Canon G9 Flash Diffuser

[csjm88]

Hey guys.

Do you know any good diffusers and bouncers for the G9's built-in flash?

[Bob_A]

Honestly, the G9 onboard flash has such a limited range I would think a diffuser would render it pretty much useless unless the subject was within 1m from the camera.

That being said, Gary Fong has a diffuser for p&s cameras http://store.garyfonginc.com/delta.html

If you are looking to improve your indoor flash photography maybe look into getting a 420EX or 430EX, which would then give you the ability to bounce.

[maxwolfie]

Honestly, the G9 onboard flash has such a limited range I would think a diffuser would render it pretty much useless unless the subject was within 1m from the camera.

That being said, Gary Fong has a diffuser for p&s cameras http://store.garyfonginc.com/delta.html

If you are looking to improve your indoor flash photography maybe look into getting a 420EX or 430EX, which would then give you the ability to bounce.


Keep in mind that you probably won't be able to the Delta with the 58mm adaptor tube

[Bob_A]

Keep in mind that you probably won't be able to the Delta with the 58mm adaptor tube

I agree. But why would you want to use one of these things on a p&s flash anyway? Just a waste of good $ IMO that could be put towards a proper flash.

[Larry Weinman]

Honestly, the G9 onboard flash has such a limited range I would think a diffuser would render it pretty much useless unless the subject was within 1m from the camera.

That being said, Gary Fong has a diffuser for p&s cameras http://store.garyfonginc.com/delta.html

If you are looking to improve your indoor flash photography maybe look into getting a 420EX or 430EX, which would then give you the ability to bounce.

The Gary Fong P@S diffusuer won't fit the G9

[mastertech01]

Ive just held the diffuser from my 420EX over the flash and it works OK. I have much better results using the 420EX though especially since I have the adaptor tube on mine most of the time with various attachments.

[Double Negative]

Frosted Scotch Tape(TM). ;)

[csjm88]

haha...yea actually i am using frosted scotch tape now...btw, its called Magic Tape...thanks for the advice...i found this "Stickie Alien" thing on eBay which sounds interesting...

[GordonSBuck]

Frosted Scotch Tape(TM). ;)

A simple and interesting idea but I must not be understanding. I tried a simple closeup with and without frosted tape over the G9 built-in flash. There was no difference in the results except that the tape produced a slight underexposure. Spectral highlights were also the same. Both shots done in P mode, in-camera jpg without adjusting flash exposure.

Flash "diffusers" that I'm familiar are based on the principle of increasing the apparent size of the light source. Simply putting a piece of translucent tape over the flash would not increase the apparent size of the light source.

In contrast, by handholding a Stofen diffuser over the G9 flash window, the results were vastly different from both the untaped and taped G9 flash. Granted, the Stofen doesn't really fit but easily demonstrates the principle. For my simple scene, the handheld Stofen lighting was vastly superior to either the untaped or taped direct G9 flash. (But the Stofen eats light so I had to increase flash exposure by +1 on the G9 function setting.)

This is a simple setup and the film is free so perhaps others can conduct the test and report on their results?

[Double Negative]

^ I was somewhat kidding about the tape idea. It will surely absorb a tiny amount of light, but diffuse it a tiny bit as well. In the sense of real diffusers there's no comparison as you say - the idea is to increase the apparent size of the light source and/or bounce the light.

What we need is a simple, stick-on type Stofen - bonus if it swivels upwards. I sure as heck won't be buying that idiotic Dong Delta thingamajig.

[tombell]

Tissue paper and scotch tape.

[Double Negative]

Tissue paper and scotch tape.

That's a logical extension - putting a little piece of TP under the tape... :D

I've used that trick before, albeit with regular flashes. Heh. It *does* soften the light slightly.

[Larry Weinman]

A simple and interesting idea but I must not be understanding. I tried a simple closeup with and without frosted tape over the G9 built-in flash. There was no difference in the results except that the tape produced a slight underexposure. Spectral highlights were also the same. Both shots done in P mode, in-camera jpg without adjusting flash exposure.

Flash "diffusers" that I'm familiar are based on the principle of increasing the apparent size of the light source. Simply putting a piece of translucent tape over the flash would not increase the apparent size of the light source.

In contrast, by handholding a Stofen diffuser over the G9 flash window, the results were vastly different from both the untaped and taped G9 flash. Granted, the Stofen doesn't really fit but easily demonstrates the principle. For my simple scene, the handheld Stofen lighting was vastly superior to either the untaped or taped direct G9 flash. (But the Stofen eats light so I had to increase flash exposure by +1 on the G9 function setting.)

This is a simple setup and the film is free so perhaps others can conduct the test and report on their results?

