Gary Fong's Lightsphere - DPChallenge Forums

05/11/2005 05:32:43 PM · #1

I just got this wonderful addition to my gear, and I just have to say that it works even better than displayed in Gary's video.

here is my first try with the Lightsphere at portraits.

this picture is straight from the camera, only resized and saved for web.

has anyone else got the lightsphere ? and if you do, how do you like it ?

and please post some portrait taken with the lightsphere, and some without to compare..
my model had to run before I got to shoot her without the sphere.. I'll get her next time ;)

05/11/2005 05:43:42 PM · #2

and.. you are allowed to comment ;)
isn't that why we all post our pics here ??

Man_Called_Horse

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

05/11/2005 05:44:28 PM · #3

what is Lightsphere?

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM II

05/11/2005 05:48:49 PM · #4

a link would be nice... :P

pgatt

Canon EOS-5D

05/11/2005 05:51:39 PM · #5

I've just ordered one, but it's not here yet. Look forward to having a play with it - I'm not a big fan of flash photography so far, hopefully this will convince me otherwise. So far everything I've seen would suggest so. Thanks for the photo DanSig. Below is a link.

Lightsphere

Prof_Fate

05/11/2005 05:57:12 PM · #6

I have one - GREAT thing!
I was a bit unsure about it, seemed too good to be true. But I bought a used Metz 54 and the seller thru it in. GREAT!

Here are some test shots I took - check out the outside at night one - everyone asks about ceiling bounce - umm, outside there is NO ceiling, and i got an acceptabe shot (all shots unedited). I have not used the dome..it actually is not even in my camera bag.

here is shot of a lightsphere on my flash (sorry, not a great shot in and of itself)

05/11/2005 06:08:05 PM · #7

Wow...it's a clip on lamp shade (makes total sense)

But I am confused?

Does it simply clip on the flash? i saw something about "designed to fit any lens" and that part confused me?

05/11/2005 06:59:31 PM · #8

you have to choose your flash type when you order, each sphere is custom made for a specific flashtype and will not fit another type of flash.

wewillexplore

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

05/11/2005 07:51:10 PM · #9

Yeah the LS II rocks - Im using one for a wedding this weekend.

05/11/2005 10:06:53 PM · #10

no not talking about the Flash, on that link near the bottom they show an object that goes on a lens with a square cut-away and next to it there is a statement "designed to fit all lenses"

???

wewillexplore

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

05/11/2005 10:24:10 PM · #11

There's a rubber adapter for your lens - you put the adapter on first, then the LS II.

05/11/2005 10:28:51 PM · #12

what does the adapter do...

wewillexplore

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

05/11/2005 10:29:42 PM · #13

Fits your lens to the lightsphere. The lightspheres are one size. The adapter makes it different flash sizes.

It ... uh ... adapts.

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

05/11/2005 10:43:12 PM · #14

The results are very pleasing from the picture posted and the LightSphere web site, but it looks like there's definitely some light fall off, which I guess you're going to get with any diffuser. I guess you could compensate by increasing FEC.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

05/11/2005 11:39:18 PM · #15

what purpose does the lens adapter serve?

Prof_Fate

05/12/2005 12:45:11 AM · #16

The LS is a hard plastic item. Rather thick and stiff, moreso than tupperware.

The 'adapter' is a clear neoprene/rubber gasket type item - it slips on the flash head and then the LS is fitted over it - VERY snug fit. It will NOT fall off.

As to the issue of FEC - it depends on your taste. Many (many many)photogs like to boost the flash by 1 stop with or without a LS/Omnibounce, etc. My shots were done in P mode and ettl - so the camera decided when there was enough exposure and cut the flash off. THe histograms look acceptable. WB was on auto, and the interior shots had a 100 watt table lamp with shade as the only ambient light. Shutter was 1/60th, the default in P mode with a flash. All shots I beleive I did with the Canon 50mm 1.8 lens. The Metx 54 has a GN of 170, a pretty powerful on camera flash.

dwoolridge

05/12/2005 01:49:43 AM · #17

Originally posted by theSaj:

no not talking about the Flash, on that link near the bottom they show an object that goes on a lens with a square cut-away and next to it there is a statement "designed to fit all lenses"

???

I think you mean this quote: "I designed it so it fits over any lens in your camera bag!". The point being made is that the LS won't take much more room in your bag since it'll fit over lenses in your bag.

Mavrik contributed to the confusion by referring to lens in a couple of places when he must have meant flash. The LS has an adapter that fits on your flash, as PF already stated.

aronya1

Nikon D70

05/12/2005 02:32:53 AM · #18

Wish I'd seen this info yesterday. Or even this morning! I just ordered the SB-600 & Stofen diffuser this evening... Doh!

05/12/2005 06:04:59 AM · #19

Originally posted by aronya1:

Wish I'd seen this info yesterday. Or even this morning! I just ordered the SB-600 & Stofen diffuser this evening... Doh!

I have the sto-fen and use it just as much as the LS, so just order the LS for the SB-600 and you'll have a great kit :)