Best flash diffuser/deflector I've found

[excessnoise]

I've tried Stofen Omnibouncer, Lumiquest Softbox & Pocket Bouncer....all having strong and weak points. Recently found and bought a product I like better than all. It is much more versatile and I find better results and less fiddling with the FEC.
It's called "flip-it! jr". Made by a professional photographer.
He makes a larger one for larger cameras. It's about $25 +s/h.
I

What I like about it is you can flip it out of the way if you need full power from your flash or flip it straight up for closeups or flip over for medium distance of up to 15' (approx.). Its really lightweight too. Hopefully it will hold up well.

Just thought I'd share
http://www.joedembphotography.com/flipit/flipit_jr.htm

[TeraGram93013]

WOW! That looks like EXACTLY what I need!

So so cool! Thank you for sharing this.

[defordphoto]

Hmmm...Not sure about that velcro strap deal. Doesn't look too secure. Photos of the device itself do not show it well.

[maderito]

Looks very nifty -- but I have some reservations:

I have the 550 EX which has a diffuser that can be positioned to also serve as a reflecting surface. If you use it in the reflector position and angle the flash head from ~45 to 90 degrees, you get the same functionality as the flip-it jr. device.

The only consistent way I have found to soften light with an on-camera flash is to bounce it off big surfaces - e.g. the ceiling. The demo pics for the flip-it jr. in the 45 degree position still show conspicuous shadows. My experience is that you don't really diffuse the light until you get the flash head pointing at the ceiling. The Stofen Omnibouncer or the 550 EX built in reflector will diffuse the light across the ceiling which provides excellent soft light to the subject (if you have white ceilings).

Finally -- every professional photographer I've seen uses a rubber band and white reflector card on his/her flash. I think I'd lose a few style points showing up with Mr. Flip-it Jr.

Just my thoughts. :roll:

[excessnoise]

I use the flip-it on my 550EX. I agree that the built in diffuser functions much the same as the flip-it. As a matter of fact, after buying all the other diffusers, I always went back to Canon's built in one as I got better colors and more consistent results and it was convenient. But this flip-it is over 3X taller than the built in one so it captures more of the flash but still with the same soft lighting so it works better in areas where you don't have a (white) ceiling above you. I used it in our local mall the other day. If I was over 12' or so (using iso200) I'd flip it out of the way but if I was closer, then I'd flip it down.

My other favorite as far as results was the Lumiquest "softbox" but you have to boost your flash and then you have this huge 'white thing' on top of your camera (not to mention all the velcro needed). Everyone is always asking me "what is that thing!"... brings too much attention to itself. You want to be polite so it tends to be a distraction.

[maderito]

Thanks -- that's very useful feedback.