Stofens...

[ChrisMClark]

As I understand it, stofen diffusers are an excellent little item for diffusing flashguns. But what I'm wondering is how much of a loss of output do they cause on a flsahgun of a guide number of, say, 36?

 

[unclened]

In my experience they can sap a fair amount of your output. I only ever use it if i am in a venue with high ceilings and nowhere to bounce from.

 

[HoppyUK]

They lose a lot of light, but mainly because they spread it everywhere and the amount that gets bounced back to the subject varies enormously according to the surroundings.

If you use a Stofen outside* where there is zero light coming back, the small amount that goes direct to the subject is dramatically reduced - like several stops.

*Edit: also, because there is no light coming back from surrounding surfaces outside, there is zero softening of the light either (Stofen doesn't actually make the size of the original light source any bigger).

 

[ChrisMClark]

Cheers guys, that's all I needed the hear!

 

[Canon Bob]

The guide number is reduced to 40% of the naked flash head with a genuine Sto-fen but clones may vary.

Bob

 

[ChrisMClark]

The guide number is reduced to 40% of the naked flash head with a genuine Sto-fen but clones may vary.

Bob

Couldn't ask for a better answer Bob, thanks muchly!