The Pocket Bouncer has arrived - first samples [Archive]

Olegis

2nd of August 2004 (Mon), 13:09

The Pocket Bouncer has arrived today, so I set it on the flash and took some shots. The diffused effect is awesome, the bouncer produces very nice and soft lighting. Judge for yourself :

http://www.pbase.com/image/32105433.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/32105478.jpg

blinking8s

2nd of August 2004 (Mon), 13:12

what does a pocket bouncer look like?

steven

2nd of August 2004 (Mon), 13:17

Take a look

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=32576&is=REG :)

Scottes

2nd of August 2004 (Mon), 13:32

Nice diffusion on the pics. Definitely soft edges. This is a nice tool for macro shots.

Take a look

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=32576&is=REG :)

One thing to note is that it folds flat quite nicely.

dsze

2nd of August 2004 (Mon), 15:54

How does this pocket bouncer work for portraits? Same general effectiveness as with your macro shots? Also, how would you guys compare it to something like the Omnibounce?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=216907&is=REG

-daniel

Scottes

2nd of August 2004 (Mon), 16:48

How does this pocket bouncer work for portraits? Same general effectiveness as with your macro shots? Also, how would you guys compare it to something like the Omnibounce?

There's been a number of recent threads with people discussing the OmniBounce and various Lumiquests. I like the Pocket Bounce, love the UltraSoft for macro, and don't like the OmniBounce but find it convenient.

Many opinions can be found by running a Search here, for the words "lumiquest" and "omnibounce" - this should you return you a bit of reading.

dsze

2nd of August 2004 (Mon), 16:52

...sorry, I just saw this post and the question came to mind... didn't even think to search..
:oops:

-daniel

Harry Settle

2nd of August 2004 (Mon), 18:19

I know a couple of photographers that shoot weddings using the omnibounce on a 550ex that get excellent results. I used the pocketbounce for a family bar'b que a couple of weeks ago, on my 420ex. Shot all day, bright sunlight, used it as fill flash. Never checked a setting (I got lucky). The results were amazing. For the price, if you don't have one in your bag, you're missing a tool.

dsze

2nd of August 2004 (Mon), 18:27

Thanks Harry..

Scottes

2nd of August 2004 (Mon), 19:46

Kabz

2nd of August 2004 (Mon), 20:02

does it click up?

yeaton

2nd of August 2004 (Mon), 20:28

I use the OmniBounce and the Lumiquest 80/20 a lot at my weddings. I have the Pocket Bounce too, but I prefer the 80/20. I'm saving for the 550...can't wait to see the results with that flash.

Matthew

Harry Settle

2nd of August 2004 (Mon), 23:53

...sorry, I just saw this post and the question came to mind... didn't even think to search..

No worries! But you'll find that a LOT has been mentioned about this very recently.

But if you bring it up again, we'll all start fighting - OmniBouncers against the PocketBouncers with the Ultrasofters running around yelling "Macros!" and trying not to get hit with stuff.

9]Just kidding, of course. They were good discussions.[/size]

Don't see a need for a war, both the omni and the pocket bounce (including the rest of the lumiquest line) are good tools for the bag. Just like any tool, they all have their uses. The trick is for us to find which uses work for us to get the job done properly.

Olegis

2nd of August 2004 (Mon), 23:56

Here are two portraits, shot with the Pocket Bouncer 8) :

http://www.pbase.com/image/32106097.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/32106066.jpg

I like the diffused directional light the Pocket Bouncer produces, it looks somewhat better than bare flash bounced from the ceiling.

BTW, here is the original thread I started a week or two ago about flash diffusers - http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=38510 . A lot of useful info there :wink:

blinking8s

3rd of August 2004 (Tue), 00:03

so much to learn, so little money :(

i cannot wait to add a flash to my arsenal

Adam Hicks

3rd of August 2004 (Tue), 09:34

I'm about to order one of these now. Should I expose +1 or +2 with this on? Adjust FEC? Won't this result in slightly underexposed images if adjustments are not made?

Thanks for any help!
Adam

Mike H

3rd of August 2004 (Tue), 10:20

I'm about to order one of these now. Should I expose +1 or +2 with this on? Adjust FEC? Won't this result in slightly underexposed images if adjustments are not made?

Thanks for any help!
Adam

No need to compensate if you're using an automated system. The on-board computer will do it for you.

