Gary Fong Lightsphere

[mrerico]

Which is better for wedding/night life photography use? The clear version or the cloud version?


CLEAR
Higher Output
Slightly Cooler
Less side shadow


CLOUD
Softer
Slightly Warmer


I am thinking cloud, but I want to hear other peoples opinions before I make a purchase.

[tim]

I think it's better to know what you're doing when you're photographing weddings. A Fong Dong is generally like a neon sign that says "I have no idea how to control light". I would suggest you get a book on lighting instead.

[SkipD]

I agree with Tim. Learn about lighting.

There are lighting modifiers that make much more sense and cost a lot less then Fong's 'tupperware'. One example is the LumiQuest Promax System (http://www.lumiquest.com/lq931.htm).

[Vetteography]

I agree with Tim. Learn about lighting.

There are lighting modifiers that make much more sense and cost a lot less then Fong's 'tupperware'. One example is the LumiQuest Promax System (http://www.lumiquest.com/lq931.htm).

Well.. the Lightsphere is $39 and the Lumiquest is $65 so your price argument doesn't make sense. The Lumiquest is more flexible though, so there's that.

I see a lot of hate on here for the Fong Bong and, to be candid, I really don't understand the auto-reject reaction whenever someone posts a question about it.

Sure, it is an obnoxious bit of kit that is not the be-all and end-all of lighting (despite Fong's claims) but it is not a completely ineffective diffuser despite the hate.

Some basic modifiers costing pennies turn the Fong Bong from a marginal diffuser to one that is much more controllable. For example, slapping an index card (white, gold, silver or other) inside the dome gives you a lot more control over the light. An index-sized bit of waxed paper in the dome on the subject side gives you a nice, soft light etc etc etc.

I bought one and to see what the fuss was about and I find that I actually use it, just as I have a couple of other diffusers, reflectors and modifiers I use for specific situations. I am not going to let my dislike for Fong stop me from trying new things.

Am I missing the point? Is there something intrinsically wrong with the Fong Bong that I haven't considered?

[tim]

Lightspheres aren't very efficient, even with modifiers. Plus people who use them tend to think that they don't need to know anything about lighting, just slap on some plastic and you're done. There's nothing inherently wrong with the LS, it's just understanding light, how the LS works, and where to use it.

[SkipD]

Well.. the Lightsphere is $39 and the Lumiquest is $65 so your price argument doesn't make sense.It appears the price of the LumiQuest Promax System has gone up a bit since I bought mine at about $49 or so and the Lightsphere may be coming down in price.

We learn something every day (as my sig block below suggests) :p.

Regardless of price, the Promax System is far more versatile than even the whole collection of Fong toys, and it's a LOT easier to pack into a typical camera bag.

[Vetteography]

Regardless of price, the Promax System is far more versatile than even the whole collection of Fong toys, and it's a LOT easier to pack into a typical camera bag.

No argument there!

[james048a]

^+1 I agree there too
I picked up the LumiQuest Promax last week. I wish i had gottin it a year ago. Very versatile, even has a translucant cover to turn it into a softbox. I would also recommend the Lumiquest non adhesive velcro for the flash, it has a ruber backing on the velcro so wont slide of the flash.

[Mark1]

The Fong needs specific environmental conditions to work. Close walls, semi low ceiling, close to subject, etc...etc. If you dont meet ALL of them you will be disappointed.

However if you really have to have the Fong. Do some looking. You can find exact copy's for $16.

[AlanU]

Look into the Joe demb flipit.

[Maddog12]

The Fong is an overpriced piece of Tupperware. I would get more satisfaction flushing $50 down the toilet than buying that thing.

[cdifoto]

I got more pleasure out of selling my Lightsphere than I ever got using it.

[tim]

I still have a Lightsphere II somewhere, in the back of a cupboard along with the promax system, a mini soft box, an omnibounce, a flash bracket, and who knows what else. I use walls or umbrellas as diffusers these days.

