Pocket bouncer vs Lightsphere

I recently purchased a pocket bouncer for my 430 EX, and have been seeing where many photogs use a lightsphere. I'm fairly new to indoor photography (mainly a wildlife photographer), and am wondering which device would be better for which applications. I'm guessing that the lightsphere would be better for longer range shooting and the bouncer for closeup portraits. But, this is just a guess.

The LightSphere, as well as all other 'tupperware' diffusers, is a very inefficient device. What it does is spreads the available light from the flash in all directions. Most of that light is lost into space unless there are nearby reflective surfaces (preferably white) such as walls and/or ceiling to reflect the light back toward the subject. If you use one of the 'tupperware' diffusers in a large venue (dance hall, for example) or outdoors, all that happens is that 90% of the light generated by the flash unit is lost and does no good for the image at all. The flash takes longer to recycle and batteries are drained faster than if all of the light from the flash is aimed toward the subject.

You must realize that the only thing that softens shadows from a light source is something that makes that light source appear to be significantly larger. The 'tupperware' diffusers do not present a light source to the subject that are significantly larger than a "naked" flash unit.

Reflectors which direct all of the light toward the subject, but which present an apparent source size that is much larger than the flash unit's lens, are far more useful in more situations than any of the 'tupperware' diffusers. I use a LumiQuest Promax System kit with my Speedlite, as it has a variety of ways it can be used depending on the situation.

The Pocket Bouncer is better for photography. The Lightsphere is better as a container for snacks.

Curtis N wrote in post #9218191
The Pocket Bouncer is better for photography. The Lightsphere is better as a container for snacks.

NOT! the hole in the bottom makes it no good for food or drink, and it is good for storage only when stuffing it with cotton balls. You confused it with TMRDesign's SoupSphere, which held wonton soup prior to its conversion to a light modifier.

Sorry Gary Fong, I guess I'll stick with my Lumiquest pocket bouncer.