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04/25/2012 07:41:26 PM · #1 |
i fell for it... For anyone looking still, try your hands at a spinlight 360, its interesting.
Message edited by author 2012-04-25 19:42:43. |
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04/24/2012 04:54:15 PM · #2 |
Nevermind...... I guess you realize this thread is ancient......
Message edited by author 2012-04-24 16:55:46. |
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04/24/2012 03:09:20 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by TendingTrauma:
I have a Gary Fong Lightsphere II which I have used extensively for a few years. It is no longer a crisp white color but a dark dirty looking color instead. Does anyone have any advice on cleaning it to restore the original color or will I simply have to replace it ? |
Perhaps the Fast Bright brand headlight lens cleaner as seen on TV?
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04/24/2012 02:36:55 PM · #4 |
I have the Lightsphere I used with my SB 600, now that I have upgraded to the SB 900 this lightsphere does not fit it properly, it has a tendency to fall off if you bump it, but I preferred it over the Stofen. I believe there is now a collapsible version, as when I travelled, I would leave it at home because it was bulky to pack.
Let me know if you were able to obtain one |
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04/24/2012 01:09:17 PM · #5 |
| I have a Gary Fong Lightsphere II which I have used extensively for a few years. It is no longer a crisp white color but a dark dirty looking color instead. Does anyone have any advice on cleaning it to restore the original color or will I simply have to replace it ? |
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02/10/2006 03:54:43 PM · #6 |
No opinion on the LS but I can't help but laugh at the series of photos Neil. She looks fairly tolerant, even happy, in the first one. As you go through them you can tell she is thinking "enough already"!
LOL |
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02/10/2006 03:41:02 PM · #7 |
Actually, my 420EX was one click shy of being fully "extended"; it basically is virtually vertical; in fact, I just rechecked and the next click would have had it leaning slightly back towards me. So it was as vertical as possible.
I don't have the dome, since I bought the LSJ when it first came out and it didn't include one. So that's one disadvantage that you can't really point it at the subject. (Though I can buy a dome now for $20.)
On the other hand, while it puts out less forward light, if you compensate for that, you can get very nice soft lighting on your shots. Perhaps if I were further back in these quick tests, I would have had less shadow on her face. Maybe I'll try again tonight.
But in any case, I posted these because they do seem to support my previsouly untested perception that, at least without the dome, there's significantly less forward light than the other flash de/reflectors.
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02/10/2006 03:24:58 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by nshapiro:
I said earlier I felt that the LSJ doesn't throw enough light forward without the dome, and I just did my own quick test to see, and it pretty well bears that out.
This was a quick test. My wife wanted to go to bed and I needed a subject. So she gave me about 1 minute to do this (is that what they call a quickie? ;)
50 mm 1.8 lens, ISO 100, 5 feet from subject (perhaps too close for this test?), Canon 420 flash, pointed just short of vertical, vaulted white ceiling (angled up in parallel with me, but not real "high" above me).
These were shot in auto, and converted and reduced with slight USM.
Sofen 2 way uni
Stofen OmniBounce
LSJ
LSJ with my hand over the top (didn't have time to get something white...)
Like I said earlier, if you need to throw more light forward, it's not as good as the Stofen products. But maybe with the dome it might be.
By the way, when I was looking before at the site and had done a search, someone mentioned that they had changed back to the frosted format from the new and improved clear one when I bought. Anyone know about that? The site still seems to suggest that the current shipping products are clear. |
The tutorial says you're not supposed to angle the flash -- use it either pointing straight vertical (dome or no dome) or pointing at your subject (with the dome on). I'm not even sure the vaulted ceiling would be an issue. But angling the flash head causes the light drop-off you see in the test pic because the light gets diffused towards the floor and up over your head. Also, notice how the background is actually more illuminated than your wife in the LSJ picture, and more illuminated than the other shots. So perhaps the problem is in your flash head angle?
