When to use a Stofen diffuser?

cambsno

cambsno

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Had a play around tonight to see the different results different flash setups would generate. Using my Nikon sb600 I took the following:

- Flash aimed straight at subject
- As above but with the spring loaded reflector which forms part of the flash
- As above but with the Stofen diffuser

Then the same 3 but this time bounced off ceiling.

The plain flash bounced was virtually perfect, all the others were too weak/harsh/gave too much shadow on subject - so what is the point of a diffuser. I see plenty of these on 'pro togs' so they must do something?
 
well... when theres no ceiling would be the obvious answer :)
 
cambsno said:
The plain flash bounced was virtually perfect, all the others were too weak/harsh/gave too much shadow on subject - so what is the point of a diffuser. I see plenty of these on 'pro togs' so they must do something?
Click to expand...

because you never adjusted the FEC
 
Stofen is intended for bounce-fill lighting. It only works indoors, preferably in a small light room, with a normal height ceiling. It needs quite a powerful gun as it spreads light everywhere; that's how it works, and it is all the light bounced back from the surroundings that gives the nice effect.

Angle the flash at 45 degrees. Light will now be projected forward to the subject, but is also diffused to spread out all around the ceiling and walls. So you get both bounce flash illumination, and some direct flash light which is usually a very attractive combination. If you want more bounce light and less direct flash, point the gun directly upright.

Use TTL auto, but if the pictures are too dark a) add plus exposure compensation, or if this doesn't work because maybe the flash is already at full power, b) use a lower f/number, and/or c) increase the ISO.
 
HoppyUK said:
Stofen is intended for bounce-fill lighting. It only works indoors, preferably in a small light room, with a normal height ceiling. It needs quite a powerful gun as it spreads light everywhere; that's how it works, and it is all the light bounced back from the surroundings that gives the nice effect.

Angle the flash at 45 degrees. Light will now be projected forward to the subject, but is also diffused to spread out all around the ceiling and walls. So you get both bounce flash illumination, and some direct flash light which is usually a very attractive combination. If you want more bounce light and less direct flash, point the gun directly upright.

Use TTL auto, but if the pictures are too dark a) add plus exposure compensation, or if this doesn't work because maybe the flash is already at full power, b) use a lower f/number, and/or c) increase the ISO.
Click to expand...


Thanks. Will have another play with he flash cranked up a little.
 
cambsno said:
Had a play around tonight to see the different results different flash setups would generate. Using my Nikon sb600 I took the following:

- Flash aimed straight at subject
- As above but with the spring loaded reflector which forms part of the flash
- As above but with the Stofen diffuser

Then the same 3 but this time bounced off ceiling.

The plain flash bounced was virtually perfect, all the others were too weak/harsh/gave too much shadow on subject - so what is the point of a diffuser. I see plenty of these on 'pro togs' so they must do something?
Click to expand...

That's not a reflector it's a wide angle diffuser, when you employ it the flash is automatically set at it's widest beam pattern, in the SB-600's case that's 14mm...
 
cambsno said:
Thanks. Will have another play with he flash cranked up a little.
Click to expand...

Use the flash in auto TTL and it will crank itself up.

Use manual settings on the camera if you prefer, but I would leave the flash on auto. Fully manual flash is a real headache as the exposure can vary a lot even with slight changes in distance.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
That's not a reflector it's a wide angle diffuser, when you employ it the flash is automatically set at it's widest beam pattern, in the SB-600's case that's 14mm...
Click to expand...

I agree, I think you've missed the point on some of these.
+1 to using the difuser at 45 degrees, which should set your flash unit zoom to wide angle

the stopen difusers are handy, esp indoors, but have a place outdoors for me too. or use the catch light part of the flash as a reflector. that works nicely outdoors as a fill flash
 
I would be totally lost without the diffusers for my flashes. For outdoor work they're absolutely essential to just cut back on that harshness you get with straight flash, especially on subjects that have a mixture or reflective surfaces. Don't really use my wideangle flip-up thingy... shame on me ;)
 
POAH said:
examples here

http://www.avforums.com/forums/digi...bency-diffuser-aka-gary-fong-lightsphere.html
Click to expand...

In that link, it is clear that by far the major differentiating factor is the bounce off the ceiling, and the size and height of the room will make a far greater difference than the brand of diffuser.

I like the Stofen because it works, it's discreet and robust. Fong should be a little softer if you're close, but you look like a goon. I like the Lumiquest Quik because it does everything pretty well - soft fill, bounce/fill, doesn't waste light out of the back, vertical or horizontal, packs flat, you only look like a semi-goon. http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-lumiquest-quik-bounce/p1031217
 
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