by Gavin Seim. Updated: For this weeks CPPOTW I want to talk about something really simple and useful. Many of us photographers use hotshoe flashes for light on the go. I use a Canon speedlights myself and though their great flashes, the light is still really harsh. The Lightsphere is quite simply a diffuser for that harsh light. It helps me have control.
It’s made by Gary Fong. I’ve never met him personally, but a lot of you know of him. I’ve tried more than one diffuser, and the Lightsphere (often called a Fong Dong) has worked the best. Many photographer will vouch for this, and I’m no exception. Yes you can tape a Tupperware container to a flash and probably get a similar result, but the Lightsphere is well designed and just works. For me, saving fifty bucks is not worth the headache every time I use my flash.
It’s simple and straight forward. Put it on your flash, and get better light. It’s kinda like a tiny softbox for your flash. The bottom line it that it works good. You can one up for around fifty bucks. I have both the clear and cloud versions myself (either will work fine), as well as most of the handy accessories and top pieces that help me gain further control of my light. I can light pretty big area with just a single on camera flash using this simple tool.
The classic model (pictured) has always worked great for me. There’s a new universal model now that uses a Velcro strap. I have both styles and both work well and are secure. The new version being universal is a tad more clunky, but I find it easier to attach and generally like it better.
The bottom line is that it works well and does what it’s supposed to without hassle. Besides all this it’s looks so weird that it’s become a great conversation starter. You can find it here on Amazon.
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Thanks Gav!
Anytime… Gav
I tryed the Fong Dong and all I got was Dong and no Fong. so I went back to the high tech method of bouncing my flash.
Do yourselves a favor, though, and save about 90% of Fong’s retardedly huge price. Get the Lambency knock-off. Works exactly the same, costs about $3.00 on eBay … like a little blob of translucent vinyl should cost.
C’mon, guys, $40 for a plastic cone?
Stay away from the Whale Tail! I have had terrible luck with it. It looks really cool, but it stops there. OTOH the Lightspheres work great–and I do agree that they are overpriced.
Gary is a greedy one!
Keep in mind he does sell a DVD Getting Rich, I guess he figured it out selling frosted Tubberware containers with a whole to place them on your camera flash, oh yeah by the way I just bought one of those frosted tubberware containers. Oh yeah he has webiste for vaction homes too, what else can Gary do to make money! Still like his tubberware container though!!
The disadvantage of the Lightsphere is that the light will go out in a 360 degree pattern around the light. While this may work well in most situations, if you have one wall that is colored (like a brick wall, or other colored wall) then you will get a color cast from the bounced light. Otherwise the Lightsphere will work in a good number of situations.
-Kerry
I bought a Lightsphere PJII three years ago and after using it on one event I modified it. I put white gaffer’s tape inside of the back of the unit to reflect more light out front and not out the back. Been that way ever since. Also, I rarely ever use the inverted dome lid.