What about flash diffusers

What flash diffusers would you recommend? I have a Nikon SB600 flash and have never used a diffuser before. If you know of a site that explains their use that would be helpful along with any tips, suggestions or information that you would like to share with me about them. Thanks, Jeff

I think that diffusers that clip on the end of the flash are over-used and abused.
The ones that look like translucent plastic boxes on the end of the flash are designed to make the flash behave like a bare bulb, and bounce light everywhere.
So to see them used outdoors where all they do is cut down the flash seems odd.
It will lower the flash output by stopping it being directional, so it will appear less harsh and more fill-in than main source.
But it's of little smaller area than the front of the flash itself.

Of more interest to me are softboxes to go on the front of the flash. I use Lastolite boxes designed for flashgun. They pack flat and unfold and velcro on to the flash. These lightweight, portable, flash-through diffusers work well.
Again there is a loss of flash power.
For best even illumination you need to zoom the flash out to its widest, and that reduces the output while giving a nice soft light.

Gaffer tape and white cardboard works well as a reflector. Shape it so that it matches the spread of the flash beam, and tape it to the back of the flash head which you fire vertically.
It makes a large triangular reflector, but not a very efficient one. Funny shape catchlights too, if that matters. But if you carry some tape in your pocket and can pick up a sheet of something white, even paper, you can make a quick standby reflector.

I am will paul, I also have a small lastolight softbox (which is falling apart due to love) it works a charm especially with my sunpack 4500 and metz 45cl4 bracket flashes. I find that with my 580ex and 550ex bouncing and using the built in bounce and diffuser cards work really well inside, and outside careful flash metering is better. I still prefer the bracket flashes, but they aren't always practical to have around. recently i have been using the radio slave feature with my canon flashes, so i use the 580 on camera (either set as a fill light or turned off) with my 550 mounted wherever the little stand will sit but off to the side. this gives great effects with little fuss. it also means that i can have my fill light at 45 degrees which really makes it look more like reflected light than flash.

Thanks for the information. I am still researching this so I can make a decision of what to do, Jeff

I have two of the plastic over the business end of the flash models that only get used for Macro. They go on my two 580's and give a nice diffused light for macro shots. Otherwise they are worthless IMO.

I have been extremely happy with the Lumiquest Pro Max system. http://www.lumiquest.com/lq931.htm It provides a wide variety of bounce options along with a softbox option.

I use the opaque diffuser that came with the SB800 quite a lot. I find that in a well-lit room with a white ceiling, 650 ISO and the subject at 5-10 feet I get a nice transition from the subject being well-lit, highlights in the eyes etc. through to the background being darker but not black. Direct flash would be too abrupt and bounce flash would give too many shadows on the face.

I used to use an inflatable diffuser with my Metz CT45, and I'm starting to use the little catchlight thing built into the SB800. Basically I give each solution a try and choose the best for a given situation.

I use a 12 x 9 softbox when needed, the dome difuser if called for and the lumiquest kit when appropriate. There is also a 36 in white with black backing and white shoot through umbrella with a pair of stands in an old tripod bag for portable stuff. I've posted this under VF before. Old school clamshell lighting. SB 800 through the shoot through, Sunpack PZ5000 in the softbox low and a Sunpack PZ4000 with a lumiquest snoot to camera left, behind the sumjects as a rim/side light.

I appreciate everyone taking the time to help me out on this. I think what I would like to do is narrow the search down a bit. What would you use on your flash if you were moving about such as at a wedding reception or other situation where you had to be mobile. After getting some experience with using bounce flash and defusors i can move on to the larger more stationary setup. I will be using my Nikon D80 and Nikon SB600 to take these pictures with. Thanks again and all information is welcome, Jeff

Stroboframe Pro T with either one of the Lumiquest products, I like the pro bounce kit, or my 12 x 9 inch soft box.

I don't have much to add, but have used an Omni-Bounce. It's what Paul describes, a translucent cap that attaches to the flash and makes it more omnidirectional (diffused). Since it's still a very small light source, I never saw a huge amount of difference with or without it in my shots.

The really soft diffused light you see with portraits is usually from soft boxes that may be as large as 5' in diameter (or larger, but that usually takes some McGuyver-ing) but usually about 24"x30" or so. These are usually put as close to the subject as possible; just outside of view from the camera. This way the light source stays very soft because even with a soft box that big, if it's 10' away it's small in relation to the subject.

