18 April, 2008

It's a Bird, It's a Plane.


It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a . . . toilet plunger? Seriously folks. I cannot look at this Gary Fong Lightsphere without thinking I need to run off to plunge my toity. I get questions about this little guy. . . the plunger. . . not Mr. Fong. . . all the time. I don't have one, so I'm not equip to offer a valuable answer. I can tell you that it gets mixed reviews in the industry, but often too many egos are involved in industry reviews to get a straight answer.

Soooo, I'm asking you. . .

What do YOU think of this toity tool. . . er . . . the Gary Fong diffuser?
Have YOU used it?
Should WE run out and buy one anytime in the near future?

Happy Shooting and Happy Friday!

Nat

* Post Edited to Include: Thanks to Carly at Photog Tips & Resources for letting me know about this review of the LightSphere by photographer Jessica Kettle.

8 comments:

Carly said...

Natalie- My friend Jess just posted on my photog tips blog about this lightsphere- she raves about it.

photogtips.blogspot.com

Enjoy :)

DC Discombobulated said...

I shot some cast shots/head shots of kids recently for a children's production of Charlotte's Web. I am very naive when it comes to flash photography but i had a brand new 580 EX II (a dummy proof flash i hear) on TTL... and a photog friend recommended i slap the Fong on the end at 45 degrees and just go to town. I did... and .. well... everything turned out great i think. Check out the cast shots/backstage pictures at...

www.dcdiscombobulated.blogspot.com

Jennifer Rinaldi said...

I love mine. I really do! I'm raving about it!

It just really softens the harshness of a flash indoors. If I do any indoor portraits with a backdrop (I don't have studio lights yet) I use it and it's such a difference.

There are cheap knockoffs on ebay that look exactly the same...so I might tell someone who is wary to buy one of those before spending the "gary fong" price - although I'm not unhappy w/ the GF one...just a bit pricey for the package deal (50.00) since it's basically plastic. :)

Heather said...

I went to pictureline (super duper RAD high end camera store with EVERY piece of camera gadget in the world!) in SLC and asked the camera pros there about different flash deffusers and the answer I got was that it's not necessary. The nice man I was conversing with said that this is a popular one, but unnecessary.

Heather said...

I have it and like that it doesn't leave the dreaded rectangular flash reflection on somebody's forehead when shooting direct. I also like the metal insert...it makes the flash a lot stronger than it would be otherwise. I don't always use it and it does seem to soften everything.

I also think of it as a plunger now since hearing Denis Reggie speak at the convention. lol :)

Anonymous said...

I'm a huge fan of Gary. I think he's brilliant - not just his photography.

I bought this but wasn't blown away by it. You can get the same effects for a lot less.

SW Portraits said...

I have one of these puppies and it really makes a huge differance when doing flash photography. I love mine and don't leave home to shoot with out it! The nice thing is, they're really not that expensive. (considering how much we spend on our camera boy/lens!)But yeah, I love mine and have never regretted buying it!

Anonymous said...

I have mixed emotions about mine.
I does definitely make a difference in my flash photography. Softer light, less shadowing behind the subject. When I can't go with off-camera flash, it's definitely going to be on my SB800's. On the other hand, if you think about it, it is just an overpriced piece of tuperware...... I've seen DIY versions that probably cost about a $1 to make and probably do as good a job.

By the way, I LOVED your articles in DPS on blogging. You've inspired me beyond belief to get back to my blog and make it better.

Thanks!