Anyone seen this? "The Light BLaster"

http://www.wired.com …fetish-the-light-blaster/
http://www.light-blaster.com/

"The $100 tripod-mountable lighting accessory from Spiffy Gear works sort of like a projector. You attach a DSLR lens to the front of it, a strobe flash with a wireless trigger to the back of it, and then you sandwich a 35mm slide in the middle. When the attached flash is triggered by a camera, it projects the slide’s image in a quick, bright burst — perfect for creating your own still-image versions of Bjork videos."

Seems like a pretty cool little toy.

It's essentially an elipsoidal lighting instrument for flash instead of constant light...

Why not simply make a trip to the thrift store and purchase an ordinary slide projector, for less money, and not tie up a flash unit and a lens?

A slide projector would better permit you to position your subject best in front of the scene being projected, since you'd see the scene continuously, too.

Wilt wrote in post #16142971
Why not simply make a trip to the thrift store and purchase an ordinary slide projector, for less money, and not tie up a flash unit and a lens?

Well I am just assuming based on what I am seeing in the marketing, but presumably you'd get a MUCH brighter image with a burst from a flash gun over a slide projector. And the output control on the flash gun would let you match brightness with the rest of your studio lighting.

I think this is a very interesting product but couldn't find information about the actual light throughput anywhere online. Does anyone of you have any information or is there an informative review available?

Thanks,
Tobi

The “original” version in action and its stealthy effect can be seen here: image fulgurator at checkpoint charlie

Ok, now I see how a slide projector would not substitute, if out and about rather than in a studio. But I then have to ask "What good does it do you?!"...its novelty usage as depicted in the link of Post 6 soon wears off. In other words, why spend the $100 just for a novelty?!

Its a relatively inexpensive focusing spot that uses a speedlite for illumination.
Can be used much the same way a regular focusing spot is used to project cookies etc onto the background. Could be quite useful for fashion, bridal etc.

Tobi. wrote in post #16143545
I think this is a very interesting product but couldn't find information about the actual light throughput anywhere online. Does anyone of you have any information or is there an informative review available?

Thanks,
Tobi

Light through put is going to depend on too many variables for them to make any real estimates. Now restrictive the image slide is, the aperture of the lens attached, the power of the speedlite attached.

Wilt wrote in post #16143766
In other words, why spend the $100 just for a novelty?!

People pay more than that for backdrops.

I bought one but haven't had much time to put it to the test. One thing I have noticed is there is much less light than I thought there would be - but I am using an old EF-S kit lens for the projection. A fast prime would allow more light through.

If I get some time to test it this week I'll post some samples.

BTW, it's not a novelty for me. If I can use it the way I want, I will be adding texture and interesting backgrounds/designs to otherwise boring seamless paper.

We'll see how it pans out.

Scott

You could probably adapt some old 50mm f2 from ebay for a cheap and brighter solution.

One thing I wondered is do you have to focus the light with the lens?

I'm guessing yes you do as you would with a projector.

tkbslc wrote in post #16143865
You could probably adapt some old 50mm f2 from ebay for a cheap and brighter solution.

One thing I wondered is do you have to focus the light with the lens?

Yes, if you want the image sharp you do have to focus. I've found this challenging to accomplish.

scobols wrote in post #16143886
Yes, if you want the image sharp you do have to focus. I've found this challenging to accomplish.

Use a flash light to focus. Or the modeling light feature on the speedlite.