Gary Fong's Lightsphere II is wonderful, but at $50.00 is a bit expensive. There's a cheaper way to get similar results, check out this link: http://www.abetterbouncecard.com/
I have both the Gary Fong Lightsphere and the Joe Demb Flip-it http://www.joedembphotography.com/flipit/. I like both for different situations. When there is a very high ceiling or dark ceiling, the Lightsphere does not work well for me. I have found the Flip-it to be more versatile than the Lightsphere but the Lightsphere does get good results when the situation is right.
I bought a Flip-It! about a year ago and I am really happy with the results. I especially love that it just stays on my flash and easily fits in my bag that way. No complaints at all, but I am just an amateur.
I use an omni-bounce, which has done well for me (I don't use flash all that often). It seems like you could make the "flip-it" with an index card and rubber band, but that may just be me.
I typically just use the 580's built-in bounce card if I've got a ceiling or a wall to bounce off of. I tried using Omnibounces for a while, but they just eat way too much power to use in high-pressure situations and they throw light everywhere. I recently got a Lumiquest Mini Softbox and was very pleased with the results I got with it this weekend.
I have both an Omni-bounce and a Lightsphere II. I like them both for different situations, but if I had to pick just one, in terms of which diffuses light more, I'd pick the Lightsphere, no contest. It works remarkably well.
It does have three downsides to it, at least for me: 1) it cuts the flash's power; 2) it warms the flash's light; 3) it's larger than other flash diffusers. If you can live with those issues, it's superb.
I now have the Lightsphere PJ and love it. I do bump the flash up a third or sometimes two depending on the situation, but the ability to get nice even light without shadow when changing to a vertical shot from horizontal makes it nice.
Also since this version is soft, it makes storage easier. I've pretty much used it exclusively with the 24-70 L
There is no "best" all work better than others for given situations.
sometimes no diffuser and just a bracket is best, other times a LS works great, maybe a mini softbox, maybe off camera flash on a stand.
it just all depends on the look you want, the the enviroment your shooting in.
Generally speaking with a little knowhow, any and all of them can produce pleasing results.
A good shooter with an index card and rubber band can produce amazing shots, an unskilled shooter can have access to every accessory in the book, 3 or 4 flasheads, an assistant and still have horrible shots
Lightsphere II gives remarkable, idiot proof results. Best flash diffuser I have ever seen and I have seen more than a few over the last 30 years. The soft version is easier to carry than the older hard plastic one.
Okay i just went to the gary fong e-store and now i'm really confused. If you had to choose between a flash bracket (rrs was what i was planning on) or just a light sphere for portraits what would you get? I already have an omni bounce and i agree that it sucks way too much power from the flash.
Flip-It Pro (Flip-It + diffuser) and Lightsphere are a good combination that compliment each other. Each has its strengths. I like both more than Omnibounce. I own all three.
Joe Demb Flash Diffuser Pro, hands down the winner. It packs completely flat, totally controlable, can throw more light forward than any other flash card rubber band combo.
Hrow wrote:
Lightsphere II gives remarkable, idiot proof results. Best flash diffuser I have ever seen and I have seen more than a few over the last 30 years. The soft version is easier to carry than the older hard plastic one.
hardly idiot proof, ive seen guys using them pointed upwards outdoors with the dome off. Bouncing over the clouds or maybe the belly of that jet at 30,000 feet maybe ?
I've got the LS Cloudy like the results it gives me but you have to be careful with them, easy to knock off the end of the flash and move the flash head about, then we come to carrying the bugger it takes up a lot of space in your bag i take the top off mine store in the bag, throw a loop thourgh the LS and carry it on the outside of my bag - backpack
Graham
I have the Demb Diffuser Pro(Flip-it plus diffuser) by Joe Demb and it has given me some very nice shots, even outdoors. It's $30 vs $50 for the Lightpshere. Plus the Lightsphere only works on the flash that you specify when you buy it, whereas the Demb Diffuser Pro works on any flash.
I think the Demb Diffuser Pro and the Lightsphere II by Gary Fong are your two best bets. I still want to try the LSII to compare it.
