Gary Fong.... Clear vs. Cloud - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

02/14/2007 10:10:33 PM · #1

OK, I'm going to purchase a LightSphere. I'm leaning towards the clear, but what like to hear what actual users have to say. Input?

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

02/14/2007 10:30:29 PM · #2

For me......Cloudy! Its better diffusion and softer light - more like a soft-box. I want the chrome dome now :/

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

02/14/2007 10:34:41 PM · #3

Originally posted by idnic:

For me......Cloudy! Its better diffusion and softer light - more like a soft-box. I want the chrome dome now :/

The main reason for purchase is a wedding I'm shooting in August. Reception is in large room with high ceilings and terrible lighting. According to Gary Fongs site the benefit of the clear is to restrict less light while still allowing for soft diffusion.

Cindi, do you use yours for weddings or for portraiture or for both?

TooCool

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

02/14/2007 10:36:49 PM · #4

I'm buying a tennis ball and an Xacto knife...

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

02/14/2007 10:37:43 PM · #5

Originally posted by DowseDesigns:

Cindi, do you use yours for weddings or for portraiture or for both?

Weddings and outdoor work. I've never used it in studio. I've used it in 2 pretty cave-like reception rooms and quite a few hotel rooms and didn't have any problems with light. A friend has the clear one and shot a wedding with me as my back-up - I thought his shots looked more like unfiltered flash (harsher light).

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

02/14/2007 10:41:56 PM · #6

Makes sense... thanks for the input. Anybody else have any opinions?

skylercall

Canon EOS-7D

02/14/2007 10:46:51 PM · #7

Originally posted by TooCool:

I'm buying a tennis ball and an Xacto knife...

What is this for?

Nald

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

02/14/2007 11:15:50 PM · #8

I have both, love'em equally. Plus they're cheap and you'll use them in different situations. JM2C.

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

02/14/2007 11:20:39 PM · #9

There are other diffusers on the market as well, you don't only have to go with the Fong. Demb Flash Diffusers are also highly regarded by wedding photographers, lighter weight, more flexible, cheaper,and give you more control over the light.

blazelle

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/14/2007 11:24:50 PM · #10

I personally LOVE the Demb flip-it. I have that, as well as the FongDong -- I feel like the flip-it gives me excellent control over the light. Don't get me wrong, I like the Lightsphere, but I just feel like the Flip-it fits my style just a tiny bit better.

drewbixcube

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

02/15/2007 04:17:44 PM · #11

Cloud, all the way...much softer light! Don't forget the amber dome... with white balance to tungsten it whitens background lights in darker reception areas, looks much more realistic (instead of orange).

I flinched on the chrome dome for a Christmas gift and am pissed now that they are out of stock. It appears to add a lot of power, pushing the flash more toward the subject instead of lighting what is behind you and ultimately not in the picture.

LindaLee

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

02/15/2007 04:38:03 PM · #12

Definitely Cloud! I own the original LS, the clear PJ and the Cloud PJ. We have found that we almost never use the clear. The softer light of the Cloud is so much nicer.

Creature

Nikon D70s

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

02/16/2007 11:58:02 AM · #13

Does the cloud cast enough light to shoot wedding party formals and reception shots (i.e., where you may be 15 feet away in dimmer light)?

02/16/2007 12:00:34 PM · #14

Originally posted by DowseDesigns:

Makes sense... thanks for the input. Anybody else have any opinions?

I'm with Cindi on this. I think the clouded is much more flattering and haven't had any issues with it in "cavernous" rooms.

02/16/2007 12:03:20 PM · #15

Originally posted by Creature:

Does the cloud cast enough light to shoot wedding party formals and reception shots (i.e., where you may be 15 feet away in dimmer light)?

It should if you have your ISO high enough and aperture open enough. FWIW, I tend to run my Flash Exposure Comp 1.5 stops over with the LS on.

02/16/2007 12:04:04 PM · #16

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by DowseDesigns:
Makes sense... thanks for the input. Anybody else have any opinions?

I'm with Cindi on this. I think the clouded is much more flattering and haven't had any issues with it in "cavernous" rooms.

Figures you would agree with her.

;-P

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

02/16/2007 12:05:30 PM · #17

Originally posted by DowseDesigns:

Figures you would agree with her.

;-P

She's smart and sexy... how could I not? :-P

Creature

Nikon D70s

02/16/2007 12:28:23 PM · #18

Originally posted by skylercall:

Originally posted by TooCool:
I'm buying a tennis ball and an Xacto knife...

What is this for?

I think he meant a ping-pong ball and an Xacto knife ... the ping-pong ball fitted over your built-in flash is a poor-man's diffuser. :-)

Creature

Nikon D70s

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

02/16/2007 12:31:19 PM · #19

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by Creature:
Does the cloud cast enough light to shoot wedding party formals and reception shots (i.e., where you may be 15 feet away in dimmer light)?

It should if you have your ISO high enough and aperture open enough. FWIW, I tend to run my Flash Exposure Comp 1.5 stops over with the LS on.

Thanks, yeah I had figured I might need to bump up my flash EV with the Cloud but that makes me worry about running through batteries too quickly during the 5-6 hour event.

Message edited by author 2007-02-16 12:31:59.

02/16/2007 12:35:26 PM · #20

Originally posted by Creature:

Thanks, yeah I had figured I might need to bump up my flash EV with the Cloud but that makes me worry about running through batteries too quickly during the 5-6 hour event.

You're gonna eat lots of batteries in 5-6 hours anyway... :-) But, seriously, I haven't experienced much more of a drain issue compared to bounced flash.

Sunniee

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

02/16/2007 01:01:23 PM · #21

I have the clear, but when I want the cloud, I put a strip of white printer paper in it to diffuse the light.... works great!

LindaLee

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

02/16/2007 01:30:45 PM · #22

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by Creature:

Thanks, yeah I had figured I might need to bump up my flash EV with the Cloud but that makes me worry about running through batteries too quickly during the 5-6 hour event.

You're gonna eat lots of batteries in 5-6 hours anyway... :-) But, seriously, I haven't experienced much more of a drain issue compared to bounced flash.

We were worried about the battery issue too, with this, so we finally invested in the Quantum Turbo Compact,(which we love).

Telehubbie

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/16/2007 01:36:56 PM · #23

Originally posted by lhall:

We were worried about the battery issue too, with this, so we finally invested in the Quantum Turbo Compact,(which we love).

Yup, me too (not the compact version though). You can shoot all day with it, and gives much faster recycle times.