Regarding the cloudy vs. clear thing, the newest version (3rd iteration) is a soft/cloudy but will apparently not be available via his website until around March 1. |
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02/09/2006 11:25:39 PM · #9 |
I have the Stofen Omnibounce, the Stofen Two-way Uni (hard plastic, reflector), and the clear lightsphere Journalist (LSJ), without the new dome (hmmm, I can order one, but it's $20 with shipping, on "sale").
I said earlier I felt that the LSJ doesn't throw enough light forward without the dome, and I just did my own quick test to see, and it pretty well bears that out.
This was a quick test. My wife wanted to go to bed and I needed a subject. So she gave me about 1 minute to do this (is that what they call a quickie? ;)
50 mm 1.8 lens, ISO 100, 5 feet from subject (perhaps too close for this test?), Canon 420 flash, pointed just short of vertical, vaulted white ceiling (angled up in parallel with me, but not real "high" above me).
These were shot in auto, and converted and reduced with slight USM.
Sofen 2 way uni
Stofen OmniBounce
LSJ
LSJ with my hand over the top (didn't have time to get something white...)
Like I said earlier, if you need to throw more light forward, it's not as good as the Stofen products. But maybe with the dome it might be.
By the way, when I was looking before at the site and had done a search, someone mentioned that they had changed back to the frosted format from the new and improved clear one when I bought. Anyone know about that? The site still seems to suggest that the current shipping products are clear.
Message edited by author 2006-02-09 23:36:52.
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02/09/2006 10:46:08 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Fong's Blog:
LIGHTSPHERE INVENTORY IS IN STOCK! |
Awesome, I ordered mine today. No telling on how long until it arrives, but atleast it's on the way.
Thanks to everyone for the reassurance that this is a good product and worth the money.
Message edited by author 2006-02-09 22:47:36. |
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02/09/2006 08:52:13 PM · #11 |
| Thanks for the update, I have been waiting for them to be in stock. I have a wedding in 3 weeks and wanted to use it then. :) |
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02/09/2006 08:46:16 PM · #12 |
just ordered mine. seems to useful to pass up. thanks for the reminder...
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02/09/2006 08:22:00 PM · #13 |
I have an LSPJ w/the inverted dome. I'm not a big fan of the catchlights (or lack of) it produces. Anyone found a way to get decent catchlights with the LSPJ?
I've been using Joe Demb's Flip-it and it does a pretty nice job bouncing the flash and the catchlights are better. I'm still not sure its the right solution for me.
edit: to add link
//www.joedembphotography.com/flipit/
Message edited by author 2006-02-09 20:27:26. |
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02/09/2006 08:06:07 PM · #14 |
Here's another example.
Personally, I don't like either one. But that's typical for all my self-portraits. ;) |
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02/09/2006 03:55:42 PM · #15 |
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02/09/2006 03:49:51 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by dleach:
From Gary Fong's Blog:
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
LIGHTSPHERE SELLOUT SITUATION
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I am sorry so sorry but the P1 and P4 Lightsphere Internal Dome systems are COMPLETELY sold out in our warehouse. We are working very hard to resupply it and fill our UK/EU distribution center with units. Rather than check in on the cart, please check here on the BLOG and I will update you with inventory status and when the items will begin shipping again. We're running the factory at full steam to get you P1 and P4 models of LS2ID's as soon as we possibly can. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND SORRY!
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And from today's blog entry...
Originally posted by Fong's Blog:
LIGHTSPHERE INVENTORY IS IN STOCK!
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we got some from the factory so go back in and order! Sorry about the sellout situation! |
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02/09/2006 03:42:15 PM · #17 |
Can't offer a comparison of Stofen stuff vs. Lightsphere, but I do have a couple of shots taken in my basement "studio" that offer a comparison of using the Lightspere in this particular situation. There is a window high and to the left that doesn't offer that great of light, and the room lights were on.
Flash did not fire.
580ex with original Lightsphere Portrait; dome on, pointed at ceiling, which is fairly low.
