Which diffuser do you prefer???

[rich-hud]

I have been reading this forum for some time and just want to thank all you guys for all of the info that I have learned.

I was wondering which flash diffuser you use and why you prefer it. I will be using it on a 20D with grip with a 580ex and 24-70 F2.8 and 70-200 F2.8 IS lens. It will be used mainly to take pictures of my daughter at home and before and after volleyball games as they don't let you use flash during the games.
Thanks in advance.

[Curtis N]

My favorites are the Lumiquest Promax System and the Lumiquest Softbox, because they make the apparent size of the light source larger, rather than just scattering the light in all directions.

None of them are going to be of any benefit in a gym. "Diffuser" type attachments rely on a low, white ceiling or other suitable bounce surface to do their job.

[Converge]

My favorites are the Lumiquest Promax System and the Lumiquest Softbox, because they make the apparent size of the light source larger, rather than just scattering the light in all directions.

None of them are going to be of any benefit in a gym. "Diffuser" type attachments rely on a low, white ceiling or other suitable bounce surface to do their job.

Ive had my eye on that softbox for a while now....I think its only like $30 on B&H

[AginKajun]

My vote is with Curtis. Lumiquest Promax and Softbox. I find the Softbox also gives me a little more reach since my flash still zooms with the lens. With the 80/20 my flash doesn't follow my lens zoom.

[SkipD]

The 'tupperware' style products are virtually useless in many situations.

I use the LumiQuest Promax System which provides many possible configurations for different situations.

[rich-hud]

Thanks, It look like I will be ordering a Lumiquest Promax system and a Softbox.

[Curtis N]

It look like I will be ordering a Lumiquest Promax system and a Softbox.You probably don't need both. There isn't much that the Softbox can do that the Promax System can't.

A better investment than a second modifier would be a camera rotating flash bracket, which will make the Promax System useful with the camera in vertical orientation.

[delhi]

This is my favourite. It costs me $1 and I made so many variations with it that it is insane!

http://abetterbouncecard.com/

[Titus213]

You can open a can of worms with that question. The ProMax System is probably one of the best all round units you can have but it is problematic in one situation - portrait orientation. It will give you side shadows unless you have a camera rotator bracket. While this is definitely the way to go it adds a minimum of $125 to the cost of your $40 ProMax System.

And for casual, around the house shots I like my LSII.

[redstriker]

This is my favourite. It costs me $1 and I made so many variations with it that it is insane!

http://abetterbouncecard.com/


I am so totally doing that!

[tdaugharty]

Lumiquest for the 580 and panels for the the studio.

[cdifoto]

You can open a can of worms with that question. The ProMax System is probably one of the best all round units you can have but it is problematic in one situation - portrait orientation. It will give you side shadows unless you have a camera rotator bracket. While this is definitely the way to go it adds a minimum of $125 to the cost of your $40 ProMax System.

And for casual, around the house shots I like my LSII.

This is why I won't buy the Promax. I have a rotator bracket but I don't want to be required to use it just to get some bounce/throw action going on. I'd rather use either nothing or a rigged setup. Both options are cheaper. :)

[sapearl]

I've used the Lumiquest products for nearly 20 years, primarly the the pocket bounce. I also like their 80/20 pocket bounce. This is one of those topics that gets A LOT of discussion. Check these previous threads:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=248942

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=256880

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=257860

The lumiquest items are relatively small, flexible and can easily slip into a back pocket or your jacket. They also take up little room in your case. - Stu

[Souwalker]

Anyone from Australia know where I can get that 'miracle foam paper' in Australia? Spotlight? What is it called here?

Thanks
Pat

[redstriker]

Anyone from Australia know where I can get that 'miracle foam paper' in Australia? Spotlight? What is it called here?

Thanks
Pat

have been trying to find out the same thing, its harder to find than i thought!

If i find anything I will certainly let u know

[goforphoto]

Make your own, it is cheaper and does just as good.

[rich-hud]

I bought some of that foam paper @ Walmart last night and made my own and it works great I think as I just got the flash last night also. So I am still learning how to use it. I have been reading the threads about the flash and there is so much to learn.

