Anyone use these?

AnimalRights

Now that I'm not working I've to be extra careful and what I invest in and these seem quite expensive but Dakar has used them during a fantastic shoot of his kids and for that price they seem a very good investment.
http://www.garyfongestore.com/flash-accessories/lightsphere-universal-basic-kit.html

I'm at the stage now where I want to do more portrait type work/learning and these look handy, bear in mind I want to keep the set up as small and handy as possible, I don't want a whole studio!
Also I need a reflector, not much experience on these but is there something handy to get, not too expensive?
Also what's the best place in Dublin to get one of them?

pixbyjohn

http://www.berminghamcameras.ie/store/index.php?target=categories&category_id=231

Kbeg3

I have a light sphere universal and like it. It works well but sometimes people pass comment about it because it looks a bit strange on top of the flash. I don't have any of those accessories though.

smelltheglove

I was wondering about these myself a while back, do you reckon kbegs if it would be any use for event photography, you now, pub, niteclub sort of shots?

stcstc

i bought one of these kits

http://www.interfitphotographic.com/Strobies/Strobies%20index.html


it has a shpere thingy, a beaty dish and snoot etc

wasnt mad money either

the beaty dish is very very good and worth getting just for that alone i reckon

Kbeg3

Not sure about pub, niteclubs, I have used it at events. It's not something I use everyday but I do use it and it's nice to have. The universal is quite bulky and takes up some room in my bag. I think there is a collapsible one out now but not sure what it's like.

Here's some photo taken at an awards ceremony with an SB-800 and light sphere.

DotOrg

the dome diffusers only really make a difference if you have a pretty low ceiling to act as your giant diffuser/reflector

though i do think this is a much better option for a regular flash if you're creating a mini/portable studio. i've used one for a couple of years
http://www.lastolite.com/ezybox-hotshoe.php

for reflectors you can't go wrong with:
http://www.lastolite.com/trigrips.php
though a stand to use it with makes it much more useful

AnimalRights

Head is a bit melted but...is it something along these lines?

[20:23] <Rocket---> flash with attachment to soften but increase the light.
[20:24] <Rocket---> reflector, imo, uses the available light and reflects it back on the subject.
[20:24] <Rocket---> and if you use a flash and the reflector at the same time, it bounces that light also.
[20:24] <Janer> erm lol
[20:24] <Janer> getting complicated but
[20:24] <Janer> im sure those 3 lines are key
[20:24] <Janer> .
[20:25] <Janer> 3 is what i aim for
[20:25] <Janer> i need obviously 1 and 2 too
[20:25] <Rocket--->
[20:25] <Janer> why is flash stuff called strobes?
[20:26] <Janer> http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=66923170#post66923170
[20:26] <Rocket---> Hmm... well... a strobe light is one that produces flashes of light...
[20:26] <Janer> janer replied
[20:26] <Rocket---> prehaps that's the reason?

AnimalRights

haha to thanks lol

Think I'm looking at this and a reflector?
http://www.interfitphotographic.com/Strobies/Strobies%20index.html

hmboards

AnimalRights wrote: »

Think I'm looking at this and a reflector?
http://www.interfitphotographic.com/Strobies/Strobies%20index.html

I think you can buy the bits of the kit individually too if you don't think you will use everything. miniphoto in Lucan stock all the interfit stuff.

AnimalRights

Yeah I just want the basic it'll soften the harshness of the flash bit.
Why is Lucan not in Dublin though? :mad:

stcstc

ar

if ya wanna have a play with them, gimmie a shout, you can take mine off for a few days


s

hmboards

The Lucanites might argue that one with you

AnimalRights

stcstc wrote: »

ar

if ya wanna have a play with them, gimmie a shout, you can take mine off for a few days


s

This would be good Steve o as I would also like a quick piece of advice...
I'm in town anytime bar thurs and fri mornings.

oshead

Exactly what DotOrg said.

The results in this pic were achieved because the photo was taken in a small room and the light was bounced everywhere. Much the same results can be achieved using the Omni bounce, the key is the low ceilings and close by walls.

I have the diffusers myself. Bought them in one of my moments of weakness in Bangkok a few years ago. Infact, I modded it out a couple of years back and turned it into a 'Darksphere'. I've never really used it as intended until this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg4dFL303og

The main advantage I find I get from using one is as Kbeg3 said. But not in a negative way. It gets you noticed. People percive you as a serious photog and make space. :pac:

I have two of em. Both were bought for the 430EX but I cut it larger to fit the 580EXII. You can have a lend of them after Friday, if you want to try before you buy. Personally though, I'd go for the cheap generic omni bounce.

I use a reflector when I can. The only problem with them is they are very unwieldy to manage, especially if there is a breeze. I've got a bottle top one (large and round).

Not if.... but when I get another, it'll be the Trigrip for sure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWTgPbYapik

sineadw

I use a stofen and a lumiquest softbox. I'd be very interested in doing a side by side with the Gary Fong yoke.

photomunkey

I use one of these that I got from Barkers

http://www.barkerphotographic.ie/products.php?id=1318&cat=54

Its fine in places with very high ceilings where it is hard to find a surface to bounce the flash and a fairly inexpensive version.
I like mine and find myself using it quite a bit