Flash Diffuser

So - looking to get into a flash diffuser for speed light and searching the forum, there only seems to be the (great) discussion of Gary Fong vs tupperware. First - not interested in Gary Fong (already beat to death in another thread) stuff because it seems to be overpriced for what you get (IMO). I was thinking along the lines of an on camera softbox(??) maybe, or do you think there are better products to use. I do not want to spend a ton of money on the diffuser / soft box, as it may not see a huge amount of use. Based on what I have seen and read so far, the Altura product line seems to a reasonable product line, but again, I have no experience base to judge on. Size wise, I'd like something that breaks down to a manageable size to fit in a Lower Sling style bag. Now that my wish list is there - looking for ideas, pros / cons, recommendations based on personal experience. Thanks all, Mike

Why do you want one? What are you trying to accomplish?

Basically, Alveric, I am looking for something that will take shadows of shots that can be either in or outdoors. I am now thinking maybe a on camera soft box?? I am not looking to "spread" the light, but more of cleaning up the shot with softer light, but don't want to go real big as portability is a concern at this time.

I was afraid that was your intention. I elaborate: the portable diffusers for flashguns will not give you soft light, in spite of the manufacturers claims. The only way you can get soft shadows with such items (StoFen, Lumiquest, GaryFlung, Tupperware, &c.) is if the subject is three inches away from it and/or you're shooting macro (yep, for bugs the size of a nickel, a Lumiquest III is what a 120 cm octabox is for a person).

If that is your intention, I'd pass on them.

Fill light is what you are trying to do.

'Soft light' only happens when the light is a distance from the subject which is within about 3 * (max dimension of the softbox/umbrella). Otherwise the so-called 'large source' starts to transition to having the characteristics of a 'small source'...the sun is huge, but because of its distance from us it becomes a 'point source' in casting hard edged shadows.

So using a 5" x 7" so-called 'softbox' only very slightly softens the penumbra (shadow transition edge) when more than 21" away.
Here is a photo showing the shadow cast behind the yellow fruit picker pole, which is caused by a flash using a 5" x 7" 'diffuser'; note the edge of the shadow which is cast by the flash (immediately behind the fruit picking pole, NOT the pole's shadow cast a few feet to the left) is scarcely 'softened'

Get a rubber band, and a pack of 3"x5" white index cards. Cheapest, most versatile on-camera flash modifier available. I can do anything with that setup you can do with GF or any other brand of that 'tupperware'. If I set my 'flash diffuser' down and forget about it, I've got a pack of 100 of them in my bag; for about $0.39. I'm old enough not give a FFA if others think I look stupid. I'm going for results, not 'cool'.

Since I moved to 580EX II units with the built in diffuser panel and reflector card, my index cards get a lot less use. I believe the YN-568EX II does the same thing for about $100.

Size is the key, more accurately apparent size (The combination of actual size and proximity). Small diffusers really won't achieve what you are wanting to do. No matter how innovative or appealing you can't beat physics. If you want to soften light make the source bigger or get it closer or both. If you have nearby surfaces to bounce off of you can get more out of the flash by making the bounce surface become the new light source.

All very good points here that are going to save me money. I am going to have to learn to work with bouncing the flash, using the built in diffuser, and 3 x 5 cards. Also like the "Black Foamy Thing" idea as that seems to make a lot of sense too. Appreciate the feedback and ideas!!

High Desert wrote in post #18539103
All very good points here that are going to save me money. I am going to have to learn to work with bouncing the flash, using the built in diffuser, and 3 x 5 cards. Also like the "Black Foamy Thing" idea as that seems to make a lot of sense too. Appreciate the feedback and ideas!!

There is NO 'built in diffuser' on the typical speedlight!

• There is often a 'wide angle lens' that widens the coverage area to be suitable for use with UWA lens focal length. but the light is no 'softer', merely covers a broader area.
  
• There is a reflector that you use to deflect light FORWARD to open up the shadows under the chin and in the eye sockets, when the flash is aimed upward to the ceiling so that ceiling bounce does 'soften' the light...that that forward deflection is a SMALL SOURCE (smaller than the 5" x 7" software which I demonstrated as doing virtually nothing in my prior post)
  

Wilt wrote in post #18539146
There is NO 'built in diffuser' on the typical speedlight!

• There is often a 'wide angle lens' that widens the coverage area to be suitable for use with UWA lens focal length. but the light is no 'softer', merely covers a broader area.
  
• There is a reflector that you use to deflect light FORWARD to open up the shadows under the chin and in the eye sockets, when the flash is aimed upward to the ceiling so that ceiling bounce does 'soften' the light...that that forward deflection is a SMALL SOURCE (smaller than the 5" x 7" software which I demonstrated as doing virtually nothing in my prior post)
  

My bad, sorry. I referred to it as a 'diffuser' panel. As Wilt points out, Canon refers to it as a 'Wide Panel'.