Flash diffusion

padi89

Im just wondering what people out there use, or found the best for flash diffusion.I have been having a read here and there over the past few months and i have come across Stofen, Gary Fong etc.Then i attended a wedding recently and i noticed the photographer using what looked like a homemade one, very similar to abetterbouncecard.com
I didn't get a chance to ask nor did i feel it was the right time to but im pretty sure that's what she was using.Logically it makes sense, has anyone tried it and what type paper did you use?

PopeBuckfastXVI

I use a stofen omnibounce, it's pretty good.

I think the gary fong lightsphere one is huge, mightn't be too practical for lugging about?

Of the last few weddings I've been at the photographers have been using what appears to be an a4 (or maybe smaller) white card attached with elastic bands so it makes a sort of half cylinder spreading out wider at the end farthest from the flash, that's probably what your woman was using.

I imagine it's probably the best diffuser (better than products on the market) if so many pros are using it. Makes you think about spending money on accessories I guess!

padi89

PopeBuckfastXVI wrote: »

Makes you think about spending money on accessories I guess!

Nail > Head

I think i may try some photo printing paper and see how i get on.I don't mind if i have to pay for a product but if a homemade device is better then whats the point.

Borderfox

I use a Stofen and find its grand so long as you bounce it.

Tactical

I also use a Stofen Omnibounce.

It has its uses.

CabanSail

I have a LumiQuest Softbox which I find quite good.



Probably could build something similar at home but they are not that expensive & it looks good. I side mount it from the camera.

CabanSail

I forgot to mention I bought mine from the 7dayshop when it was on Special. They still have them at a good enough price (£17.99) but were almost giving them away a few months ago

Cameraman

Best material for this is "Funky Foam" - from hobby shops or Easons.

Cut it to size and use rubber bands to fix it to the flash. Can easily be bent and folded into the required size/shape without creasing (unlike paper).

Freddie59

CabanSail wrote: »

I forgot to mention I bought mine from the 7dayshop when it was on Special. They still have them at a good enough price (£17.99) but were almost giving them away a few months ago

Do they work? Are they better than a diffuser?:)

CabanSail

Seems to work fine. I have a small clip on diffuser, which I have not used yet so can't compare. Would still prefer to bounce the flash when possible but that is not always possible. This is a small soft box, so not as compact as a clip on diffuser but the light should be a bit softer too.

liamtinney

I think I have bought every defuser going including all of the above, so I tested them all one day on 3 different set up's, one close up, one to cover a wide setup, and one with strong light coming through the window and a white dress in front, and the Gary Fong Lightsphere (copy £5.00 of ebay) came out the best on all three times

padi89

Cameraman wrote: »

Best material for this is "Funky Foam" - from hobby shops or Easons.

Cut it to size and use rubber bands to fix it to the flash. Can easily be bent and folded into the required size/shape without creasing (unlike paper).

"Funky Foam", that's what im after, tried some photo printing paper but i think the gloss finish and the fact that it creases gives iffy results.Il have a look today for some.

*Dallas

im still using popup flash (yawn), but saw this link, you might find useful:

http://home.comcast.net/~dougsmit/bounceflashtoys.html

padi89

*Dallas wrote: »

im still using popup flash (yawn), but saw this link, you might find useful:

http://home.comcast.net/~dougsmit/bounceflashtoys.html

Ha ! Allsorts, i don't think i could use bubble wrap, the urge to burst it would be too much.
What got me looking around was this site and the fact i saw pro's using similar
http://www.abetterbouncecard.com/