Diffusers etc for flash

Which diffuser should I get for my flash? I'm putting in an order to Adorama shortly, so the question has come up.

Options: Gary Fong (clear or cloud)?? lightsphere, SBM Supreme light diffuser, Flashpoint flash diffuser, should I get a pocket bouncer? Or a lumiquest soft box??
Uses: macro, portraits, night photog, people single or in groups at night.

If you are going to be shooting outside, then you don't need one, for you have nothing to bounce off of -- indoors, the lightsphere, SBM, Omni-bounce, etc. all pretty much do the same thing.

yabbie wrote in post #5840005
Which diffuser should I get for my flash? I'm putting in an order to Adorama shortly, so the question has come up.

Options: Gary Fong (clear or cloud)?? lightsphere, SBM Supreme light diffuser, Flashpoint flash diffuser, should I get a pocket bouncer? Or a lumiquest soft box??
Uses: macro, portraits, night photog, people single or in groups at night.

The $2. DIY solution....
http://super.nova.org/​DPR/DIY01/

I'd definitely get the cheap Sto-Fen, and then get the softbox for flashes.

http://www.abetterboun​cecard.com/

I have had really good results with this. Plus its a great conversation piece

Search this forum for "gary fong" or "tupperware" and you'll quickly see opinions on that. Most will recommend using bounce flash wherever you can.

For macro work I just recently purchased the Lumiquest SoftBox and the Lumiquest Mini SoftBox. I'm still testing the Mini, but I'm very happy with the results from the SoftBox. Initial thought on the Mini are that it's still a little bit harsh light. The SoftBox is bigger and softer. I am still keen to see how the Mini performs, because it's smaller and should allow easier maneuvering around leaves/branches etc.

I haven't used the SoftBox for shooting other than macro, but believe it will be useful for closer outdoor shots where there's nothing to bounce off.

If you go down the path of Lumiquest products, I'd recommend also getting the Lumiquest Promax System which includes the 80/20, inserts and a frosted screen. You will probably get several recommendations here on that system for indoor use.

The LQ products fold up nice and flat to store in your bag.

Gatorboy wrote in post #5840218
If you are going to be shooting outside, then you don't need one, for you have nothing to bounce off of -- indoors, the lightsphere, SBM, Omni-bounce, etc. all pretty much do the same thing.

That's a good question, as often there's nothing to bounce off - eg. outside, or a judo comp where the warehouse ceiling is so hight it's unusable. What's the second best thing to do when you don't want super-bright light, but it has to come direct from the flash?

Thanks Troy, I'll do more research into the Lumiquest options, and also the better bounce card

I have a flash, but used it rarely because I've never figured out how to use it properly. Up till now, there's been many other things about my camera to learn about, but now it's time to get the flash right.

troypiggo wrote in post #5844150
For macro work I just recently purchased the Lumiquest SoftBox and the Lumiquest Mini SoftBox. I'm still testing the Mini, but I'm very happy with the results from the SoftBox. Initial thought on the Mini are that it's still a little bit harsh light. The SoftBox is bigger and softer. I am still keen to see how the Mini performs, because it's smaller and should allow easier maneuvering around leaves/branches etc.

.

Troy, how do you mount your flash, on camera, or on a bracket or stand for macro - outdoors?

yabbie wrote in post #5844824
Troy, how do you mount your flash, on camera, or on a bracket or stand for macro - outdoors?

On a bracket with an off-camera shoe chord. I think for macro work, with just the lens (ie no extension tubes) you could use the LQ SoftBox with the flash on camera, but I haven't tested that.