Want to buy a diffuser for my 580EX

[shakin360]

I want to get a diffuser for my 580ex. I'm between the LumiQuest's 80-20, Westcott's Micro Apollo Softbox, and the LSII. I've heard some good and bad about the LSII. I've seen a lot of people have the other two, but haven't heard many opinions about them. I don't really want to spend more than $50. Which one do you recommend, or should I get more than one. I know the LSII is about 50, but I can get the other two for the same price. ANy other recommendations.

I'd like to order them tonight, so any help would be great!

[SkipD]

My suggestion (plenty of personal experience using one) is the Lumiquest Promax System (see http://www.lumiquest.com/lq931.htm). This kit provides quite a bit of versatility in how it is used.

I don't care for any of the various "tupperware" diffusers. They all really depend on having nearby walls and/or ceiling surfaces (or reflectors you put in place to emulate them) to work properly. They all scatter light from the flash in many directions, lowering the effectiveness of the flash. The Lumiquest setup controls the direction of the light, putting more light on the subject

[richardho11]

I have the lightsphere PSII and the Lumiquest mini softbox, so far I think the lighsphere PSII performs better but I will have to run more tests. I will order the Lumiquest Promax soon and test that as well. Or if you get it sooner, could you post some photos? :D

[Titus213]

I have the Lumiquest ProMax System that Skip mentions. And I have the LSII Portrait. I like the ProMax System. It is versatile but...you need a bracket and off-shoe cord to use it properly in the portrait position. That adds $100 to the cost, minimum. Probably the best way to go for the best pictures. The LSII works fairly well in the portrait position as well as landscape. As to the bounce - I'm not sure. I don't have a bracket so I use the LSII. It seems to work with ceilings and walls over 40 feet away. Perhaps not as well as in a small, white room, but it works.

I'm not at all sure about the new LSII and its need to bounce. The LSII Portrait was not meant to be used that way per the instructions.

[Amorous]

I also have a LS II PJ and recently added the internal dome. So far, I'm very happy with the results. No comment on others since I don't have those.

[Wilt]

I've shot many weddings with the Wescott Micro Apollo on my Metz on medium format film, and always loved the results with it. I dislike the dependent of bounce on big 'Flying Nun' units like Lumiquest or those like Stoffen which depend on white nearby ceilings (wedding pros know better than to assume ceiling is white and it's close enough to give you intensity you want)

[shakin360]

hmmm.... I do shoot a lot in portrait mode and wasn't planning on getting a bracket just yet. Now I'm stuck between the softbox and the promax. I'm so indecisive. Would it be worth getting both?

or maybe the PSII... grrr

[.me]

Amorous , can you go outside, and take a picture of a person at night with your gear please?

I'm just deciding between the Lumiquest Promax System and the LS II PJ

[shakin360]

i was just looking more at the promax...one of the attachments is a softboxor something similar right? So now I just need to decide between that and the LSII

[Hermeto]

i was just looking more at the promax...one of the attachments is a softboxor something similar right? So now I just need to decide between that and the LSII


I just did it!
Just this minut I ordered 580EX and Lumiquest Promax System from B&H.

Oh God, I have the best wife in the World, L class! :lol:

[Titus213]

As I said above, the ProMax System is pretty neat. Lots of options for reflecting light, diffusing light, etc. I especially like the 80/20 capability. You'll love it. In Landscape mode.:lol:

[jjonsalt]

I have both LumiQuest's 80-20 and Westcott's Micro Apollo Softbox. They serve different needs. I had thought about getting the ProMax kit for the 80-20 but don't feel the need and I like the Micro Apollo's softbox better than the add-on to the 80-20: it's a larger diffusing serface, it's more direct and the MA uses the same material used on larger softboxes. Does it make a difference? I really don't know , but, the setup I got was only a few dollars more than the complete ProMax setup.

[richardj7]

You could get away from not using any type of diffuser or modifier if you really learned how to use your flash in different situations. However, sometimes, you need to boost the results a bit more. Lots of people do not even think to use the wide angle gadget on their flash that can be used as a vertical reflector, or the white card in the 580, or even a business card rubberbanded around the flash.

I have the Stofen, Lumiquest Big Bounce, both the LSII's (Portraitist and Photojournalist), and I'm beginning to like the Flip-it very much because of its price, portability, very little weight, fast and easy to put aside when not in use, and flexibility for the type of light you want on your subject when the flash is shot vertical. Take a look at it. It's worth it.

http://www.joedembphotography.com/flipit/

[.me]

interesting thingy up there, on a flash, any demos? :D :D :D

[jjonsalt]

You could get away from not using any type of diffuser or modifier if you really learned how to use your flash in different situations. I have the Stofen, Lumiquest Big Bounce, both the LSII's (Portraitist and Photojournalist)...

Hah?

[richardj7]

Yep! After having spent and using lots of flash modifiers, I'm looking at guys like Yervant and Denis Reggie who don't use anything else than a stofen or nothing, and look at their great photos. Did Gary Fong use a lightsphere when he made $700,000.00 (so he says) a year in wedding photography? Nope. He invented it later on. So what should we conclude....?

For .me: As soon as I have the time, I will do a comparative shoot with all the gadgets I have, including the latest "Flip-it", and I'll post the results here.

[Mike Bell]

For .me: As soon as I have the time, I will do a comparative shoot with all the gadgets I have, including the latest "Flip-it", and I'll post the results here.

Good man! We need MORE sample pics and (maybe) FEWER opinions!:lol:

[Amorous]

Amorous , can you go outside, and take a picture of a person at night with your gear please?

I'm just deciding between the Lumiquest Promax System and the LS II PJ
I'll try to take and post it tonight.

[SgWRX]

on page 2 of this thread: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=126311

i have one shots comparing the 80-20 to the LSPJ. i think the 80-20 would be pretty good as that pro-max kit with the diffusers and such.

[Amorous]

Amorous , can you go outside, and take a picture of a person at night with your gear please?

I'm just deciding between the Lumiquest Promax System and the LS II PJ
Here are two shot with LSII PJ. The first one with the internal dome, and second one without.

[.me]

She is cute, and the results are not that bad after all... I wonder what it will look like with Promax System @ night...

Thanks a lot for what you've done!
Cheers