Outdoor Diffuser for 580 EX II

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jpwild

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I am about to receive a 580EX II soon.I have just purchased a Younghou receiver / transmitter and about to receive a 5D MK II. I will be using 17-40, 24-70 and 70-200 F4 lens.

I am going to try portrait photography, but not so much so I don't think I will need reflectors etc or a heavy setup with umbrellas etc. At least not at this moment anyway. Though that is something I will read and try and learn more of.

What I am going to attempt is to use this flash for various things:

Whether it's lighting up a leaf on the ground, attempt to overpower sunlight for a subject or light up a dark area in a scene. Something I'd like try anyway even if I do fail. Even light up an object at night.

I quite like the idea though of bouncing light of certain materials indoors.

Any solution will have to be very portable in a Vertex 200 backpack.

Just wondering what the best solution to diffusing light so that it's softer on the subject as such listed above. I looked at the Stoffen range, but not so sure if good for use outdoors. I am also very new to this area of photography.

Just wondered if someone could give me some pointers with diffusers. Thanks.
 
Simple rule is, the larger the light source, the softer the shadows. Which is why a Stofen is useless outdoors - it needs reflective sufaces to bounce off, like a ceiling or walls, and they then become the (much larger) light source.

Outdoors you don't have anything to bounce off, so you have to carry your own. Take a look at the Lumiquest range www.lumiquest.com IMHO they make the best flash modifiers - they work well and they fold away flat. Plenty to choose from.

The Lumiquest videos and tutorials are good too. Give you an idea of how things work.
 
HoppyUK said:
Simple rule is, the larger the light source, the softer the shadows. Which is why a Stofen is useless outdoors - it needs reflective sufaces to bounce off, like a ceiling or walls, and they then become the (much larger) light source.

Outdoors you don't have anything to bounce off, so you have to carry your own. Take a look at the Lumiquest range www.lumiquest.com IMHO they make the best flash modifiers - they work well and they fold away flat. Plenty to choose from.

The Lumiquest videos and tutorials are good too. Give you an idea of how things work.
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Ah interesting. I'll have a a look after work tonight.
 
I've used the flashgun pointing backwards bouncing off a large reflector before. You look a little awkward holding the reflector on your neck/shoulder but it works.
 
Why don't you just make one? An A4 piece of white card or paper would work fine a bit of masking tape to fit it in place and bobs your uncle. Seriously I have used this on a few occasions when I've forgotten to pack my Lightsphere.. Doesn't look too professional though..
 
WOW some fantastic products and information on that Lumniquest. Already learned couple of new things. Just got to filter the one or two things I need and should be set! Whole new world is flash photography.
 
jpwild said:
WOW some fantastic products and information on that Lumniquest. Already learned couple of new things. Just got to filter the one or two things I need and should be set! Whole new world is flash photography.
Click to expand...

Glad you liked that site :) Lumiquest understand flash, and their products work in a fuss-free and refreshingly bullcrap-free way (strobisty stuff has more than its fair share of bull...).

I don't know where you are at with all the stuff you've ordered, lovely kit that it is, but if you're new to all this then I'm inclined to say just stick with the 24-70 at first and don't confuse the learning process with too much kit ;)

So, having said that, these are the key things you need to know about flash lighting principles:
The bigger the light source, the softer the shadows. And the light gets relatively bigger/smaller with distance, in relation to the subject.
When you double the distance, the light is reduced to one quarter, ie it falls away very rapidly (inverse square law).
Light bounces off a surface at the same angle that it strikes it, like a snooker ball off the cushion.

Flash seems to get a bit overlooked compared to all the excitement over lenses and stuff, but it will not only enhance your pictures dramatically, but open up completely new creative opportunities. Get to know about high speed sync, and second curtain sync.

And perhaps before you get carried away, use the flash without any modifier - just bounce it. Point it anywhere except directly at the subject. Then have a go with the little pull-out hilight panel. If you know what you're doing, you can do a heck of a lot just by bouncing and using the hilight panel.

That FlashBender Mark linked to looks very handy and seems to be getting a few good mentions. My modifier of choice is the Lumiquest Quik Bounce, because it does so many things well, indoors and out. But I won't go on :D
 
HoppyUK said:
Glad you liked that site :) Lumiquest understand flash, and their products work in a fuss-free and refreshingly bullcrap-free way (strobisty stuff has more than its fair share of bull...).

