Which flash diffuser ?

[Olegis]

Now when I got the flash (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=38402), it's time to get a diffuser also. The problem is to choose the best one - and this is where you get into picture 8)
Will I be OK with a regular white Sto-Fen diffuser ? Will bigger diffuser, like one of those LumiQuest Ultrasoft Flash diffusers, provide much better results ? How about one of those inflatable diffusers ?
Please share your word of wisdom and experience with me ...

[RichardtheSane]

Ok, I've got a Sto-fen and I am midly unimpressed... but it isn't really a true diffuser. It diffuses the light but only does a good job when used as bounce flash.

To be honest I have found I prefer to use bounse flash with the 550Ex wide angle adapter extended as it had virtually the same effect but you flash does not have to put out and extra stop or so of light to expose the scene (better on batteries)

I'm considering a lumiquest diffuser for the work I do :)

[scottbergerphoto]

I did some head to head tests a while back with a film camera. While the Stofen is easy to carry around and slip on the flash, it's results are not as pleasing as the Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=32576&is=REG
I don't particlarly like the velcro attachments, but the results are much better then with the Stofen Omni-Bounce. It looks more like an umbrella then the Stofen.
Regards,
Scott

[Olegis]

Thanks Scott.
Isn't the Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer too fragile to wander around with the camera inside crowded areas full of people ?

[BAS1]

Has anyone tried this?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=32428&is=REG

I have Stofen but always looking for something better. Anyone have any thoughts on the above?

Bev

[nosquare2003]

I use Stofen with a self made white card. It is easy to carry. Though the surface area is not big, it's still better than none.

[Olegis]

What do you mean - "self-made white card" ? A white card for what ?

[nosquare2003]

What do you mean - "self-made white card" ? A white card for what ?

Oops! It's just a white card that is sticked to the flash.

("Self-made" is more like a joke since it is just a white card. :P )

[nosquare2003]

BTW, there's a home made softbox from FM:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/A18/

With such large surface, the result will be much better.


(I use only a small white card instead...)

[scottbergerphoto]

Thanks Scott.
Isn't the Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer too fragile to wander around with the camera inside crowded areas full of people ?
Not really. You just don't want it knocking in to people.
Scott

[scottbergerphoto]

What do you mean - "self-made white card" ? A white card for what ?
Take a 3x5 index card and attach it tp the back of the flash with 2 rubber bands. Have it stick above the top of the flash by a few inches with the flash at 45 degress to straight up. It throws some light forward to add to the bounce.
scott

[DaveG]

Now when I got the flash (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=38402), it's time to get a diffuser also. The problem is to choose the best one - and this is where you get into picture 8)
Will I be OK with a regular white Sto-Fen diffuser ? Will bigger diffuser, like one of those LumiQuest Ultrasoft Flash diffusers, provide much better results ? How about one of those inflatable diffusers ?
Please share your word of wisdom and experience with me ...

I like the Sof-fen dome. It's likely to create a bare bulb effect when it bounces against the ceiling and wall - assuming that the ceiling and wall are fairly close to the flash.

Be careful that you understand something about diffusers in general. The only things that will make the light from your flash softer is size and distance. The bigger the light source the softer the light. The closer the light to your subject the softer the light. The light coming out of your flash is very small and is considered a point source. But even if the light source is large, if you put it too far away it too is a point source. You need look any further than the sun to prove that point.

I've watched photographers in large auditoriums use Sto-fens when they had no chance of any bounce effect. But they were thinking that they were softening their light, and all they got was a much weaker point source.

But a diffuser like the Sto-fen has it's place. Reflections off of walls and ceilings will produce a softer light since, as a source, it has grown bigger. And I used my Stofen on a Vivitar 283, with a Nikon film camera and a 20mm lens, as it was the best wide angle diffuser I ever had.

Here's a very inexpensive alternative to a store-bought diffuser:

Get some self adhesive velcro and cut three small strips (4cm long or so) of the soft side. Put one strip each of the velcro on the sides and the top of your flash. Trim the velcro to fit the flash head of course.

Then see if you can find some mostly-white corregated plastic panels. Election signs are wonderful for this and I always take pride in using the losing candidate's signs. You cut up the plastic into rectangles of varrying sizes. On these you stick strips of the hard velcro. Now you can use these panels as fill cards. The corregated plastic is very stiff and very light. You might even be able to use large rectangles that bring us back to the bigger is better, softening effect.

But mostly they're very cheap and since you WILL lose these things that's something to take into account.

[Scottes]

I have a Lumiquest Pocket Bounce and a Lumiquest Ultrasoft as well as a Stofen OmniBounce.

The OmniBounce does a great job at cutting light output. In the right situation - set at 45-degrees with a low white ceiling for bounce - it will do a decent job. It is small and very convenient though, so I don't mind having it.

The Pocket Bounce is great for most things. I like it a lot. It's definitely not as convenient as the StoFen, but it does a much much better job.

And the UltraSoft is great for close, small stuff. I use it a lot for macro shots, and find it superior to the other two for this. Gives nice large soft light.