I agree. In order for a diffuser to work it has to be slightly larger and a distance from the mainsource of light. The Gary Fong "Puffer Diffuser is a good example of this even though there is not a huge diference over the light from a bare popup flash. Unfortunately the Gary Fong "Puffer" is designed for DSLR cameras and his P&S diffuser does not come in a size that would work on a G9. I wrote him recently hoping to hear that a G9 size was coming soon but his answer was just that there is no size for the G9. Hopefully someone else will come out with one. It is just a piece of plastic that fits over the lens barrel with a diffused ( bubble surface ) that goes over the flash. The lens barrel keeps it from being directly over the flash and therefore allows it to diffuse the light

[Double Negative]

^ Gary Fong is a puffer. :p

[tombell]

Here's a good one.
http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/diy-flash-diffuser-airline-barf-bags/

[Bob_A]

A simple and interesting idea but I must not be understanding. I tried a simple closeup with and without frosted tape over the G9 built-in flash. There was no difference in the results except that the tape produced a slight underexposure. Spectral highlights were also the same. Both shots done in P mode, in-camera jpg without adjusting flash exposure.

Flash "diffusers" that I'm familiar are based on the principle of increasing the apparent size of the light source. Simply putting a piece of translucent tape over the flash would not increase the apparent size of the light source.

In contrast, by handholding a Stofen diffuser over the G9 flash window, the results were vastly different from both the untaped and taped G9 flash. Granted, the Stofen doesn't really fit but easily demonstrates the principle. For my simple scene, the handheld Stofen lighting was vastly superior to either the untaped or taped direct G9 flash. (But the Stofen eats light so I had to increase flash exposure by +1 on the G9 function setting.)

This is a simple setup and the film is free so perhaps others can conduct the test and report on their results?

Scotch tape or even tissue directly over the flash should make little difference. A diffuser needs to increase the area of the light source to work. Otherwise it's not much of a diffuser, it mainly just eats some of the flash power.

Even the Lumiquest Mini-Softbox I use with my 420EX gives only a moderate improvement, especially when compared to bouncing off a ceiling or wall or using an umbrella. And the Mini-Softbox is HUGE compared to anything I could ever imagine being used with the G9 flash.

[GordonSBuck]

Even the Lumiquest Mini-Softbox I use with my 420EX gives only a moderate improvement, especially when compared to bouncing off a ceiling or wall or using an umbrella. And the Mini-Softbox is HUGE compared to anything I could ever imagine being used with the G9 flash.

Interestingly enough, I used a Lumiquest mini-softbox extensively today with my G9 and a Nikon SB-28 flash (all manual flash) to take a lot of relatively close up pictures of stainless steel parts. This was the first time I'd used the mini-softbox and I found it to be very helpful -- better than the Stofen (which I also tried) and the ceiling was too high for bounce.

[denncald]

Here's a good one.
http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/diy-flash-diffuser-airline-barf-bags/


Interesting blog. While reading the posted comments below it, someone suggested using a ping pong ball. I remember reading something about that years ago, but never tried it, and don't have any ping pong balls available right now.

Has anyone tried that idea?

Dennis

[edit - I googled the idea and found this link; http://www.flickr.com/photos/yospiff/2039361520/ ]

[Ozimax]

Make your own diffuser, there are zillions of designs available on the web. I can't for the life of me understand attaching a humungous external flash to a G9. The flash actually ends up supporting the camera! That's what an SLR is for.

Ozi

[Bob_A]

Interestingly enough, I used a Lumiquest mini-softbox extensively today with my G9 and a Nikon SB-28 flash (all manual flash) to take a lot of relatively close up pictures of stainless steel parts. This was the first time I'd used the mini-softbox and I found it to be very helpful -- better than the Stofen (which I also tried) and the ceiling was too high for bounce.


The Mini-Softbox is definitely better than the Stofen, which makes sense when you consider that the mini-softbox at least increases the size of the light source by a fair amount. Now when you consider the size of the light source from an umbrella or from a ceiling it's easy to understand why they do an even better job.

The only problem with bouncing off a ceiling is that you can get shadows in the wrong place (under noses/chins).

I have a Stofen and only use it out of convenience based on "it's better than nothing". :) My Lumiquest 80/20 gives even better results than the Mini-Softbox, but it only works if you have a white ceiling or wall available to bounce off of.

[Bob_A]

I can't for the life of me understand attaching a humungous external flash to a G9. The flash actually ends up supporting the camera! That's what an SLR is for.

Ozi


Because the flash on the G9 (as with EVERY point and shoot) is next to useless. This is a great little camera, but indoor flash photography is extremely limited if you only use the onboard flash. This is why the camera comes with a hot shoe.

I normally use my 20D with a 580EX-II for indoor flash use. However I can toss my G9 and 420EX into my briefcase and take it to a company event and produce great images. Without the 420EX I wouldn't even bother taking a camera.

[windwatcher]

I think of my G9 as a "portable" camera as opposed to a 30D and a bag full of accessories. Two weeks ago, I chose the G9 to go greet my new grandbaby in the hospital. Not wanting to take mugshots, I held piece of paper towel (3"x5") over the flash, resting on the lens barrel. Pictures came out remarkably good. Close-ups had no flash, f/2.8 and resting on a stable surface. Good results with no extra baggage.