Mike H

Harry Settle

3rd of August 2004 (Tue), 10:21

I haven't found a need to change exposure in most cases. Shoot and look at your histogram, make sure you haven't blown out your subject matter. Adjust from there.

I am ordering the metallic inserts to try out with my big bounce, for portrait shooting.

Scottes

3rd of August 2004 (Tue), 14:00

I am ordering the metallic inserts to try out with my big bounce, for portrait shooting.

You should order the Promax Kit and get all the goodies.

I didn't, and have spent more buying everything singly... :(

Harry Settle

3rd of August 2004 (Tue), 22:06

The photo forums are full of people like us that didn't get the pro kit and have since pieced it together for more money.

That's the story of my life.

Adam Hicks

3rd of August 2004 (Tue), 23:14

And it's full of people like me who find that tin foil about 4 layers deep shaped nicely to the inside of the pocket bouncer saves $ for lenses :)

I ordered mine from B&H earlier today. I had a push on type diffuser for the flash, but it deflected a lot of the light back into my eyes (hard to explain) and I can sometimes get migrains, so it's nice to keep the flash away from my brain as much as possible. I also paid $20 from my local camera shop for this $.50 of plastic piece... and the pocket bouncer at B&H looks like it will do a much better job.

Thanks for the tip!

abel

4th of August 2004 (Wed), 06:54

very cool...

i also have heard good things about the 80-20 version of the pocket bouncer...

i have seen a lot of images with it that were impressive just like yours..

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=32577&is=REG

hmm i need to pick one up and give it a whirl.... im leaning towards the full faced version like u have,

thanks for the info

dsze

4th of August 2004 (Wed), 08:44

I picked up the pocket bouncer from a semi-local shop on my way to class yesterday. I was surprised at the price. I actually paid less than I would have at B&H w/cheapest shipping option.... Hopefully, I'll get to play with it a little tonight.

-daniel

Mikesht

4th of August 2004 (Wed), 09:23

I use Pocket Bouncer as well. But you know what I use the most? Two business cards attached to my flash with a rubber band. Works like a charm, you guys should try it some day :D
Here is an example:
http://images4.fotki.com/v51/photos/1/149429/542859/IMG_0404_4by6-vi.jpg?1071940457

Olegis

4th of August 2004 (Wed), 13:25

Harry Settle

4th of August 2004 (Wed), 15:22

At my last big social function, I used a paperplate cut like a pocket bounce, held on with a rubber band. It worked great. . . but, I caught a lot of grief from all of my friends.

johneo

4th of August 2004 (Wed), 15:53

At my last big social function, I used a paperplate cut like a pocket bounce, held on with a rubber band. It worked great. . . but, I caught a lot of grief from all of my friends.

:lol: LOL :lol: ... I can just imagine seeing someone woth a nice camera set up and a paper plate attached to the flash. Kind of like the guy coming out of the rest room with toilet paper stuck to his shoe :lol: :lol: :lol:

I tried a piece of white cardboard (old shoe box) cut to look like the pocket bounce and it worked so well I bought the pocket bounce. I practiced using my Sony & flash shooting my dogs a few years back.

Just bought a roll of Velcro so I can swap it for use on any of my flashes.

I do photos of dogs with Santa for a local shelter and found the bounce and a flash frame to get the flash away from the lens as far as possible worked great to keep the "green eye" out of the photo (dogs don't get red eye, they get a spooky green eye)

Only photo I could find below

http://members.cox.net/johnori/l133315n.jpg

Mikesht

4th of August 2004 (Wed), 18:11

Pretty kids you have there ! :D
As a matter of fact I tried this "business-card setup" you mentioned - but the results were not so nice as yours. Did you shoot in a house ? In that case the flash just bounced from the ceiling, didn't it ?

Thank you.
Yes, it was in the house, and some portion of the light may have bounced off the ceiling, but not so much- it was taken in my great room with really tall ceiling. What really happened here- I twisted the head of my flash to about 60 degrees position, and compensated for the loss of light in settings.
By the way, I looked at your pictures; I really liked the Yaffo folder.

Olegis

4th of August 2004 (Wed), 22:49

Thanks ! Yaffo is one of my favorite places to visit and photograph ...
I just received an email from a friend of mine, which happened to take a part of Katya photo-shoot (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=38954) last friday. He snapped a picture of me showing some photograph to my girlfriend on my 10D LCD screen. The interesting thing - the flash in the picture still "wears" the white diffusion card :

http://www.pbase.com/image/32201816.jpg

8)

But as I said before, shooting outdoor with no ceiling at all didn't provide the results I wanted, so almost all the pictures were shot without flash.

