DIY diffuser/bounce card project

[big_apple_ken]

I was tempted to buy one of those Tupperware lightspheres but after reading all the reviews it seems like most people dislike it. My objective is pretty simple. I want to build/buy a diffuser/bounce card system that works better than the lightsphere. If you have some other products in mind that are better please suggest away. Spending a few extra dollars is fine in my book. Logically I think I understand what the lightsphere does. What I like about it:

1) Seems to diffuse light evenly in every direction (when cloud dome is put on)
2) Easy to store/transport (can fit right over lens in camera bag)
3) Seems to be relatively sturdy
4) Fits the flash (mine is a 580EXII) well

Now it seems like most people seem to dislike it because:

1) It is way overpriced
2) It diffuses light away from the subject (therefore it is a waste)
3) It looks ugly

So after reading through a handful of threads this is one of the better DIY diffuser/bounce cards I've seen on POTN:

http://www.jklimagery.com/test/imgs/img1.JPG


So my questions are in regards to DIY projects:

1) I see a lot of people build a bounce cards with cardboard/foamboards. Ideally I gather you would want the card to be curved to catch more light forward right?
2) Most DIY projects do not have a ‘top/dome’. Is this unimportant? Wouldn’t you also want to diffuse the light that is shooting up if you weren't working with super high ceilings? I thought it would be also important for stuff like fill flash purposes. Are most people getting around this by building their DIY diffusers around/on top of an existing diffuser (such as a Sto-fen omnibouce)?
3) Most DIY projects do not really diffuse/bounce light that emits from the ‘sides’ of the flash. Is this also unimportant since that light isn’t going to reach the subject anyway?

Opinions/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Ken

[johnlo]

Thank you. :-)

I actually made this for fun. I do have the Gary Fong Lightsphere and it works well for me. as far as my DIY diffuser, I will making another one where to top portion will flip down a little... Will post that soon...

[big_apple_ken]

I'm thinking of buying a lightsphere then attaching a DIY bounce card with fun foam you used to the back of it so that I don't waste any light. Either that or maybe use white cardboard to line the inside (side facing the photog) so it also acts as a bounce card. Good idea or just waste of time?

[Shooting]

If you are going to do that, but the Chrome Dome for your lightsphere (if you have the cloudy version) and it will block the light that is going backwards and force it forward plus bounce.

[johnlo]

get the chromeDome.. you get better result. but you know what, try them all. you dont know until you try it. wat works for you might not works for others.

[JDubya]

You don't need to diffuse the light going up because the ceiling will do that.

I really like the ABBC feather-light: http://www.abetterbouncecard.com/

[4rgentum]

ABBC works great for me. I've just been using cheap velcro instead of the rubber band and find it a lot quicker to attach and detach.

[elysium]

Nice ideas flowing here. I think what people are really forgetting is what will it be used for.

A Lightsphere MAY be ideal but then again, shooting in a low ceiling club where a bare flash can easily illuminate might be better going for. I find I can shoot without any of this, just need to be a bit more precise with where I angle the flash or I use a Stofen Omnibounce.

Whilst I cannot say which is better, I am considering trying all of these out within the next month or so. Would be nice to a see a real world side by side comparison.

[JDubya]

ABBC works great for me. I've just been using cheap velcro instead of the rubber band and find it a lot quicker to attach and detach.

Yeah, I made essentially the same thing out of some black "anit-roll" elastic and velcro sewn on each end. It works well.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/SpeakerPhreaker/bouncecard.jpg

[BTBeilke]

I know that it is popular to trash the Lightsphere around here. (I don't know what Gary Fong did to some of the people here, but there seems to be some real intense dislike for this guy.) But all in all, I've been pretty happy with mine.

Despite the lunch pail comments, I find that it really doesn't take up any extra room in my bag as I can slip it over the end of a lens much like reversing a hood. (The 1" long piece that slides over the flash head does take up a little extra space.)

Also, I always hear people say that it is useless with a very high ceiling or no ceiling. However, I never seem to hear people mention the ability to shoot through the cloud dome. Now of course, just like any light modifier, you lose some light intensity. If needed, you can compensate for that. But I thought the main purpose of a modifier was 1) to make the light source look larger than it really is and/or 2) soften the light. It seems to me that shooting through the dome does both of those things. That is not to say that it is appropriate for all situations. But, if you are not concerned about "the look", IMO it is a better solution than a Sto-Fen Omni Bounce which is the same size as the flash itself and only diffuses the light. And with the Lightsphere, you get nice, round catch lights.

[newbie builder]

+1 Blane. I probably would not have chosen the lightsphere, but one was given to me and I was rather impressed with it. I'd read many reviews on here somewhat panning it, but I think it does a pretty good job--better than the Sto-fen like diffuser I have. Even outside, either shooting through the top of the lightsphere or just shooting with it still aimed straight up still provides a slight fill as long as it's afternoon/evening (earlier and I'm sure it wouldn't be able to keep up), which is great for my uses.