Gary Fong

[DSMITH131]

USPS just delivered this now gotta go play with it

[defordphoto]

Okee dokee. Looks interesting...Is that thing called The Gary Fong?

[CyberDyneSystems]

Technically it's called "Tupperware" ....

...but it does wonders for keeping your lunch fresh while out on a shoot! :lol:

I hear you can put it on your flash as well to make your flash pics much better,. but really ,. look at it,. who'd belive such a thing ???

[defordphoto]

Kinda like a Sto-Fen with a bulge. Weird attachment, but hey, weirder things have produced better photos!

[DSMITH131]

http://secure.mycart.net/catalogs/catalog.asp?prodid=3354218&showprevnext=1

[Vega$50]

At the time of this posting...yours is 53 minutes old.....Time for the photos....:)

[defordphoto]

Post some shots and sell us. ;) I can see where its light dispersion would be beneficial. Kinda pricey though.

[Dubsta]

Mine should be here next week....

[xl1]

lucky for you, im oredering 1,5 month ago and until now i never recieve, tried to contact gary through MSN, never replay, agghhhh...............

[Harry Settle]

Gary's Lightsphere was way more popular than they ever anticipated. That, coupled with a factory FUBAR, gummed up his communications, shipping etc. . . things seem to be going better now. However, if you need to get a hold of anyone for support for any reason, it aint easy.

[CyberDyneSystems]

The thing really does look like it does an awesome job... I just love that it's so damn funny looking.

[defordphoto]

He should think of making a generic Tupperware interface where any piece of Tupperware could be connected.

The possibilities...

[CyberDyneSystems]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

It's compatible with the "number 8" lid size,.... so if you don't like the "white dome" for a top,. you can put an inverted purple plasic spagetti storage tube on instead... :lol:

[defordphoto]

Instead of gel filters, use Tupperware. All colors and sizes.

I can see all the gears churning and turning planning the next, photography-based, Tupperware Party.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Yes,.. but so many of these newbies are getting the RubberMade products instead... trying to save a buck or two :(

When will they learn? You have to spend a little money to make good photos,. (and keep your fruit salad fresh)

:lol:

[mbze430]

Say what you will, but I am a believer of this thing. Yes it looks awfully funny, but it does make very soft light.


Here is a shot taken at a friend's house over Easter.

Film, Kodak HD 400. EOS-1v HS w/50mm f/1.4 580EX + LSII

[CyberDyneSystems]

Those look excellent mbze!
Nice soft diffuse light,. and the air tight seal kept the "crisp" wholesome freshness locked in!
:mrgreen:

[mbze430]

That's the added value! After you take your photos, you can now serve lunch from your LGII bowl.

:P

[markubig]

Here's a couple more from the 90th birthday I did last Saturday. I guess I kind of cheated on my verticals because I had my "Rubbermaid LS2" on my 550, which was mounted in a Stroboflip VH2000.

You wanna know what was TOTALLY WRONG at this party? At our table, a few of my friends were having their fun with my LSII again by serving the bread and butter in my LSII dome, which I wasn't using. And worse, they even layered it with the table napkin, so it looked legit. Needless to say, everyone was dying laughing while I was taking bread and butter from it and not noticing a thing.:( :( :confused:

What do they say? . . . A photographer should never be ashamed of his equipment!

[CyberDyneSystems]

:lol: :lol:

Could have been worse,.. it could have been French Onion Soup!!!!! :lol:

[mbze430]

actually the top part is very useful in outdoor daylight or even evenings. I'll have to get some of those scanned.

[DSMITH131]

lucky for you, im oredering 1,5 month ago and until now i never recieve, tried to contact gary through MSN, never replay, agghhhh...............
received mine in less than a week

[eosster]

:lol: :lol:

Could have been worse,.. it could have been French Onion Soup!!!!! :lol:

I don't like French Onion Soup....

[Dubsta]

I don't care what it looks like, the pics that it produces are excellent...

I want it for vertical shots with my 580EX, and I do not want to but a flash bracket and cable and stuff....worth a try anyway...

