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Ive been looking for around a month at the difference types of diffusion options for on-camera flash units... (target: Nikon SB800)

Ive found a few different types, each unique...

* Sto-fen Omnibounce


* Lastolite Micro-Apollo Softbox


* Lumiquest 8-20


* Lumiquest Big Bounce


* Gary Fongs Lightsphere 2


* Photoflex Inflatable oncamera XTC

* Nikon SB-800 own diffusion panel

Then theres the cheaper options...

* cigarette paper
* rubber-banding cardboard to the flash head - see also below
* DIY bounce card


* DIY sphere - apple juice container


I Need to cover essentially 24-120 (not with digital multiplier) and 15mm would be nice.

LS2 looking pretty tempting...

Who uses what?

JD

Nikon's included diffusion dome for the SB800 is very similar to Stofen's omnibounce. It is one often misused by people IMHO. The illustration in your post shows correct usage - angled upwards. If one were to fit a diffusion dome and then proceed to point the flash head directly at the subject, then it completely defeats the purpose of having one - all you end up doing is wasting a stop of power.

The SB800's retractable white card is the professional looking version of rubber banding a piece of white cardboard. Its usefulness to me is one rung above ashtray on a motorcycle. It's just not big enough to catch the reflected light, the bounced light usually overwhelms it I find.

The lightsphere 2 I would imagine has many supporters on these forums. It works extremely well but you're giving your NiMH cells and the flash capacitor a good workout (it robs about 1.5-2 stops of light?!)

Hi Onyx,

The built-in bounce card is indeed small and does not really reflect a lot of light, but it sure makes a nice little catch light in the subject's eyes! With only reflected light a portrait misses that little extra, making it a but dull.

Very thorough JD, the photoflex inflatable is cute, an airbag for our cameras

Glen wrote:Very thorough JD, the photoflex inflatable is cute, an airbag for our cameras

Useful for the drop test

ElRonno wrote:The built-in bounce card is indeed small and does not really reflect a lot of light, but it sure makes a nice little catch light in the subject's eyes! With only reflected light a portrait misses that little extra, making it a but dull.

Agree totally - while I'm no expert on flash usage and portraiture, I do know I prefer a glint in people's eyes - something the inbuilt bounce card seems to do just nicely

sheepie wrote: I do know I prefer a glint in people's eyes

That's what I use to say about my girlfriends


Real reason I wrote is to compliment you on your avatar Leon, is it your house or holiday house? Nice looking house and great shot.

Glen wrote:Real reason I wrote is to compliment you on your avatar Leon, is it your house or holiday house? Nice looking house and great shot.

I wish!!! - it's one of the guest houses at Jenolan Caves!

Nice shot, no wonder it looked like a holiday house