Gary Fong C1 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion Cloud System (Frosted) - for Select Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Quantaray, Sigma & Sunpak Flash Units
The Gary Fong C1 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion Cloud System (Frosted) - for Select Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Quantaray, Sigma & Sunpak Flash Units is a large, round, soft and flexible diffuser that slips over the front of compatible flash units. The inside of the Lightsphere is completely textured to make the light dispersion even more "soft" than it would be otherwise. And because of this design, it is possible to make the material more translucent, keeping the unit from losing a lot of light while actually increasing the diffusion and softness of light.
An opaque color has been added to the inside of the Cloud version, and this "frosted" version creates an even softer effect, which makes it ideal for close-ups, portraits, and event photography.
The included inverted dome allows you to softly diffuse direct light with a large, soft source without creating flare on the front of your lens.
- Especially ideal for vertical flash shots where the flash coverage is still similar to horizontal shots, due to the large rounded shape of the diffuser. Minimizes the need for a flash-flip bracket.
- Easily fits into a camera bag.
- The C1 model is compatible with:
-
- Canon 420EX
- Nikon SB-50DX, SB-600, SB-800 & SB-80DX
- Pentax 330FTZ & AF500FTZ
- Quantaray 6500A
- Sigma 420 & 430
- Sunpak 4000AF
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 68 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
97%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Lightweight (48)
- Easy to use (43)
- Durable (36)
- Consistent output (33)
- Versatile (19)
Cons
- Heavy / bulky (23)
- Heavy (4)
Best Uses
- Fill flash (57)
- Portraits (41)
- General purpose (27)
- Photojournalism (27)
- Night photography (20)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Enthusiast (17), Semi-pro photographer (13), Professional (12), Semi-professional (12), Pro photographer (6)
Most Liked Positive Review
Simple solution to difficult lighting
Does the Gary Fong Lightsphere live up to expectations? Yes and no.
Video demonstrations online — by the inventor, himself — would lead us to believe it's a simple so...Read complete review
Does the Gary Fong Lightsphere live up to expectations? Yes and no.
Video demonstrations online — by the inventor, himself — would lead us to believe it's a simple solution to lighting in difficult situations. Pop on. Snap. Done. Close, but not quite. The truth is that, as with any diffusor, it takes quite a bit of adjusting in difficult lighting situations to get the things to work the way you anticipate. Frustration will rear its ugly head the first time you pop it on. I felt like I had to learn my flash all over again the first time I attached it.
Once you get used to it, though, it does provide pretty even fill light. Below are specifics.
GOOD:
• Certainly easy to use. Fastens fairly tightly to speedlight heads and the cap snaps on. Feels quality in build. Has a nice smell. Mine's never fallen off.
• For indoor house parties - While I enjoy bouncing, I do not enjoy the shadowy, gaunt look left on most subjects when aiming at a ceiling. The Lightsphere, with a little adjusting, eliminates this. Though, for situations like these, it's ultimately about as effective as a decent bounce card in the right hands.
• For daylight portrait fill flash - It really does produce a fairly even light. Snap on the cap, head outside and make your subjects pop.
• For wide shooting - Design lets it truly light up a small to medium-sized room for wide shots.
BAD:
• Heavy. For certain situations, Fong recommends shooting it at the traditional diffuser 45 degree angle, but this is impossible (at least on the SB-600) due to its weight. Speedlight feels loose when it's on there.
• Weddings - While it does amplify light, its weight and basic design make it impractical for maneuvering. Using with a bracket would the most awkward setup imaginable.
• Places with high ceilings. Gary recommends popping on the cap for these situations, but even after spending hours with it, it's hard to find the right balance to make things look natural from one shot to the next.
BOTTOM LINE:
If you're looking for a clever way to light up a room for a fairly reasonable cost, it's definitely worth the purchase. But do not think this will make you a wedding photographer.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Useful at times...
Just used this for the first time at a wedding last night. At times it did a great job at lightening up the room as well as softening the flash. But other times, if...Read complete review
Just used this for the first time at a wedding last night. At times it did a great job at lightening up the room as well as softening the flash. But other times, if your subjects are farther away, they became a lot darker. Probably just need some more practice, but it was def useful. Wish it was made a little better for the price (basically just like a chinese soup tupperware) and it fell off my flash during the flower toss! But overall I'm glad I had it with me.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 68 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- Portraits
Comments about Gary Fong C1 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion Cloud System (Frosted) - for Select Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Quantaray, Sigma & Sunpak Flash Units:
It diffuses the flash very well, and puts out great light. It's flexible and is easily stored in my bag. Easy to install and use, this is a no brainer.
