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標題: Flash Diffuser [打印本頁]

作者: siumaibb 時間: 2009-5-15 09:15 標題: Flash Diffuser

There are so many kinds of flash diffuser out there, which one is good for shooting indoor events in a hall? (like a wedding) and why?

Thanks

作者: AAC 時間: 2009-5-15 10:28

I use Gary Fong's lightsphere cloud for social cocktail event shooting. It's good to avoid "raccoon eyes" when flash is bounced back from ceiling. However, it's adding some more weight on my SB-800.
IMO, Most of these stuff are over priced.

作者: Catpiano 時間: 2009-5-15 10:46

本帖最後由 Catpiano 於 2009-5-15 11:48 編輯

Those GF one is not bad .. but .. spending $70 on a slurpee cup .. and it look so weird .. unless you buy one from AP LIU for $7

The best one I have tried, is the 80/20 diffusor ( ~ 80% bounce to the reflector then bounce to the front, the ~ 20% to the ceiling.)

Of course, the bigger reflector/diffusor, the better result, but it will use more power from your flash, and need longer recycle time, which is what you want to avoid for wedding. (unless you use external battery pack)

It also depends the location .. if not super high ceiling ( like 20 ft plus ) and if the ceiling and walls are in white or close to white colour, then JUST BOUNCE is good enough.

Let me go home, and take some pic for different diffusors I have, and suggest you some.

^_^

作者: siumaibb 時間: 2009-5-15 10:58

sure, thanks CP

作者: shutterbug 時間: 2009-5-15 11:10

Sometimes you can get good results from light modifiers but most of the time it's too bulky for me so I don't use any of these. Another thing I find is that the white balance is different depening on different materials.

作者: chobit 時間: 2009-5-15 13:42

Some of you may know that I have been using the Gary Fong LS since it first came out couple years ago. (Cloud version).
Yes, it's expensive.., and I lost a couple of them before =( , yet it still worth every penny.
With experiece, you can simply do so much more with it on your flash, then using your flash alone.

The Con. side is that your battery recycle time can take much longer. In my case, I use external battery pack in a wedding to compensate the down side.

作者: chobit 時間: 2009-5-15 13:46

The light balance is a non-issue if you shoot in Raw, but yes, it's sort of bulky, but then it's already so much better than bringing in reflectors or strobes =P

Sometimes, good photograpy do require the properly equipments preparation such as bringing a tripod, etc..! However, they are all just tools.., and they won't do us any goods if we haven't learn how to use them.

Sometimes you can get good results from light modifiers but most of the time it's too bulky for me so I don't use any of these. Another thing I find is that the white balance is different depening on ...
shutterbug 發表於 2009-5-15 11:10

作者: shutterbug 時間: 2009-5-15 15:01

本帖最後由 shutterbug 於 2009-5-15 16:03 編輯

The light balance is a non-issue if you shoot in Raw, but yes, it's sort of bulky, but then it's already so much better than bringing in reflectors or strobes =P

Sometimes, good photograpy do require ...
chobit 發表於 2009-5-15 14:46

Actually I don't think the white balance is OK even in raw. I tried this before. The reason is that on some material it casts a cool light on my subject when the environment is say tungsten. Although this happens with bare flash as well, the degree is less. In that case, even with raw converter you compensate for the subject with a warm tone your background light will be really warm. You know what I'm saying?

So if you buy a modifier, make sure it doesn't give you a colour cast.

作者: chobit 時間: 2009-5-15 15:28

What you said is true, and you probably don't want an modifier which cause to much of un-neccessary color cast. The LSII doesn't seem to have any color cast issue, so that the good news. Then pesronally, I bounce the flash whenever it is possible, therefore color cast caused by the wall or celling is so much more important. But gain, shooting in Raw, and fill the area with the bounce light can minmize the color difference.

Then again, the flash itself is only a tool to help modify the lighting condition. I am no expert.. and still learning, but one thing for sure, skills and expereice would be the key.

I am no expert.. and still learning

Actually I don't think the white balance is OK even in raw. I tried this before. The reason is that on some material it casts a cool light on my subject when the environment is say tungsten. Altho ...
shutterbug 發表於 2009-5-15 15:01

作者: 快樂牛郎 時間: 2009-5-15 15:29

I use a $1.99 one from ebay

作者: Catpiano 時間: 2009-5-15 15:30

Light balance is still an ISSUE .. but not that huge ... WITHOUT flash ...

However, which flash ..  still an issue .. as SB said ..  if WARM back ground .. and then POWERFUL flash ...  u get TWO different  WB / temp ...  which is no good .. ( unless u do it by purpose )

For wedding photography .. you need consistency .. some .. and many diffusor will affect the metering as well ...

