sb600 On camera diffuser

JenLavazza · 02-09-2010, 10:12 AM

Hello!
I just bought the sb600...waiting for it to be delivered still...and I'm assuming I'll need to get a diffuser for when I use it on camera. Can anyone recommend one?
Thanks!!

PhotoXopher · 02-09-2010, 10:13 AM

I think I'm going to do with the Demb myself.
Demb Flash Products - Demb Flash Diffuser

camhabib · 02-09-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by JenLavazza

Hello!
I just bought the sb600...waiting for it to be delivered still...and I'm assuming I'll need to get a diffuser for when I use it on camera. Can anyone recommend one?
Thanks!!

You may be good for now w/o a diffuser. I used (and still use) the pop-out 14mm adapter and bounce it off the nearest wall, and have fairly good results. I find it often times provides even softer light then does the use fancy diffuser contraptions.

**Big Mike** · 02-09-2010, 10:21 AM

Quote:

and I'm assuming I'll need to get a diffuser for when I use it on camera.

Don't be so quick to jump to assumptions.

There are many, many flash accessories on the market. The most useful thing they do is take money out of the wallets of photographers.
My suggestion is to play with your flash, as is, until you get a good handle on what it can and can't do. Usually, the best thing you can do to improve your on-camera-flash photos, is to simply bounce the flash...off of the ceiling, or any other surface around you your subject.

Most flash accessories & diffusers etc. do have some usefulness. But there isn't one that is best in all situations. So I'd suggest saving your money until you know more about the situations you'll be shooting in most often.

IgsEMT · 02-09-2010, 10:22 AM

google diy photography, might save some $ and have fun

JenLavazza · 02-09-2010, 10:24 AM

I really don't like lighting..lol I wish I could shoot natural light ALL the time (who doesn't), but living in IL good luck with that!!

The Demb looks nice. And affordable. I was also looking at the LumiQuest Softbox III Flash Diffuser. I wonder if it's any good....

PhotoXopher · 02-09-2010, 10:25 AM

Question (related, really it is).

If I'm going to be a second shooter at a couple weddings, would the Demb be a good thing to get or should I not worry about it and go naked? The flash that is.

JenLavazza · 02-09-2010, 10:28 AM

Big Mike - You are right. I should wait and play first. Maybe I can use some white board or something to help bounce the light.

I hope to use it off camera through my umbrella most of the time anyway... we'll see.

I want to start saving for a new camera!!

JenLavazza · 02-09-2010, 10:29 AM

Go naked...you'll get some great expression photography!!

Oh, wait you said flash....lol

PhotoXopher · 02-09-2010, 10:31 AM

**Big Mike** · 02-09-2010, 10:37 AM

Quote:

I really don't like lighting..lol I wish I could shoot natural light ALL the time (who doesn't), but living in IL good luck with that!!

If you get good with your flash, you can make your shots look like natural light and/or balance it with the existing light.

Quote:

I was also looking at the LumiQuest Softbox III Flash Diffuser. I wonder if it's any good...

I don't think that one is meant to be used with the flash on-camera. It might actually block the lens and would certainly block the AF assist beam on the flash. Not to mention that it would be big and unwieldy to use.

Quote:

If I'm going to be a second shooter at a couple weddings, would the Demb be a good thing to get or should I not worry about it and go naked? The flash that is.

I like the Demb (I have the Flip-It Pro) because it's versatile. I can adjust the bounce card to any position, including all the way back & out of the way. That allows me to go from direct flash, to bounce flash...and having instant control of the angle of the bounce card is great.

For me, a flash accessory has to be versicle because while some work great in some situations, they might be completely useless for other situations. And at a wedding, those situations can change every minute.

So should you get it? That's up to you. If you do get something, I'd suggest practicing with it as much as possible, so that you know when & where it will be useful.

PhotoXopher · 02-09-2010, 10:40 AM

Thanks Mike, makes sense... I figured if I get it now I'll be well versed with it by the time the first wedding hits (June I believe it is). I thought about the Pro but then saw the diffuser one (can be removed), and like you I thought about versatility. The one I linked to is essentially a Flip-It Pro with a diffuser attachment if I read it right.

