Photography Thailand Forum

[bkkdave]

I recently noticed a photographer on Yaowarat Road using a dome on his flash. I have not seen this before so I looked around on the net and found this Lightsphere II inverted dome diffusion system by Gary Fong:  http://store.garyfonginc.com/liiido.html

His short video and samples are impressive. Over the years I have used various flash diffusers  and flash brackets; the best for me being from ‘Really Right Stuff’. I use their camera to tripod / monopod mounts too. But with this Lightsphere II product it eliminates the need for a flash bracket altogether.

Have any other members actually used the Lightsphere II inverted dome diffusion system by Gary Fong? What are you thoughts about it?

Thanks,

Dave

[Gus]

I see he has a new one out now called the whale tail.  Haven't done any research on it but looks interesting. 

[bkkdave]

I picked one up the 'Cloud Dome' at MBK FotoFile 3rd Floor for 2500 THB.  It is well made and with the few photos I have tried it with it appears to work well. Definitely an improvement over direct flash. I also compared it to my Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce and did not really notice a great deal of difference. As I said earlier the Demo photos of group shots are dramatic but I have not tried anything to simulate that as yet.

[Marc Schultz]

Dave, thanks for comparing your results against the Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce. I have a couple of those too and when I saw talk about this new product I had wondered if the light from a flash sitting directly on top of the camera could look any different using this new plastic diffusion product. I didn't think it would and I believe they all do about the same thing, which is dispurse the light a bit more and soften it slightly. That is really all they can do and a lot of it has to do with the angle in which the light is pointed. Nothing can compare though to a light source that is say even just 20 degrees off the camera.

The group shots I am having trouble believing as well. I have done a number of group shots using studio strobes and I always position at least two, left and right off the camera, and sometimes one from above and still it is a bit tricky to get perfectly even coverage on everyone, especially those further away from the light source in the second and third rows.

To believe that a flash sitting on top of the camera positioned in the middle of the group is going to given an even light spread throughout the group, including the people at the far ends of the group is almost impossible. In fact, I can't see how it could work.

To me what they are suggesting is possible in those demo shots using only one flash seems very deceiving to me. I am not saying the product is not good, but based upon the principles of light and the way it will dispurse from a single source in the middle, even if it was a strobe with an umbrella, I can't see how you could get that sort of coverage from it, no matter what sort of little plastic piece you put over the flash.

If you do test it with any large groups like what they show in the demo I would be very curious to hear your results.

[bkkdave]

Marc, if I ever do a group shot I will compare both diffusers and let you know what I think.

 Probably the worst contraption I have ever tried was something invented by a famous photographers son who wrote for one of the popular photographic magazines about thirteen years ago. It was a ‘Flash Extender’ and I was just getting started shooting high football games at night in Arizona. The lighting in the stadiums was horrible and after experimenting with different films I heard about this; ‘Flash Extender’. I was shooting with a Canon A2 body, 430 EZ flash and a Canon 300mm 2.8L lens.

This ‘Flash Extender looked like it had been cut out of a 1 gallon plastic water jug; it was crude to say the least. I tried it for a game or two and then put it on the shelf where it still sits today collecting dust.

[Marc Schultz]

Thanks David and don't feel bad. I have also bought things which seemed like a good convincing idea a the time and turned out to be totally useless. A recent example is the Hood Loupe by Hoodman.

[David Salmanowitz]

I bought the Gary Fong whale tail diffuser recently but have not had a chance to test it out yet--will post results when I do. But as Mark said nothing really beats off the camera flash though I have seen shots with diffused flash on the camera that look fine. Mark, what didn't you like about the Hoodman Loupe. I bought one and it enabled me to see the LCD screen in bright sunlight, where I could not see it otherwise. Saw someone with another brand loupe (cannot remember maker) that was about $15-20 cheaper, no case, but what was nice it magnified the screen more than the Hoodman loupe.  What I thought was useless was the Hoodman flip up screen, I either hit the thing with my nose or got sick of having to close it every time I wanted to put my eye to the viewfinder; but then I met someone who loved it. I guess different strokes for different folks. :-)

[Marc Schultz]

David - The Hoodman Loupe has a problem which creates a purple spot on the screen for me which is a reflection of the lens elements inside the thing. I also found when you look at the screen that close its really hard to determine the exposure. There were some other things I did not like about it. Can't exactly remember because I used it once or twice and thought it was completely useless.

[David Salmanowitz]

Marc--do not remember a purple spot, will look closer next time I try using it. As far as being too close for seeing proper exposure I agree on that one, matter of fact I used it just to be able to see the menu so I could make an adjustment. When the companies get the tilting LCD screen going hopefully will not have to use it, as it is just one more thing to carry or forget.

[Marc Schultz]

Actually David, I decided to give the Hoodman Loupe another try, considering I had paid some decent money for it. Earlier this week I had a portrait shoot on the beach in Hua Hin and I used it to show the client the photos I was taking as we went along. It actually turned out to be quite handy in that respect to allow them to more easily see what I was shooting and made a good impression on the client having something like this handy to use for their convenience. I still don't think it is really good for judging exact exposure, but I got more used to it and I think I at least found a use for it at this point.

[Gus]

I bought the Gary Fong whale tail diffuser recently but have not had a chance to test it out yet--will post results when I do. But as Mark said nothing really beats off the camera flash though I have seen shots with diffused flash on the camera that look fine. Mark, what didn't you like about the Hoodman Loupe. I bought one and it enabled me to see the LCD screen in bright sunlight, where I could not see it otherwise. Saw someone with another brand loupe (cannot remember maker) that was about $15-20 cheaper, no case, but what was nice it magnified the screen more than the Hoodman loupe.  What I thought was useless was the Hoodman flip up screen, I either hit the thing with my nose or got sick of having to close it every time I wanted to put my eye to the viewfinder; but then I met someone who loved it. I guess different strokes for different folks. :-)

I would be interested to know what you think of this as well David.  Will await your updated report.

[Gus]

Just got the Gary Fong Whaletail myself and initial test have been very pleasing. Whilst its certainly not studio quality light I have been very happy with the diffusion you get and the ability to vary the diffusion and strength of the flash just by adjusting flaps and the ability to slot in Gel filters quickly and easily. Got some nice lighting results in tricky situations first up using it recently. 

[bkkdave]

Gus-

Did you purchase the 'Reporter' or the 'Studio' version? Was it purchased locally and where?

Also what body are you using and do you shoot in manual or one of the program modes?

Thanks,

BKKDAVE

[Gus]

Hi Dave

I bought the reporter as I have a full set of studio lights, so use the WhaleTail for general on camera flash stuff.

I am using a Nikon D300 and generally shoot manual, however tried the Whaletail, in Manual, Apeture priority and program mode.

The best results were with manual, and apeture priority were pretty good, however I would probably slow my shutter speed to 1/30th of a second for some of the conditions I tried it in on the W/E.  1/60th was fine for fill flash type shooting, but like most flashes tended to leave the background too dark for my liking at 1/60th.