I'm not a fan of the velcro attachments of the Lumiquests, but they're not so bad. I also have a Better Beamer which came with a large rubber band - sort of like a small tight Ace Bandage made to fit a flash head. I often use this in addition to the velcro and it seems the Lumiquests more solid which makes me feel better. As Scott said, just don't bump into people with it.

[Olegis]

How about the Lumiquest Softbox (http://www.lumiquest.com/lq925.htm) ? It seems to me about the same size as the home-made one from Fred Miranda's site and definitely better quality and durability than any home-made softbox. It can be bought for about $30-32 from ebay (S&H included) ...

[Scottes]

How about the Lumiquest Softbox (http://www.lumiquest.com/lq925.htm) ? It seems to me about the same size as the home-made one from Fred Miranda's site and definitely better quality and durability than any home-made softbox. It can be bought for about $30-32 from ebay (S&H included) ...

That works, too. Less light loss than an Ultrasoft, but more than a Pocket Bounce. More expensive than either, too. But at this oint you might want to look at the Pro Kit - more options, same cost approximately.

[Olegis]

How about the power of the flash ? After all, the 380EX is pretty weak unit, will the diffuser / bouncer still leave me with enough light ?

[Harry Settle]

I have the pocket bounce, the big bounce, and the omnibounce. Last Saturday I used the lumiquest all day set on my 10D with 420ex flash. It was a large, outdoor, birthday party for my father-in-law, under a tent in the bright sun. All I did was point compose and shoot, near perfect results.

[Olegis]

From what I understand, the Luniquest stuff attaches to the flash with velcro, which you stick directly to the flash head. Doesn't it create a problem for attaching the Omni-bounce, which have to be quite tight on the flash ?

[Scottes]

I put the velcro about 3/4" down for that very reason. Not a big deal.

[Olegis]

Thanks.
I think I might end up with both solutions - Omni-bounce and Pocket Bouncer ...

[sjg_studios]

I have the Lumiquest Big Bounce. It's a bit bulky to carry, but the results are what counts. Definitly a keeper when soft lighting is needed.

[VonClev]

I've had really good luck with the Adorama StroboSock. Its basically white nylon diffusion material, with an elastic band around the bottom that allows fast attachement to on- and off-camera flash. Makes your on camera flash look like it has a little chef's cap on - which draws a few comments. Works great in bounce mode. It can be scrunched up, washed, and they're cheap. Adorama has been really hawking these, but for once they're on the money...A good deal.

[Harry Settle]

A funny thing happened to me when I ordered the Omni. . . I ordered it specificaly for the 420, but, it was too large. . . until I added the velcro for the lumiquest. Somehow I lucked into a solution before I knew I had a problem. (HUH?)

[Steveo31]

How about the Lumiquest Softbox (http://www.lumiquest.com/lq925.htm) ? It seems to me about the same size as the home-made one from Fred Miranda's site and definitely better quality and durability than any home-made softbox. It can be bought for about $30-32 from ebay (S&H included) ...
Yeah, I got that one. Haven't used it much, but I don't want to put velcro crap all over my new flash... :(

[Olegis]

I didn't quite understand - did you use the Lumiquest or not ? You had to put the velcro on the flash to use it, from what I know ...

[Aylwin]

I have a Lumiquest kit. It comes with a few different reflectors and a soft box kit. Pretty neat. Apparently there's an elastic velcro band you can wrap around the flash so that it's not permanent. I couldn't find it though so I just had to use the included velcro tape.

The whole thing comes in a nice small package and gives you a few different options for flash. It's good for me because I don't really know what I'm doing most of the time so I like having different options I can try out. I don't know how useful it is for more advanced users though who can make the most of any situation with minimal accessories. Anyway, I like and would recommend it.

By the way, I have this one: http://www.lumiquest.com/lq931.htm

[Olegis]

The kit you're talking about is called Lumiquest Promax Kit. It costs about twice the Pocket Bouncer, at least at ebay.

[Aylwin]

Really? In that case, the Promax Kit might be a pretty good deal. It's a pack of 5 for the price of 2. :)

[Olegis]

I'm not really sure if I need the whole kit ... I think that I rather go with the Sto-Fen Omnibounce + Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer.
Do you have any sample photographs shot with your kit ?

[Harry Settle]

You'll be pleased with your choice. You can always add to your selection as you need.

[Olegis]

Thanks Harry :)
I have ordered the Pocket Bouncer from ebay, hope it will arrive soon. Today I'm planning "a trip" to my local photo store to try the Omnibounce ... I may need it for a model photography tomorrow 8)

[Aylwin]

Better late than never so here are some sample shots: http://www.pbase.com/aylwin/lumiquest_promax

The sample shots are really lame. I just did them in a hurry with no thought into it. It's probably a very bad comparison. No adjustments done, simply resized and saved with a quality setting of 8.

I was actually looking for an Omnibounce but couldn't find the right one for my flash so somehow I ended up with the Promax.

[Olegis]

Thank you Aylwin. I like the soft light produced by the 80-20 with the frosted diffusion screen. But as I said, I already ordered the Pocket Bouncer, which is smaller and also cheaper.
About the Sto-Fen - I did some research in the local photo stores and couldn't find any. Everybody are expecting this specific model to arrive sometime in a next few weeks ... :(
Ebay, here I go again ...