bare flash vs omnibounce vs milk jug!

Alright, so I got bored today after looking at the Lightsphere II. I thought to myself, "WTF, I can make the exact same thing and not have it cost me $40 US plus shipping".

So, I took an old 4 liter milk jug, washed it out, and cut the top so it would slide over the head of my 420EX. Then, I made a series of test shots with no diffuser, a Stoffen Omnibounce, and the milk jug, all at 0 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees, with the camera in portrait orientation.

I have kindly resized and posted the images to my webspace and provide the URL below. Enjoy!

All photos were shot in Manual mode at 1/80s, f6.3, with a 50mm f1.4 on a Rebel XT, inside a "normal" room with white walls and standard-height ceilings.

http://members.shaw.ca​/Orcinus2/Photos/diffu​sers/

Boredom is the single working mother "in a relationship" of invention..

I've got some nice lights and diffusers made from clamp lights and window screen frames,
with taffeta in 'em..cheeep, and works. I love it.

Here's a picture of the milk jug, btw.

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Is your screen name from Heinlein? Mycroft Holmes, the computer that lived?

I think your milk jug shot at 90 degrees look the softest. Very similar to what you might get with the LightSphere II. It might be fine for shots around the house, but I'd really like to see the faces of your clients when you show up to a job with a milk jug on top of your camera.

Yes I agree, milk jug 90* looks nicest, what a hoot!!! Call Fong!!! great job! Thanks for the info and post.

Joel

KaplanMultimedia wrote:
I think your milk jug shot at 90 degrees look the softest. Very similar to what you might get with the LightSphere II. It might be fine for shots around the house, but I'd really like to see the faces of your clients when you show up to a job with a milk jug on top of your camera.

You made me actually laugh out loud with your fine imagery (not a photographic reference). However, shooting a less serious affair with a milk jug on your camera might actually net you some great happy pictures...I'm gonna try it soon!!!
:pFunBob

The optimal replacement for the lightsphere tupperware is in fact the large size bottle of isopropyl alchohol (empty of course) found in most pharmacies.. the plastic is a heavy white,. much heavier than a milk jug,. very similar to what the LS2 is made of.

Must have a go at that , full fat or skimmed wonder if a 2ltr or 1ltr jug makes a difference

I did the EXACT SAME THING several months ago, but never thought to patent it!(slaps forehead)
Like yours, mine created a very nice, soft light.
Thanks for sharing!

No.

Sorry for the newbie question, but . . . When you say "zero degrees, 60 and 90 degrees", what exactly does that mean? If you are shooting straight on that subject, is 90 degrees pointing your flash straight up toward the ceiling to make a right angle of light to lens plain? If so, what is zero degrees? Thanks.

Bayareaphotog

0 degrees is straight ahead (toward the subject).

60 is the flash head tilted up.

90 is the flash head pointing at the ceiling.

Ronald has it exactly right.

I almost pissed my pants about showing up on a job with a milk jug on your flash! I have a very vivid imiganation and can just see the expressions

KaplanMultimedia wrote:
I think your milk jug shot at 90 degrees look the softest. Very similar to what you might get with the LightSphere II. It might be fine for shots around the house, but I'd really like to see the faces of your clients when you show up to a job with a milk jug on top of your camera.