Barb42

6th of August 2004 (Fri), 11:27

thanks for starting this discussion. I have the omni but it really works best indoors (and could be better there!). I ordered the pocket bounce kit which should arrive Tuesday, thanks for the price warning :=). I hope it works better than hauling around the reflector kit.....except the diffuser - I really like using that.

I take a lot of what I learn in this forum back to a couple of camera clubs I belong to - your time and information is much appreciated. :D

CyberDyneSystems

6th of August 2004 (Fri), 12:50

Great,..

I don't even have a flash yet,. and now i'm allready dreaming of accesories for one... :wink:

Jmurman

6th of August 2004 (Fri), 13:34

Looks like I might have to shell out some more $ :lol:

Scottes

6th of August 2004 (Fri), 13:51

Great,..

I don't even have a flash yet,. and now i'm allready dreaming of accesories for one...

Looks like I might have to shell out some more $

OK, to anyone thinking about getting the LumiQuest stuff...

Get The Promax Kit.

Because you will end with almost every piece in it, and you will wish that you had gotten the kit, and the kit would would have been cheaper in the long run.

I think I shoulda stuck with the OmniBounce - there's no accessories.

Jmurman

6th of August 2004 (Fri), 14:47

johneo

6th of August 2004 (Fri), 17:18

Are you saying the LumiQuest and Pocket bounce are the same? I'm sorry I havent had the time to do any research on this.

Actually, Lumiquest is the company that makes the Pocket Bouncer as well as a number of other products.

go to the LumiQuest website (http://www.lumiquest.com) and they give a list of their products and loads of info concerning them.

:twisted: WARNING: hide your credit card before visiting this site ... they have some nice stuff! :twisted:

Also ... if I'm not mistaken, "pocket bounce" is used to refer to any similar devise made for that purpose and there may be other brands.

c0ntr0lz

7th of August 2004 (Sat), 02:05

ok so you can't put this on any other flash like the Sigma EF-500 DG Super TTL?

johneo

7th of August 2004 (Sat), 08:39

ok so you can't put this on any other flash like the Sigma EF-500 DG Super TTL?

Why not? If the flash has a tilt head I'd say you could but I don't know much about that flash (hardly know much about my own :oops: )

c0ntr0lz

7th of August 2004 (Sat), 09:04

so it slips right on to the fron of it
ok kool

johneo

7th of August 2004 (Sat), 10:13

so it slips right on to the fron of it
ok kool

No ... it comes with Velcro and you attach little strips around the back and side of the flash (doesn't get in the way of the flash) and the Pocket Bouncer has the other part of the Velcro so it sticks.

Just pull the Bouncer off and it's back to being a regular flash with a soft fuzzy feel where the Velcro is ... no fuss, no mess!

I recently bought a roll of Velcro and put a strip of it on all my flashes so now I can use the Pocket Bouncer on which ever flash I am using with whichever camera I'm using. I don't use it enough or have reason to buy one for each flash. Now I can also put Velcro on EVERYTHING! :lol:

Csst

8th of August 2004 (Sun), 14:13

ok i have a question the pictures here posted are they post process or are they stright from the camera?

johneo

8th of August 2004 (Sun), 21:54

ok i have a question the pictures here posted are they post process or are they stright from the camera?

Here are a couple shots I just took. These were taken with my Sony Mavica using auto settings with the Sony flash (not built in flash)
1st one is no Pocket Bounce 2nd one with Pocket Bounce. No editing other than a resize from 1600x1200 to 480x360

1st ... no bounce
http://members.cox.net/johneo/DSC07466.jpg

2nd ... with bounce
http://members.cox.net/johneo/DSC07467.jpg

Why my Sony instead of my 10D? My 10D is in my camera bag in my van. We have had a number of skunks around the house this summer. Not sure where they are nesting but it is very close by and the smell is very strong and I have no intention of finding out if they are around my van. Just went through having one of my dogs sprayed and it isn't a lot of fun ... don't want to go through it again if at all possible :roll:

Jmurman

9th of August 2004 (Mon), 04:21

Has anyone used the "soft box" version of this?

