Gary Fong Diffuser, yay or nay?

[IByte]

The feedback I am giving you on the Fong Dong is: No.

Simple to the point, I like it 8}

 

[CCericola]

This is my absolute favorite diffuser for weddings. Worked for me at every venue

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/62832-REG/Westcott_2200_Micro_Apollo_Softbox.html

 

[Tiberius47]

The Fong products use the flash very inefficiently. The small soft box diffusers work much better.

This.

Umbrellas and small soft boxes are some of the best flash modifiers out there.

 

[Derrel]

The Fong products use the flash very inefficiently. The small soft box diffusers work much better.

The two products each work "differently". Not "better". A softbox gives one-directional light, and lights up only a small area...the idea behind a bare-bulb flash, or an omni-directional diffuser, like say Profoto's "globe", or the Fong Lightsphere, is to provide a high level of fill light across a wide area, in a small space or at close distances. A softbox cannot do that.

Again...is a hammer a better tool than a screwdriver? There is no "best" light modifier. None. How well a give light modifier works is almost entirely situationally dependent. But it is pretty fashionable to call the Lightsphere the "Fong dong".

"When you're a hammer, every problem looks like a nail."

 

[Tiberius47]

If you want to spread light out in all directions, then you can use a Stoffen omnibounce. That Gary Fong thing generally leads to people asking if they can borrow it to keep their salads in. Plus it's big and bulky and would be a pain in the arse to carry around. A Stoffen, on the other hand, can simply be left on all the time if you want.

 

[BlairWright]

Huge Nay, it's pretty much useless.

 

[pgriz]

As Derrel says, depends. I've used it in family gathering situations very effectively, where a straight bounce off the ceiling leads to racoon eyes, but it IS inefficient in directing light, so it's effective range is quite short, and it doesn't work well in larger rooms.

I've made a DIY diffuser that is more directional, but the size of the lit surface is still relatively small (about a foot square), and the light is not as pleasing as I would have liked. I like the idea of Christina's diffuser, but don't have any experience with it (may have to get it to experiment with).

 

[CCericola]

Derrel is right, it is just a tool and there is no tool that can do every job. I have just not found the Fong dong to work in any of my situations. I do have one. I have the universal diffuser but I never use it. It is folded up in a side pocket on my bag.

 

[Robin Usagani]

No... unless you want people to make fun of you.

 

[SabrinaO]

No. waste of money! Don't learn the hard way.

 

[Derrel]

I went to his web site and looked at the short video produced by B&H Photo...the new model works PERFECTLY to adapt a speedlight to the low-priced Interfit beauty dish reflector! Basically, the soft, pliable material fits inside the rear opening of the beauty dish, and the larger-diameter top works as a "stopper", holding the flash firmly in place. I thought that was a very interesting hack!

 

[Robin Usagani]

for off camera flash right derrel? LOL I hope so.

 

[IByte]

Well after 8 beers, dozen wings; in additon to listening/reading different from various people, sites and forums; I have decided to go with the Rogue Benders. Not as bulky as the Gary Fong, but still a lot of flexibility (pun intended) more than a standard diffuser. I'm liking the mini soft box(thx CCericola , but that is later down the road. I appreciate all the helpful links an especially good humor from all.

 

[Robin Usagani]

IByte.. why dont you polish your bounced flash (bare flash) skill first before buying the Rouge Benders?

 

[IByte]

IByte.. why dont you polish your bounced flash (bare flash) skill first before buying the Rouge Benders?

Hmm polish my bouncing skills, save money for gym gear? 2 + 2 = 4, eureka! Think I will go with that option