Alright, so I want to get a bounce for my flash but don't want to go crazy either... and I'd like to loose as little light as possible.

Lumiquest seems to make some nice stuff for this but I don't know if there stuff will last and if it's really worth the price for it or not....

I'd really like to have the option of the diffuser panel like the promax system offers.
Pro Max 80-20 System

BUT they want 50 bucks for this damn thing... Seriously? I don't think it's worth that much...

The alternative is their LQ125 which doesn't have the pass through for the flash to hit the ceiling (which I don't even care about as it is...) but they don't offer it with the diffusion panel... so that kind of defeats the purpose for me a bit, I think, but it's half the price of the other unit. I wouldn't mind it being 5 bucks more if it just had the diffuser panel on it....
Lumiquest LQ-125 ProMAx Pocket Bouncer Silver Gold Kit


Will the diffusion panel really make the difference in the photos for will it just barely make a plus?

The reason I was mainly looking at these is the fact that they have the silver panels that reduce the amount of light lost but I figure it wont affect the color of the images with the diffusion panel on the promax so it wouldn't be changing the color of the flash much if any but would give me 1 more stop of light and longer battery life.

Would just using a white bounce be good enough? Would I have be doing virtually the same thing or is there that much of a difference with just having the diffusion panel on the bounce?

let me know if I'm over thinking things or just crazy in general. Who knows maybe I'm right in my thinking. I just think that asking 50 for the promax is just outrageous and, wth, they should be offering the damn LQ125 with the diffuser panel....


Also is there an alternative that I should be looking at that will give me the same results without the stupid high price?

Originally Posted by migs

rubber band and an index card.

i realize you are kidding but how about a little bit of a serious answer.... no need for the patronizing remark....

Originally Posted by migs

i'm actually kind of serious. they didn't always have fancy velcro bounce "systems" back in the day. i've used exactly that, business cards and matchbooks if i've been in a pinch.

I know what you are saying but I would like something more reliable and with less total light loss than what I'm getting now. I'm currently using white "foamies" (the thin foam craft sheets that are like paper size) strapped with some cheap velcro to the strobe but they aren't even and it's just not that good of consistency with them.

He's not kidding. Don't bother with something fancy. Really. The "bounce card" on my 580 is basically a plastic index card that's attached to the flash and you can slide it out when you want to use it. Works great for its intended purpose.

Originally Posted by Bone

I know what you are saying but I would like something more reliable and with less total light loss than what I'm getting now. I'm currently using white "foamies" (the thin foam craft sheets that are like paper size) strapped with some cheap velcro to the strobe but they aren't even and it's just not that good of consistency with them.

I have a stofen Omnibounce which is probably a more expensive version of what your DIY version does. I put the camera in Manual, with the shutter speed set to the sync speed, and the aperture wide open and ISO anywhere from 200-800, and then put the flash on ETTL and let it figure out the output. If I think it's too dark, I'll dial up the FEC and chimp until I get what I like. Long story short, since you seem to be a DIY type of guy I think that the stofen was a bit expensive for just being white plastic. I paid $10 for it when I got my flash, and I think you probably could rubber band some tracing paper around the flash head and get similar results.

I'll sell you a Gary Fong Lightsphere...

DIY is the way to go. If you are not getting the results you want with the craft foam try different designs.

I bought my lightsphere while being caught up in the hype of equipment>experience.

The only reason I see someone could use a product like you have listed is for vanity. DIY stuff sometimes looks a litte unprofessional and if image is important to you there is a price to pay.

(If you just want to look silly then the GF Lightsphere is the way to go..and you can put leftovers in it )

I happen to like my Lightsphere a lot because I am lazy and not a good DIY guy, no patientce. I do not like trial and error. I like being able to just reach into my bag and grab the diffuser and know it'll do what it is supposed to without thinking about foam snapping, card being dirty/not bending , extra rubber bands, velcro, etc. I'll pay more to think less.

Lightsphere does not sound like it's for you but that is why I would pay for a diffuser solution as opposed to DIY, that being the case I think you get what you pay for quality wise, not neccessarily how well it diffuses the light.

i have no FHE with either bounces you posted. but i guess if i were in the market and was concerned about light loss, i'd find one with a silver lining instead of white. that and one that can fold flat would be the one i would pick. i did see this. i like it because i can just flip it out of the way instead of putting it on/taking it off. i hope you find what you are looking for. it doesn't make it easy when there's a million products to choose from. good luck whichever route you may choose.

http://www.dembflashproducts.com/flipit/

i recently strapped a piece of white copy paper to my flash as a bounce card/whale tail. it worked great. i think spending money on flash bounces is dumb, most DIY solutions are just as good or better and hella cheaper.

i've used the bottom of rubbing alcohol bottle, pieces of white or black foam sheets from arts and crafts stores

I fourth(?) the business card + rubber band solution as well, if your flash doesn't have one built in already. The point is that the majority of your light will be bounced off the ceiling (or wall, or whatever) anyhow, and the card just flicks a tiny kiss of light forward, mainly for two reasons:

1. fills in the shadows that come from the overhead light (remember, you're bouncing off a ceiling); and
2. catchlights in the eyes.

That's it. If you're expecting more, then you are probably in need of a different modifier.


