Customer Reviews

Gary Fong C4 Cloud Lightsphere II, Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion System.

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have never used an add-on light diffuser before; just the built-in, flip-down diffuser that comes with most hot shoe flash units. I always figured that using the bounce flash method was about the best I could do to subdue the harshness of the strobe light coming from the flash. After reading several rave reviews about the Gary Fong Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion System, I decided to go ahead and give it a try.

I have been using the Lightsphere for a few days now and I am extremely impressed. It's sort of an ugly looking attachment to have sitting atop your flash head, and people always ask me "What the heck is that sticking up from your flash?" Well what the Lightsphere II lacks in beauty it definately makes up for in quality flash photos. It softens the light from the flash just enough. I will not go on and on about all of the different uses this diffusion system offers, but I will say that once you try it you will likely want to use it for nearly all of your flash photos.

The C4 Cloud Lightsphere II comes with the primary dome, an inverted dome cover, and a promotional DVD which gives a detailed look at the function and ease of use of this product. The DVD also shows other products designed by Gary Fong. It is a long presentation, with very amateur video and audio quality, but it is definately worth a watch. It will show you the proper way to use the Lightsphere II, and provides several examples of flash photos with and without the Lightsphere II attached. I must say my biggest complaints about this diffusion system is the size (doesn't fit into my camera bag, so I must tote it around seperately), and it is hard to fit it onto the head of my Canon 580EX flash. The entire unit is flexible, so you can stretch it over your flash head, but it can be a bit of a struggle at times, especially when you are in a hurry. I have high hopes that the unit will fit easier after repeated use. Overall I am extremely happy with the Gary Fong C4 Cloud Lightsphere II system, and I highly recommend it to anyone that is serious about taking great pictures with a SLR or digital SLR camera.

This product has made me love taking indoor shots again. Night and day difference. The best $50 I have spent. I heard about this product on MacBreak Weekly and Scott Borne was correct. It is like having a mobile studio with you.

I am a wedding photographer and this thing is awesome. The light is soft and flattering. I would be afraid to shoot without it now.

I have some Sto-fen diffusers and I have used the Demb Flip-it diffuser. This is HANDS DOWN the best diffuser I have ever used, at least in terms of a diffuser which mounts directly to the flash (obviously umbrella stands are better) but, like everything, there is a trade-off. This thing is huge, and it looks ridiculous. You get lots of stares, jokes, and questions with this one. it also makes your camera more unwieldy and top heavy. I understand that the only purpose is to diffuse light and again I think it does an outstanding job at it, but you must factor in these other issues. This is a great product but it is a niche product. There are only certain times and places where this item makes sense (i.e. a wedding, for instance).
The diffusing, let me say, is nothing short of breathtakingly great. I was truly surprised by how great. I will likely get another one for my other flash.

The lightsphere is the best on flash diffuser I have ever used. Great for so many different situations. The only thing better is a full studio setup.

Pluses:
* Sends an even wash of light up and out (in the right environment).
* Creates the image of a professional if it's already clear you are taking pictures in that capacity.

Minuses:
* Heavy
* Bulky (takes up space in your bag)
* Can easily fall off/be knocked off your flash
* Can create the image of a dork if you are taking pictures as a "regular" person
* Requires certain conditions to work well

Notes:
The sweet spot for this thing are low ceilings and fairly reflective surfaces close at hand to the sides and rear. Then the results can be amazing; because of the light dispersion it's like having lighting on either side, above, and behind. However, absent these components you are throwing large chunks of your precious light away.

Bottom Line:
Should you buy this? Probably but not, as I did, as your first flash attachment. your money would be better spent first getting a good diffuser (Sto-Fen OM600 Omni-Bounce Diffuser) and then an effective way to get your flash even further off your camera (Stroboframe Quick Flip 350 Flash Bracket for 35mm Cameras) and (Nikon SC 29 - Flash synchro cable - flash terminal). That said, if you have one and the right circumstances present themselves then you'll be glad to have it handy.

BTW, I feel that honest, effective reviews can take the place of first-hand experiences that are lacking in online shopping. I've always appreciated the help I've received from other reviewers and work hard to return the favor as best as I can. I hope you found this review helpful and if there was anything you thought was lacking or unclear leave a comment and I'll do what I can to fix it.

I have a Gary Fong Lightsphere diffuser, and I don't know how I got along without it before I owned one.
With the Lightsphere, you can have true "bounce flash" quality without having to rely on a suitable bounce surface.
I've shot weddings in churches where the ceiling is 30 feet high, and of a dark wooden color. It would be impossible to bounce flash in such a situation, but with the GF Lightsphere, I can get a perfectly exposed diffused light without dragging and setting up monolights and soft boxes.

Also, it corrects the problem of "raccoon eyes" that's typical of a ceiling bounced flash. The light is soft, direct, and completely filling.

40 bucks is a bargain for this thing. And although the clear diffuser looks like glass, it's vinyl and flexible. It will last a lifetime.

No pro should be without one.

I have this for several weeks and used it for a lot of interior shots --- now I am really happy with lighting a room with a single flash. Watch the video, the tips are invaluable, otherwise it's not immediately obvious how to use it best and the results won't be as good as they can be. This "cloud" version requires a +1 flash adjustment. Now I need the Amberdome Light Warming accessory to match the flash color to interior background lighting. The ChromeDome accessory would solve one of the reviewer's problems with the flash lighting up the whole room.

I had this for a month now and combined with 580EX II it deserves its praises. It really gives a warm soft lighting. Color-cast is very apparent in JPEG though so best to shoot in RAW and thus you can adjust the temperature. Fantastic color tone when used outdoors at sunset!

OK, the price is a bit above what other diffusers sell for, but the Lightsphere is well worth the money.
How many other diffusers come with an instructional CD?
I have most of the other diffuser makes and will never go back to them.
The lightsphere works!
It works great for backlit subjects in very high contrast situations, in tight corners, it works at auto shows, which are usually a horror story for photographers.
I love using the Lightsphere for portrait work, where I use the Lightsphere on-camera and an umbrella with another flash off to the side of me. The Lightsphere serves as the trigger for the other flash and does a marvelous job as a fill flash.
I highly recommend the Lightsphere II Cloud