p.1 #1 · What Diffuser for the SB-900? - disappointed with Lumiquest Ultrasoft and Lumiquest Softbox
Dear all,
I made a purchased for the SB-900 flash for my Nikon D300.
The results show quite a harsh lighting for some outdoor portrait shots even though i used the supplied Nikon diffuser. I wanted to obtain a more evenly spread light with less strong shadows and went on to get a Lumiquest Ultrasoft and Lumiquest Softbox. I needed an external diffuser.
Although some members did suggest the Stofen Omni-bounce, there were mixed reviews saying that it only lowered the flash power and from what it looked, it seemed very similar to the supplied nikon diffuser and i didnt get the stofen omni-bounce. The Demb's Flip-It sounded the next best option, but i couldnt get hold of one in time here and shipping direct from the states was just not worth it for me.
The best option i saw was the lumiquest's range of products and i narrowed down to the Lumiquest Ultrasoft and Lumiquest Softbox which i got both.
To my absolute disappointment, both the Lumiquest Ultrasoft and Lumiquest Softbox gave very very similar results to the original nikon supplied diffuser.
I am disappointed. Or was there something that i might have missed? or did i simply made the wrong choice? Or should I have gotten something else? (perhaps the Stofen, or Gary Fong's or Flip-it?)
Or where the settings on the Sb-900 wrong? My current setting is Matrix metering on the camera, and TTL BN on the SB-900. Ive never purchased a third-party diffuser before and the nikon supplied one just doesnt give an even result.
p.1 #2 · What Diffuser for the SB-900? - disappointed with Lumiquest Ultrasoft and Lumiquest Softbox
If you're shooting portraits then something along the lines of a Chimera Mini/Maxi or a Photoflex XS Litedome mounted on a small light stand makes for an ideal setup.
WIth your D300 there's no worries about needing a sync cord or anything like that. All-in-all it's a pretty slick little system.
If you wanted something even "softer", a 24x36" Chimera or Photoflex dome create some super light... even with speedlights.
p.1 #4 · What Diffuser for the SB-900? - disappointed with Lumiquest Ultrasoft and Lumiquest Softbox
I think you misunderstand how the diffusion domes work. By themselves, they don't create a softer light at all because the size of the light source stays the same. The flash head is still a 'bare bulb' (and more so with the dome compared to the small, highly directional light that comes from the flash without the dome) that results in strong shadows and harsh light. These devices are intended to be used indoors, for example, where you have low reflective ceilings, white walls, etc. that function as larger light sources when you spread-out the flash with the dome and bounce the light off the ceilings, walls, panels, etc.
Soft light is created when the light source is large relative to subject size (as a function of distance). A small softbox placed a long distance from the subject will create harsh shadows, but place that softbox at a distance of 1 or 2 times it's diameter (or closer) and you will see much softer light that starts to wrap around the subject.
How big is the Lumiquest softbox and how far away are you using it from your subject?
p.1 #6 · What Diffuser for the SB-900? - disappointed with Lumiquest Ultrasoft and Lumiquest Softbox
Sorry mate, you didn't get the wrong toy. You just expected the wrong results.
You are simply not going to get a large light source look from a small on camera flash. A soft box that is going to make any difference at all is either going to have to be large and off camera or small off camera and very close to the subject.
Your on camera flash will give you 'fill lighting' you still have to expose properly for the scene (without the flash exposure) and then your flash will 'fill' a bit and not be noticeable.
Once again I recommend "Light Science and Magic" and reading all of the Lighting 101 bits on Strobist.com
This is was the XS LiteDome rodrickredsma mentioned will get you, it is off camera to the left of the couple with a SB-800 in it. On camera there is a bare SB-800 controlling and and adding fill.
This setup here is basically giving you a 3 light setup, read all of those Strobist articles and you'll understand it. The sunlight is acting as a rim light, the XS softbox is the key light, and the bare SB-800 is fill.
p.1 #8 · What Diffuser for the SB-900? - disappointed with Lumiquest Ultrasoft and Lumiquest Softbox
Jammy Straub wrote:
Once again I recommend "Light Science and Magic" and reading all of the Lighting 101 bits on Strobist.com
D300,
Jammy's advice to read is on point. I don't think you can go from where you are to a 3 light setup overnight. Read you SB900 manual, in conjunction with the D300 manual. You should be able to at least get a properly exposed pic.
p.1 #9 · What Diffuser for the SB-900? - disappointed with Lumiquest Ultrasoft and Lumiquest Softbox
Good advice all around D300, for the quick and easy dial down your flash +/- compensation in conjunction with your camera metering on matrix and the SB 900 on TTL-BL...chimp. You just need enough flash to fill those shadows and balance with the daylight for a pleasing photo. Nikon has a very good and reliable flash system, be sure and read the manuals to get a better understanding.
Jammy Straub wrote:
Once again I recommend "Light Science and Magic" and reading all of the Lighting 101 bits on Strobist.com
James R wrote:
D300,
Jammy's advice to read is on point. I don't think you can go from where you are to a 3 light setup overnight. Read you SB900 manual, in conjunction with the D300 manual. You should be able to at least get a properly exposed pic.
