STO FEN OMNI BOUNCE

[oursds]

Have any of you used the StoFen Omni Bounce attachment? Does it work as well as their web-site claims? I'm mainly interested in it for on camera flash taking candid portraits.
THANKS

[KevC]

I think it's a little expensive for what it is. C'mon, 20bux for a piece of plastic? But I have one coming with my flash anyway. It doesn't work too well when using the flash directly (it doesn't change the size of the light) but when you bounce it off the walls/ceiling, it's supposed to be good...

[neil_r]

It works, I use it when bouncing flash, gives a more even light with no hotspots.

N

[NGrinerPhoto]

i use it. it works well. i think it's worth the $.

[intechpcx]

Like any diffuser it does a good job of softening the light. Helps prevent a lot of the facial washout you get with direct flash. Just be aware that with the combination of the diffusion and the bounce set at 45 degrees (per mfg recommendations) you lose about 2 stops.

BTW: I was able to make a similar diffuser out of the plastic from a one gallon milk container, works about as well as the $17 one.

[defordphoto]

I have one and they work great. They fit perfectly and (sorry intechpcx) doesn't look like you duct-taped a milk carton to your flash. ;) Having spent thousands on other stuff, $17 is a drop in the bucket.

[Jesper]

I have one for my 420EX. I don't like it and I almost never use it.
It was outrageously expensive for a simple piece of plastic.

[OviV]

I have them and use them. I have even used them pointed directly at subject when shooting outdoors and even in that scenario it helps soften the light. It does affect color cast so be aware that you may want to custom white balance.

Ovi

[Mike Panic]

i <3 omni-bounce, been using them for years, evenback when i shot my canon eos a2 on a regular basis

i still want to buy a gold one... maybe one day

[etaf]

i have them for 430EZ, & 2off 550EX and pretty much use them all the time

[Mitch]

Omnibounce is great. It is well worth the $20. It fits properly, it is very durable; thicker plastic than milk carton, and it looks professional. People spend thousands on cars and hundreds on clothes just to look good. Don't be penny wise and pound foolish; buy one.

You will loose two stops shooting straight ahead, three stops if you put it at 45 degrees. If you shoot with flash in ETTL mode and stay close to your subjects, you don't have to worry too much about the loss of the stops. Generally, I use it only for close range: 3ft to12 ft; makes a very big difference to the image.

[mbze430]

I have used the Stofen omni bounce for a long time. I sold all of them when I got the Lightsphere II.

With the lightsphere II I don't need a flash bracket any longer. Though I do look like an idiot at time with a "plastic cup" on my flash, it has produce some excellent picture.

[Mills]

I have one and they work great. They fit perfectly and (sorry intechpcx) doesn't look like you duct-taped a milk carton to your flash. ;) Having spent thousands on other stuff, $17 is a drop in the bucket.

I agree with Jim. Just got mine and it works as advertised.

[KurtKuhn]

I have them and use them. I have even used them pointed directly at subject when shooting outdoors and even in that scenario it helps soften the light. It does affect color cast so be aware that you may want to custom white balance.

Ovi

I've always disliked flash photography results with a typical P&S. Purchasing the 580EX & Omni Bounce is an effort to make me learn & like flash photography. So I'm glad to see this thread since I have the following issue.

I recently received the Omni Bounce with my 580EX. The following was printed on the directions, "Never use the Omni Bounce in the normal straight ahead position except in TTL mode. For optimum results tilt head up slightly at about 45 degrees."

I understand that "bounce" is in the product title. But, if the intent is to soften the light, what is Sto-Fen's issue with using it straight on?

-KK

[J Rabin]

I have the StoFen on my 420 and the Lumiquest. I use the Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer all the time, everywhere, indoors, and out. I almost never use the StoFen because of the need for a wall or ceiling to bounce, the color casts one obtains bouncing off non white walls. IMO the Lumiquest is a more flexible product doing the same job, superior to the Sto-Fen in everyway. The Lumiquest works really well with indoor events and the Canon 17-40L.

[cargo123]

I have used the Stofen omni bounce for a long time. I sold all of them when I got the Lightsphere II.

With the lightsphere II I don't need a flash bracket any longer. Though I do look like an idiot at time with a "plastic cup" on my flash, it has produce some excellent picture.

I also received my Lightshere II on Saturday. I think it works wonderfully for flash photos. I am trying to learn how to use my 580EX so that my pictures are not too bright in the middle and dark on the edges. It has made me feel like a pro flash photographer over night.

[JSolie]

I made my own diffuser for a Minolta 3600HS flash. It really let light out all over the place and was quite blinding for this photographer. This diffuser now sits on a shelf, along with other harebrained contraptions that I've made over the years, and a StoFen diffuser now graces the top of that flash. And there's one on my 580ex as well. I find that it works very well for short distances, but it limits the "reach" of the flash (good thing for closeups). I hadn't see the Lumiquest before...looks interesting.

-- John

[J Rabin]

OurSDS:
Here a couple of lo-res candid portrait kid picks taken with the Lumiquest, 10D and 50 f/1.4. I like the skin tones it gives under any background better than the Sto-fen. I like carrying it flat also.

http://postit.rutgers.edu/uploads/Lumiquest%20Kid%20three%2Ejpg
http://postit.rutgers.edu/uploads/Lumiquest%20Kid%20four%2Ejpg

Jack

[Huckaback Photo]

Check out this previous thread, i have a photo there may interest you.
a slightly different way with an omni, passed on to me by another pro photographer.
i checked it with a flash meter and is a difference in out put.

Martin (Huckaback Photo)

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=57362&highlight=huckaback+photo

[DaveG]

Like any diffuser it does a good job of softening the light. Helps prevent a lot of the facial washout you get with direct flash. Just be aware that with the combination of the diffusion and the bounce set at 45 degrees (per mfg recommendations) you lose about 2 stops.

BTW: I was able to make a similar diffuser out of the plastic from a one gallon milk container, works about as well as the $17 one.

Just remember that a small diffuser like the Stofen only softens the light if you can bounce it. Light is softened in two ways, by making it bigger or by making it closer. A huge light source - the sun - isn't soft because it's too far away. A Stofen in 45 degree bounce positon is still a point source light if there's no ceiling or wall close by to provide bounce. In those conditions you've got the same harsh light, just a lot less of it.

I used my Stofen on my Nikon's to WIDEN the light when I was using a Vivitar 283 and my 20mm lens. The Stofen was better than the Vivitar W/A diffuser and more to the point, I had one. The wide angle diffuser in the 550 has reduced the need for this but I still carry one with me.

[Amstaff]

I have used them on my 420 and now my 580 spedlite and highly recommend them.

[Ray Garcia]

Simple diffuser: Get a white plastic film (remember that?) container and cut out the bottom. Slit it up the side and slip it over your on camera flash for diffused fill......works great!

[OceanRider]

i have the stofen but have not used it yet, I thouhgt it was the cats ass, until I read this thread.....does the lightshere II do that much better??

[Todd Jacobsen]

I thought it was the cats ass...

Uh...is that a GOOD thing?