Linda |
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02/09/2006 02:52:53 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
They definitely look impressive. I would love to see a comparison between the lightsphere and the omnibounce though. |
I have both. I haven't tried them side by side, but my overall impression is that in similar situations is that the Sto-Fen sucks ditchwater compared to the LS2. If I have time, I'll do a test tonight and post the results. |
That would be great.. I would love to see the difference before I dish out for the lightsphere...
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02/09/2006 02:13:27 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
They definitely look impressive. I would love to see a comparison between the lightsphere and the omnibounce though. |
I have both. I haven't tried them side by side, but my overall impression is that in similar situations is that the Sto-Fen sucks ditchwater compared to the LS2. If I have time, I'll do a test tonight and post the results.
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02/09/2006 12:57:21 PM · #20 |
| Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Thanks! |
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02/09/2006 12:38:53 PM · #21 |
From Gary Fong's Blog:
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
LIGHTSPHERE SELLOUT SITUATION
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I am sorry so sorry but the P1 and P4 Lightsphere Internal Dome systems are COMPLETELY sold out in our warehouse. We are working very hard to resupply it and fill our UK/EU distribution center with units. Rather than check in on the cart, please check here on the BLOG and I will update you with inventory status and when the items will begin shipping again. We're running the factory at full steam to get you P1 and P4 models of LS2ID's as soon as we possibly can. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND SORRY!
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02/09/2006 12:17:59 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by livitup:
I don't mind spending $50 for a product, as long as it is worth it...
Does anyone have any clue how the lightsphere compares to the less expensive Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer or the even less expensive Sto-Fen Omnibounce? |
I have all 3 of those items (4 I guess if you count the LS & LSPJ as different). The Sto-Fen sucks compared to the other items cause I just never produce even lighting--its got sharper angles than the LumiQuest or LS is all I can figure but the quality is so different that I haven't used it in a long time; I love the LumiQuest for outdoor shots 'cause it puts some stronger catchlights in the eyes and "moistens" the lips with flecks of catchlights (I don't use it with the diffuser on it but with the inserts; the LS & LSPJ are by far my favorites. They cast softer light and they disperse it more evenly. The fall off looks gradual and natural.
Sorry but I don't have any comparison shots unless I go get a hard drive from the fire safe and plug it back in.
Heck, try a friend's or just buy one and try it. You can always sell it on e-bay for a minor loss if you didn't like it. I'm not gonna get anything whether you buy one or not but from my experience if you go to the trouble of getting one and putting it on you'll see a noticeable improvement in your flash shots.
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02/09/2006 12:05:21 PM · #23 |
I don't mind spending $50 for a product, as long as it is worth it...
Does anyone have any clue how the lightsphere compares to the less expensive Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer or the even less expensive Sto-Fen Omnibounce?
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02/09/2006 11:55:20 AM · #24 |
Well, I don't have an Omnibounce so I can't give any comparison shots of that. But here are some I just took with and without the Lightsphere II. Please excuse the unwilling model, not the best examples but you can see the difference it makes. :-)
My only gripe with it is that it's a pain to carry around which is why I don't use it as much as I'd like. The new PJ one is probably better in that respect. I believe it's made of a more flexible plastic/rubber type material.
These are all straight out of the camera, no adjustments at all and all taken in P mode.
 No Flash
 Flash pointed at subject
 Flash bounced off a high ceiling
 Lightsphere used with dome, pointed at same high ceiling
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02/09/2006 11:54:15 AM · #25 |
I love my LS! I have the one for the SB-600 flash, and I think it is awesome!
I added a few shots to my portfolio to show you.
The first one here is without the LS:
These 2 are using the LS pointed straight up at the ceiling. I did edit them a bit, so the contrast has been bumped up a tiny bit:
 
And this one, is the same as above....except I didn't really mess with anything, it was like this out of the camera (I just added some softness)
I use it for weddings and get great results. There are no harsh lights in peoples faces. It's a bit of pain to lug around, but I think it is well worth it! |
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