Gary Fong C4 Cloud Lightsphere II, Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion System.
by Gary Fong
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Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
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for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Gary Fong C4 Cloud Lightsphere II, Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion System.
Customer Review: Sheer brilliance. Thank you, Mr. Fong!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought my LS Cloudy about a year and a half ago. I bought it without doing the usual amount of research, and shortly after buying it, I discovered several ways I might have saved the money. That said, when it arrived I tested it and was impressed, but found that I could get virtually the same results from wrapping the flash in bubble wrap so that the bubble wrap formed a tube.
The darned thing cost me $50, so I decided to use it. I originally got it for starting a portraiture business. Holy cow... as I started using it, I realized two things. First, It's awesome! And second, if you must have something ridiculous on your flash to get the diffusion, the LightSphere at least can be backed up with "It's a professional's tool." Not so easily done with bubble wrap. Given the quality of results and the ability to impress people with it being a professional photographer's tool, I'll take it.
I just shot my first wedding on the 24th of October, and I was shooting both with and without flash in candlelight. Obviously, where mood prevailed (candles, flowers, etc.), I didn't use flash; but, where I was shooting people, I used flash and got STUNNING results. The LS allowed me to expose the bride's dress PERFECTLY by dialing in +2/3 FEC, and when I say perfectly I mean detailed highlights with shiny white on white. Perfectly. It also allowed me to get excellent studio quality light every time. I was so thrilled while doing the editing of the images that I came back to write this review.
I LOVE THIS PRODUCT.
Yes, it's a piece of plastic. Yes, it's making Gary a nice profit. AND YES, it's worth every penny! Thank you, Mr. Fong!
Customer Review: Great results under the right conditions
Summary: 4 Stars
Pluses:
* Sends an even wash of light up and out (in the right environment).
* Creates the image of a professional if it's already clear you are taking pictures in that capacity.
Minuses:
* Heavy
* Bulky (takes up space in your bag)
* Can easily fall off/be knocked off your flash
* Can create the image of a dork if you are taking pictures as a "regular" person
* Requires certain conditions to work well
Notes:
The sweet spot for this thing are low ceilings and fairly reflective surfaces close at hand to the sides and rear. Then the results can be amazing; because of the light dispersion it's like having lighting on either side, above, and behind. However, absent these components you are throwing large chunks of your precious light away.
Bottom Line:
Should you buy this? Probably but not, as I did, as your first flash attachment. your money would be better spent first getting a good diffuser (Sto-Fen OM600 Omni-Bounce Diffuser) and then an effective way to get your flash even further off your camera (Stroboframe Quick Flip 350 Flash Bracket for 35mm Cameras) and (Nikon SC 29 - Flash synchro cable - flash terminal). That said, if you have one and the right circumstances present themselves then you'll be glad to have it handy.
Customer Review: Ugly as all get out, But Does This Work Well
Summary: 5 Stars
This is probably one of the ugliest photo accessories I've ever owned. I took it out of the box and my wife said, what is that ugly thing?
But oh does this thing work beautifully. It is well near the most amazing diffuser I have ever used. I've tried the Lumiquest Velcro on light modifiers, the Sto-Fen cap (Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce for the Canon 580EX Flash), bouncing, and umbrellas. I've never seen anything that softens light and diffuses it so well. The Lightsphere creates a warm wrap around light that fills shadows perfectly. Product pictures and portraits are beautifully lit.
I have a Canon 580EX II flash. This big rascal is a very tight fit. Fortunately the plastic is flexible enough to squeeze around the flash. Everything is well designed and will not harm your flash, nor fall off if you bump into the diffuser.
This device reduces the flash output pretty drastically. I'm guessing it is somewhere in the 2 to 3 f-stop reduction. The 580EX is so powerful, that is not a huge problem. Lesser flashes, this might be too much light fall off.
This is worth every penny. It is more expensive than the Sto-Fen, and harder to pack in your camera bag. But it works, and that is the essential criteria.
Customer Review: It's awesome but there is a trade-off.
Summary: 5 Stars
I have some Sto-fen diffusers and I have used the Demb Flip-it diffuser. This is HANDS DOWN the best diffuser I have ever used, at least in terms of a diffuser which mounts directly to the flash (obviously umbrella stands are better) but, like everything, there is a trade-off. This thing is huge, and it looks ridiculous. You get lots of stares, jokes, and questions with this one. it also makes your camera more unwieldy and top heavy. I understand that the only purpose is to diffuse light and again I think it does an outstanding job at it, but you must factor in these other issues. This is a great product but it is a niche product. There are only certain times and places where this item makes sense (i.e. a wedding, for instance).
The diffusing, let me say, is nothing short of breathtakingly great. I was truly surprised by how great. I will likely get another one for my other flash.
Customer Review: Where has Gary Fong been?
Summary: 5 Stars
I have a Gary Fong Lightsphere diffuser, and I don't know how I got along without it before I owned one.
With the Lightsphere, you can have true "bounce flash" quality without having to rely on a suitable bounce surface.
I've shot weddings in churches where the ceiling is 30 feet high, and of a dark wooden color. It would be impossible to bounce flash in such a situation, but with the GF Lightsphere, I can get a perfectly exposed diffused light without dragging and setting up monolights and soft boxes.
Also, it corrects the problem of "raccoon eyes" that's typical of a ceiling bounced flash. The light is soft, direct, and completely filling.
40 bucks is a bargain for this thing. And although the clear diffuser looks like glass, it's vinyl and flexible. It will last a lifetime.
No pro should be without one.