garyfong lightspheer II inverted dome

Just purchased this from B&H, waiting for it to arrive this week. Everything I've seen online looks great. Just wondering if anyone has anything to say about it here. I'm just getting started in wedding photography and I'm hoping this helps for nice lighting on the go.

Since you already bought it, the most I can say is...

"If you are in an area which has non-white ceilings higher than 8-10' (or colored ceiling or no ceiling at all) DO NOT use that, as it will simply waste light and cause your flash batteries to drain faster and slow down your recycle times."

The Fong Lightsphere in most pictures I've seen of it, is pointed straight up for bounce. Can it be used pointed at the subject and provide some minimal amount of diffusion?

Mark_48 wrote in post #5902904
The Fong Lightsphere in most pictures I've seen of it, is pointed straight up for bounce. Can it be used pointed at the subject and provide some minimal amount of diffusion?

Any increae in perceived area of the light source is beneficial to softening the light. The Fong pointed straight at the subject will have very modest benefit, but will have benefit, since the area is greater than the native flash lens.

Here's my concern about the Fong. If you point your flash straight up to bounce it off the ceiling (with the fong attached) you're going to waste your flash's power. You're already losing about a stop of light from the fong, and you're going to lose more when it diffuses your light in every direction - including behind you, to your left, to your right - literally 360 degrees.

If you bounce your flash, I'd suggest making a bounce card that attaches to your camera - the card will at least throw your light forward to where your is subject instead of behind you where your subject is NOT.

I personally think it's just a waste of money.

The 'Fong Dong', like many other flash accesories, works best when there are walls and a ceiling to bounce the light off of. When used by itself (out doors or in large room) the softening effect is only because it's slightly bigger than a flash head. That being said, last Saturday I witnessed at least 10 wedding photographers using them while shoot outdoors.

Big Mike wrote in post #5909505
The 'Fong Dong', like many other flash accesories, works best when there are walls and a ceiling to bounce the light off of. When used by itself (out doors or in large room) the softening effect is only because it's slightly bigger than a flash head. That being said, last Saturday I witnessed at least 10 wedding photographers using them while shoot outdoors.

...and the fact that 10 people used them is merely an indication of the fact that someone is covering a wedding does not mean that they necessarily understand the technology in use!

I used it and it worked great, it kept my snow peas fresh and crisp.

............Never tried one on a camera though

I try to avoid the Dongspheres myself.

Mark_48 wrote in post #5902904
The Fong Lightsphere in most pictures I've seen of it, is pointed straight up for bounce. Can it be used pointed at the subject and provide some minimal amount of diffusion?

If by "minimal," you mean "Enough to waste heaps of battery power, but not enough to make any noticeable difference in quality of light," then yes...

At its current price its a rip-off. I bought one when they first came out for $25. Its not the solution to every situation but it does work good in white or neutral rooms with ceilings 12 foot or lower. I use the lightsphere and ABetterBounceCard. If you want a lightsphere I suggest you order one off ebay from china for $10.

anyone have some sample shots with it?

I wasted my money on one of them now I have to figure out a good use for it

I totally disagree with that analysis - it's only a rumor; it can only stabilize brussel sprouts as long as you keep it pointed up.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #5909552
I used it and it worked great, it kept my snow peas fresh and crisp.



............Never tried one on a camera though

Roddy, which flash are you using?

If you have the 580ex you will be amazed at how well it performs in a lot of situations with the head tilted up and the little white card extended. Also, the Lumiquest pocket bounce products are quite effective at less than half the cost. They also fold flat and will fit in a pants or coat pocket quite easily.

Other than that I have no experience with the LS.

rodddy wrote in post #5902532
Just purchased this from B&H, waiting for it to arrive this week. Everything I've seen online looks great. Just wondering if anyone has anything to say about it here. I'm just getting started in wedding photography and I'm hoping this helps for nice lighting on the go.