**Big Mike** · 02-09-2010, 10:42 AM

It you want to soften the light from your flash, and can't bounce...then you'll want to enlarge the size of the source as much as possible.

I've got one of THESE, as well as a DIY version that I made. I don't use them all that often but in some situations, they are great.

TiCoyote · 02-09-2010, 10:52 AM

I know some people have luck with just placing bubble wrap over the flash. If you're really lucky, the flash might come with some for free.

Overread · 02-09-2010, 11:11 AM

On the Lumiquest front the Softbox 3 will fit on camera with the flash in the hot shoe without problems (though its a little heavy for its own good and can tend to dip a little at the front - so can require some adjustment to get it to sit just right).

It will however block out all the flashes sensors which means no AF assist.

I would say its a good option but that you might find the Softbox original to be a more easily used softbox for oncamera flash when moving around (this softbox does not black the flashes sensors). However its only the best option if you are going to use direct flash and not bounce it off walls and such

02-09-2010, 10:12 AM	#1
JenLavazza I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Small town USA! Posts: 317 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts My Gallery: (0)	sb600 On camera diffuser Hello! I just bought the sb600...waiting for it to be delivered still...and I'm assuming I'll need to get a diffuser for when I use it on camera. Can anyone recommend one? Thanks!! __________________ http://www.jenlavazza.com/

02-09-2010, 10:13 AM	#2
PhotoXopher TPF Junkie! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3,190 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 87 Times in 87 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I think I'm going to do with the Demb myself. Demb Flash Products - Demb Flash Diffuser __________________ I am the french fry in a box of onion rings.

02-09-2010, 10:21 AM	#4
Big Mike I am Big, I am Mike Site Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Edmonton Posts: 23,187 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 329 Times in 302 Posts My Gallery: (94)	Quote: and I'm assuming I'll need to get a diffuser for when I use it on camera. Don't be so quick to jump to assumptions. There are many, many flash accessories on the market. The most useful thing they do is take money out of the wallets of photographers. My suggestion is to play with your flash, as is, until you get a good handle on what it can and can't do. Usually, the best thing you can do to improve your on-camera-flash photos, is to simply bounce the flash...off of the ceiling, or any other surface around you your subject. Most flash accessories & diffusers etc. do have some usefulness. But there isn't one that is best in all situations. So I'd suggest saving your money until you know more about the situations you'll be shooting in most often. __________________ "The most important thing I have learned over the years is the difference between taking one's work seriously and taking one's self seriously. The first is imperative, and the second disastrous" Edmonton Wedding Photographer ==>Blog

02-09-2010, 10:22 AM	#5
IgsEMT TPF Junkie! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 1,603 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 76 Times in 72 Posts My Gallery: (0)	google diy photography, might save some $ and have fun __________________ www.pictureperfectny.com

02-09-2010, 10:24 AM	#6
JenLavazza I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Small town USA! Posts: 317 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I really don't like lighting..lol I wish I could shoot natural light ALL the time (who doesn't), but living in IL good luck with that!! The Demb looks nice. And affordable. I was also looking at the LumiQuest Softbox III Flash Diffuser. I wonder if it's any good.... __________________ http://www.jenlavazza.com/

02-09-2010, 10:16 AM	#3
camhabib TPF Noob! Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 19 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by JenLavazza Hello! I just bought the sb600...waiting for it to be delivered still...and I'm assuming I'll need to get a diffuser for when I use it on camera. Can anyone recommend one? Thanks!! You may be good for now w/o a diffuser. I used (and still use) the pop-out 14mm adapter and bounce it off the nearest wall, and have fairly good results. I find it often times provides even softer light then does the use fancy diffuser contraptions.

02-09-2010, 10:25 AM	#7
PhotoXopher TPF Junkie! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3,190 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 87 Times in 87 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Question (related, really it is). If I'm going to be a second shooter at a couple weddings, would the Demb be a good thing to get or should I not worry about it and go naked? The flash that is. __________________ I am the french fry in a box of onion rings.