[fredroj]

Dub...you need to get this thing, it works great. i'll be posting some pics i did earlier this week, but the overall quality of the pics is awesome. I had some friends making fun of my Lightsphere until the saw the outcome. they ate their words.

[Dubsta]

I ordered it over the weekend...Gary was supposed to send me my tracking number today. I hope it doesnt take a month for it to get here...I need it soon.

[CyberDyneSystems]

You all do realize I'm just having a laugh! :)

I think the results are outstanding and will end up owning one,.. probably sooner than later ;)

It's just such a great oportunity to have a little harmless fun...

Plus,. I need a new jello mold :lol:

[Dubsta]

CDS....no worries at all, I caught on that you were just playing...and I know I will get made fun of all kinds when I start to use it...lol...it is a funny looking piece of gear.

And besides, I'm a bodybuilder, I take 4 different tupperware containers to work each day, why not one more?

[markubig]

You all do realize I'm just having a laugh! :)

I think the results are outstanding and will end up owning one,.. probably sooner than later ;)

It's just such a great oportunity to have a little harmless fun...

Plus,. I need a new jello mold :lol:
If you really like the results and want one, you can get a box of 50 on sale at Bed Bath & Beyond for $19.99 :p :p :lol: :lol:

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/assets/product_images/380/2969013265593P.JPG

[Dubsta]

I didn't get my tracking number today....hope I don't have to wait a month...

I will keep everyone updated on this.

[MediaMagic]

The thing really does look like it does an awesome job... I just love that it's so damn funny looking.

I know, I'm expecting to hear it bellowing "Danger, Danger, Alien approaching"

but as with anything else, I must have this thing so I can be the consumate purchaser of odd and peculiar looking devices which attract undue attention but make pictures look better.

(afterall, I bought and use the $100 "Pringle's Lid" on a regular basis too!)

[billsh]

I wonder if my wife would miss one piece of tupperware from the cabinet. If I can decide how to attach it, it might be worth the chance. What's she going to do, throw me out of the house? (I could spend more time taking pictures that way) This could be a win win situation.

[Dubsta]

Updated on the tracking number...

"I haven't received my update for tracking numbers (we're buried) but I'll forward this to my dad so he can give it to you.

Gary Fong"

Maybe they are swamped and I won't be getting it when I expect it....let's hope I do!

[Harry Settle]

You know, the lid can be used in place of the pringles lid for checking your white balance.

[Todd Jacobsen]

As I stated in another forum,

I do plan on doing a comparison test between my recently purchased LSII, Lumiquest products (Softbox, 80-20, Promax System), omni-bounce, and naked flash.

A quick dry run last night showed that test setup greatly impacted results. Last night omni-bounce (at 45 degrees), as well as naked flash bounce preformed better than vertical LSII. But there was this ceiling fan...anyway both bounce scenario and (outdoor) no bounce scenarios will be tested. Just purchased products today (ProMax system) and expect them next week to start test.

[Dubsta]

Another update....

Received an update from them today. Apparently they do not have my name or order or any information in their "data base". Which is weird, cause when I check my online banking, my visa was already charged for this item on March 28/2005. So they have my money, but not my order? They also asked for my shipping information...

This was after me emailing them 3 times for my tracking number. I wonder how long it would have went if I had not inquired about it.

In their defense, I was told if the item was not already shipped, it would be shipped today.

More to come....hopefully I receive the item.

[AzzKicker]

looks like a big pee pee head to me LOL

[Dubsta]

Another Update...

I was contacted over the weekend, I was told I was not in their system for 100%. And was asked for what flash I needed the LSII. So basically, they are going to send it today...now that they know what I need. Although the money for the LSII was taken from my account, and I did order it over 2 weeks ago.

Again in their defense, they seem to be doing everything to make the situation go a lot faster, but I wish they had of had it right in the first place.

[tombryan]

I purchased Gary Fong's Lightsphere at the end of 04, and it's the most amazing light modifier I've ever used. Yes, it looks like a joke, but it's really nice lighting. You have to watch your distance and your exposure and just make adjustments on the fly, but I would highly recommend it.

