Flash Diffuser for weddings

After many requests from clients, I have finally given in to a couple of them and will be shooting a couple weddings for the first time next year. My questions is: What diffuser, if any, would you recommend for weddings/receptions. I am currently using a Nissin Di622 II with a Sto-fen Omni-bounce style diffuser.

Thanks in advance!

Diffusers as such dont really work. They spread light around the room and if you have relfective walls and ceilings they provide some benefits, but in those conditions you can bounce without the loss of power by having tupperware on your flash. What makes light softer is increasing the size of the light source, not "diffusing" it. Bounce card devices like the rouge flashbender, the demb flipit, or even a craft foam bounce card allow you to bounce light while stil directing enough light forward to fill eye socket and chin shadows.

I bought into the diffuser thing a few years ago. I gave it up when I realized that the reach of my flash was halved and there was no obvious benefit for that sacrifice. I just have to shake my head at those who run around with tupperware attached to their flashes. The worst example that I've seen is a guy shooting with a diffuser at an outdoor concert in daylight. I think part of the appeal is that people will look at you and be amazed at how professional you are. Sort of like battery grips for those who don't need them.

I just use a 5x7 piece of styrene that I velcro to my flash. Cost = $1.56.

Please throw the sto-fen in the trash bin. I'm suprised it's still sold as a product for softening light.
Having a bounce card at least can direct some light as well as giving you some fill directed to the subject.

I use the spinlight 360 and joe demb flipit. I like the flipit because it can be stored easily and its extremely light. The rogue bender is effective because you can use it as a snoot in a pinch but its substantially heavier then the joe demb flipit.

I have noticed that the diffuser helps a ton with outdoor shots. I have a bounce card but that is still too intense, the diffused light makes for much softer shadows. I am not used to having a ceiling to bounce off of though, so maybe no diffuser inside if I have a decent ceiling to use? One reception will be in a wooden barn though, so the ceiling will not work too well, that's why I am thinking maybe I need a larger diffuser to spread the softer light over a larger area.

BlakeC wrote in post #17311089
I have noticed that the diffuser helps a ton with outdoor shots. I have a bounce card but that is still too intense, the diffused light makes for much softer shadows. I am not used to having a ceiling to bounce off of though, so maybe no diffuser inside if I have a decent ceiling to use? One reception will be in a wooden barn though, so the ceiling will not work too well, that's why I am thinking maybe I need a larger diffuser to spread the softer light over a larger area.

if the bouce card is "too intense" lower your flash output.

The sto-fen basically reduces light but has no real benefit of softening light. Physical size of light source softens light. This is why bouncing is so much more effective as a light modifier.

Having a larger bounce card will throw more fill light while not contaminating your "colour" of bounced wood paneling.

For the price, the Sto-fen has done awesome! I haven't heard of the spinlight but it looks decent. Price isnt horrible either. Ill def check them out! Thanks!

BlakeC wrote in post #17311089
I have noticed that the diffuser helps a ton with outdoor shots. I have a bounce card but that is still too intense, the diffused light makes for much softer shadows. I am not used to having a ceiling to bounce off of though, so maybe no diffuser inside if I have a decent ceiling to use? One reception will be in a wooden barn though, so the ceiling will not work too well, that's why I am thinking maybe I need a larger diffuser to spread the softer light over a larger area.

If your difuser is helping outdoor shots you were doing something terribly wrong before. You can bounce in a barn and a "larger" diffuser wont help unless by larger you mean 24 inch softbox. Its clear that as of now you don't understand flash well enough to be doing wedding photos. Most people who claim diffusers help are simply reaping the benefits of not over exposing their flash shots, doing the same thing via flash exposure compensation will prove that out.

BlakeC wrote in post #17311121
For the price, the Sto-fen has done awesome! I haven't heard of the spinlight but it looks decent. Price isnt horrible either. Ill def check them out! Thanks!

Please god no. You cannot buy good light with this crap, its a marketing scam. Look at neil van niekerks video on the b&h photo website. It will change the way you think about this stuff. You really need to accept that the stofen or sny other flash cover doesn't softrn light in any way.

That's why I am asking you guys for advice...lol

I don't like bounce cards outdoors, it is often pretty windy around here and anything larger than the bounce card attached to my flash just turns into a sail. I have seen several others struggling with their giant bounce cards in the wind and even having to chase one down! lol. The bounce card that comes attached to my flash is useless, might as well shoot straight on . I'm not saying the sto-fen is the best option; it's just better than direct flash w exposure compensation or a crappy bounce card. It is useless at a distance though. Sounds like my best option would be a larger bounce card indoors.

Thanks for taking the time to reply!

I don't think they are necessarily "scams." You could literally make your own diffusers and bounce cards but its nice to have something that is a little better quality or is made to fit better. Yea, some of them are a little more complicated than they need to be, but some people like that. I prefer simple. There is clearly more than one way to achieve the same goal; it's just what works best for you. And that's what I'm asking. What works best for you? And maybe I will try that and it will work for me as well.

BlakeC wrote in post #17311321
That's why I am asking you guys for advice...lol

I don't like bounce cards outdoors, it is often pretty windy around here and anything larger than the bounce card attached to my flash just turns into a sail. I have seen several others struggling with their giant bounce cards in the wind and even having to chase one down! lol. The bounce card that comes attached to my flash is useless, might as well shoot straight on . I'm not saying the sto-fen is the best option; it's just better than direct flash w exposure compensation or a crappy bounce card. It is useless at a distance though. Sounds like my best option would be a larger bounce card indoors.

Thanks for taking the time to reply!

None of those things help outdoors, although a bounce card gives better catchlights. I'm going to go over the physics of light one more time. The only thing that makes light softer is increading the apparent size of a light source. Apparent size is the combination of actual size and distance, bigger is softer at a given distance. But a small modifier close enough may be just as soft as a large one farther away.

Your stofen, despite all your fervsnt hopes, does nothing to increase the apparent size of your light source. All it does outside is refuce your flash power, thats literally all it does. Evrn going to a larger plastic diffuser like the omnibounce or spin light makes such a small difference in the size it makes no difference beyond 2ft. So if you think your stofen is better than a bounc card you have a magic device capable of defying the laws of physics. I may seem to be hard on you but as long as you think that stofen is helping you are closing yourself off to actual practicsl knowlege.

BlakeC wrote in post #17311342
I don't think they are necessarily "scams." You could literally make your own diffusers and bounce cards but its nice to have something that is a little better quality or is made to fit better. Yea, some of them are a little more complicated than they need to be, but some people like that. I prefer simple. There is clearly more than one way to achieve the same goal; it's just what works best for you. And that's what I'm asking. What works best for you? And maybe I will try that and it will work for me as well.

I hope once you learn how light eotks you'll look back snd be slightly embarassed by the insistence that diffusers work. Its happened before here.

You have been the most entertainment I've had in a while. I was just trying to be nice and further conversation on this forum and ask questions so EVERYONE can learn. But you have to turn it into a stream of over-opinionated and rude comments. You could have easily responded respectfully like everyone else but instead you choose to respond very rudely. "You were doing something terribly wrong", "please god no", "this crap...scam", etc.

I try to respond to everyone in a positive manner to make this more enjoyable and encourage feedback. Just bc I said I would check out the Spinlight does not mean I think they work better or am going to buy one; I was simply thanking him for his input.

The way you responded here makes others afraid to even say their 2 cents for fear of you insulting them.

Your first reply would have done nicely by itself.

Thanks again for participating.