Question about the Gary Fong LightSphere: I frequently shoot with the LightSphere in side, but don't understand why it is translucent all the way around. Why doesn't it have an opaque...

dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

I frequently shoot with the LightSphere in side, but don't understand why it is translucent all the way around. Why doesn't it have an opaque back? Wouldn't this reduce light loss? Thanks.
(Actually, I put a piece of aluminum foil in the back to reduce the flash in the eyes of people behind me)

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

One of the purposes of the lightsphere is to send the light in all directions, including behind the camera. This enables bounced light from surfaces behind the camera to contribute to exposure. Bounce flash softens shadows.

A black surface would absorb the light, wasting it.

Personally, I am not a fan of the Fong lightsphere. I prefer to aim my flash at a surface to bounce the light off of rather than sending it in all directions.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

The design of the lightsphere is intended to provide 360 deg coverage, to provide maximum "bounce" for fill flash. By covering the backside, you are reducing the amount of bounce flash and essentially defeating the purpose.

ronz Loc: Florida

I agree, the sphere lets light go 360 degrees. I have been doing some experimenting with the Mag Mod system. You may want to check it out and see if it would give you a lot more light than Fong system.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

I chose the MagMod system over the Fong system as it has more and better options and is faster and easier to use to me. MagMod continues to add capability to their system.

You can also consider just bouncing your flash off walls or ceiling indoors. That can work very well but can also cause challenges too. A Rogue Flashbender would be another option to look at also.

ronz wrote:

I agree, the sphere lets light go 360 degrees. I have been doing some experimenting with the Mag Mod system. You may want to check it out and see if it would give you a lot more light than Fong system.

sbohne

Everybody here is going to have their love or hate of the Lightssphere (Their reasons for displaying such antagonistic attitudes towards Mr. Fong is beyond me, however). Rgrenaderphoto provided the answer to your question. I have been a user of the product since its inception. In my studio, I used a custom made light as my fill light. Since my ceiling was low, an umbrella was not practical. I had a studio strobe that had a large white globe attached to it, and it was a perfect fill light. One sad day, it died, and the man who made these lights had passed. I used a speedlight with the Lightsphere attached. Same results.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I have no antagonism towards mr Fong. He is a good marketer and his product works in the sense that it produces soft shadows in photos. It is my opinion that a similar result can be obtained without the expense of the lightsphere and probably with less waste of light energy.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

DirtFarmer wrote:

I have no antagonism towards mr Fong. He is a good marketer and his product works in the sense that it produces soft shadows in photos. It is my opinion that a similar result can be obtained without the expense of the lightsphere and probably with less waste of light energy.

...I didn't read "antagonism" in your post at all. Which just proves the point that we all *read* differently, lol. I think you just stated your preference and reason(s) why, so thanks for being clear...at least to me!

n4jee Loc: New Bern, NC

I personally use the Won-Ton system and prefer it over the Fong system due to its lower cost. You can order this system from your local Chinese take out restaurant. Get a quart of soup. Eat soup. Wash container. Cut opening in bottom to fit flash. Install on flash. replace lid. I cut a round piece of bubble wrap and taped it to the lid before putting it back on the container. I think this adds to the diffusion.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I use the Lite Scoop from Lite Genius. It works well for me.

sbohne

DirtFarmer wrote:

I have no antagonism towards Mr. Fong.

I'm sorry, you have misunderstood.

I was not including you in that post. In previous posts, there have been comments bordering on insulting and making reference to Mr. Fong as being a shady operator selling an inferior product.

I simply do not agree with that position. He has always tried to help photographers make better photographs and to make doing so easier. Yes, he and I are acquaintances, not close friends. I just could never understand why people want to run someone down. Does he make money? Sure he does. If people are pissed at him for making money, then why don't they post derogatory comments about Canon, Nikon, Sigma, Pentax, Sony, LEICA, HASSELBLAD (I hate to break it to people, but they are making money, too...and a lot more than Mr. Fong)!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

sbohne wrote:

I'm sorry, you have misunderstood. br br I was n... (show quote)

There have been many hostile and antagonistic posts against Fong
Most likely those have also never used the product but just regurgitating crap they saw on the internet by negative Nellies.

Kozan Loc: Trenton Tennessee

gvarner wrote:

I use the Lite Scoop from Lite Genius. It works well for me.

Yes. I use the Super-Scoop 3 from Lite Genius and the great thing about it is that when taking a vertical shot, the scoop can be rotated so that the light source (the scoop) is very close to the lens and above it so the resultant shadow is down and away from the subject.

dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

Great replies with a side of philosophy. Thanks!

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

Architect1776 wrote:

There have been many hostile and antagonistic posts against Fong
Most likely those have also never used the product but just regurgitating crap they saw on the internet by negative Nellies.

...barfing der bile. Yes, the internet is never wrong. ;0)