Lightsphere 2 pj and dome

Have your say on issues related to using a DSLR camera.

Moderator: Moderators

Forum rules
Please ensure that you have a meaningful location included in your profile. Please refer to the FAQ for details of what "meaningful" is.

Lightsphere 2 pj and dome

Postby avkomp on Tue Jan 31, 2006 8:11 pm

just got around to getting a ls-ii pj and whilst at it, the new dome.

I had a quick search around the forums but didnt find exactly what I was after.
I will have to take a few test shots to see what it will do for me but didnt wish to reinvent the wheel so thought I would ask here.

basically wondering whether anyone has the new dome for the ls-iipj
and when they would consider using it??
also whether people think it is worth using the added dome?
if the dome was used would you still point the ls @ 45 or straight up or would you point it straight at the subject??


I figured it may assist in lighting macro stuff more evenly but I may use it for all the normal stuff also.

any observations etc would be appreciated or any url which may have the answers etc.
Thanks,

Steve
check out my image gallery @
http://photography.avkomp.com/gallery3
User avatar
avkomp
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2485
Joined: Sun May 29, 2005 8:47 pm
Location: Bendoura NSW - Nikon D5

Postby nito on Tue Jan 31, 2006 8:48 pm

I have the LS2 PJ with dome and also sirhc55. The dome is meant to point straight at the subject. It does work better than a direct flash but I still prefer the 45 or 90 degree tilt with just the LS2 PJ.

I havent shot with the dome and a 45 degree angle yet.
nito
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1109
Joined: Sat May 14, 2005 11:24 am
Location: Gladesville, NSW

Postby Paul on Tue Jan 31, 2006 8:57 pm

Steve,
I'm not trying to state the obvious here but have you checked Gary Fong's website? 8)
He has a small video demo of how to use the new PJ II with the dome head.
http://store.garyfonginc.com/liiido.html
Hope this helps your quest! :D
Nikon F80D, FM2n
RRS BH-55, 055XPROB
Smugmug
User avatar
Paul
Senior Member
 
Posts: 866
Joined: Tue Nov 23, 2004 8:32 am
Location: Baulkham Hills, NSW, Australia

Postby avkomp on Tue Jan 31, 2006 9:00 pm

thanks guys,

I had a quick look at mr fongs website and saw the vid about the lsII pj but somehow must have missed the one with the new dome.
will have to re-look.

I thought it prudent to ask those on the forum also, afterall they are using them and not trying to sell me one!! so I thought I would get the good oil here!!

Thanks again.

Steve
check out my image gallery @
http://photography.avkomp.com/gallery3
User avatar
avkomp
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2485
Joined: Sun May 29, 2005 8:47 pm
Location: Bendoura NSW - Nikon D5

Postby Steffen on Wed Feb 01, 2006 12:16 am

I've got both the LSII PJ and the new dome. My understanding from Gary's site is that the dome adds outdoor (forward flash) capability to the PJ, which only used to produce diffused light when pointed at a ceiling or wall.

I use the PJ without dome for indoor shots, pointing upwards, and with the dome for outdoor flash, pointing at the subject. For some indoor shots where the ceiling was unsuitable for bouncing I've used the dome as well, and pointed the flash forward.

Cheers
Steffen.
User avatar
Steffen
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1931
Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2005 4:52 pm
Location: Toongabbie, NSW

Re: Lightsphere 2 pj and dome

Postby MCWB on Wed Feb 01, 2006 6:33 am

avkomp wrote:if the dome was used would you still point the ls @ 45 or straight up or would you point it straight at the subject??

I haven't played with it enough, but I've found 90 (straight up) to be more reliable than 45 with the PJ (no dome) so far. Anyone else think similarly?
User avatar
MCWB
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2121
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2004 10:55 pm
Location: Epping/CBD, Sydney-D200, D70

Re: Lightsphere 2 pj and dome

Postby nito on Wed Feb 01, 2006 8:04 am

MCWB wrote:I haven't played with it enough, but I've found 90 (straight up) to be more reliable than 45 with the PJ (no dome) so far. Anyone else think similarly?


I have to agree. Straight up gives more natural looking skin tones. 45 gives at times more oilly look on the skin.
nito
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1109
Joined: Sat May 14, 2005 11:24 am
Location: Gladesville, NSW

Postby avkomp on Wed Feb 01, 2006 1:45 pm

thanks for the comments, these are the things I am looking for,
stuff that you guys have found, not stuff from the website of the guy trying to sell me one!!

good to have a range of comments and findings!!

Steve
check out my image gallery @
http://photography.avkomp.com/gallery3
User avatar
avkomp
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2485
Joined: Sun May 29, 2005 8:47 pm
Location: Bendoura NSW - Nikon D5

Postby Geoff on Wed Feb 01, 2006 2:36 pm

I also concur that straight up gives better (more natural) results :) Haven't got the dome but have seen Chris' :) (hahahha now watch the comments flow) :D
Geoff
Special Moments Photography
Nikon D700, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.4, 70-200 2.8VR, SB800 & some simple studio stuff.
User avatar
Geoff
Moderator
 
Posts: 7791
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 12:08 am
Location: Freshwater - Northern Beaches, Sydney.


Return to General Discussion

cron