580 diffuser question

Hi,

I'll be getting a 580EX for xmas, and would like to be able to use it to take some photos xmas morning. Most of the photos will be taken in a room with Atrium white walls, and ~10 foot ceilings.

What would be a good diffuser to pickup for this setup? I apoligize for a possibly (probably) redundant question, but I am heading over to B&H today, and would like to pick up something so that I am prepared.

Regards,

Adam

"search" is your friend, my friend.

Everyone has favorites and some people agree on the diffusers that are not all that effective or useless.

Typically when this question is asked you get a variety of answers and the 2 most popular, without getting into detail or technical aspects are:

1. Check out this site and short video: http://abetterbounceca​rd.com

and

2. The ProMax Lumiquest System

While the Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce is not one of my favorite attachments, it is relatively inexpensive and usually can produce good results in the surroundings you describe without a large learning curve. Start with the flash head pointing up at a 45 degree angle and go from there.

Another option likely to work just as well is an index card rubber-banded to the back of the flash, with the flash head pointed straight up.

This thread might be of interest, along with this website.

There are many threads on this topic...do a Search and read all the reasons why products like Stoffen and Lightsphere are not suitable in a number of shooting situations, other than to waste light and weaken the flash output and shorten your max flash distance! If your shooting is always going to be in a room with normal height (8') white ceilings, they will be fine to use. If not, keep looking, as other products do far better in those other situations, too.