philo Loc: philo, ca

Have been looking at this kit, and wonder if any of you have used it. Is it worth $189.00. I have used different difusers in the past.

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

I'm not sure what kit to which you are referring. I find B&H and Adorama only shows the basic kit for under $100.00, I might be missing something.

If that is the one, for me, I use gels, Rogue products (or foam flex sheets) for snoots and DIY for grids. Unless you are in a fast paced shooting situation where you need to change in a second from one modifier to another... Takes me 10 seconds or less to change my options, which is fast enough for me. My flashes have Velcro and fat rubber bands on the head for quick switching of modifiers.

philo Loc: philo, ca

Kenmore camera has a prokit which includes the gels

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

You might want to price the parts at B&H to see if the pricing is comparable. Do you use gels in your work? What is in the kit you don't have now?

ChrisW. Loc: Medina Co., OH

I have used the MagMod and Love it!! It was recommended to me by a fellow UH!

philo Loc: philo, ca

i have a Gary Fong round unit, and a couple of softboxs that go over the flash.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

It has "professional" in the name. Need I say more?
Just kidding.
I don't have that one, but have the strobies version of the system. It clicks in place instead of magnets. Not sure I'd want strong magnets right by those expensive electronics in flashes, but that's completely up to the individual.

I've hear that people (like Chris W above) that love it, but also have heard plenty of people with the same experience that I had with the strobies units. Ended up a waste of money. I shoot weddings and outdoor portraits. The modifiers are just WAAY too small. Even when working in a busy reception hall, I have 2 strobes in a softbox on a stand that I carry with me. (you do get used to it) You will never get as soft, beautiful light with the small Gary Fong, MagMod, or Strobies modifiers. I also have the rogue products. Except for using those in the hotel room for getting ready shots, those stay in my car too.

Should you spend the money? Completely up to you. Just giving you my 2 cents. You may be one of those that likes the smaller light source, or the light they provide, so more power to you.

Good luck with whichever way you go.

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

I have just about everything that MagMod makes, some in multiples. I was looking a Fong solutions a few years ago when I discovered MagMod. I went MagMod and have been very happy with the quality and ease of using it. I have had no issues with the magnets causing any damage to anything. It is not inexpensive but is similar in cost to the Fong stuff in my opinion. MagMod continues to add new capabilities, I don't see others innovating in that way.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

easy8

have magmod love it but also bought the chinese knock off on ebay for multipule shooters at weddings an its the same thing for 19.00

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

I always wonder about people/photographers who use cheap copies of items from China.
Do they complain if someone uses their photos without compensation or for commercial gain...
It makes me wonder...

I have little use for companies that steal intellectual property...

Best,
Todd Ferguson

easy8

true but when you charge over 100 for a piece of silicone an 2 magnets and have it made overseas for pennies you are begging someone to copy it

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

Show me where they charge anywhere near over $100 for a piece of silicone and two magnets...
If you don't believe in intellectual property rights and don't want to buy MagMod products that is your choice.
But don't go around bashing some of the best stuff to come along for Speedlites in a good long time because of it.
I guess using your logic we should be able to buy a new Nikon D850 for $150 after all it is just a few dollars worth of metal, some sand and plastics.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Purchased the tele kit. It was made of heavy thick rubber, the magnets were extremely strong and the holder and extender were so hard to put on and off I was afraid it would damage the flash. If you leave the holder on the flash permanently and use the smaller modifiers it might be ok.

The video on it showed how easy it was to attach and remove but my experience was so far removed from that I returned it.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Look at Niel Van Neikirks testing of different modifiers / reflectors. I went back to the "BFT" and saved some $$ without sacrificing results.

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

Niel is certainly very good at Speedlite lighting, but while I can see how the BFT can block the flash from traveling in certain directions I don't really see how it would add to the output at all. He seems to like to bounce his light off nearby walls or ceilings. That is fine if they are available. But that is not always the case.

I believe I also saw him doing a promotional video for the new $1000 Profoto A1 flash. But I didn't see him throw a BFT on it... I guess I would like to see your shots of a large group using a Speedlite or two with BFT if you would be willing to share with us.

Best,
Todd Ferguson