Any thoughts/opinions on the AK Diffuser

So I recently came across AK Diffuser in a video and it caught my eye as its creating some very nice smooth lighting for macro work. I'm very curious because the lighting looks really great, but there's a sharp price on it and its overseas so a bit more cost (import+shipping etc...). So before I consider jumping in I wonder if anyone here has used one and can share any feedback/thoughts you've had when using it in macro photography.

A few questions that have already popped up in my head regarding it

1) How specific is its build design? I know they build to your specifications but how variable is it in practical terms. Do you need a different one for every lens or are the builds a little more versatile in the real world. Or is this something their customising design can take into account (eg using different lenses on the same camera body and flash setup)

2) Size. It's size is clearly helping it get that soft light and the curved nature is also helping a lot; but that comes at the cost of it being big. I can already see that they fit an LED inside to give light to help deal with the shading it causes; however I'm curious how practical they are out in the field. Is it one of those things that tends to be really good but just not practical; or something that's worth the time learning to get used to its quirks in the field.

3) Importing/overseas - I'm in the UK so just wondering if anyone else overseas has ordered and had any issues or concerns that arose.

I'm quite happy with mine however I've heard that the cygnustech version is simpler and folds down quite small so I may try that next.

I find all diffusion options somewhat cumbersome in the field but I've taken plenty of shots I'm happy with using the AK.

Lens mounted diffusers are fine most of the time but they can get in the way and aren't adjustable like diffused flashguns mounted off camera.

racketman wrote in post #19494975
Lens mounted diffusers are fine most of the time but they can get in the way and aren't adjustable like diffused flashguns mounted off camera.

If all you want is flat, directionless 'illumination', the around-the-lens light source will provide that...NateD posted a photo which exemplifies flat directioness lighting...that might be fine for scientific documentation purposes, but not necessarily when you want something of greater aesthetic appeal to a viewer.

If you want illumination that give sense of depth and 3D modelling of the subject, being able to have one source off to one side as your Main (and maybe a second source to be Fill) is better. Of course the around-the-lens design is less finicky to use...stick your lens in, and it is simply there.
Remember, 'large source' is relative to subject size and how close it is to the subject...4" across is 'large' when used less than 8" from your subject.

I'd love to see examples of this directional lighting. I tried diffused twin flashes and I was not happy with the results.

I'm always looking to improve as long as it is field practical too.

NateD wrote in post #19495081
I'd love to see examples of this directional lighting. I tried diffused twin flashes and I was not happy with the results.

It is unfortunately somewhat difficult to find posted macro nature subjects with skillful use of lighting, whereas those who do macro object lighting well are more prevalent. None of these are 'flat frontal, dimensionless'

https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=18929608
https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=18937688
https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=18958321
https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=18984574
https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=19004923
https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=19011220

https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=19454476
https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=18922226

NateD wrote in post #19489761
I'm quite happy with mine however I've heard that the cygnustech version is simpler and folds down quite small so I may try that next.

I find all diffusion options somewhat cumbersome in the field but I've taken plenty of shots I'm happy with using the AK.

Hosted photo: posted by NateD in
./showthread.php?p=194​89761&i=i206110778
forum: Macro

Nate, that is an amazing photo of that bee. Was this with the MPE-65?

I have tried different diffusers and they all have pros and cons. I've settled on a home-made fan-shaped lens-mounted diffuser, with a shoe-mounted flash firing into it. I use a reflective snoot to direct much of the light down to the diffuser. The material costs just a couple of dollars and the finished parts pack flat. The arrangement avoids flash brackets and cables. I use velcro to afford some rigidity to the setup. So far it has always proved to be stable in a breeze. I use this setup for hand-held use in the field.

The light is frontal, and that defines the quality of the light. To get better modelling, you need to have some of your light source well to the side or behind the subject. Unfortunately that leads to a lot of woe bumping into foliage and stems. For that reason, I design the diffuser so no part of it will extend past the focal plane.

The AK diffuser appears to be just a gussied-up version of what I have - except that it also uses a reflector below the lens. But we can also rig something like that. And I have experimented with such a reflector, and found my version didn't have much benefit. That is not the last word, though. Maybe with more effort I could make a better one. But I suspect I would need a second flash to get enough illumination on that bottom part for it to be useful.

I used the Laowa 25mm 2.5-5x, I'm glad you like it, flat light notwithstanding.