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Pricey
Best Uses
- Event Photography
- Fill Flash
- Photojournalism
Comments about Gary Fong C1 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion Cloud System (Frosted) - for Select Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Quantaray, Sigma & Sunpak Flash Units:
This product is hard to fit on my 430ex flash. I have to struggle to get the lightsphere on. When I do have it on, the product works as advertise. Except that the fit isn't snug, and the lightsphere can come off easily.
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
- Bulky
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- Portraits
Comments about Gary Fong C1 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion Cloud System (Frosted) - for Select Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Quantaray, Sigma & Sunpak Flash Units:
I bought one of these after watching Gary's videos, and it does exactly what he says it does. It gives the most beautiful soft lighting that you have ever seen from an on camera flash. Looks like a large soft-box lit your photo.
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- Night Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Gary Fong C1 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion Cloud System (Frosted) - for Select Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Quantaray, Sigma & Sunpak Flash Units:
My new Gary Fong diffuser has been a wonderful addition to my gear. It does a great job of softening light and distributing my flash. No more harsh light and much better fill all around. I should have bought one a while back!
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- Portraits
Comments about Gary Fong C1 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion Cloud System (Frosted) - for Select Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Quantaray, Sigma & Sunpak Flash Units:
I purchased this for shooting weddings and it is just what I needed. I put this on with a flash bracket and I don't need to bring any lighting equipment with me.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Portraits
Comments about Gary Fong C1 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion Cloud System (Frosted) - for Select Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Quantaray, Sigma & Sunpak Flash Units:
if you havent used one of these, dont wait any longer, do your self a favor and take your flash photography to another level !!!
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- Photojournalism
- Portraits
Comments about Gary Fong C1 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion Cloud System (Frosted) - for Select Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Quantaray, Sigma & Sunpak Flash Units:
Based on prior reviews I was reluctant to buy this because most people said their shoe mount flash ends up falling down with the weight of this diffuser. Well it hasn't happened for me and I love it!
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Bulky
Best Uses
- Event Photography
- Fill Flash
- Photojournalism
- Portraits
- Weddings
Comments about Gary Fong C1 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion Cloud System (Frosted) - for Select Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Quantaray, Sigma & Sunpak Flash Units:
I primarily use this at weddings instead of my old flash rig with great results, including not feeling like my arms are going to fall off after an 8 hour wedding.
It holds onto my flash well, though it's a little tough to get used to at first. I recommend looking up a video online of Fong using it himself- you'll get some good pointers and really see it in action.
The only real drawback (once you're used to using it) is having space in your bag to carry it - fortunately I usually don't take it off once it's out, so I just store all my extra batteries inside it.
The light it casts is fantastic. I highly recommend this item.
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Powerful Output
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Photojournalism
Comments about Gary Fong C1 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion Cloud System (Frosted) - for Select Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Quantaray, Sigma & Sunpak Flash Units:
Great light all the way around (no pun intended) It´s a plug and play right out of the box. Better than bounce (perfect even dispersion of light) fits easy in the case (I but my fish eye inside it) A must for any indoor hand held lighting!
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easy To Use
Cons
- Heavy
- Not Interchangeable
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- Night Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Gary Fong C1 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion Cloud System (Frosted) - for Select Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Quantaray, Sigma & Sunpak Flash Units:
It is a good product that works well to minimize shadows without over exposing the subject even at close rang with a full power flash. I'd recommend it to other pghotographers.
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Portraits
Comments about Gary Fong C1 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion Cloud System (Frosted) - for Select Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Quantaray, Sigma & Sunpak Flash Units:
Use with my Nikon external flash. Great improvement compared to 'no diffuser'! Even, soft light
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- Portraits
Comments about Gary Fong C1 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion Cloud System (Frosted) - for Select Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Quantaray, Sigma & Sunpak Flash Units:
I'm typically a natural light photographer, so I tend to not use flash very often. But, when situations arise that require a bit more light, the Lightsphere is a great way to get more natural looking light than what you would get with just a flash unit. It is easy to install and remove and works wonderfully.
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easy To Use
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- Photojournalism
Comments about Gary Fong C1 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion Cloud System (Frosted) - for Select Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Quantaray, Sigma & Sunpak Flash Units:
This is a piece of plastic, similar to tupperware. But I don't want to fabricate one. I was very pleased with the quality of light that came from this diffuser. It's perfect for a wedding/journalistic photographer. The only thing negative that I found was that the weight of the dome causes the speedlight to flip down when you don't want it to.
