garyfong lightspheer II inverted dome

sapearl wrote in post #5911375
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.

I borrowed my friend's Fong to use it for a grape container. Works like a charm, even converts to a bowl in a pinch for cereal.

Is a stofen diffuser better?

cory1848 wrote in post #5914563
Is a stofen diffuser better?

Stoffen less money to buy, (a benefit)...
Stoffen is easier to store, (a benefit)...

but if no ceiling present the diffusion effects of the head pointed forward are negligible, since there is no real increase in area of the light compared to the native lens. (comparative disadvantage vs. Fong)

I'm using a 580exII. Haven't recieved my lightsphere yet, but should be hear soon. I'll post some of my results. Starting to think the cost/bennifit ratio may not be so good. Thanks for all the replys.

Roddy, have you experimented much to see the variety of bounce effects you can get simply by using the extended white card?

rodddy wrote in post #5915451
I'm using a 580exII. Haven't recieved my lightsphere yet, but should be hear soon. I'll post some of my results. Starting to think the cost/bennifit ratio may not be so good. Thanks for all the replys.

Friends don't let friends play with their fongs...

...but thongs are an entirely different story.....

Double Negative wrote in post #5915654
Friends don't let friends play with their fongs...

I picked up a Sto-fen a few weeks back and I actually prefer bouncing with a white card. =T I'm probably going to pick up one of the Lumiquest 80-20 to play with.

Couple things regarding the 580EX catch light panel / AKA "white card". Some of the comments made about use of the white card in this thread want to make me reaffirm my understanding of it's use.

1 - When the when the flash head is angled upwards for a ceiling bounce for diffusion and light spread, I've been using the white card is as a means to fill in shadows and create a catchlight in the subjects eyes. This has worked well for me.

2 - When the flash head is angled upwards if there is a high ceiling or dark ceiling, or outdoors, the light directed upwards is essentially wasted. Some light reflected from the white card does go forward and illuminates the subject, but because the white card is near to the same size as the flash head itself, it does little to diffuse the light and you've reduced your flash range. Probably a Lumiquest might be a better solution in situation like this as it has more surface bounce area to diffuse from.

3 - I own and use a Sto-Fen occasionally. Works OK to bounce when ceilings are present and provides good frontal fill. Doesn't create catch lights in the eyes as well as the white card.

Sidenote about some other lighting methods I recently observed...
Recently attended a wedding and the photographer shooting was using a portable Lumedyne head with about an 6"-8" diffuser on the front. He was shooting a Hasselblad (with film!!) so no need to rotate the camera or flash. For every shot that I saw him take there was no bounce involved, only direct. He's been around for 20 or so years and his work is excellent.

Recieved my lightspheer and had a chance to use it a bit. It does noticable soften the light indoors, and works well for outdoor portraits as long as your not too far from your subject. It is definitly over priced!
Thanks for all the input.

rodddy wrote in post #5902532
Just purchased this from B&H...

You could have saved the money and got the Copy for $17 Its identical to the Fong.

I've tried all kinds of thing and this seems to work best for me.

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

i use it on a rolling light stand as a second light. the 580 EX II in it is powered by a Quantum 2x2 so batteries aren't an issue. the flash on camera is diffused by a Sto-fen and controls the off camera light. it looks great. never met fong but i do photography for a living.

Get a Demb Flip it...its cheaper and way more versatile.
I just dropped $1000+ on a Quantum Qflash, and I still find myself picking up the 580ex and demb flip it.