Lightsphere II

[Nilsen]

I have been reading about this Gary Fong Lightsphere thing . Is this a "nice thing too have " or does it really work ?
Or would maybe a softbox for shoe mounted flash be better ?
It would be used taking random portraits .

[Curtis N]

If you do a search for "lightsphere" you are sure to reveal a mountain of threads where it's discussed.

For "random" portraits I think there are better (and cheaper, and less bulky, and more versatile) alternatives. Consider (in order of cost) an index card & rubber band, the Joe Demb Flip-it, the Lumiquest Softbox, or the Lumiquest Promax System.

There are also some low-cost alternatives at this site:
http://abetterbouncecard.com

[deezeljuice]

I have not used a GF Lightsphere. I have taken a strip of foamboard about 1 inch wide and attached it to my flash which is bounced off a white ceiling. The results are very good. There is soft, even illumination and just enough fill to make a pleasant result. I also have a Lumiquest Ultrasoft and the results from the strip of white foamboard are as good as if not better that the Ultrasoft. When there is no white ceiling, the Ultrasoft is the way to go.

[TMR Design]

Just for laughs and to see another side to all of this, check out this thread:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=254577