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easy To Use
- Powerful Output
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Portraits
Comments about Gary Fong C1 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion Cloud System (Frosted) - for Select Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Quantaray, Sigma & Sunpak Flash Units:
I use the lightsphere for on location portraiture, weddings and events. Greatly improves your work. Removes any hint of a shadow, softens your pictures, provides even lighting throughout your image and on your subject's face (portraiture). I do recommend use of a flash bracket for portraits to keep your flash and lightsphere directly over your lens as a minor shadow is produced otherwise. (Not a problem in landscape shots) Also recommend purchasing the amberdome attachment to warm up your pictures at dusk, dawn and indoors. It is a bit heavy but overall definitely worth it!
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Versatile
Cons
- Bulky
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- Night Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Gary Fong C1 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion Cloud System (Frosted) - for Select Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Quantaray, Sigma & Sunpak Flash Units:
This isn't really a 4 star product just yet, but after I learn how to use it better, it just may become a 5 star. I am frequently disappointed with the harsh light and sharp shadow lines created by my on-camera flash unit, and the Dome certainly promises to reduce those affects. I have mostly done test shots so far, but the results are very encouraging!
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
- A little bulky
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Portraits
Comments about Gary Fong C1 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion Cloud System (Frosted) - for Select Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Quantaray, Sigma & Sunpak Flash Units:
I hate red eye!Gives great light even at long distances.Easy to put on flash.Works great on micro photos as well.A little bulky in the camera bag but by far a great must have item.
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Versatile
Cons
- Bulky
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Portraits
Comments about Gary Fong C1 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion Cloud System (Frosted) - for Select Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Quantaray, Sigma & Sunpak Flash Units:
If you don't mind slight bulkiness this is the best diffuser for the money! It creates very soft and pleasant light! Say good bye to ugly shadows!
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easy To Use
Cons
- Bulky
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Night Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Gary Fong C1 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion Cloud System (Frosted) - for Select Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Quantaray, Sigma & Sunpak Flash Units:
I bought this to shoot an indoor wedding and reception. It diffuses and disburses the flash so pictures aren't blown out but still allows plenty of light to get good exposure. My only complaint is that it is quite bulky/heavy for my on-camera flash (SB-600) so when I'm trying to bounce the flash off of something at an angle, the weight of the diffuser will cause the flash to fall down to an angle that I don't want to bounce it at. Also, you have to cram it on your flash or it will fall off when you turn your camera any way but landscape, which I have read about in other reviews. As long as you really push it down on the flash, it will stay on.
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Night Photography
- Photojournalism
- Portraits
Comments about Gary Fong C1 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion Cloud System (Frosted) - for Select Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Quantaray, Sigma & Sunpak Flash Units:
Nothing is uglier than direct flash lighting. Using the Gary Fong diffuser lights the entire area is a diffused light, giving soft, natural facial tones. FUrther, it goes on and off easily. This is clearly the finest product of its type.
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Powerful Output
- Versatile
Cons
- Bulky
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- Portraits
Comments about Gary Fong C1 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion Cloud System (Frosted) - for Select Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Quantaray, Sigma & Sunpak Flash Units:
I was shooting at a Thangsgiving dinner at a fire hall. We had 9 tables set up as a giant U. I was able to get the light out over 30 feet to the head table but still keep the people that we 4 feet away from me in a great soft light.
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »
Flash Accessories
- Price: $19.95
What's in the Box
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
Why Shop at B&H
Make your online shopping trip personal with our online Live Chat representatives. You can easily reach an in-house expert while browsing our site for your shopping needs. We have the most highly-trained staff in the industry who are pros in their fields, and their professional expertise will help you get the most from your purchase.
Place your domestic order with us for shipment via UPS, FedEx Economy, or FedEx Priority by 4 PM ET Monday through Thursday or 11 AM ET Friday and your order will be shipped that day. Visit our Shipping Delivery Times page for further details. Delivery times are subject to payment verification.
We appreciate your purchase from us, and we understand that sometimes the products you buy don’t turn out to be the right choice for you. We guarantee your peace of mind with our 30-day return policy. With no standard restocking fee and few restrictions, you’ll enjoy a return process as easy as shopping with us. Please visit our Return Policy page for further details.
We’ve made iPhone and Android mobile apps available for your service and shopping convenience. Use filtered search to find and purchase almost any item we sell and ship worldwide. Download product manuals and guides for many popular items. See high-resolution product images in close-up detail. Manage wishlists and view order history. Visit our Mobile Apps page to download.
See sample Newsletter
Help
Company Information
B&H Resources