[cdifoto]

I still have a Lightsphere II somewhere, in the back of a cupboard along with the promax system, a mini soft box, an omnibounce, a flash bracket, and who knows what else. I use walls or umbrellas as diffusers these days.
You should sell that crap on eBay. You'd make out good...especially on the 'Sphere. I sold mine for more than I paid. :rolleyes: :D

I actually love my bracket though. Keeping the flash in a consistent position regardless of camera orientation makes my life that much easier...when I bounce into a wall, the flash stays aimed at the wall without fenangling it around again when I go to another orientation. I don't use any modifiers except the bounce card...and even that's not frequent.

[Shooting]

Yes, get the Demb flipit PLUS the filter holder...you will not be disappointed. I had the cloud and clear versions of Fong, plus the whale tail reporter. I GAVE them all away...they are just light wasters..why in the world would you want something that spreads light to the sides and backwards, an entire circle when you can only shoot straight ahead..look at the light that is being wasted that could be used for something better with control. Plus your batteries will give out sooner with them. Fong stuff are a totally waste of light and energy. Promax system is good, flipit is good also..anything that modifies the light forward is what you want, you just get what meets your needs but sell Gary Fong's stuff if you can. I gave mine away just to get rid of it in a hurry. The photographer I gave all that stuff to is trying to sell them now himself.

[James P]

Am I the only one here that likes the Fong diffuser? For outdoor lighting where umbrellas are too much hassle, I have found that they give excellent results.

[Bobster]

i used mine at the weekend for signing of the register shot, was ideal conditions for it, the only time i did use it tho'

[Gatorboy]

Am I the only one here that likes the Fong diffuser? For outdoor lighting where umbrellas are too much hassle, I have found that they give excellent results.

How exactly would a LS help outdoors?

[Bobster]

How exactly would a LS help outdoors?
when you're not fighting the sun ;)

[Gatorboy]

When outdoors, with nothing to bounce off of, take your LS off and use direct flash -- you will not see a difference in your photos -- plus you'll need less power from your flash to create the same image.

[Bobster]

indeed :)

[j2photography]

i have the lightsphere and i'm very happy with it. i don't know why all of you guys on the forums bash it so much. sure it may be a get rich scheme for him, but the lightsphere actually produces cooler light than a stofen omnibounce.

i was doing some off camera lighting, and i had the stofen on one flash, and the lightsphere with the cap on, and the light from the lightsphere was more cool and less harsh than the stofen diffuser.

[mrerico]

Can you provide example pictures gsr x civic?

[Titus213]

i have the lightsphere and i'm very happy with it. i don't know why all of you guys on the forums bash it so much. sure it may be a get rich scheme for him, but the lightsphere actually produces cooler light than a stofen omnibounce.

i was doing some off camera lighting, and i had the stofen on one flash, and the lightsphere with the cap on, and the light from the lightsphere was more cool and less harsh than the stofen diffuser.

I believe the bashing is generated for two reasons:

1. The LS units are grossly over priced.
2. The LS units work in such a narrow range of situations as to be nearly useless for real-world flash work. And in situations where they do work they aren't really needed.

BTW - the Stofen is nothing more than a mini-LS.

[tim]

Since the Stofen OmniBounce is newer i'd say the OmniBounce is a larger version of that! btw Stofen is an anagram of Soften. I own both but use neither, once you understand wtf you're doing you don't need them as often, or choose different diffusion methods.

[S-S]

ive got the joe demb flipit and the cloud lightsphere
i really like the lightsphere... in fact i've stopped using the flipit indoors
i like them both for different reasons - i use them for events mainly where i cant be carting a lighting setup around the room with me

[claybuster]

I can't believe the online prices for the Lumiquest promax system! My local camera shops have them for $49 and $55. I never thought my local shops would be less than online.I picked one up last Saturday and really like it! It being able to fold flat is also a nice feature compared to the cloud dome. The cloud dome was $39 for the one dedicated to my 580exII and $49 for the universal one that is supposed to fit different flashes.
Mike

[johnlo]

I love my lightsphere. It works great for me. I never use the flip it, so i cannot comment on it. But I have use the ABBC and it works great too. But I stil llike the lightshere more. the only thing I dont like is that it eats up alot more power on my battery..