Despite the "Fong Dong" argument lol

[AmberAtLoveAndInk]

I know half of you are going to rip Gary Fong a new one on this thread but for those of you who have had the curiosity of trying his light sphere and have been wary of spending $60 on "tupperware" I found an El' Cheapo version that according to the products description, should work in the same way Gary Fong's light sphere does. BUT it doesn't collapse. After a friend of mine and I debated on the Fong, (she uses it and loves it, I feel like anyone who knows how to correctly bounce a flash shouldn't need one) I decided to buy one and just settle the argument. In researching I found this one, and I'd much rather lose a $12 argument over a $60 one lol. Or I might really like it, in that case I'll be able to buy a few more hehe!

Universal Cloud Lambency Flash Diffuser White Dome Cover Fits All Flashes | eBay

 

[tirediron]

At that price, it's definitely worth trying.

 

[CameraClicker]

I have the Gary Fong Light Sphere that doesn't collapse. The collapsible one came out later. I never use mine because it is never in my bag. Rogue make nice little softboxes that are more practical. They lay flat and can be rolled into a snoot. Frequently I just bounce, sometimes with a white paper to give better catch lights.
If you cut the top off a small plastic vinegar bottle, you get a product that is as good as the Light Sphere, and you can use the vinegar, too.

Light Sphere: 2014-06-05_08-36-38_322C6873 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Vinegar bottle: 2014-06-05_08-36-20_322C6872 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Storage: 2014-06-05_08-35-58_322C6871 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Rogue: 2014-06-05_08-37-44_322C6876 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[AmberAtLoveAndInk]

I have the Gary Fong Light Sphere that doesn't collapse. The collapsible one came out later. I never use mine because it is never in my bag. Rogue make nice little softboxes that are more practical. They lay flat and can be rolled into a snoot. Frequently I just bounce, sometimes with a white paper to give better catch lights.
If you cut the top off a small plastic vinegar bottle, you get a product that is as good as the Light Sphere, and you can use the vinegar, too.

We had a huge Fong debate awhile back on the forum that led to suggestions of plastic bottles and what not but honestly, are you going to show up to photograph a $50,000-$100,000 wedding with a vinegar bottle on your flash? I get it, it's not the gear, it's what you produce with it. BUT I certainly wouldn't risk my reputable appearance by flaunting an empty plastic bottle on my cam. People remember that. No matter the gorge photos, the crowd will label you as "The Photographer with an Empty Vinegar Bottle" and won't even bother viewing the online gallery of their cousin's wedding you posted.

 

[robbins.photo]

I have the Gary Fong Light Sphere that doesn't collapse. The collapsible one came out later. I never use mine because it is never in my bag. Rogue make nice little softboxes that are more practical. They lay flat and can be rolled into a snoot. Frequently I just bounce, sometimes with a white paper to give better catch lights.
If you cut the top off a small plastic vinegar bottle, you get a product that is as good as the Light Sphere, and you can use the vinegar, too.

We had a huge Fong debate awhile back on the forum that led to suggestions of plastic bottles and what not but honestly, are you going to show up to photograph a $50,000-$100,000 wedding with a vinegar bottle on your flash? I get it, it's not the gear, it's what you produce with it. BUT I certainly wouldn't risk my reputable appearance by flaunting an empty plastic bottle on my cam. People remember that. No matter the gorge photos, the crowd will label you as "The Photographer with an Empty Vinegar Bottle" and won't even bother viewing the online gallery of their cousin's wedding you posted.

Well if your shooting a ritzy wedding, use one of these:

http://hilobrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Balsamico-Tradizionale.jpg

It retails for about $60 an ounce.

 

[CameraClicker]

We had a huge Fong debate awhile back on the forum that led to suggestions of plastic bottles and what not but honestly, are you going to show up to photograph a $50,000-$100,000 wedding with a vinegar bottle on your flash? I get it, it's not the gear, it's what you produce with it. BUT I certainly wouldn't risk my reputable appearance by flaunting an empty plastic bottle on my cam. People remember that. No matter the gorge photos, the crowd will label you as "The Photographer with an Empty Vinegar Bottle" and won't even bother viewing the online gallery of their cousin's wedding you posted.

LOL! I might. No label on the bottle. Held on with Velcro, most people would not even notice. I would do that before I would use a Light Sphere, though I have seen them in use from time to time. Rogue's product gives a bigger surface and because the inside is reflective, it is more efficient too. It can slide into a computer pocket or notes pocket in most of my bags.

 

[AmberAtLoveAndInk]

when people don't understand that my thread isn't a debate on diffusers <<<<

 

[CameraClicker]

So it's a debate about Gary Fong's patent expiring?

The ebay one looks just like the one I have. I bet you find it's a waste of $12.

 

[Braineack]

when people don't understand that my thread isn't a debate on diffusers <<<<

I dunno. when?

 

[AmberAtLoveAndInk]

when people don't understand that my thread isn't a debate on diffusers <<<<

I dunno. when?

Why is it that the only forum I find useful enough to join is full of smartasses?

 

[AmberAtLoveAndInk]

So it's a debate about Gary Fong's patent expiring?

The ebay one looks just like the one I have. I bet you find it's a waste of $12.

might be. Which is why when debating a friend on the fong's usefulness I decided to test this cheapo version instead of shelling $60 out. Feel free to read the original post if you're having trouble keeping up.

 

[lambertpix]

I'd be interested in your impressions -- including "portability". As I accumulate more & more accessories, I find the "bag space" premium is pretty relevant.

 

[AmberAtLoveAndInk]

I'd be interested in your impressions -- including "portability". As I accumulate more & more accessories, I find the "bag space" premium is pretty relevant.

I plan on writing a little review here after its arrival for anyone interested. Bag space is a big factor for me as well so we will see how it pans out!

 

[Scatterbrained]

Honestly, anyone who understand the inverse square law should also understand why the FongDong and it's knock offs won't do for you what bouncing the flash will, in so far as filling the room with light (as it claims to). Anyone who understands the simple principle that a larger light source will give you softer light should also understand that the FongDong won't beat out bounce flash. What you're really saying is that your friend doesn't yet understand these two basic photographic principles.

 

[lambertpix]

Honestly, anyone who understand the inverse square law should also understand why the FongDong and it's knock offs won't do for you what bouncing the flash will, in so far as filling the room with light (as it claims to). Anyone who understands the simple principle that a larger light source will give you softer light should also understand that the FongDong won't beat out bounce flash. What you're really saying is that your friend doesn't yet understand these two basic photographic principles.

I love bounce flash when I can do that, but I've been in rooms with high, black ceilings where that just ain't a great option. Hopefully, not everyone who picks one of these up thinks it's a solution for every lighting problem, but if it's a useful tool in some circumstances, it might be worth consideration.