Gary Fong pop-up flash diffuser

[LindaB]

A couple of quick questions if anyone can answer please.

I thought for certain situations it might be handy to have a pop-up diffuser at hand, if say, you go out without your external flash + usual diffuser. Has anyone tried this particular little diffuser and what are your thoughts on it?

Also, would it fit a 40D?
I see it fits the 20D and 30D as well as the 'Rebels' so wondered whether it was just a case of the model listings not having been updated.

Thanks.

Linda

[AlphaChicken]

its gary fong.......

[LindaB]

its gary fong.......


yeah, and.........................

[buto]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=496251

That's what he means

[SkipD]

yeah, and.........................Fongware's a ripoff.

Yeah, some of it works in some situations but ALL of it sucks too much out of your wallet/purse for what it's worth as a photographic tool.

[Zansho]

I wouldn't get it. If you bounce your flash off of the ceiling, and you use the fong, you're going to waste a LOT of light from your flash due to the light being scattered literally 360 degrees. As a result, you'll have weaker flash output, and probably won't get the desired effect. I'd rather get something like this instead of the fong if I were to get some kind of diffuser/bounce card:

http://www.adorama.com/LQMB.html?searchinfo=Lumiquest&item_no=21


I'm personally a big fan of a simple index card attached to the flash gun with velcro or a rubber band. It's FAR more efficient than the Fong. Alternatively, if you must get something similar to the fong, you could go to the grocery store, buy a jug of milk, empty it, cut out the bottom and attach it to your flash - essentially the same thing.

[Mark_48]

Linda, If you're handy with crafting gadgets you might try this rather than donating $20 to the Gary Fong fund....
http://www.diyphotography.net/diy-built-in-pop-up-flash-diffuser

I've seen some other clipon devices, one which has a mirror to direct some of the popups flash upwards for bounce, but is only good for landscape orientation of the camera. B&H also has some tupperware cups that attach to the camera as well and slightly cheaper than the Gary Fong version.

[pcunite]

Gary Fong pop-up flash diffuser...

Linda,
Everyone seems to miss the point that your asking about the POP-UP flash, the one that comes for free on the 40D...

As far as trying to diffuse that flash I suppose anything is better than nothing... there was a type of DIY attachment I saw somewhere online where you could direct it up to the ceiling... that would be better...

As far as the comments about the Fong diffuser for Canon Speedlites, yes it should be avoided for most applications!

[gjl711]

A pecpad rubber banded over the pop up flash does a great job diffusing and softening the light. If you leave it a bit poofy it diffuses more.

[bieber]

There's a company somewhere that makes basically a small mirror, that attaches and redirects your flash's light up to the ceiling. I guarantee that would be infinitely more useful than any Gary Fong attachment. If you want fancy tupperware, just cut a hole in a ping-pong ball...

[Rudi]

As much as I think that Fongware is overpriced, I think it has its place! Everyone here is thumping their chest, and yes, there are times when I set up lights and do it properly, but there are also times when I shoot events and just slap a Lightsphere on my on-camera 580EX and get perfectly-exposed candids, when that is appropriate!

I will use all tools at my disposal to make my clients happy (happy clients refer me to others). And while Fongware may not be perfect, it's just what the doctor ordered in some situations. It makes my life easier while I try to earn a buck. I've done the rubber bands and tissues, and bounce cards (still use those on occasion), but I have no issues with using a Lightsphere when that will make my life easier. There, I said it. :)

As far as the OP's question - a Kleenex tissue, rubber-banded to the flash (not tight, loose so as not to light it on fire :D), will diffuse the light nicely.

[LindaB]

Linda,
Everyone seems to miss the point that your asking about the POP-UP flash, the one that comes for free on the 40D...

As far as trying to diffuse that flash I suppose anything is better than nothing... there was a type of DIY attachment I saw somewhere online where you could direct it up to the ceiling... that would be better...

As far as the comments about the Fong diffuser for Canon Speedlites, yes it should be avoided for most applications!


Ah ha! Someone actually read what I was asking lol.
Re the DIY attachment, thanks for the suggestion, but I was after something small just to clip on. You see I have an external flash - the 580EX and I also have 2 diffusers, Lumiquest SoftBox and also the little Stofen OmniBounce, so am not interested in any Gary Fong stuff, it was the simplicity, size and quickness of attaching it that appealed to me in the first place.

Thanks very much for your input :D
Linda



A pecpad rubber banded over the pop up flash does a great job diffusing and softening the light. If you leave it a bit poofy it diffuses more.

Ooh now that sounds interesting - I have some of those so might give that a try - thanks for that :D


bieber: oh yes, I had forgotten about the ping pong ball suggestion, thanks for reminding me of that one, so thats another option.


Thanks everyone for taking the time to respond to my query - let me explain:

Ok, I will just clarify for all of you that were kind enough to respond, I do have an external flash with 2 diffusers, a Lumiquest Softbox and the little Stofen Onmibounce, so I am not interested in any other Gary Fong equipment at all. As I mentioned above, it was the size and simplicity of that particular diffuser for the pop up that appealed to me.

