Demb Flip-It vs. ABBC

[ChadAndreo]

The fong looks the softest. SMH

[jamiewexler]

Originally Posted by JohnThomas

I think we're all comparing two different situations. I only use a diffuser when I'm outside and can't bounce, where the alternative is direct, bare flash.

When I'm inside, I am lucky enough to be able to bounce off white walls/ceilings. I haven't encountered black walls/ceilings yet.

My Flip-It came yesterday. As soon as I can pull my wife aside for a few minutes I'm going to take some shots with the Flip-It, Lightsphere and Sto-Fen.

Outside I never use a diffuser. All they do is steal flash power. If you learn to use flash correctly, you can make direct flash look very natural outdoors.

[smorter]

Originally Posted by tim

Size matters - I use a wall. I don't use on camera diffusers, I use off camera light.

+1

agree 100%

[smorter]

Originally Posted by Scatterbrained

You don't always have that option, which is why I keep one in my bag. Nothing like walking into a room with black walls and a black ceiling.

Originally Posted by gonzogolf

My last wedding was on a patio with no walls and a black canopy for ceiling. No place to put off camera lights. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and make do with what you have.

What's the exact problem with black ceilings that makes them not suitable for bouncing?

Originally Posted by ChadAndreo

The fong looks the softest. SMH

Hard to really tell as the flash exposures are totally different

[gonzogolf]

Originally Posted by smorter

What's the exact problem with black ceilings that makes them not suitable for bouncing?

Two problems with these, they werent particularly reflective so that the return diminished the power of the flash so that it wasnt sufficient. The second was that they were a series of curve arch canopies so there were no constant angles you could depend on.

[JohnThomas]

Originally Posted by tim

Size matters - I use a wall. I don't use on camera diffusers, I use off camera light.

When I started using OCL this was the method I used as well, but I was having trouble getting correct exposure on peoples faces when they weren't facing the flash. This is why I started experimenting with an additional on-camera flash (diffused or not)

Originally Posted by jamiewexler

Outside I never use a diffuser. All they do is steal flash power. If you learn to use flash correctly, you can make direct flash look very natural outdoors.

I think that depends on the type of diffuser being used. Diffusers similar to the StoFen, Vello or Gary Fong - I agree with you.

I didn't post the bare flash photo but maybe I should have. The Demb Flip-it was the only diffuser that actually intensified the flash exposure. My StoFen and Gary Fong decreased the flash exposure.

[kenwood33]

I use the ebay version of flip-it and I prefer it over a ABBC because you have more control how much light to bounce to the front. The rouge bender gives you even more flexibility but takes longer to blend (for me).

[bigarchi]

Originally Posted by JohnThomas

My StoFen and Gary Fong decreased the flash exposure.

and my guess is that the flash was probably maxed out, therefore the underexposure with those bad boys on it in ettl.
which definitely shows the effeciency differences between those options!

[JohnThomas]

^^ I agree with you. Although I haven't completely given up on the Gary Fong, I am a big fan of the Flip-It now.

[joe demb]

After looking at the comparison results of Stofen, Lightsphere, and Mega Flip-it, I would say that the one done with the Flip-it had the reflector in a forward position. So of course too much shadowing resulted. The instructions indicate that from such a short distance, the correct position would be vertical, or even back toward you a little. Forward position would be good for a group subject at 12 to 15 feet. If I am correct in my assumption, please adjust the reflector and try another test. I would like to see the result. Joe

[bigarchi]

Originally Posted by joe demb

After looking at the comparison results of Stofen, Lightsphere, and Mega Flip-it, I would say that the one done with the Flip-it had the reflector in a forward position. So of course too much shadowing resulted. The instructions indicate that from such a short distance, the correct position would be vertical, or even back toward you a little. Forward position would be good for a group subject at 12 to 15 feet. If I am correct in my assumption, please adjust the reflector and try another test. I would like to see the result. Joe

i think these tests were in an outdoor scenario where there is no ceiling to bounce off of.
therefore if you put the reflector too far back all you are doing is shooting light up into the atmosphere, right?
I completely agree that the above is 100% true indoors with a ceiling available. and this is what I do on a regular basis

[RichardStevens]

Could those tests be re-done with the flash in manual mode and the camera also in manual mode?

I think that only the Flip-It image looks properly exposed - the other two look under to me.

I'm tempted by the Flip-It. In the UK there is a website selling a similar product for £12.95 delivered: www.diffuseit.co.uk (free worldwide shipping).

I've a wedding coming up in a barn with a high ceiling and wooden beams. I see using a product like this to bounce off when taking shots at the reception without throwing light to the walls and blinding half of the guests behind / beside me.

[JohnThomas]

My wife (the model) is away on vacation for awhile. I wouldn't be able to reproduce this again until next week. I'll give it a try as soon as I can.

Doing the same test with the flash in manual would be interesting, as that will eliminate any variable other than the reflector style. However, using on-camera flash in manual mode for real life situations is probably impractical (right?)..

Regarding the comment about being too close with the reflector pointed forward; in this situation I was outdoors, as pointed out by another post, so there was nothing to bounce off. These are the situations I was comparing reflectors for.. When you can't bounce and need to use flash. To be fair, the next time I try this I'll take multiple shots with the Demb Flip-It in different positions.