I don't know where you are at with all the stuff you've ordered, lovely kit that it is, but if you're new to all this then I'm inclined to say just stick with the 24-70 at first and don't confuse the learning process with too much kit ;)

So, having said that, these are the key things you need to know about flash lighting principles:
The bigger the light source, the softer the shadows. And the light gets relatively bigger/smaller with distance, in relation to the subject.
When you double the distance, the light is reduced to one quarter, ie it falls away very rapidly (inverse square law).
Light bounces off a surface at the same angle that it strikes it, like a snooker ball off the cushion.

Flash seems to get a bit overlooked compared to all the excitement over lenses and stuff, but it will not only enhance your pictures dramatically, but open up completely new creative opportunities. Get to know about high speed sync, and second curtain sync.

And perhaps before you get carried away, use the flash without any modifier - just bounce it. Point it anywhere except directly at the subject. Then have a go with the little pull-out hilight panel. If you know what you're doing, you can do a heck of a lot just by bouncing and using the hilight panel.

That FlashBender Mark linked to looks very handy and seems to be getting a few good mentions. My modifier of choice is the Lumiquest Quik Bounce, because it does so many things well, indoors and out. But I won't go on :D
Click to expand...

Yes, I've bough the flash for creative reasons - at least to try and learn this aspect of photography because the sort of images that can be photgraphed are stunning and I'd love to try similar stuff.

You are bang on correct about not trying to much at once so I will use the flash when my gear arrives of Kerso next week and and try it then. Yes, I may get shadows I don't like, but I think I need to see things that are wrong to understand aspects of flash photography.

I have bookmarked some products on the Lumniquest site that do interest me and I think I will go down that road for softbox option, but like you said wise to not jump into the deep end just yet. Obviously may get a bounced option - depending what I end up using flash more for.

At least I've got some idea now of where to go and what to get in the near future.
 
Hmmm am still no closer to purchasing. Wealth of options available and and a flick though Flickr to see various options.

1) Lumiquest Softbox options: I like all of these, but since most of the Lumiquest softboxes block the various flash beams that does concern me. Is that a massive issue if the AF beam is obstructed?

2) Had a look at Quikbounce and 80/20 and I think either would be great for indoors. However, I also need an option for outdoor portraits in landscape environment that spreads the light and softens it - it must attach to the flash head. I am not that interested in umbrellas or reflectors yet. Again, most be able to fit in to my Vertex 200 backpack.

3) I have a Youngnuo wireless kit, but looking for an option of the TTL cord. Is there any good ebay options? I bought Yongnuo from Cotsworld photo, but I don't think they sell any OC-E3 clones, and the price of the official Canon one is pricey for what it is.

Cheers.
 
jpwild said:
Hmmm am still no closer to purchasing. Wealth of options available and and a flick though Flickr to see various options.
Click to expand...

What's the problem? If you want softer shadows, then the biger the light source, and the closer it is used, the softer it will be. You have to balance that against practicality. TBH Lumiquest make some pretty big ones for on-camera use - anything larger needs to go off-camera on a stand. And they fold away flat. Plenty of other mini softboxes around, but they all do the same thing, for a given size.

1) Lumiquest Softbox options: I like all of these, but since most of the Lumiquest softboxes block the various flash beams that does concern me. Is that a massive issue if the AF beam is obstructed?
Click to expand...

You don't need the AF beam in normal light. Or even quite poor light. AF assist is normally disabled on all my flash guns anyway, but if you use flash in darkness or near darkness (parties etc) then you're obviously going to need it. Lumiquest make several that don't block the AF beam.

2) Had a look at Quikbounce and 80/20 and I think either would be great for indoors. However, I also need an option for outdoor portraits in landscape environment that spreads the light and softens it - it must attach to the flash head. I am not that interested in umbrellas or reflectors yet. Again, most be able to fit in to my Vertex 200 backpack.
Click to expand...

Both the QB (with flaps closed) and 80/20 (with insert fitted) work outdoors, as well as giving the bounce option indoors. They are not the biggest though.

3) I have a Youngnuo wireless kit, but looking for an option of the TTL cord. Is there any good ebay options? I bought Yongnuo from Cotsworld photo, but I don't think they sell any OC-E3 clones, and the price of the official Canon one is pricey for what it is.

Cheers.
Click to expand...

Plenty of E-TTL cords about. Amazon?
 
Yeah, going to order the Yongnoua OC-E3 cord for wired Ettl options, and going to go with the promax system with the inserts. Seen some images on flickr and I sort of like them.
 
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