derek_c. Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 I want to see some light sphere wedding pictures...<br> Also want to hear about the experience.<br> Anyone? Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_levine Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 And a "light sphere" is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric friedemann Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 He's referencing Gary Fong's "Lightsphere"- there have been two models: http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00Ahoz http://www.pbase.com/lensman99/lightsphere_ii Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stacy Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 Derek- let me just warn you if you need this thing very soon. I ordered 2 on December 10 and I just got them on January 18. In between I tried to email him and cancel the order but he said they had shipped. So now I'm sending them back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e.m. Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 lightsphere pics<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e.m. Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 Another inside<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e.m. Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 The people in the background refused to get out of the way! I really like the lightsphere so far. It is simple to use although a maybe a little large. The light seems to be distributed pretty evenly. Overall I'm pretty pleased with it. Ed McCulloch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r.m. Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 I really like my new LS as well. I haven't had a chance to shoot it at a wedding yet, but have taken some test shots. Very diffused shadow on vertical shots without a bracket...I'm loving that...<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografz Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 FYI, A 550EX one doesn't fit the 580EX, and can't be adapted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon jacobson Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 Edward, If you can recall, was the flash pointed up or at the subjects? The shadow in the second image surprises me a bit. I've been curious about the light sphere also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueworldstudios Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 I like it enough that I won't shoot without it and hope it's viewed as a fad, goofy, or just too bulky by my local competition. One of the nice things about the LS is the shape of the highlights. Even if you get a reflection off a window, mirror, or whatever, the round shape makes it blend and not be offensive. Great for detail shots.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueworldstudios Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 Oh yeah, it lets you have your cake ...<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melisa Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 Bahahahahahaha!! LOVE IT! Sign me up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricM Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 very cool EJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stacy Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 Dang it! Now I don't want to send it back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricM Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 do the toilet bowl floats come in translucent yet? i think'll crazy glue one to an old sto-fen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e.m. Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 Jon- I had the flash pointed up. The reason for the shadow on the second one is that I was about 2 ft or so from her. I'm going to try to point it straight on and see what happens. Thanks, Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris m., central florida Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 I had the chance to join two pro photographers this evening to do some lighting tests in a local church. We had a Light Sphere on a Nikon SB800 flash unit, and we were using it bracket mounted along with Quantum flash units on light stands. At ISO 400, the Light Sphere barely made a dent as a fill light from anything more than 15 feet away. But it was excellent when used from 3-12 feet away from our model. Anyway, we used it as a main, as fill, and then just turned it off. I certainly think it's a capable accessory, but like anything else, it has to be used in the right environment. Use it with low white cielings and it's perfect. There is just too much light loss from the back and sides of the unit to be used as a single light source for groups or wedding formals at normal ISOs if there are no low cielings present. I think it would be wise if a reflector accessory was included that could direct more light forward. No accessory is perfect - but I liked what I saw. It's quality of soft light output is slightly better than a Stofen plastic softbox. I'd say it's worth the $40 they're asking for it. Just be sure to thoroughly test it before bringing it to a wedding. Also be prepared - it's big and bulky! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografz Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Chris, I think the idea behind the LS is to eliminate the bracket all together. I also think it's suppose to be aimed straight with the dome on when shooting at a distance further than 5 feet. At least that's what I discovered. For bounce, take the dome off and the housing will provide a bit of fill to avoid those eye and nose shadows you get when closer to the subject using a steeper bounce angle. For me it's just to unwieldy when you're also using a bracket. Direct mount flash seems the only way to use this accessory IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melisa Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Here's the link to Gary's site. <a href="http://secure.mycart.net/catalogs/catalog.asp?prodid=3354218&showprevnext=1">Lightsphere II</a> It is a direct mount application and, like Marc said, it's supposed to do it all by either turning the flash head or removing the dome. Ugly as sin, but it does seem very useful. I'm getting one! (as she secretly envisions all that good cake she'll be bringing home.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wedding-photography-denver Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 Beware the sticky dome. It's a pain to remove and install on the fly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmahler5th Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 Hi Edward, I'm curious, HOW do you shoot with a Lightsphere AND a speedlight at the same time? I mean I know there are cables and such, but what configuration do you use? Do you use a Magic Arm or something? I'm going to buy one of these things right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografz Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 Steven, you can have one of mine. I bought 2 for my 550EXs, one of which I traded for a 540EX, and it doesn't fit the new 580EX I just got, nor can it be adapted. e-mail me your shipping address if you are using a 550EX. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melisa Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 If Steve already bought one... I know this gal in TC who's been itching for one. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_kaplan1 Posted February 3, 2005 Share Posted February 3, 2005 I just clicked over to their website. I can't believe that they don't make a model that fits a Vivitar 283! Amazing! Guess I'll stick with the Sto-fen and save the forty bucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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