lightsphere clear or cloud - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

07/24/2007 01:56:46 PM · #1

basically i want to get one of them to shoot events/ outdoor indoor, which one do you guys recomend and more importantly what's the purpose of everyone one and what are the differences?

Buckeye_Fan

07/24/2007 02:09:55 PM · #2

I have a cloud and love it!!

drewbixcube

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

07/24/2007 02:17:15 PM · #3

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drewbixcube

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

07/24/2007 02:18:38 PM · #4

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Creature

Nikon D70s

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

07/24/2007 02:30:13 PM · #5

I have a clear (based on recommendations from Gary Fong's website) that I got to shoot a wedding in a church with a high, stained-wood ceiling. I used the dome to keep all the light from dissipating on the ceiling, and it still caused shadows behind my subjects, who were at least 15 feet from the rear wall. The less-close-up shots did get good lighting with little to no shadow, but the light was kind of harsh. I honestly think my cheap little Stofen Omnibounce would have produced better results in many of the shots, but if you decide to get a LightSphere I highly recommend you try the cloud model. The one thing I will say is it was easier to take portrait shots since it's a "sphere" whereas the Omnibounce tends to cast heavy shadows to the right of the subject in when turned on its side.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

07/24/2007 02:43:35 PM · #6

so basically the cloud is softer light but less light reaching the subject , while the clear model more light and harsher light

07/24/2007 02:45:57 PM · #7

After using the LS for quite a while I have concluded, neither. There are much better, more efficient Light modifiers on the market, including (but not limited to) Gary Fong's own Whale Tail. Portable softboxes, pocket bounces (20/80), and home-made bounces do just as good or better.

But, if you are going with the LS, go clouded.

Message edited by author 2007-07-24 14:47:16.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

07/24/2007 02:47:58 PM · #8

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

thanks leroy

virtuamike

Nikon D2X

Carl Zeiss 35mm ZF f/2.0 Distagon T

07/24/2007 03:03:01 PM · #9

I'm opinionated - I don't like the Lightsphere. I think plenty more can be accomplished with better technique and a firmer grasp on lighting. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to lighting, contrary to what marketing would like you to believe.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

07/24/2007 04:51:21 PM · #10

bump for more opinions

07/24/2007 05:41:04 PM · #11

Check these out - some nice options:

Softbox

Powergrid

80-20

Big Bounce

The Shell

Message edited by author 2007-07-24 17:42:58.

07/24/2007 07:09:08 PM · #12

Forgive my ignorance, but how is any of this stuff better than a regular diffuser?

07/24/2007 07:16:30 PM · #13

Originally posted by ragamuffingirl:

Forgive my ignorance, but how is any of this stuff better than a regular diffuser?

Depends on what ya mean by regular diffuser?

The softbox is probably the most regular diffuser on the list I posted.

The 80/20 and the Powergrid I posted combine forward bounced light with ceiling bounced light to give very even lighting without shadows around the eyes (adding catch lights). However, you can do the same thing with a white piece of paper.

Other than the The Shell and the Lightsphere, IMO, you need a flippable flash bracket to be able to shoot with the camera in portrait orientation with any of these. You pretty much always want the light source coming from above the lens.

07/24/2007 08:56:16 PM · #14

You know the white plastic cap that fits on the end of your flash.

07/24/2007 08:58:26 PM · #15

Originally posted by ragamuffingirl:

You know the white plastic cap that fits on the end of your flash.

Ohh, all that thing does is waste light and overheat flashes :-)

07/24/2007 09:06:23 PM · #16

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by ragamuffingirl:
You know the white plastic cap that fits on the end of your flash.

Ohh, all that thing does is waste light and overheat flashes :-)

Really?

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

07/24/2007 09:07:17 PM · #17

Originally posted by ragamuffingirl:

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by ragamuffingirl:
You know the white plastic cap that fits on the end of your flash.

Ohh, all that thing does is waste light and overheat flashes :-)

Really?

Yeah, they are really too small to be anything more than a heat trap.

RainMotorsports

Nikon D60

07/24/2007 09:35:51 PM · #18

She shoots with one!

07/24/2007 09:42:53 PM · #19

Originally posted by RainMotorsports:

She shoots with one!

She won't be the first or last :-) I used to shoot with one too. Most of the advice I give on this site is based on mistakes I've already made :-)

Message edited by author 2007-07-24 21:43:45.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

07/24/2007 09:54:44 PM · #20

Originally posted by RainMotorsports:

She shoots with one!

And who appointed you class snitch? I'd think my questions make it obvious that I have one. I keep toying with the idea of replacing it, but my favorite camera shop kept insisting that I didn't need anything else.

RainMotorsports

Nikon D60

07/24/2007 09:58:35 PM · #21

Originally posted by ragamuffingirl:

Originally posted by RainMotorsports:
She shoots with one!

And who appointed you class snitch? I'd think my questions make it obvious that I have one. I keep toying with the idea of replacing it, but my favorite camera shop kept insisting that I didn't need anything else.

People fry flashes just taking too many pictures ina row now you give it a sweater its not gonna like it. I get the impression that you use it casually so have been okay. But the plastic is way too thick and too clouded for a diffuser it does more then diffuse light it kills flash power. Maybe to the point where the flash isnt compensating for the exposure.

07/24/2007 10:08:02 PM · #22

I also usually lower the power on my flash or it often completely overpowers the picture even with the diffuser on it.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

07/24/2007 10:14:55 PM · #23

Originally posted by ragamuffingirl:

I also usually lower the power on my flash or it often completely overpowers the picture even with the diffuser on it.

That's odd. Even with the flash in TTL mode?

RainMotorsports

Nikon D60

07/24/2007 10:17:48 PM · #24

By the way you can also mention that she uses a Sigma EF-500 not sure which ending model number. I think the flash is quite relevant!