-A

Originally Posted by Angelo

I fourth(?) the business card + rubber band solution as well, if your flash doesn't have one built in already. The point is that the majority of your light will be bounced off the ceiling (or wall, or whatever) anyhow, and the card just flicks a tiny kiss of light forward, mainly for two reasons:

1. fills in the shadows that come from the overhead light (remember, you're bouncing off a ceiling); and
2. catchlights in the eyes.

That's it. If you're expecting more, then you are probably in need of a different modifier.


-A

that's great and all but this doesn't work when you are in buildings with 20-30 foot ceilings... or the roof is black (clubs), I've recently gotten in with a guy that owns a club and he wants me to come do some shots for him to put up on his website for a couple weekends. problem is that most of th women that come to his club are kind of skanky..... and not worth being on a website, eould probably make his club look bad, lol.

Originally Posted by a.hoglen

I'll sell you a Gary Fong Lightsphere...

DIY is the way to go. If you are not getting the results you want with the craft foam try different designs.

I bought my lightsphere while being caught up in the hype of equipment>experience.

The only reason I see someone could use a product like you have listed is for vanity. DIY stuff sometimes looks a litte unprofessional and if image is important to you there is a price to pay.

(If you just want to look silly then the GF Lightsphere is the way to go..and you can put leftovers in it )

I saw one of those earlier today close up and figured it might do the trick and I could just line the inside back half with foil to direct more light forward kind of deal, just leave the foil unmounted in case I was to adjust the angle of it or something.

Originally Posted by Idjiit

In that case, you're better off with a small softbox on your flash facing forward, or even bare flash. Gel down to Tungsten, shoot AV with ambient 1-2 stops below the flash.

actually I just ordered a gel kit for my flash last night. I was already thinking this would help me out a lot in these kinds of places but I still want some kind of diffusion so that I can be sure that I'm not getting glares on peoples faces especially when they have been running around or dancing and are sweating up a storm.

I'm not really sure what would help most in that kind of situation.

20-30 ft black ceilings, so bouncing flash is out. Wescott makes a small softbox that attaches to the head of speedlights, I've tried it and thought meh, but I'm not a flash expert, so it may work for your particular case.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...o_Softbox.html
IMHO, you could easily make this product after a quick trip to Michaels.

Originally Posted by Idjiit

Originally Posted by Bone

that's great and all but this doesn't work when you are in buildings with 20-30 foot ceilings... or the roof is black (clubs), I've recently gotten in with a guy that owns a club and he wants me to come do some shots for him to put up on his website for a couple weekends.

In that case, you're better off with a small softbox on your flash facing forward, or even bare flash. Gel down to Tungsten, shoot AV with ambient 1-2 stops below the flash.

Ding.

Bounce cards will do nothing for you in these situations. Get a little softbox like a Lumiquest Softbox III.


-A

I have a Lumiquest III I would sell.

I know I'm late to the party, but here are my $0.02

Why do you want a flash modifier? I assume its for softer light (less harsh shadows). If so, the larger the perceived source, the softer the light.

A 4x4" bounce will be softer than a 2x3" stobe head, but its going to be a lot harder than a 24x36" softbox at the same distance. As Sam said, there is no 1 right answer.

I know you want something reflective as to not lose too much of your power. But remember, boucing off white creates a diffused (softer) light than silver that is more reflective. So a 4x4" white will be softer than a 4x4" silver.

A "bounce card" is just to throw some light forward when you're bouncing the majority of the light off a larger surface (ceiling, wall, fabric). If you're shooting in a place with tall, dark ceilings you're not going to be bouncing off of them. So anything straight up like an index card will not be ideal.

An onmibounce and a fong (with the top on) are designed to give you a 360 degree light source, like a lightbulb. This will make light bounce off of everything and when it does it will soften shadows, but you lose a lot of your effective power.

Flash softboxes or the flash "bounces" cannot be that large, so they are limited with regard to how soft they can really be. Then again, if its your only choice, its your only choice. However, I for one would never pay a ton of money for one. I build most of my flash modifiers out of craft foam and a little hot glue:

79 Cent 'Gary Fong'

It may not fold up the same or be as durable as fabric, but I use that little bounce all the time for my macros and its held up great.

Originally Posted by Angelo

Ding.

Bounce cards will do nothing for you in these situations. Get a little softbox like a Lumiquest Softbox III.


-A

Originally Posted by thomps6s

I have a Lumiquest III I would sell.

what is your experience with the lumiquest 3 soft box. How much rang/distance do you think I can get with one of those? I already have a mini softbox made by adorama but that thing sucks... i added it to an order as a special for like 2 bucks so it's not like spent a lot on it but damn the design on that thing is lousy! half of the inside of the thing is black instead of silver......

thomps, can you shoot me a figure on how much you want to sell it for?

Originally Posted by Bone

what is your experience with the lumiquest 3 soft box. How much rang/distance do you think I can get with one of those? I already have a mini softbox made by adorama but that thing sucks... i added it to an order as a special for like 2 bucks so it's not like spent a lot on it but damn the design on that thing is lousy! half of the inside of the thing is black instead of silver......

thomps, can you shoot me a figure on how much you want to sell it for?

$30 shipped and paypalled. Not a huge savings, but it's basically brand new. I cannot remember any type of shooting I did with it actually.