Diffusers for Shoe-Mounted Flashes

[wizcreations]

I'm at a loss deciding which diffuser to get. Could you please explain the differences, pros and cons between the different available diffusers? I need help deciding what to buy for my 580ex II

Here are some links for what I was looking at:
Adorama Mini Softbox
Photoflex XTCII
LumiQuest Mini Softbox

I'm open to suggestions as to what to buy. Thanks so much for your help!

[watt100]

Originally Posted by wizcreations

I'm at a loss deciding which diffuser to get. Could you please explain the differences, pros and cons between the different available diffusers? I need help deciding what to buy for my 580ex II

Here are some links for what I was looking at:
Adorama Mini Softbox
Photoflex XTCII
LumiQuest Mini Softbox

I'm open to suggestions as to what to buy. Thanks so much for your help!

Many people here will say don't buy any of those diffusers. I use a cheap $5 ebay version of that "mini-softbox" for macro and some portraits. It works, sort of. Bouncing the flash is much better. A shoot thru umbrella or softbox will be even better than that but will cost more and require a lightstand and remote trigger.

[smorter]

The gain you get from these devices is probably not worth the extra ridicule you get with that on your flash!

[wizcreations]

Originally Posted by watt100

Many people here will say don't buy any of those diffusers. I use a cheap $5 ebay version of that "mini-softbox" for macro and some portraits. It works, sort of. Bouncing the flash is much better. A shoot thru umbrella or softbox will be even better than that but will cost more and require a lightstand and remote trigger.

And if a ceiling or wall isn't available to bounce the flash...?
(umbrellas/lightstands/etc out of my budget)

Originally Posted by smorter

The gain you get from these devices is probably not worth the extra ridicule you get with that on your flash!

What do you recommend instead?

[smorter]

Originally Posted by wizcreations

And if a ceiling or wall isn't available to bounce the flash...?
(umbrellas/lightstands/etc out of my budget)

What do you recommend instead?

When you can bounce: a 580EXII (bare)

When you can't bounce: Available light or Softbox/umbrellas.

Money is no excuse - for the $$$ you spend on those devices, you can get an ebay umbrella mount ($10), an ok umbrella ($20), and you can use your tripod as the lightstand

[wizcreations]

Originally Posted by smorter

Money is no excuse - for the $$$ you spend on those devices, you can get an ebay umbrella mount ($10), an ok umbrella ($20), and you can use your tripod as the lightstand

I didn't realize there were umbrellas that cheap. Everything I saw was quite a bit more expensive. I'll look again!

[windpig]

These are to small to do anything. I've got the Lumiquest LQ-107:
http://www.lumiquest.com/products/softbox.htm
It works well for close up and macro work, but anything over 14" it's to small.

[kilowat]

I was in a pinch and was shooting in a church tall sealing, this worked for me $25. couldn't lose much. first time shooting a wedding my son in law sister they didn't have the money for a photographer

promaster

[Wilt]

I am of the belief that there are times when simply no other light modifier will work to soften the light of on-camera flash. And in those circumstances, any increase of the light from the few square inches of the flash lens is an improvement, even those mini softboxes that are 5x7" (35 sq.in. area) Any help is better than no help at all.

Showing only a small section of the full frame, here is what a 5x7" softbox can do at a shooting distance of 20' to improve the shadow cast by the arm...



and the native flash lens only, at shooting distance of 20'

[wizcreations]

Well this has at least told me one thing...
If using a mini softbox, bigger = better

[smorter]

I guess if it were not for better performance, why would anybody choose to carry around those huge softboxes and umbrellas? Maybe to compensate for lack of size in other key assets?

[jro]

i recently got the flashbender and it seems to be working well

[Wilt]

Originally Posted by smorter

I guess if it were not for better performance, why would anybody choose to carry around those huge softboxes and umbrellas? Maybe to compensate for lack of size in other key assets?

Since we're mixing metaphors, let it be said that...

"Bigger means softer"

...about photographic lighting, of course!