Gary Fong Lightshpere

[pcho]

Thanks to Rudi's :notworthy: sample shots using Gary Fongs lightsphere on his watches and clocks I decided to read up on this funny looking attachment. So last thursday night I ordered the unit from B&H and guess what, I received my unit this morning (Monday) at 8.30am. Thats quicker than getting thing sent withing Australia, almost :)

Well can I say I am most impressed with this unit and the shots looks great and warm as well. I have included sample shots below and they are all as shot. Absolutely nothing done to it.

All pictures shot with 1dmkIII

Perry

With 580exII
http://www.thepatienteye.com/albums/webforum/garyfong001no.jpg

with Gary Fong Lightsphere attached to 580exII
http://www.thepatienteye.com/albums/webforum/garyfong001.jpg

With 580exII
http://www.thepatienteye.com/albums/webforum/garyfong002no.jpg

with Gary Fong Lightsphere attached to 580exII
http://www.thepatienteye.com/albums/webforum/garyfong002.jpg

With 580exII
http://www.thepatienteye.com/albums/webforum/garyfong003no.jpg

with Gary Fong Lightsphere attached to 580exII
http://www.thepatienteye.com/albums/webforum/garyfong003.jpg

[Bobby]

Great results Perry, just took possession of mine for the 580. I got the cloud version. I have the clear for my 420.

[pcho]

Great results Perry, just took possession of mine for the 580. I got the cloud version. I have the clear for my 420.

Hi Bobby,

What is the difference between the 2, I guess the clear gives more like and not as soft. Would that be correct?

Have you any experience with the new whaletail unit?

Perry

[Bobby]

Thats correct Perry, I understand the wedding photogs prefer the cloud version because it provides a softer result. I have no experience with the whaletail. There was a huge thread on Nikon cafe about the Fong, many detractors but no real reason for their opinion other than they thought it didn't work any better than the supplied sb800 diffuser. Not true but who am I to argue. I think it's an amazing device and well worth the money.

[MGlennn]

Interesting Perry....certainly works well :) Which one did you get from B&H....a kit or just the single attachment ..?? :confused_1:

[Rudi]

Pretty cool diffuser, isn't it? I, too, got the "cloud" version... I guess that makes me a wedding photographer! :D

[MGlennn]

Pretty cool diffuser, isn't it? I, too, got the "cloud" version... I guess that makes me a wedding photographer! :D

Too cool Rudi :biggrin: A wedding photog AND a birder !!!! ;););)

[stilllearning]

I got the clear for my SB800. I really like it but not for what I originally got it for. I like the lighting effect for macro. I will probably get one for my 580. I noticed with the clear that it works very well with wide angle shots too.

Taken with the Lightsphere II
http://www.pbase.com/stilllearning/image/83232725.jpg

[MGlennn]

I got the clear for my SB800. I really like it but not for what I originally got it for. I like the lighting effect for macro. I will probably get one for my 580. I noticed with the clear that it works very well with wide angle shots too.

Taken with the Lightsphere II
http://www.pbase.com/stilllearning/image/83232725.jpg

Macro was what I was thinking about too Gary :brows:

[Rob]

My kit arrived today (More money shelved out thanks to you guys & your recommendations) Will give it a go tonight & see how it goes. Like your shots Perry. Looking forward to seeing the results

[pcho]

My kit arrived today (More money shelved out thanks to you guys & your recommendations) Will give it a go tonight & see how it goes. Like your shots Perry. Looking forward to seeing the results

Sorry, Rob, it wasn't me, it was Rudi that started this, I think he gets commissions from Gary Fong :biglaugh:

Good luck with your unit. I think you would love the unit.

Perry

[Rudi]

I noticed with the clear that it works very well with wide angle shots too.

I've noticed that with the "cloud" version, too, Gary. I've tried it with the 16-35L on the 5D, at 16mm, and it provided very even lighting all through the room (not perfect, but close to it).

