Lightspere 2 vs. Demb Flip-it

Does anyone have significant experience with these flash diffusers. I have the lightspere 2 and it was O.K.. Was not impressed with fill flash outside. Just bought the Flip-it w. diffuser as it made more "sense" to me ( at least in the manor of directing light). Can anyone share there experiences? I have the EX 580.

JC, none of the "tupperware" diffusers are worth using outside of a room with nearby white walls and/or ceiling to reflect light back towards the subject. Outdoors, all they actually wind up doing for you is wasting light energy from a flash unit that is already probably underpowered for outdoor use.

The plastic diffusers generally do not present a significantly larger "source" size to the subject, so they don't do much differently from a bare flash in a direct lighting (non-reflecting) situation.

My favorite accessory for a hotshoe flash is the LumiQuest Promax System. This package, stored in a nice flat "wallet", allows for quite a few different configurations to match the conditions. It can be a partial reflector with light bouncing off the ceiling, a full reflector with white or colored (silver or gold) reflector panels, or a mini-softbox. Here's a link to their web catalog page: http://www.lumiquest.c​om/lq931.htm

Well, since you own both units, you can certainly experiment with both and come to your own conclusions. I agree that the flip-it makes more sense, but I don't own either unit.

Neither one will do you any good outdoors for fill.

SkipD wrote in post #2015216
JC, none of the "tupperware" diffusers are worth using outside of a room with nearby white walls and/or ceiling to reflect light back towards the subject. Outdoors, all they actually wind up doing for you is wasting light energy from a flash unit that is already probably underpowered for outdoor use.

The plastic diffusers generally do not present a significantly larger "source" size to the subject, so they don't do much differently from a bare flash in a direct lighting (non-reflecting) situation.

My favorite accessory for a hotshoe flash is the LumiQuest Promax System. This package, stored in a nice flat "wallet", allows for quite a few different configurations to match the conditions. It can be a partial reflector with light bouncing off the ceiling, a full reflector with white or colored (silver or gold) reflector panels, or a mini-softbox. Here's a link to their web catalog page: http://www.lumiquest.c​om/lq931.htm

I disagree with skip.. I use the clear lightspere outside in all occasions and it's fantastic.. The coverage is even and the quality of ligh is amazing...

The lightsphere does indeed waste alot of light but anything that makes the light sourse bigger will soften shadows so I wouldnt call it useless outdoors. Ive used it outside with the top on and pointing at the subject for direct flash and you can see a difference if you take 2 same shots one with and one without.

I also bounce outside, it's useful when you want to duffuse and soften the fill light when you are shooting at sunrise/sunset which is also very soft light.

so would you guys say the Lightsphere from Gary Fong is the best diffuser? i saw his site and it looks very darn interesting and very very functional

bluej511 wrote in post #2349832
so would you guys say the Lightsphere from Gary Fong is the best diffuser?

People tend to have strong opinions on flash modifiers. There are some who think Fong is a genius and some (perhaps more) who think he has done an excellent job marketing an overpriced piece of plastic with little functionality.

In any event, I would not buy anything based on its own advertising hype.

There is nothing magical about flash attachments. The simply redirect some or all of the photons coming out of the flash. The key to good lighting is to first figure out where you want those photons to go, and then determine the best device to get them there.

I use flash a lot, and I have never felt the need for a $50 piece of translucent plastic to make the light go where I wanted.

so what do you use curtis? im sure mine will only be fill flash and some night photography

To be quite honest... I find that I get the best results using an unmodified flash outdoors for fill light. The key to fill light is you do NOT use flash for the main light so whatever modifier you decide to use wouldn't really matter. You're getting your primary lighting from the sun or reflector/diffusion panel and the flash is only filling in shadows, right? If you do this properly, you shouldn't even be able to tell that flash was ever used.

If you want to try a good modifier that will only cost you a couple bucks check this out. It works as well as the lightsphere, maybe even better in every way except direct outdoor use.
http://www.abetterboun​cecard.com/
Stop by walmart craft section and pick up a couple Foamies 9x12" white sheets and try to find the largest diameter bicycle inner tube you can find for a couple bucks. Cut the foam sheet as described in the video and then cut a 1 1/4 section out of the inner tube for the attachment band and your all set.

bluej511 wrote in post #2349891
so what do you use curtis?

Outdoors for fill, it's direct flash. Forkball is right on the money here. Besides, when you're competing with the sun you need all the power you can get, and diffusers rob power.

Indoors with low ceilings, you have a plethora of economical choices. The usual idea is to throw most of the light against the ceiling to light up the general area while directing a little forward to brighten up your subject and fill shadows. I generally recommend the index card & rubber band approach, though my flash units are encircled with velcro so I have a homemade piece of white plastic with a velcro strip that I use. Recently I was using a new flash unit (no velcro) and I stuck a white Post-It note to the back side. Worked great at close range.

If you're in a room with high ceiling or outdoors at night, the only way to improve the light is to make the light source bigger. The Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer fits this bill (I use the Promax System with white insert, which is basically the same thing).

can some one post pics with and without the lightsphere?

ChrisBlaze wrote in post #2379540
can some one post pics with and without the lightsphere?

This was my first test with my Lightsphere. The walls and ceiling were painted different colors so I had a little trouble with color balance, I feel the lighting is as advertised. I have never gotten results like this with bounce flash or any other diffuser, the fact that this is my first time using the system speaks for it's ease of use. The system was worth the money to me, it may not be to you. Different strokes.

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I'd like a Lightsphere and Jimlp's photo confirms that. Flash is a bit of mysterious art to me and Fong's device seems to make it all less hit and miss. The problem is Lightsphere's seem to double in price as they arrive in Britain ...