Is the SB800 Diffuser Any Good?

[hobbes187]

Anyway I've done a test today comparing the SB800 supplied diffuser dome with my SB600 + Stofen-like replica diffuser.

Surprisingly, on the same cam (D300 + 17-55mm) and all settings remaining the same, I observed the following:

1) Both with diffusers on, ceiling bounce 60 degrees - SB600 produces a brighter and more well exposed picture. SB800 produces slightly underexposed pic. If I push the SB800 to + 2/3EV, then the exposures become the same.

2) Both with no diffusers, ceiling bounce 60 degrees - SB800 produces brighter, more well exposed picture (auto ISO at ISO200). SB600 produces a slightly under exposed picture (auto ISO at ISO520).

Thus I conclude that the supplied diffuser cuts out way too much light for my liking... Even my SB600 could produce a brighter photo than the SB800 with the diffuser... I am planning to try with a bounce card soon to see the results...

Also seriously considering the stofen omnibounce for my SB800 cos I'm used to using the omnibounce on my SB600...

Any comments?

 

[karnage]

I think the difference in brightness only tells us that the different diffusers have different diffusing strength. i.e. SB800's supplied diffuser scatters light more effectively than your Stofen-like replica. Seeing as both flashes produce different brightness without diffusers tells me that the SB800 is indeed more powerful than the SB600. I guess both increasing the output on your SB800 or using a different diffuser for your flash will work for you. =)

Also, were your pictures only reviewed on your D300? Maybe the LCD brightness is set to lower than normal, thus showing a correctly exposed shot with the SB800 to be slightly underexposed, and at the same time showing a slightly overexposed shot with the SB600 to be properly exposed?

Haha! Just listing the possibilities. =)