[Harv]

Perry, here are some samples of images I took when I first got my GF Lightsphere. Mine is the 'clear' model.

http://harveyg.smugmug.com/photos/106643415-L.jpg

http://harveyg.smugmug.com/photos/122374359-L.jpg

http://harveyg.smugmug.com/photos/131433406-L.jpg

I think it's the best out there and does what it's advertised to do. I also know that Jody Melanson uses his a lot with his macro shooting.

[Jeff M]

Harv,
Is that lovely lady in your photos your wife? She must be an extraordinarily *patient* person! :biggrin:

[Jeff M]

Pretty cool diffuser, isn't it? I, too, got the "cloud" version... I guess that makes me a wedding photographer! :D

Rudi..what's the difference between a cloud and clear version? I mean..what subjects would you use more for a cloud version as opposed to the clear version?

[Harv]

Harv,
Is that lovely lady in your photos your wife? She must be an extraordinarily *patient* person! :biggrin:

Yep, that's my extraordinarily patient (and generous... she bought me my 300/2.8) wife. She's a saint. I obviously married 'up'.:biggrin:

[Jeff M]

Yep, that's my extraordinarily patient (and generous... she bought me my 300/2.8) wife. She's a saint. I obviously married 'up'.:biggrin:


Somehow I think she's probably got a pretty good husband too.

[Harv]

Somehow I think she's probably got a pretty good husband too.

I must owe him money. :wideeyed::wideeyed::wideeyed:

[pcho]

Perry, here are some samples of images I took when I first got my GF Lightsphere. Mine is the 'clear' model.

I think it's the best out there and does what it's advertised to do. I also know that Jody Melanson uses his a lot with his macro shooting.

Harv, Thanks for showing those pics. The Clear model looks just as good. Yes, I agree you have lovely wife too. Now we need a picture of you as well :biglaugh:

pERRY

[Harv]

Harv, Thanks for showing those pics. The Clear model looks just as good. Yes, I agree you have lovely wife too. Now we need a picture of you as well :biglaugh:

pERRY

The picture of me in my avatar shows my best side. :biggrin:

[Rudi]

Rudi..what's the difference between a cloud and clear version? I mean..what subjects would you use more for a cloud version as opposed to the clear version?

Jeff, on the Gary Fong website it states:

"Use the new cloud colored photojournalist to create the warmest softest light possible from your on-camera flash. Studio quality light, that you can carry in your gear bag, makes the Cloud Lightsphere the perfect diffuser for portrait photographers and wedding photojournalists.This soft flattering light is the same light you are accustomed to finding in your studio when using a softbox, Calumet panel or large umbrella. If you shoot outside of your studio - you will love the Cloud Lightsphere."

...and:

"Choose the clear version for fast action, large groups and dimly lit scenes. Switch to the new Cloud Photojournalist for the softest, warmest light yet. Great for close-ups, portraits and events."

Now, 2 things as far as I was concerned:

1) I want a flash diffuser because I WANT soft, warm, natural looking light from my flash, and

2) I have the 5D, which already has great high ISO performance, so I don't need max power out of my flash (you will lose some light with ANY diffuser, that is the nature of the beast).

So I got the cloud version. I have used it in a couple of average-sized rooms at 16mm on the 5D, at ISO 100 in the dark, and the lighting was sufficient and almost perfectly even, at that superwide setting. I think that the 580EX has enough power for even very large rooms, once that ISO setting is set higher (and the 5D can shoot comfortably at ISO 1600).

Honestly, I think either version is a good choice! Given that you can PP photos easily these days, to get the perfect colour balance that you were after in the first place, either one of these will give you great results. That said, it is interesting that even when people had access to the clear version, and they were happy with the product, they still kept asking and requesting a cloud version! That says something right there, IMO! There must be a lot of photogs out there just like me, who don't like to have to PP a photo too much after already going through the trouble of putting on and having to use a damn diffuser in the first place... :D

[Jeff M]

Thanks Rudi...
I think I'm going to order the Cloud version. My first passion in photography was portraits. I've done weddings...that's where I learned more colorful language.:biggrin:
I won't say I'll never do weddings again. I will say I will never do a wedding (if I can help it) where I have to use film again.

Right now, my focus is on sports photography, but I still like doing portraits, the lightsphere sounds like a great accessory for me.


Thanks for the info.