use it at an angle, its not really a problem, just a minor irritation.

As for bouncing off ceiling, I find the light easier to control with the diffuser, but that might just be me, however, what happens if ceilings are very high, angled [the wrong way] or not there at all?


I think its horses for courses, everyone will have their preferences. If you can manage to borrow one for a day or two, do so, see what you think. ;)
 
They don't only bounce off the ceiling, they spread the light inside the diffuser (which gives a bigger light source in effect) the light also comes out all around, so it's bouncing off walls etc as well, it does soften the light a lot.
Your best bet is take your camera and flash to your local dealer and see if they will let you have a play in shop, you can then see how well it fits your flash and if it's akward to use or not. Wayne
 
The Sto-fen is much easier to use because of the size but I have to say I do rather like the Lightsphere. I can even use it for some off camera flash as it does do a very good job of softening the light. It also does seem to do a very good job of softening without losing too much of the power.

Try the Sto-Fen and the Lightsphere if you can. Working on the hoof I'd probably take a Sto-Fen. Given some time, I'd take the lightsphere. Ideally I'd just have f1.2 lenses!
 
OutLore said:
Maybe not, but once the shoot is done you have something to take some cake home in.
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That might just be the better use for it...

I'm sorry, I also fiddle with building my own flash-based light modifiers but there is NO WAY that you would find me at a wedding or any other paying job with such an awkward, hideous contraption on my camera...IMHO of course
 
They're ok, worth investing in one to go in your kit-bag, sure.

For a serious bit of kit, I'd look at the gigantic Lastolite softbox thing. Yes they do exist!
 
I bought the cloudy and the clear original lightspheres(£80!!) and Rate them very highly indeed especially for 50mm close up portraits .I also purchased a chrome dome insert from microglobe which boosts your flash immensly when you are outdoors ,think it cost around £8 compared to £40 ish for the gary fong version .
 
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