One lady to me it looked like a beer bong, LOL..... so know I call it Fong's Bong,,, LOL


I'll try and show you an image. Haven't ever tried to post an image, but if this works I'm going to show you a shot I took of a Bride with his sisters right before I walked out of the door. Said my goodbyes and the groom wanted one last shot with his sisters. They were right up against an ugly yellow wall but you can't see any harldy shadow whatsoever. Totally amazing. It's so soft, you just don't get shadows or hotspots. I really love this thing.

Ok, I attached the file. Hope it's there.

TB

[Dubsta]

Update again..

Received an email, they said it has been shipped....after emailing them back two more times asking for a tracking number and not receiving any response...I have given up...they don't seem to be very organized at all when it comes to the shipping process...

As I said before, I will let you all know how this turns out...

[tombryan]

Thanks Boo Dog,
Appreciate the complement. I wasn't trying to empress you with the shot though other than the even lighting and NO shadows, LOL. It's quite an incredible too when used properly. Crank up the ISO to 800 and it's awesome.

TB

[mbze430]

I have a final comment regarding the LSII. Pictures of people taken with the LSII is alot more "fun" and wholesome. I think people looking at the LSII are so intrigued by the looks of the LSII, they are smiling (laughing) naturally.

[MediaMagic]

I just thought that my clients were happy people. I never considered the possibility that they might have been laughing at something on the camera.

Or somebody behind it. OMG.

lol.. well, if you get LSII and that Night Stalker hat from indyjeff, those expressions might have a combination of a laughing and a "what the heck?" kind of look. Especially if you get the optional hat mount clamp so you can mount the LSII right on top.

[Mike Panic]

its a cool concept and seems to work for a lot of applications, but this photo was taken right off their website:

http://www.uploadpixels.com/upload/1113252911_uploadpixels.com_3WAYDIFFUSEROUTDOORS.j pg (http://www.uploadpixels.com/index.php?file=1113252911_uploadpixels.com_3WAYDIF FUSEROUTDOORS.jpg)

personally i much prefer the way the omni-bounce image looks

[tim]

Me too, the only thing the LS II looks like it does better is reduce red-eye.

[tombryan]

Yes, the omni bounce does tend to have a problem with red-eye. All you have to do with the LS II is increase the contrast a touch and you'll get that look you like better with the image for the omni bounce. I have a Canon 20D and can do that right in the camera's parameter settings.
Plus the LS II is much better shooting vertical.

[Todd Jacobsen]

its a cool concept and seems to work for a lot of applications, but this photo was taken right off their website:

http://www.uploadpixels.com/upload/1113252911_uploadpixels.com_3WAYDIFFUSEROUTDOORS.j pg (http://www.uploadpixels.com/index.php?file=1113252911_uploadpixels.com_3WAYDIF FUSEROUTDOORS.jpg)

personally i much prefer the way the omni-bounce image looks

Try Omni x 2 as well, both direct and vertical. Based on the picture presented above, their scenarios look like:
1) Nake Flash direct
2) Omni-Bounce direct
3) LSII vertical

This isn't a real good indication of the LSII since high ceilings (looks like you're outside) LSII doesn't work well vertically - they're essentially stopping down significantly the flash output (which is going vertically into the air) and it is not a "direct" comparison of the devices/methods.

I'm an LSII owner and there is NOT this difference between LSII direct and Omni direct.

A better test would be:

1) Nake flash direct
2) Omni-bounce direct
3) Omni-bounce x 2 direct
4) LSII direct (with lid)
5) LSII Vertical
6) Omni-bounce 45
7) Omni-bounce x2 45

1-4 are similar tests
5-7 Utilize bounced light as part of their effect. THIS INCLUDES LSII (vertical)

[Dubsta]

Final Update...

Received the LSII, nice piece of plastic, works well...all in all it cost me $73 Canadian. A little more than I wanted to pay, but thems the breaks...I need to test it out alot more, but it seems worth it...just wish they were better with customer service.