pradeep1 wrote:
Is it worth the money? I know user 'flashclip' will say yes, but I thought I'd get some other opinions and comments.
My best guess is that this flashclip would bring an improvement, to
certain macro (but not super macro) shots, under an extremely
limited set of circumstances. Even the sample shots the ad (coin, toy)
are macro type shots.
The main reason being that the G3/G5's built-in flash has a very
limited range. Once you cover the light source with a diffusing
semitransparent layer, you are going to loose even more flash range.
You can adjust the flash output upwards until you're blue in the face,
but it is going to be significantly weaker.
While I don't mean to knock the extensive R&D and stylish design
process that went into creating the flashclip accessory being offered,
I should point out that the effect of this product can be easily
reproduced with a piece of paper and two pieces of tape in front of
the G3's built-in-flash.
Like this:
| HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO |
(You'll have to pretend my card reader is the G3, since I was using the
G3 to take this pic and didn't have another digicam handy.)
Here are some results for your comparison, of Grommit on a wingless
plane, in a improvised micro studio on my desk, using an 8.5x11"
sheet of paper:
(All samples resized, shot on "P" mode/Macro/Normal "0" flash output
setting when flash was used) (TOP straight out of camera; BOTTOM w/
Photoshop autocontrast)
Sample A - Grommit, NO flash, indoor light:
| HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO |
Sample B - Grommit, Direct G3 Built-in Flash:
| HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO |
Sample C - Grommit, Directed External Flash 420EX:
(Note flash light fall off, since Grommit was placed very
close to camera lens, in macro mode)
| HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO |
Sample D- Grommit, Direct G3 Built-in Flash, w/ the paper and tape diffuser alternative:
(note considerable reduction in flash output in the non PS adjusted image)
| HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO |
Sample E - Grommit under ceiling bounced external flash:
| HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO |
Bonus sample: Orange Mini DV tape, TOP direct built flash; BOTTOM with paper & tape diffuser; G3 auto mode
| HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO |
So in conclusion, what I think about the fastclip product without
having used it or seen one person is that it has a very limited
functionality, although it is slightly more elegant than a piece of
creased paper and two pieces of tape. However, because of its
size, it is probably also prone to be lost precisely at those times
when you might actually need it. Truth be told, if it had any promise,
Canon/Olympus/Nikon would have made an accessory based on
this concept by now.
It is also seems severely overpriced for what it is. R&D for my paper
and tape diffuser cost about $0.20 cents; its implementation and
usage were essentially free. You can't blame anyone for trying to
make a living and building a mail-order business, but still, it would
seem exorbitant to charge more than $3 for this product, shipping
included.
However, I am a professional reviewer (though not usually of photo
accessories), and if the marketing people of fastclip would like to send
me a review unit, I'll be happy to re-evaluate this product.