What do you think of this?

[00silvergt]

U1W Professor Kobre's Lightscoop, Warm Version Bounce Flash Device, Universal model, fits over the Pop-up Flash of most SLR Cameras.

Gimmicky? Waste of money? I have external flashes, but I was thinking someday I don't like lugging the gear with me. TIA.

[tdodd]

When you consider the guide number of the built in flash and what will happen to the strength of that once it's bounced off the bouncer, traveled up to the ceiling, bounced off that, spread all over the room, and then made its way all the way back down and across to your subject I'm not sure there will be much life left. Also it might throw off any flash exposure calculation that uses subject distance based on focus distance to make its calculations. It will know nothing of a modifier that is redirecting and absorbing the light twice before it reaches the subject.

Why not make one with a bit of folded paper and tape and see how it works, before forking out $30 plus shipping?

[Harry]

Who can truly say. It's whatever works for you in any given situation. I currently own the Lumiquest Pocket Bounce, Big Bounce, all the upgrades for the Pro big bounce thingy, Omnibounce, Lightsphere original, the cloud, both sizes of Whale tails. Right now, with my on camera flash I am really liking the Whale tail. Haven't tried the Flipit, yet, but I thought about it. I take most of these with me in my travel kit.

[00silvergt]

Originally Posted by tdodd

When you consider the guide number of the built in flash and what will happen to the strength of that once it's bounced off the bouncer, traveled up to the ceiling, bounced off that, spread all over the room, and then made its way all the way back down and across to your subject I'm not sure there will be much life left. Also it might throw off any flash exposure calculation that uses subject distance based on focus distance to make its calculations. It will know nothing of a modifier that is redirecting and absorbing the light twice before it reaches the subject.

Why not make one with a bit of folded paper and tape and see how it works, before forking out $30 plus shipping?

I think you are right. I've read the reviews and they seem to be raving about it, but if paper can do the same for 29.96 less, why not?

[00silvergt]

Originally Posted by Harry

Who can truly say. It's whatever works for you in any given situation. I currently own the Lumiquest Pocket Bounce, Big Bounce, all the upgrades for the Pro big bounce thingy, Omnibounce, Lightsphere original, the cloud, both sizes of Whale tails. Right now, with my on camera flash I am really liking the Whale tail. Haven't tried the Flipit, yet, but I thought about it. I take most of these with me in my travel kit.

That's right, Lumiquest does make on camera bounce and diffusers. Let me know look at those as well. Thanks.

[tdodd]

Here are some test results from a quick mock-up. All are at f/5.6 and 1/250.

Top left - 400 ISO, bare flash, Top right - with folded white A4.
Bottom Left 100 ISO, bare flash, Bottom right - with folded white A4.




I guess with the right environment and settings you might get some worthwhile results but I think the DIY option would be the best bet. Note the shadow line in the top right photo. You would need to think carefully about the design to ensure the light went exactly where you needed it, and not where you didn't.

EDIT : Actually, I've just looked at the enlarged photos on the website - Large Image Adorama Sku#FALSUW - and it looks like they are using mirrors to bounce the light upwards, not just simple paper/card/plastic, so I guess the efficiency would be somewhat better than my test results - quite a bit better perhaps.

[00silvergt]

Originally Posted by tdodd

Here are some test results from a quick mock-up. All are at f/5.6 and 1/250.

Top left - 400 ISO, bare flash, Top right - with folded white A4.
Bottom Left 100 ISO, bare flash, Bottom right - with folded white A4.




I guess with the right environment and settings you might get some worthwhile results but I think the DIY option would be the best bet. Note the shadow line in the top right photo. You would need to think carefully about the design to ensure the light went exactly where you needed it, and not where you didn't.

EDIT : Actually, I've just looked at the enlarged photos on the website - Large Image Adorama Sku#FALSUW - and it looks like they are using mirrors to bounce the light upwards, not just simple paper/card/plastic, so I guess the efficiency would be somewhat better than my test results - quite a bit better perhaps.

Yes, a mirror directed to a white "bounce card". There is also a warmer version which uses a beige or warmer white card.

[Ed Shapiro]

Here's the straight talk. There are a thousand things that were invented to place over, on top of, beside, and clip onto flash anoints since flash units themselves were invented. Some of theses units diffuse, spread, color and modify the light beam and enable one or another incarnation of bounce lighting.

