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Flash Diffusers Anonymous
Okay /p/, time for a gear thread that isn't about whether I should buy a D40 or a A700. What do you guys recommend for a decent all-around flash diffuser? The lightsphere diffusers look pretty good, but I'm not sure if they're worth the minimum $40 price.

I'd be willing to try some DIY diffusers, if anyone has some non shitty ones they'd wish to share.
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>> Anonymous
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Oh, and heres a photo I took using my 580 EX II. Not the greatest, but I'm still learning the finer points of flash photography.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTiCamera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS2 WindowsImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2008:06:10 13:13:20RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandardExposure Time1/200 secF-Numberf/2.5Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating400Lens Aperturef/2.5Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePartialFlashFlash, CompulsoryFocal Length50.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width667Image Height1000
>> Anonymous !IGEMrmvKLI
piece o' paper + duct-tape
>> TheGeneral !m7n7x2Yyfo
>>207878
I have a china knock off of this. Throws too much light forward IMO, maybe cause it's a china knockoff though.

But still it's big, heavy and goofy looking. The Omnibounce is a lot more forgiving in the weight department, also it's a bit more discreet than the lightsphere.

take a look at ABBC too. It might be what you need.
>> Blackadder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
Try ABBC and use that to measure your future purchases or tests against. You may not use anything else.

Fong's tupperware okay at times, but get the Chinese version as it's much cheaper. It often wastes a lot of flash power, but some people like them and find they work well.

I suppose there's never a "perfect" system for everyone, so there will be differences depending on the photographer, style and the shooting set-up or desired results. Try the ABBC and similar cheap ideas before blowing your money on too many things.
>> Anonymous
>>207882

I've gotta agree with this here, paper is ace. I find tissue paper works fairly well when it's double or triple folded, enough diffusion to scatter the light in a natural way but still bright enough to be useful.
>> Anonymous
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Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon PowerShot A550Camera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS3 WindowsMaximum Lens Aperturef/2.6Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution180 dpiVertical Resolution180 dpiImage Created2008:05:22 04:03:44Exposure Time2 secF-Numberf/2.6ISO Speed Rating80Lens Aperturef/2.6Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length5.80 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width640Image Height713RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandard
>> Anonymous
Have the lightsphere and the whaletail - the lightsphere works well in places with a ceiling bounce, but not as much without. The whaletail is great all-around as a diffuser, but it's not the must durable thing and eventually you'll lose one of the flaps. I still really like mine, minus a back flap (which I've replaced with tinfoil after I lost it a month ago) but both are annoying to find a place to hang them where they won't get destroyed.
>> Blackadder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
The Whaletail looks like a toilet and some feel is as bulky and awkward. Demb's offering could be an alternative and it is easier to pack. Whatever works for you though.
>> Blackadder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
>>207977

The Chinese make a cheap version of the Fong Whaletail too.
>> Anonymous
...
>> Anonymous
STO-FEN omni bounce