Best flash diffuser for 580EX/600EX-RT

[drjlo]

Just got delivery of the Joe Demb diffuser.
http://www.dembflashproducts.com/
Specifically the Flash Diffuser Pro
http://www.dembflashproducts.com/diffuser/

And thanks to the poster carlc who recommended it.

Some quick testing reveals this as an uncommonly flexible and well thought out product. Quick recycle times suggest good energy efficiency. +1 Go Joe!!

The non-adjustable Gary Fong is excellent in many situations, but falls flat elsewhere. And because it sprays light in every direction, power usage is high. I'll be using the Joe Demb at a job later today. But straight up, this looks like a winner. I'll almost certainly get another one.

-PW

Looks good but quite pricey for essentially bounce cards. I'm looking at the Mega Flip-it, but what effect does the front diffuser unit have on light on the subject? I'm especially wondering whether the small-sized difusser introduces any uneven spots on portraits, etc, by blocking bounced light from the bounce card?

 

[pwp]

Forget all that! White plastic bag and a rubberband works for me when I can't bounce the flash!

That's a great idea, particularly if you're getting good results. It could save the day! I'll put a white plastic bag and rubberband in my camera bag.

If you're shooting for a client, there is the often overlooked matter of perception. Photographers are expensive people to hire. Regardless of the results you can achieve with a white plastic bag, clients don't want to see that. They want to see you with a camera and lens combination that they either can't afford or justify, and accessories that suggest innovation and professionalism.

Assuming you have the required personal, ethical, business, creative and technical abilities, the way to make money from photography is to be reassuringly expensive, and that means turning up with shiny new equipment, nicely dressed and in a decent car. On one level it's total BS, but on another it's complete reality.

-PW

 

[rpt]

Forget all that! White plastic bag and a rubberband works for me when I can't bounce the flash!

That's a great idea, particularly if you're getting good results. It could save the day! I'll put a white plastic bag and rubberband in my camera bag.

If you're shooting for a client, there is the often overlooked matter of perception. Photographers are expensive people to hire. Regardless of the results you can achieve with a white plastic bag, clients don't want to see that. They want to see you with a camera and lens combination that they either can't afford or justify, and accessories that suggest innovation and professionalism.

Assuming you have the required personal, ethical, business, creative and technical abilities, the way to make money from photography is to be reassuringly expensive, and that means turning up with shiny new equipment, nicely dressed and in a decent car. On one level it's total BS, but on another it's complete reality.

-PW

I don't shoot for money so it works for me. If I were shooting for a client I'd buy one of those diffusers described above. Even if it were a non paying kind of shoot. You are right, perception is everything...