There is going to be some change or slight improvement when theses gadgets are used but there is a major limitation. Basically we are talking about on-camera flash- basically flat lighting. Nothing really dramatic happens until you take your main light off the camera. A second flash unit off camera and a fill light on the camera is a good place to start getting images with more texture, mood and dimensionality. When the camera light is fitted with a bounce device it can serve as a better fill light. Theses bounce cards are nothing new- the have been around for decades and clipped on to external flash units both on and off the camera. I have home-made many of theses fashioned out of index cards, wall paper smoothers and pieces of cardboard and foil. The one in the ad is nice because it will fit on pop up flashes without damaging the flash or the camera. I would not want to improvise or use a home made device with something that is an integral part of the camera and retracts and pops up- those little flashes can be easily damaged and foul the entire camera system.

For the price, the unit is not a bad investment and is worth a try but don't expect any dramatic changes until you start doing off camera lighting.

[deluco]

I would spend the money for a good lighting video or put it toward a workshop. As Ed said, you can only do so much with on-camera strobe. It's still basically a candid photo.

By the way, I do bounce my flash and slow the shutter for reception candids whenever I can as it does improve the image, however, this is still only a candid.

You can add the warmth later with a digital filter however if you're using on-camera or on-bracket flash, it's not going to improve the image much.

[cyclohexane]

Considering that its for the built-in flash, I would keep your $30 and spend that on something else. $30 is 10 sheets of 4x5 film and lunch, or whatever else you might want to spend it on...

[00silvergt]

LOL, agreed. I bought the Gary Fong for my Speedlites, instead.

[artur]

Another thing that makes me laugh is people who buy Gary Fong thingies and suddenly all their pictures are so much better. Here's a hint:

Go to your post-office and get some bubble-plastic bags. Put those on top of your flash facing to the ceiling and fire away. Same Gary Fong effect for $0.10

Really guys, the Gary Fong thing is no NASA engineering. All it does is spread some light around the same way a bubble plastic does.

In fact, Gary is genious of marketing. I use my DIY lightsphere at weddings which is 100 times cheaper, lighter and doesn't take so much space in my camera bag. I still sell these for 20 euros a piece and they go like hot cakes because people think this some miraclous state-of-the-art engineering product that was invented in Area 51 from the alien technology.

AG Bouncer II - Revolutionary flash diffuser/bouncer

[mcbit]

Wonderful Artur and I thought you were joking!

[WooD]

Originally Posted by artur

Another thing that makes me laugh is people who buy Gary Fong thingies and suddenly all their pictures are so much better. Here's a hint:

Go to your post-office and get some bubble-plastic bags. Put those on top of your flash facing to the ceiling and fire away. Same Gary Fong effect for $0.10

Really guys, the Gary Fong thing is no NASA engineering. All it does is spread some light around the same way a bubble plastic does.

In fact, Gary is genious of marketing. I use my DIY lightsphere at weddings which is 100 times cheaper, lighter and doesn't take so much space in my camera bag. I still sell these for 20 euros a piece and they go like hot cakes because people think this some miraclous state-of-the-art engineering product that was invented in Area 51 from the alien technology.

AG Bouncer II - Revolutionary flash diffuser/bouncer

I got sucked into to the lightsphere thing a ways back. Originally ordered the cloud version, but it was a joke. I returned it to give the clear a try. It actually works pretty well if you add something in the rear of it to throw more light forward. No way I'd buy one of his chrome domes. I did tests with my DIY bounce card, and better bounce card, and really couldn't see any significant difference. I used the craft foam, and velcro for the DIY cards. They look odd, but work. I've found myself in multitudes of situations where using my SB600 on camera was the only option.

[artur]

Originally Posted by WooD

I did tests with my DIY bounce card, and better bounce card, and really couldn't see any significant difference.

This is exactly what I'm talking about. People tend to do things way to complicated when instead most of the time KISS (keep it simple stupid) works well enough if not even better.

Yes, my bubble-plastic on my flash looks silly, but so does this huge bowl called Lightsphere. When I do all-day wedding photography, the least thing I need is extra weight on my shoulder and to think about the weight of Lightsphere makes my back hurt.

[artur]

Have a look at my new tutorial on how to make your own Gary Fong's Lighsphere for $0.20 a piece:

http://photocamel.com/forum/tutorials/53675-diy-gary-fong-s-lightsphere.html#post471722