Gary Fong Lightsphere

Hi, can anyone tell me if the gary fong lightsphere is available from the u.k

please. I have been on various websites and the shipping costs are extreme to

say the least. Have also tried ebay but had no luck, any suggestions would be

welcome.

 

Regards

 

Shaun Gara u.k

Have you tried contacting sales at www.garyfong.com? That would be my first stop.

U.K. supplier http://www.bbjimports.com/products.asp?id=3

go to his blog and write a comment. he pretty much always responds.

 

http://www.xanga.com/garyfong1

Hi Shaun

<p>Allow me a slight digression... have you checked out the DFD Pro from Joe Demb? Costs a fraction of what the Gary Fong product does and I have found it to be very versatile. I had mine shipped to me in Kenya for next to nothing in postage costs...

<p>Don't get me wrong, I'm just presenting an alternative and not trying to start a flame-war ;)

Go on to UK ebay, and type in Lightsphere.

 

I got a cheap Chinese copy via import. Cost about 12 uk pounds in total. Took about two weeks, through an ebay business called virtual-village, who were able to take uk cheque as I don't have a paypal account (and don't want one).

 

Looks identical to a real one, which I have also seen. Might even be made in the same factory, but G Fong argues that his is made in the usa so don't know.

 

It works well enough, but, there's a lot of guff spoken about how the Fongosphere will transform your photography overnight. It wont, and I prefer the effects of the better bounce card, which costs a couple of pounds to make yourself and is far more variable and (very importantly), is easier to transport and use.

 

http://www.abetterbouncecard.com

 

Peter is a legend, even if he does appear to live in a funeral parlour. Look at the early videos on his site, and you'll know what I mean.

 

Kris.

also..................

 

fong has just brought his new fangled lightsphere, which has a universal band fitting. If you are going to splash the cash on a real one, this might be a better bet, as the old one was notorious for falling off.

 

As somebody humourously mentioned on the dwf the other day, new lightpshere - the lightsphere that doesn't fall off, like the new ford pinto, the car that doesn't catch fire.

Also also also...

 

Anybody experimented with the new ABBC pro, with the black foam and strip of white?

 

Doesn't seem to make sense to me, but what do I know.

 

Kris.

I bought mine off (UK) Ebay from a a seller in Scotland, worked out at something like GBP39. I definitely prefer the Lightshpere to the Flip-it for my usage.

Thanks very much for the link to Peter's video! I always made bounce cards from

cardboard or paper, then I thought I would look more professional if I had an official

product - spent a lot of $$$$ on many things - Lumi quest , Fong lightsphere etc...none

of them worked as well as my homemade cards! Can't wait to try the foam Peter

mentioned, I like the idea of it being "adjustable". Craft stores and even Walmart sell that

type of foam.

 

I am going to be selling my lightshpere - I never liked it much and my flash often doesn't

stay up due to the weight.

I agree with Mark Kathurima. The DFD Pro works very well. Easier to use, transport, etc. And costs much less.

 

Russ

Shaun - dont waste your money. I have one and no longer use it. It is too heavy for the SB800 and causes it too fall down. Mine fell off during a ceremony once. You would be much better off checking out the Planet Neil website and learn how to control and bounce light. Check out http://planetneil.com/tangents/

 

Neil uses flash beautifully IMO. I only use a flash modifier when there is absoloutely no other option. In that case I just use the stofen cup.

You can make your own Lightsphere out of a semi-opaque plastic bottle. Don't know what bottles to use in the UK but I know a photographer who made one out of a plastic mayonnaise jar. All you need are scissors and velcro.

Thanks to this forum I have resolved most of my own particular questions with regard to

specific flash instances.

 

Spent a very constructive day reading forums, watching the videos, reading more and

playing with ideas and getting to grips with various flash scenarios

 

I agree with what you say about Neils use of Flash, though it should be noted that he

predominantly uses off camera strobe type flash in his work.

 

Thanks Graham

I use an ebay clone of the stofen.