[Scott_Quier]

Anyone from Australia know where I can get that 'miracle foam paper' in Australia? Spotlight? What is it called here?

Thanks
PatIn the states we have what are called "Arts & Crafts" stores. They usually carry varying grades of art supplies, stuff for the Scrap Bookers, stuff to make home decorations, that sort of thing. I walked into a local one of these, happened to be Michael's but could just has easily been Ben Franklins. Stopped a lady and described what I as looking for. Ten minutes later I was out of the store and on my way home. Michael's calls it "Fun Foam" and it comes in 18" x 12" sheets for about USD$0.97

[sapearl]

You can also do a search on "Foam Core". Artists, design and display houses have used it for years and most sources have it available in a variety of colors. Framing shops, university bookstores, etc. are aso other good places to buy it.

[Ferrell Hurst]

I believe the paper is similar, if it is not the same paper, as would be found in packaging materials. I have seen similar foam papers used to wrap and protect glassware and other fragile products, and if I recall correctly, they exhibit the same flexible characteristics as Mr. Greg Peters' Miracle Foam Paper. As for the store he mentioned, they are found only on the East coast of the United States, specifically: Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Florida. Their web site is: www.ragshop.com (http://www.ragshop.com). Since this chain of stores is referred to as a craft store, I would think other craft supply houses would carry similar products. However I would also try a 'UPS' store, or similar shipping product stores. I believe they are located world wide. The rubber bands he uses are probably found in 'The Rag Shop' as well, but I think I will try making a band using material found in fabric supply houses, which is used for the waist bands of under garments.

[atomick]

FWIW, you can also get "poster board" or "matte board" that is black on one side and white on the other. It's available at most art supply stores. It's not flexible like the foam other posters describe, but is quite rigid and makes solid DIY hotshoe-flash diffusers.

[TMR Design]

FWIW, you can also get "poster board" or "matte board" that is black on one side and white on the other. It's available at most art supply stores. It's not flexible like the foam other posters describe, but is quite rigid and makes solid DIY hotshoe-flash diffusers.

I use this black/white foam board all the time. In the studio it's great because it serves as a reflector and a gobo. If it was white on both sides it would return some light back to the lens. Foam board is cool stuff because you can cut it with ruler and razor blade and shape it or construct anything you like very easily.

[unclokie]

I have a 420 flash and I really like my Lumiquest "Big Bounce". It is large enough to make the light wrap around things and you can use it outdoors or in as it doesn't require a celling at all. Just my $0.02
Uncleokie

[Don Powell]

I, like Spearl, have used the lumiquest products, and especially the 80/20, for many years. I also like to experiment, so I have used the foam material with great success. I use it for macro shots. I refined a flash bracket, such that I have a flash, off the the side, which can be adjusted for angle. I then mount a flash on the hotshoe and place a large piece of this foam protruding out so that is bounces a lot of the light downward, as well as forward. I would also like to add, for those of you that have not used a flash bracket with camera rotation for bounced lighting, will never be satisfied without it. I also think that many people that hate flash, have not used it to it's full potential. If I can make the lighting better, I will do it!

[mmahoney]

I believe the paper is similar, if it is not the same paper, as would be found in packaging materials.

Not really .. the foam paper you want for the better bounce card is thicker than the packing paper found in electronics. The electronics packing is very thin and the foam paper is about 2mm thick.
Mike

[jlozano180]

I was thinking of buying the Sto-Fen OMEY Omni-Bounce Diffuser to use on the 580 that I plan to buy for my 350D canon rebel XT. I plan on using it for car shows and for taking pics at night clubs.

[Don Powell]

I just came back to my post and discovered that I owe Sapearl an apology. I did a typo and spelled his forums name wrong. I am truly sorry. Everyone knows that I try very hard to communicate well, however my spelling is atrocious.

[Curtis N]

You can always go back and edit your post to fix the typos, like I need to do most of the time. ;)

[g-money]

I just came back to my post and discovered that I owe Sapearl an apology. I did a typo and spelled his forums name wrong. I am truly sorry. Everyone knows that I try very hard to communicate well, however my spelling is atrocious.

Don, you relly sud lern too spel bitter. Dat's emparassing :D

Greg