Since on-camera flash is a fair distance away from the subject (usually), you're limited with what you can do. But diffusers can take the "edge" off a little bit. On-camera flashes can also be mounted on a light stand with an umbrella - lots of options...

I just bought a Gary Fong Lightsphere (cloud) for my 580 EX ll Speedlite. I have not used it yet, but it looks to be a good idea, low priced and versatile. Good reviews from others.
As Gary claims on his website http://store.garyfonginc.com/licl.html
Made in U.S.A. (No Lead)

Gary,
Please post your comments as I was also looking at either the Cloud or the Clear or maybe both as Gary Fong suggest... I am going to get the 430EX and was thinking about a diffuser.

Thanks,
James

I'm thinking that Gary Fong one will make a nice birthday present to me. ;-)

Sorry to get back to this so late. I had not much time to shoot lately and so finally got around to this.
Here are three images.
First one is taken with the speedlite 580EX ll with Gary Fong Light sphere (cloud) pointing up bouncing off ceiling.
Second shot is taken with the 580EX ll straight on with no diffuser.
Third shot was taken with the 580EX ll pointing up bouncing off ceiling and with the built in reflector up.
All shots were taken at 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/60 in Manual Mode

The Light Sphere really seems to do a great job in alot of different situations. Also, color caps can be purchased for adjusting or creating different tones and atmosphere.
A good investment for $40.00

Gary, thanks for taking the time to take and post the examples. This really shows the difference, Jeff

Thanks Gary for posting the different picture.
I am going to place my order today. :thumbsup:

James

Wow, the GF diffuser really makes a difference. I'm glad I decided to order one. Thanks for the examples, Gary.:thumbsup:

Thanks all this has been a big help.
I am shooting a wedding soon in an old stone restaurant with high ceilings. The test shots I took did not turn out that well. I am using a D70 with the SB600 flash. Usually I bounce the flash but nothing to bounce off of as the ceiling is to high. I will do more reading on the Gary Fong Light sphere (cloud) and Lumiquest.
Any more suggestions would be great :thumbsup:
Thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by melaman

Thanks all this has been a big help.
I am shooting a wedding soon in an old stone restaurant with high ceilings. The test shots I took did not turn out that well. I am using a D70 with the SB600 flash. Usually I bounce the flash but nothing to bounce off of as the ceiling is to high. I will do more reading on the Gary Fong Light sphere (cloud) and Lumiquest.
Any more suggestions would be great :thumbsup:
Thanks

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The Gary fong Lightsphere is great for smaller rooms and when the subject is close to you. It gives very natural results. However, for the wedding in a large reception room with high ceilings I would not recommend it. Too much light is lost around the sides and back of the sphere that would have no effect at all in a large room like that. Especially using your SB600 which is not all too powerful to begin with.
I would suggest just using a bounce card secured to the flash. A large enough one will throw alot of light forward. The light going up towards the ceiling will be enough to give some nice ambient fill.
Another thing is that if your going to rely on the cameras metering system to put the correct flash output you may have a bit of trouble unless you specify your subject and lock Flash exposure on it.
I have good results from my 5D by spot metering and using FEL (flash exposure lock) on my subject just before snapping. Great consistent results, whereas just using evaluative metering and letting the camera decide whats right can give you a mixed bag of very poor to ok results.

Thanks for your input Gary
The Wedding is in a restaurant. the building is an older stone building. The room is not to big. Not like a ball room. This is the place, http://www.courtyardrestaurant.com/v...photoalbum.asp McArthur Room. It does have high ceilings. I was not impressed with my test pictures. I was thinking of getting the Lightsphere universal clear with a chromedome and amber domes so I have options. Thanks for the comments on the light metering. I will need to practice with the (flash exposure lock)
Any other comments are much appreciated.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by melaman

Thanks for your input Gary
The Wedding is in a restaurant. the building is an older stone building. The room is not to big. Not like a ball room. This is the place, http://www.courtyardrestaurant.com/v...photoalbum.asp McArthur Room. It does have high ceilings. I was not impressed with my test pictures. I was thinking of getting the Lightsphere universal clear with a chromedome and amber domes so I have options. Thanks for the comments on the light metering. I will need to practice with the (flash exposure lock)
Any other comments are much appreciated.

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Thats a nice little place with a great atmosphere. The stone walls and high ceilings are going to make it a difficult job for any Fong Lightsphere. I would suggest getting this simple device http://www.adorama.com/LQPB.html instead of another lightsphere.
This bounce diffuser will really help in this situation.

Thanks, I will pick one up as soon as possible so I can take test shots.
appreciate the input.