I use flash primarily for macro shots and just the occasional fill-flash for other stuff, hence my wanting something quick and small for days when I am out doing wildlife photography rather than macro (mostly in my garden).

I like the idea of the pec pad and also the ping pong ball which I had forgotten about. I had even tried cutting the handle of a plastic milk bottle as I had remembered that one from ages ago but it didnt work for me (I probably cut it wrong lol).

I get the drift though, in general the opinion is Gary Fong stuff is to be avoided :lol: :lol: - thats fine by me, so thanks for the warning lol.


Thanks all again.

Linda

[Rudi]

Once again - I wouldn't avoid Gary Fong gear just because it's from Gary Fong! Make your decision based on what the gear will do for you, nothing else. Lots of people here don't believe in the Sto-Fen OmniBounce, but almost every newspaper photog I know uses it, and they use them outside as well, and get the pictures they need. Remember - you're looking for a simple way to soften your on-camera flash. You're not looking for a full-blown studio solution. A lot of people here forget that, and it's easy to get carried away with lighting. We can't always have a studio with us, and sometimes we don't want to.

Hey, even Joe McNally uses on-camera flash on the odd occasion... :)

[leisa08]

I have the Gary Fong diffuser for my 40d and I love it!
So yes, it does fit a 40d.
I love the way it works with my pop up flash when I'm shooting pics of the kids. My kids no longer look like a ghost from the pop up flash but nice and tanned.
I bought mine off ebay for 19.99.
Sure, it's a cheap piece of plastic but it does work :)

[zacker]

Gary Fong..lol,lol... make your own, so much more gratifying!

[LindaB]

Once again - I wouldn't avoid Gary Fong gear just because it's from Gary Fong! Make your decision based on what the gear will do for you, nothing else. Lots of people here don't believe in the Sto-Fen OmniBounce, but almost every newspaper photog I know uses it, and they use them outside as well, and get the pictures they need. Remember - you're looking for a simple way to soften your on-camera flash. You're not looking for a full-blown studio solution. A lot of people here forget that, and it's easy to get carried away with lighting. We can't always have a studio with us, and sometimes we don't want to.

Hey, even Joe McNally uses on-camera flash on the odd occasion... :)

Thanks again for your input Rudi, thats very kind of you and I understand what you are saying, so I wont discount it now I think, especially after reading 'leisa' message below.

I totally agree with what you say about the Stofen OnmiBounce, its a very handy little diffuser to have and have used it plenty with all manner or stuff I do - I even revert to that when space is limited to get close to any insects because the Lumiquest can knock leaves etc so can get in the way. I would always recommend the Stofen to anyone.

My only reservation with using a ping pong ball is that I will no doubt keep squashing it lol.

Thanks again Rudi :D


I have the Gary Fong diffuser for my 40d and I love it!
So yes, it does fit a 40d.
I love the way it works with my pop up flash when I'm shooting pics of the kids. My kids no longer look like a ghost from the pop up flash but nice and tanned.
I bought mine off ebay for 19.99.
Sure, it's a cheap piece of plastic but it does work :)

Ahh, thats what I wanted in the first place lol - ok, I wont discount the idea of buying one of these then. After looking at the photo of one, it did look like the thing I was actually wanting to use.
Thanks for that, very very helpful.

Linda

[nendyisreal]

hi this is great info everyone
i am using a canon rebel xt with my pop up flash being diffused or blocked out with an index card
even with proper lighting
f stop 8 - 11
shutter speed 1/80
i get almost all black shots
any ideas
when i shoot with a regular point and shoot canon camera with the flash shut off
and the same scenario i get a completely normal picture
what am i doing wrong
what can i do to help matters
anyone care to help me out
thanx

[zacker]

you are blocking out the flash? too much diffusion there... use paper instead of an index card.

[nendyisreal]

i tried that and the flash is coming through and making shadows on the side of the subject

[LindaB]

i tried that and the flash is coming through and making shadows on the side of the subject


Well, it also depends on what your subject is, for example, is it a small item, or a person, a larger object etc. The size/distance could be relevant also to your settings and your results.

I can only suggest for a general indoor shot, use Av mode at F5.6 (thats always a good number to start with plus letting in slightly more light), raise your ISO to, say, 400 or even slightly higher (that is if you havent already as you dont say what ISO you are using), as this will also help the speed side of things.

Then to try and diffuse the light a little, you could even try the ping pong ball, a piece of kitchen paper over the flash, or a card somehow attached under the flash in a way that it will bounce it upwards rather than block it altogether. I think its a case of diverting the flash upwards if you can, but even so, there will be no guarantee you wont get a shadow somewhere. YOu have to get a reasonably happy medium by making do with what you have at hand if you cant go for an external flash at the moment.

Hope thats of some help.

Linda