Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Inverted Dome Diffuser
Gary Fong is a lifelong photographer with a knack for innovative solutions for the normally harsh effects associated with standard on-camera lighting sources. As always, one of Gary's intentions is to eliminate the need for a camera bracket.
The Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Inverted Dome Diffuser is a round, soft, and flexible flash diffuser that slips atop any standard shoe mount flash unit and also folds away for easy travel.
The inside of the Lightsphere's textured to pleasantly soften and disperse the light, and because the collapsible Lightsphere's quite translucent it helps conserve the total quantity of light.
The Lightsphere Collapsible folds down to about 1/3rd of its original height when collapsed, and has a practical grip system which allows it to securely attach to any modern shoe-mounted flash.
- Fits nearly all shoe-mounted flash units
- Incredibly-strong universal grip system
- Large, round-shaped diffuser minimizes need for flash brackets
- Easily fits into a camera bag, folding down to only 1/3rd of its original height
- Optional gel system matches outgoing light to ambient room light, or enhances black and white image contrast
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 374 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
92%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (270)
- Lightweight (267)
- Packs small / compresses (259)
- Strong construction (217)
- Reliable (213)
Cons
- Heavy / bulky (76)
- Difficult to use (35)
- Difficult to attach (5)
- Poor quality (5)
- HEAVY (4)
Best Uses
- Weddings (292)
- Family photos (270)
- Travel (49)
- Sports/action (32)
- Portraits (21)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Semi-pro photographer (149), Photo enthusiast (108), Pro photographer (89), Casual photographer (20)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (306), Yes (6)
Most Liked Positive Review
Great product
Used mostly for real estate photography. Does pretty well on the fly for portraits. Throws nice even light. I only gave it a 4 because for a "universal" product it's a l...Read complete review
Used mostly for real estate photography. Does pretty well on the fly for portraits. Throws nice even light. I only gave it a 4 because for a "universal" product it's a little snug on my 580EXII. Requires a lot of force to install it. Don't recommend installing while flash is on camera. It's also a bit heavy when trying to tilt your flash head. I'll trade the negatives for the great light is throws. Much better than a Stoffen or a bound card.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Not The Ideal Lightsphere
I bought this after reading countless reviews of the various lightspheres. Other reviews said that this was far superior than the universal lightsphere when being used with Nikon speedlights.
Since I o...Read complete review
I bought this after reading countless reviews of the various lightspheres. Other reviews said that this was far superior than the universal lightsphere when being used with Nikon speedlights.
Since I own a Nikon SB-900 and two SB-600's, I figured it would be the way to go.
This is horrible for any kind of event or wedding photography. It takes quite a bit of fussing to put on the SB-900, because it's barely large enough to fit over the flash head. If I were at a wedding, I would lose more time than I would changing lenses. Due to the SB-900's large size, the collapsible lightsphere deforms shape too much to collapse and be out of the way for direct flash use.
So - contrary to other reviews, I feel this would be more suitable to the smaller speedlights, and even then - you'll need to attach it ahead of time and leave it on during the shoot. Removing and re-attaching is too difficult.
As for light output - because the collapsible is clearer than the cloud / half cloud universal lightspheres, it barely diffuses the light at all. I immediately took it out of the box and took a bunch of comparison shots. I can't really see much, if any, difference between this and ceiling-bounced flash shots. You still get harsh shadows and raccoon-eyes.
The domes are hard to attach as well - takes a little fussing with, which means lost time and potentially lost shots.
All in all - this is kind of a waste of money. I ended up purchasing the cloud universal lightsphere, which works quite well.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 374 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
- Strong Construction
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Inverted Dome Diffuser:
Best Lightsphere I ever owned.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Reliable
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Bulky
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Inverted Dome Diffuser:
This is a great addition to my equipment line up. Although it looks like a piece of tupperware, this diffuser can up your game in otherwise difficult lighting situations. Takes care of that nasty shadow that a standard flash diffuser leaves behind. I don't like working with many other light sources... I prefer to be mobile and under the radar... this little piece of plastic helps me achieve some great lighting effects without being overly noticable or in the way. Worth the cost many times over!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Inverted Dome Diffuser:
Works good as advertised
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Inverted Dome Diffuser:
Nice quality of soft light! Very simple but functional addition to your speedlight. Several effects can be created depending upon how the unit is used.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Inverted Dome Diffuser:
it really gr8 product for diffuse the light , specially for portraits .
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
Cons
Best Uses
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Inverted Dome Diffuser:
very nice diffuser, works perfect!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Difficult to Use
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Inverted Dome Diffuser:
Hard to get onto the flash, but it's necessary that it's tight so it doesn't fall off. I like using it without the dome, just bounced of most ceilings. Useful for softening flash but maintaining strength of light.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Inverted Dome Diffuser:
this product makes such low light situation so much better, espcially during wedding receptions when the ceiling is too high to bounce off.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Lightweight
- Reliable
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Inverted Dome Diffuser:
This is my second generation of light sphere and as with the first... I love it! It's the most used light modifier in my bag. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because compared to the original cloud this version can be tough to attach and remove from the flash quickly.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Inverted Dome Diffuser:
Spreads out light really well. I use it to shot in nightclubs. Great product.
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Inverted Dome Diffuser:
I am still in process of learning flash. This diffuser has really improved my images. The light falls beautifully and evenly on the faces of people when bounced off the ceiling. Its a little annoying to attach. But once its on it stays on. Def recommend buying it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Inverted Dome Diffuser:
I used this diffuser days after taking delivery. It fits very tight on my flash so I don't worry about it coming off by accident. It did a great job of diffusing the light in some huge rooms where bounce was not practicle. And it travels very well. I am very glad I had a friend tell me about this one.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Inverted Dome Diffuser:
Wanted something to help soften my flash, had tried other diffusers with little effect. Was recommended to try the Gary Fong light sphere and it did the trick as advertised.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Inverted Dome Diffuser:
Very helpful in spreading light!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
- Strong Construction
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Inverted Dome Diffuser:
Portraits
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Reliable
Cons
- Top Dome Falls Out
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Inverted Dome Diffuser:
Works great on my flash-- You can remove the top dome to get more bounce off the ceiling. It really spreads the light and wraps around a face.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Similar:
- Rogue Flash Bender
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Inverted Dome Diffuser:
I used the Lightsphere to photograph people in a group setting indoors and compared it to shots taken without the Lightsphere. There is a world of difference. It eliminated the harshness of even a bounced flash shot with my SB800. Skin tones were rendered almost perfectly. I also do close-up macro work on watches. The Lightsphere is a godsend in eliminating the harsh reflection glare from a direct / bounced flash.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Inverted Dome Diffuser:
Makes it easy to control the shadows created by a flash.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Travel
Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Inverted Dome Diffuser:
Easy to put on and take off, compact, works great.
Only used it for a week, but I am pleased with the results.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
Cons
- Weak Construction
Best Uses
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Inverted Dome Diffuser:
This thing does diffuse the light, no questions about it. It also soften the edges of a person's portrait. But I don't think it will last: the collapsible plastic part is similar to a snorkeling mask washer. It WILL become yellowish very quickly. And it will wear fast where it folds. So I think it's too expensive and I'd rather have gotten the none collapsible one may be.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Flash Accessories
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- Price: $89.95
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