Gary Fong pop-up flash diffuser

Rudi wrote in post #5788193
Once again - I wouldn't avoid Gary Fong gear just because it's from Gary Fong! Make your decision based on what the gear will do for you, nothing else. Lots of people here don't believe in the Sto-Fen OmniBounce, but almost every newspaper photog I know uses it, and they use them outside as well, and get the pictures they need. Remember - you're looking for a simple way to soften your on-camera flash. You're not looking for a full-blown studio solution. A lot of people here forget that, and it's easy to get carried away with lighting. We can't always have a studio with us, and sometimes we don't want to.

Hey, even Joe McNally uses on-camera flash on the odd occasion...

Thanks again for your input Rudi, thats very kind of you and I understand what you are saying, so I wont discount it now I think, especially after reading 'leisa' message below.

I totally agree with what you say about the Stofen OnmiBounce, its a very handy little diffuser to have and have used it plenty with all manner or stuff I do - I even revert to that when space is limited to get close to any insects because the Lumiquest can knock leaves etc so can get in the way. I would always recommend the Stofen to anyone.

My only reservation with using a ping pong ball is that I will no doubt keep squashing it lol.

Thanks again Rudi

leisa08 wrote in post #5788453
I have the Gary Fong diffuser for my 40d and I love it!
So yes, it does fit a 40d.
I love the way it works with my pop up flash when I'm shooting pics of the kids. My kids no longer look like a ghost from the pop up flash but nice and tanned.
I bought mine off ebay for 19.99.
Sure, it's a cheap piece of plastic but it does work

Ahh, thats what I wanted in the first place lol - ok, I wont discount the idea of buying one of these then. After looking at the photo of one, it did look like the thing I was actually wanting to use.
Thanks for that, very very helpful.

Linda

hi this is great info everyone
i am using a canon rebel xt with my pop up flash being diffused or blocked out with an index card
even with proper lighting
f stop 8 - 11
shutter speed 1/80
i get almost all black shots
any ideas
when i shoot with a regular point and shoot canon camera with the flash shut off
and the same scenario i get a completely normal picture
what am i doing wrong
what can i do to help matters
anyone care to help me out
thanx

you are blocking out the flash? too much diffusion there... use paper instead of an index card.

i tried that and the flash is coming through and making shadows on the side of the subject

nendyisreal wrote in post #5790817
i tried that and the flash is coming through and making shadows on the side of the subject

Well, it also depends on what your subject is, for example, is it a small item, or a person, a larger object etc. The size/distance could be relevant also to your settings and your results.

I can only suggest for a general indoor shot, use Av mode at F5.6 (thats always a good number to start with plus letting in slightly more light), raise your ISO to, say, 400 or even slightly higher (that is if you havent already as you dont say what ISO you are using), as this will also help the speed side of things.

Then to try and diffuse the light a little, you could even try the ping pong ball, a piece of kitchen paper over the flash, or a card somehow attached under the flash in a way that it will bounce it upwards rather than block it altogether. I think its a case of diverting the flash upwards if you can, but even so, there will be no guarantee you wont get a shadow somewhere. YOu have to get a reasonably happy medium by making do with what you have at hand if you cant go for an external flash at the moment.

Hope thats of some help.

Linda