Gary Fong Lightsphere, G6, 420EX flash - any experienced users?

[gardenstate]

After reading about the Gary Fong Lightsphere II and seeing what it can do on his website, I just placed an order for one to fit my Canon 420EX flash. Until now, I had been using the Lumiquest pocket bounce flash with opaque diffuser to soften the light.

http://store.garyfonginc.com/liiido.html

Anyone have experience with the Gary Fong unit, G6, and 420EX flash? Best settings?

Thanks.

The gear ---Canon G6, 420EX flash, Canon teleconverter, Lumiquest pocket bouncer, Bogen monopod and tripod, Quantuum 1+ battery for extended flash shooting, and PANOSAURUS (pano head)

[twalker294]

I use the LS with my 10D/420EX and it works great. It's easily the best flash modifier I've ever bought and I've bought plenty. It works great in the 90 degree bounce position without the dome (I have the original version of the LS, not the new soft vinyl one,) and for outdoor fill it works great with the dome in place. Here is one of my favorite shots with the LS used as fill with the dome:

http://www.twphotography.net/jalbum/morris_proofs/CRW_3548.jpg

Yes the LS is pricey but IMHO it's worth every penny.

[Don Ellis]

Hi Todd... thanks for that photo. The baby's even happier than you are. :)

I don't like flash photography, but when I do screw it on, I use the Sto-fen Omnibounce. I am, however, always willing to consider something better. Unfortunately, I find Gary Fong's website and product descriptions to be unfathomable. Everything you click seems to take you to the video... "Ok, Jamie, come on in here..."

There's the Lightsphere with and without dome, I guess. And the Lightsphere PJ (Photo-Journalist). But I don't many details on the "with and without" and very little on the PJ. So I've never been able to decide with any confidence which I want, if any.

He also doesn't give any dimensions, so you've got no idea if you even want the hassle of carrying it around. Yes, it's vinyl, but there are stiff and pliable vinyls. Does the thing mash down or are you carrying a basketball around with you? Does the PJ version fold up? Since there's no top on the PJ, I assume that straight-on flash is just your normal flash (which isn't what you want), so you need to angle the flash at all time. Etc., etc.

Since he's not answering these questions to my satisfaction, he's not making any sales in Hong Kong. :)

It was good to hear your experience, though. Now go clone out that single blade of grass due west of baby's ear. :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Don

[blacksmurf]

uh-oh... that's really impressive! :shock:

[twalker294]

It was good to hear your experience, though. Now go clone out that single blade of grass due west of baby's ear. :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Don

Thanks a lot Don -- I've never noticed that before and now it's all I'll see when I look a that picture if I don't clone it out :confused:

[Don Ellis]

Thanks a lot Don -- I've never noticed that before and now it's all I'll see when I look a that picture if I don't clone it out :confused:
It is amazing how easy it is to focus on something and miss the surroundings. As long as you're cloning -- and accepting commentary so graciously -- try it on that angled brown straw near the right elbow running off the left frame. :mrgreen: (I'm finished now -- the rest is perfect.)

When you've finished you can tell me about carrying your Lightsphere around -- lightweight? bulky? do you use the dome? do you have the dome? how is it attached? Etc., etc.

Thanks a lot.

Don