I like to add "gel" to my diffusor as well .. ^_^

作者: chobit 時間: 2009-5-15 15:39

I don't have time to find any samples, but pretty much 9x% of my photos are Flash+LSII.
Password: Unlock
And here are some samples: http://www.pbase.com/freelancerf ... photos&page=all

作者: shutterbug 時間: 2009-5-15 15:58

Oh thanks for sharing your clients' photos, I'll digest them tonight

作者: Catpiano 時間: 2009-5-15 22:18

本帖最後由 Catpiano 於 2009-5-15 23:45 編輯

Yeah .. home now ..  baby is sleeping ... some free time now .. lol

Just going to go though few different Diffuser / Reflector ..

Few common Diffuser :

Right one: Gary Fong Slurpee cup ..  which actually work very well, but it just pure ugly, and big, not bad to use at home, friends' party etc.

Middle 2 : built in with flash light diffusor/Omni work well, easy to use, look factory, and accurate .. however, won't really make light SOFTER .... easy to use with bounce too.

Left : the famous SOCK style diffuser, work about the same as the omni, but with extra silver insert, and good for wide angle too ..  light, cheap, easy to use, not bad looking.

^_^

作者: Catpiano 時間: 2009-5-15 22:28

本帖最後由 Catpiano 於 2009-5-15 23:29 編輯

Popular small size "Reflector" :

Those are the common one, and there are much more different one .. some are in weird shape .. I have one in "BALLON" shape as well, but lazy to blow it up, and it doesn't work well anyway.

The left one is the one I like to use most, Reflector + diffuser together, and you can change the insert as the second picture, make light really soft, great for skin tone/wedding.

作者: Catpiano 時間: 2009-5-15 22:39

Left: Bigger size reflector/Diffuser, provide even softer light and cover wider area, however, it is big in size, so many not be convenience, not that great for Show/event with lots of photographer, however, for wedding picture, if you are the main guy, or not many photographers, it is a very good tool. the down side is, will use up a lots of battery, ideal to use with battery pack.

Middle : my favorite 20/80 reflector, great for chinese resturant, (low ceiling) which offer bounce+reflect+widen light, can also add the diffuser screen, to make light softer as well, it is also small and light, very handy.

Right one : the most simpe DIY reflector, somehow, works great! just not decent looking, but basically FREE .. you can cut whatever shape and curve to your need.

作者: Catpiano 時間: 2009-5-15 22:42

This one here, is the over size diffuser, work just like a mini soft box, ( available in different size too, but the smalll one works very similar to the Omni diffusor )
Very good result, very soft lighting, min shadow .. however, it is just too big, and will " LOOSE " all the time .. I pretty much give up using this one.

作者: Catpiano 時間: 2009-5-15 22:44

This is a silly looking one ... but probably the best one for built in flash ..... (if you dont want to carry your external flash)

It can be FOLDED into a very small size too ..

However, I think it looks like something for prevent "

EE LEAK" ...

作者: shutterbug 時間: 2009-5-15 22:54

CP...you're so "king"

作者: Catpiano 時間: 2009-5-15 22:56

King ?

" One King 2 queen " ? lol

作者: siumaibb 時間: 2009-5-15 23:21

wow, very detail, thanks CP...
So, you prefer the 20/80 which is the one with holes in it? How does it work?
Do you have any end result pics that can compare a diffuser <-> Reflector <-> diffuser+reflector?

I am using the omni-bounce diffuser but I think the light is not soft enough. So, In general, what situation should use which one?

One more question, my flash gun can't swirl, so if I want to take portrait shots, what should I do?

Thanks

(btw, how many flash gun do you have??)

作者: chobit 時間: 2009-5-16 03:09

Wow.. I thought I have a good collection of diffuser, but you sure have more!!

I have one of those relatively large ones (not as big as your largest), they sure do work well well you do direct flash, when there is no where else to bounce =D

17# Catpiano

作者: Catpiano 時間: 2009-5-16 07:20

Siumabb, in general, larger the diffuser (or softbox) softer the light you get ..

You can actually COMBINED them to use .. (such as the built in flipping diffuser + reflector + screen)

I bought most of them from Vistek, and some ordered from BH.

You will found TONS of diffusers from TW .. (whatever funny shape .. even barn door, snoot .. etc .. and cheap!! lol ) however, they DON'T ship to Canada .. SH_T .. if you have friends in TW, ask them to buy for you.

This is one good package I got from BH :

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/pr ... _80_20_System_.html

If you mainly want the light go softer, pretty much any of those works great with the screen!!

( only come with ONE reflector, but different insert. )

作者: siumaibb 時間: 2009-5-16 11:40

Thanks CP for the info, maybe I should DIY some and get the rough idea of how they work first.

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