Mo: The Lightsphere Ii On-camera Flash Diffuser
- Thread starter weekh
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Cheesecake
Senior Member
yulee said:
an update would be nice.
Cheesecake
Senior Member
weekh said:
way to go!!!
waiting for ur good news!!! hohoho!
Del_CtrlnoAlt
Senior Member
got version for minolta 5600hs?
Cheesecake
Senior Member
Petf69 said:
hi pet!
it doesn't work against strong background lighting??
do u feel cheated by that gary guy? haha
I have used the Lightsphere II for a few informal sessions, and I must say this thing is so wonderful! The effects are "different" from what we have grown to expect in digital flash photography (i.e. the hard shadows, strong specular highlights, etc):
- shadows are now very soft and diffused, although they still appear on the left of the subject because the flash is still on the left side of the camera when in portrait mode.
- very much reduced specular highlights and "more graduations" in the skin colour. This was somewhat different from pictures taken using most conventional straight-up bounced flash, bounced flash with white reflector card, omnibounce 45 degrees, etc, and looked rather unnatural at first (since we all are too accustomed to seeing the bright highlights). However, because there are fewer specular highlights (or specular highlights with less intensity, less 255,255,255) in the picture, it is now easier to recreate the contrasty, old-school film-look which I like.
- This thing becomes the dinner conversation topic when you start taking it out and shoot people. "Wow! What is that?" and everyone likes to stroke the smooth dome...
- It doesn't change the flash metering, so don't expect it to automatically compensate for white dresses or black gowns. You have to still do it yourself. But again, because there are reduced specular highlights, overexposed black stuff now becomes easier to rescue.
- Color balance is more or less neutral. There are home-made imitations of the Lightsphere II floating out in the Internet now, but I doubt they will be as color-neutral as the Lightsphere. Also, it is the top circular dome that makes the thing work - I don't see where you can find such a dome from all your household products. ;p
- negatives: large and bulky. Although you can store the base unit together with a small lens, it takes up a lot of valuable space. Also the fitting is a little loose on my friend's SB800. On my 550EX it is ok, but definitely no where as tight as an Omnibounce.
- At ~$40USD per piece, the designer Gary Fong is certainly making big bucks out of his innovation. But being first to the market, I think he deserves the business. Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with him; I only use his products.
Ok, enough talk... I know you want pictures.. Remember these are just casual snaps, and pardon the color casts. I shoot in JPEG and my D30's AWB doesn't do very well in these kind of indoor situations.
http://www.galant-ho.com/fall04/lunchdinner/index.htm
- shadows are now very soft and diffused, although they still appear on the left of the subject because the flash is still on the left side of the camera when in portrait mode.
- very much reduced specular highlights and "more graduations" in the skin colour. This was somewhat different from pictures taken using most conventional straight-up bounced flash, bounced flash with white reflector card, omnibounce 45 degrees, etc, and looked rather unnatural at first (since we all are too accustomed to seeing the bright highlights). However, because there are fewer specular highlights (or specular highlights with less intensity, less 255,255,255) in the picture, it is now easier to recreate the contrasty, old-school film-look which I like.
- This thing becomes the dinner conversation topic when you start taking it out and shoot people. "Wow! What is that?" and everyone likes to stroke the smooth dome...
- It doesn't change the flash metering, so don't expect it to automatically compensate for white dresses or black gowns. You have to still do it yourself. But again, because there are reduced specular highlights, overexposed black stuff now becomes easier to rescue.
- Color balance is more or less neutral. There are home-made imitations of the Lightsphere II floating out in the Internet now, but I doubt they will be as color-neutral as the Lightsphere. Also, it is the top circular dome that makes the thing work - I don't see where you can find such a dome from all your household products. ;p
- negatives: large and bulky. Although you can store the base unit together with a small lens, it takes up a lot of valuable space. Also the fitting is a little loose on my friend's SB800. On my 550EX it is ok, but definitely no where as tight as an Omnibounce.
- At ~$40USD per piece, the designer Gary Fong is certainly making big bucks out of his innovation. But being first to the market, I think he deserves the business. Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with him; I only use his products.
Ok, enough talk... I know you want pictures..
Remember these are just casual snaps, and pardon the color casts. I shoot in JPEG and my D30's AWB doesn't do very well in these kind of indoor situations. http://www.galant-ho.com/fall04/lunchdinner/index.htm
Cheesecake
Senior Member
nutek said:Ok, enough talk... I know you want pictures..
http://www.galant-ho.com/fall04/lunchdinner/index.htm
thanks for the info!!
hohoho! merry christmas!
SNAG said:Hi there!
Care to explain more about the term "doesn't work against strong background lighting?" Am a little confused by this...
when there's very strong ambient light in the background, depending on the metering used..the camera may get confused and flash much softer then required and hence the subject is darker/underexposured.....hope I explain correctly...
HippingHippo
Senior Member
Petf69 said:
I don't think there is anything to do with Lightsphere not performing well. All flash diffuser are affected. This kind of backlit situation will require the photographer to do appropriate compensation.
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