Olegis

9th of August 2004 (Mon), 04:49

ok i have a question the pictures here posted are they post process or are they stright from the camera?

My pictures were posted here after resize / sharpen processes only, no Levels / Curves / Brightness / Contrast / Colors adjustments.

mrclark321

16th of July 2007 (Mon), 12:50

Anyone else using this (from the archives :) )
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/32579-REG/LumiQuest_LQ873D_Ultrasoft_Pocket_Bouncer.html

PacAce

16th of July 2007 (Mon), 12:55

Yes, I am. I think I got mine at about the same time this thread was active. :)

alfineart

20th of July 2007 (Fri), 13:53

How does the Promax Kit compair to the Demb Flash Diffuser Pro?

Thanks,
Louie

canoflan

20th of July 2007 (Fri), 14:07

This is very similar to the Milagrid. I actually like the Milagrid better for its dispersion of light evenly over a wide (i.e. 16mm-35mm) angle and the option to use the front deflector or not; however, if you need the grid for more than 8 feet, you will need to remove it and go without a diffuser and perhaps use the catchlight card on the 580EX.

shannyD

20th of July 2007 (Fri), 14:15

is it like a portable softbox? and i just dont know? sorry for the ignorant question.
shannon

Curtis N

20th of July 2007 (Fri), 16:47

Anyone else using this (from the archives :) )
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/32579-REG/LumiQuest_LQ873D_Ultrasoft_Pocket_Bouncer.htmlI would instead get the Lumiquest Promax System (http://lumiquest.com/lq931.htm). Its skeleton is their 80/20 bouncer which is great for ceiling bounce with a bit of fill. It comes with 3 inserts (white/silver/gold) as well as the translucent diffusion panel that you can mount on the front. The Promax System plus white insert is basically the same thing as the pocket bouncer. But with the Promax System you get all the different combinations for greater versatility.

Curtis N

20th of July 2007 (Fri), 16:50

is it like a portable softbox?It's very much like a small softbox. What you need to be aware of is that it puts the light source well above the lens, especially if you're using a flash bracket. This can make for noticeable chin shadows when you get close.

azpix

21st of July 2007 (Sat), 00:59

i am looking at the bh site and there are severl pocket bouncers. is there a specific one you are referring too????

azpix

21st of July 2007 (Sat), 01:07

It's very much like a small softbox. What you need to be aware of is that it puts the light source well above the lens, especially if you're using a flash bracket. This can make for noticeable chin shadows when you get close.

hey curtis,

do you have a recommendation to get around this when all i have are speedlite units?

also, I've been meaning to ask you specifically about this: When i shoot inside with my 580 and my homemade "better bounce card", i get results that I happy with. We have a new baby and he's on the floor a lot and I get a lot of nasty shadows? Any suggestions for shooting low to the floor?

I have tried to offset them using my my 420 in various positions but that seems to make it worse.

thanks!

Curtis N

21st of July 2007 (Sat), 13:29

do you have a recommendation to get around this when all i have are speedlite units?The Lumiquest softbox or Wescott Micro Apollo will mount on the front of the flash head. This way, the light source is closer to the lens and chin shadows won't be so pronounced.

Keep in mind this is a catch-22 indoors. Light source close to lens = redeye if you're far enough away.When i shoot inside with my 580 and my homemade "better bounce card", i get results that I happy with. We have a new baby and he's on the floor a lot and I get a lot of nasty shadows? Any suggestions for shooting low to the floor?When you're down on the floor, the ceiling is a lot further away. This means that your subject will get proportionately more light from the BBC and less light bounced off the ceiling. You're probably shooting from a fairly close distance, which makes this worse.

I generally go with a small bounce card in these situations. Maybe try pointing the 580EX straight up and just using the catchlight card for fill.

mrclark321

21st of July 2007 (Sat), 13:34

I would instead get the Lumiquest Promax System (http://lumiquest.com/lq931.htm). Its skeleton is their 80/20 bouncer which is great for ceiling bounce with a bit of fill. It comes with 3 inserts (white/silver/gold) as well as the translucent diffusion panel that you can mount on the front. The Promax System plus white insert is basically the same thing as the pocket bouncer. But with the Promax System you get all the different combinations for greater versatility.

Thanks Curtis but I ordered it a few days ago from B&H with my seamless BG paper and stand. If I recall the kit was around $45