02-09-2010, 10:28 AM	#8
JenLavazza I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Small town USA! Posts: 317 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Big Mike - You are right. I should wait and play first. Maybe I can use some white board or something to help bounce the light. I hope to use it off camera through my umbrella most of the time anyway... we'll see. I want to start saving for a new camera!! __________________ http://www.jenlavazza.com/

02-09-2010, 10:29 AM	#9
JenLavazza I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Small town USA! Posts: 317 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Go naked...you'll get some great expression photography!! Oh, wait you said flash....lol __________________ http://www.jenlavazza.com/

02-09-2010, 10:31 AM	#10
PhotoXopher TPF Junkie! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3,190 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 87 Times in 87 Posts My Gallery: (0)	__________________ I am the french fry in a box of onion rings.

02-09-2010, 10:37 AM	#11
Big Mike I am Big, I am Mike Site Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Edmonton Posts: 23,187 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 329 Times in 302 Posts My Gallery: (94)	Quote: I really don't like lighting..lol I wish I could shoot natural light ALL the time (who doesn't), but living in IL good luck with that!! If you get good with your flash, you can make your shots look like natural light and/or balance it with the existing light. Quote: I was also looking at the LumiQuest Softbox III Flash Diffuser. I wonder if it's any good... I don't think that one is meant to be used with the flash on-camera. It might actually block the lens and would certainly block the AF assist beam on the flash. Not to mention that it would be big and unwieldy to use. Quote: If I'm going to be a second shooter at a couple weddings, would the Demb be a good thing to get or should I not worry about it and go naked? The flash that is. I like the Demb (I have the Flip-It Pro) because it's versatile. I can adjust the bounce card to any position, including all the way back & out of the way. That allows me to go from direct flash, to bounce flash...and having instant control of the angle of the bounce card is great. For me, a flash accessory has to be versicle because while some work great in some situations, they might be completely useless for other situations. And at a wedding, those situations can change every minute. So should you get it? That's up to you. If you do get something, I'd suggest practicing with it as much as possible, so that you know when & where it will be useful. __________________ "The most important thing I have learned over the years is the difference between taking one's work seriously and taking one's self seriously. The first is imperative, and the second disastrous" Edmonton Wedding Photographer ==>Blog

02-09-2010, 10:40 AM	#12
PhotoXopher TPF Junkie! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3,190 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 87 Times in 87 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Thanks Mike, makes sense... I figured if I get it now I'll be well versed with it by the time the first wedding hits (June I believe it is). I thought about the Pro but then saw the diffuser one (can be removed), and like you I thought about versatility. The one I linked to is essentially a Flip-It Pro with a diffuser attachment if I read it right. __________________ I am the french fry in a box of onion rings.

02-09-2010, 10:42 AM	#13
Big Mike I am Big, I am Mike Site Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Edmonton Posts: 23,187 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 329 Times in 302 Posts My Gallery: (94)	It you want to soften the light from your flash, and can't bounce...then you'll want to enlarge the size of the source as much as possible. I've got one of THESE, as well as a DIY version that I made. I don't use them all that often but in some situations, they are great. __________________ "The most important thing I have learned over the years is the difference between taking one's work seriously and taking one's self seriously. The first is imperative, and the second disastrous" Edmonton Wedding Photographer ==>Blog

02-09-2010, 10:52 AM	#14
TiCoyote I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New England Posts: 425 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I know some people have luck with just placing bubble wrap over the flash. If you're really lucky, the flash might come with some for free.

02-09-2010, 11:11 AM	#15
Overread TPF Junkie! Join Date: May 2008 Location: UK - England Posts: 8,031 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 225 Times in 198 Posts My Gallery: (0)	On the Lumiquest front the Softbox 3 will fit on camera with the flash in the hot shoe without problems (though its a little heavy for its own good and can tend to dip a little at the front - so can require some adjustment to get it to sit just right). It will however block out all the flashes sensors which means no AF assist. I would say its a good option but that you might find the Softbox original to be a more easily used softbox for oncamera flash when moving around (this softbox does not black the flashes sensors). However its only the best option if you are going to use direct flash and not bounce it off walls and such __________________ How to get critique and feedback on your photography! The Wildlife Project My Flickr The Mentor Scheme mentoring on TPF all are welcome to read and apply Gear list: Canon 400D+batterygrip; Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS L M2!! Canon MPE 65mm f2.8 macro; Sigma 70mm f2.8 macro; Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro; 580EX2; more teleconverters than is healthy! "When you have to shoot, shoot, don't talk" Tuco Sometimes a few singing babes help as well

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