Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal Inverted Dome Starter Kit

Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal Inverted Dome Starter Kit:

It fits easily on my flash and works great, the main downside is it had no instructions; I had to go to the Gary Fong web site to find videos on the best way to use the diffuser. Once I found the videos they were helpful. But I still had to play with it to determine the best ways to us it.

Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal Inverted Dome Starter Kit:

Definitely worth the money. The lightsphere produces a nice soft light and only costs about a stop of light. It holds onto the flash very well and is not really a problem as far as bulkiness is concerned either. Storage in the bag is another issue entirely.

Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal Inverted Dome Starter Kit:

I was asked to shoot a wedding at the last minute due to other photographer having a family emergency to attend to. Luckily I was able to attend the Rehearsal the day before to check out the lighting. It was The Darkest Church I had been in. Fortunately I had a fellow photographer joining me on the day of the Wedding and had mentioned to him my dilemma. He quickly did some research and found that the GF Diffuers are just the ticket. They work great with my SB900 flash. WOW, thank goodness, he figured this out. They worked so well, I wouldn't care how bulky they were they will always be part of my professional photographers kit. They literally saved the day and I was proud to hand over the Professional images the Bride and Groom were expecting.

Thank you
Helen

Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal Inverted Dome Starter Kit:

I love my "Fong", as we have come to call it, so much that making room in my camera bag was not a choice. We moved our second body and extra lens into its own bag so wherever my main camera goes, my Fong goes. I love having two, recently I was asked on the spur of the moment to take some pictures for our church and a second shooter with an external flash was available, I threw a Fong on his flash and he was able to get some great shots as well. Because we bought the universal instead of the Nikon/Cannon specific it is easy to improvise most situations. The Lightsphere is easy to understand, you won't need instructions to use it, but you do need a little patience. It does weigh my External down and doesn't allow it to click into some of its positions. Not all the positions have trouble but the angle ones do. Since you shoot mostly straight up toward the ceiling or directly at the subject this is not a deal breaker. And neither is the time it takes to get it on your camera. There are two improvements I would make to this product, ok three. 1. The inner peice would screw in so it doesn't tend to drop out on the floor as you are walking. 2. I would make it so the dome was reversible for some cool effects. 3. I would make the bottom some sort of squeeze and load so you don't have to work at getting all four pieces in place. Even with those things not corrected, I love my "Fong" and will keep using it until. . . .he comes out with something greater!!

Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal Inverted Dome Starter Kit:

This is great for Canon speedlite flash but needs to be collapsable. It also needs to come with an instruction sheet for novice photographers.

Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal Inverted Dome Starter Kit:

Just starting out in pro photography, this was a great small investment to give a professional feel to my photos. I used mine for an outdoor photo shoot as well as a handful of more candid indoor shots. My only complaint so far is the space they take up in my camera bag. I'm glad I made the purchase.

Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal Inverted Dome Starter Kit:

Received as a Christmas gift and used for personal family photography. I love how it softens the lighting and improves the quality of my shots. Haven't found any cons yet.

Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal Inverted Dome Starter Kit:

Softens up the flash perfectly. Really gives photos a professional look.

Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal Inverted Dome Starter Kit:

I am typically a natural light only photographer, but of course for weddings and evening events the only option IS artificial lighting. I love the GF diffuser because it provides soft light and not the typical harsh light of a flash. The only *complaint* I would have is just the bulkiness of the product, but I think it is necessary in order to do what it does. I don't always pack it with me because it takes up a lot of space, but when I am shooting an event indoors at night, I have it on the whole time so it isn't a concern the space that it would take up in my camera bag.

Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal Inverted Dome Starter Kit:

Using mainly for inside shots as it provides ample illumination for a room with reasonably low ceilings. Have used it outdoors for a touch of fill with success as well, but tilt the heads at about 30 degrees and use a small white reflector behind them to push the flash forward. The domes can fall off easy so keep an eye on them, but the unit itself is lightweight and stays on the flash head well. Only reason I gave it 4 stars was mainly due to price, it is a bit pricey for two pieces of plastic, rubber bands, and velcro.

Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal Inverted Dome Starter Kit:

Just as described. Works great!

Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal Inverted Dome Starter Kit:

After reading many positive reviews, I purchased the Lightsphere.I am very pleased with the quality of light.

Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal Inverted Dome Starter Kit:

I have used the Gary Fong Lightsphere several times now and love how it softens the light when it is necessary to use a flash. I have used it mainly for portraits and would certainly recommend it to others.

Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal Inverted Dome Starter Kit:

I usually use two cameras when shooting events, so to have this added to the flash of one made it really tall and hard to hold while I was shooting with the other - I liked the look of the flashes with this adapter, but the bulky addition to the flash was almost too much to carry around. I was also a little disappointed at what I got for the price, I was expecting a little more.

Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal Inverted Dome Starter Kit:

1/2 Cloud great for those outdoor flash shots.
Cloud great for indoor flash shots.

Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal Inverted Dome Starter Kit:

I am a previous owner of Gary Fong's Lightsphere Dome. I purchased this Universal kit since I now own a Nikon SB-900 flash. The Universal fits the larger Nikon and Canon flash heads. I would say Gary Fong's claims are pretty much right on. Using the GF (Gary Fong) with camera and flash (in hot shoe) in vertical mode your shadows are either non-existent or much softer than using the same scenario with the Nikon Diffuser. Setup: flash head at 45 degree angle, head rotated at or about 60 degrees.

Shooting in camera landscape mode, flash at 45 degree angle, with the GF diffuser you get nice soft lighting on your subject/subjects. I tend to use the GF with the flash attached either to my hotshoe or to a flash bracket.

The difference between the Cloudy Dome and the 1/2 Cloudy Dome is slight light loss. Side by side comparisons, everything the same, from shooting distance to subject I recorded (using a light meter) 2/10's of a stop brighter using the 1/2 Dome compared to the Cloudy Dome.
With any diffuser, there will be light loss compared to shooting direct flash.

The GF works well when your flash to subject distance is no more than 15 feet.

Since they are bulky, you may have a hard time finding space in your camera bag, but I always do.

Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal Inverted Dome Starter Kit:

The Universal Lightsphere is everything that I hoped it would be!

Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal Inverted Dome Starter Kit:

Softens light for portraits under various lighting settings.

Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal Inverted Dome Starter Kit:

Use inside & outside
great filler
looks wierd

Comments about Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal Inverted Dome Starter Kit:

The Lightsphere is excellent for portrait or wedding shoots. While I sometimes use it with additional lights for studio sessions, the Lightsphere works well on its own or with another diffused flash or reflector for on-location events. Priced A BIT high for what you get. However, I haven't found these results with any other products.