Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal System Cloud

by Gary Fong

Product Details

• Item Weight: 8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0011646UC
• Item model number: LSUCLOUD
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #12 in Camera & Photo > Accessories > Lighting > Lighting Controls & Modifiers > Diffusers
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

The Lightsphere Universal flash diffuser from Gary Fong delivers amazing light from your on-camera flash. You no longer need bulky flash brackets or umbrellas to enjoy incredibly soft, studio-quality lighting! If you've used the original Lightsphere or Lightsphere®-II, you'll find the Lightsphere Universal creates the same great soft portrait light that you love NOW with the addition of an innovative, patent-pending mount that is GUARANTEED to stay on! Simple and compact, yet incredibly effective, the Lightsphere® Universal is sureto be one of the "must have" accessories in your gear bag. It will transform theway you use your on-camera flash. The Lightsphere® Universal accepts existing Lightsphere® accessory domes the AmberDome and the ChromeDome - for even greater functionality. The Lightsphere® Universal is available in two models - CLOUD and CLEAR. Both deliver incredibly flattering light. The CLOUD model is slightly softer and warmer perfect for close-up portraits. The CLEAR model gives you flattering light at a greater working distance

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hate to say it but... it does work - and may be cheaper elsewhere on Amazon, February 10, 2011

By 

Robert S. Tobias (Arlington, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal System Cloud (Electronics)

Me: "My name is Bob and I'm a Lightsphere user."

Everyone else: "Hi Bob."

I agree that it sometimes does not produce "artistic" lighting that is bounced off walls or people's shirts. However, if you want to get acceptable and often better lighting without a lot of fiddling, this thing does the trick. If I have time then I'll use some fancy light-shaping bounce thingy. If I have lots of time I'll set up an umbrella or two. If I need to grab and go then I find myself grabbing a Lightsphere more than anything else.

My only complaints about the original Lightsphere are that it looks... stupid and that it looks stupider when it falls off my flash. This version solves at least the second of those two issues. If you put it on right then it will stay on.

Everyone else: "How do you put it on right, Bob?"

Me: Shove the dome over your flash as far as you can. See where that is. Take the black rubber band that you get with the LS and place it around your flash just above the furthest point that it reached. Now put the LS back on your flash. The bottom flanges should cover, but just cover, the rubber band. Now tighten the Velcro strap and you're in business. Covering over the "GARYFONG.COM" with black sharpie or gaffer's tape is optional.

Thank you for attending this meeting of Lightsphere Users Anonymous. Now I think I'll put on my "Proud to Chimp" tee shirt and go take some pictures. :)

BEFORE YOU BUY, CHECK OUT Gary Fong LSUCLOUD Lightsphere Universal Cloud - It's the same thing for almost $10 less!!!

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.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good, soft diffuser, August 2, 2008

By 

Coronet Blue (California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal System Cloud (Electronics)

Originally, I bought the Gary Fong Lightsphere II. I read that the Gary Fong Lightsphere #1 was terrific, but alas, it fell off all the time. So I figured the Gary Fong Lightsphere II would address this problem. Silly me.

The good news is, for $10 more, the Gary Fong Universal Lightsphere comes with the Gary Fong "archival" band (its a rubber band) and the Gary Fong Velcro strap. Using these two items, the Gary Fong Universal Lightsphere really does stay in place. Only hitch is, the Gary Fong promotional CD that comes with the Gary Fong Universal Lightsphere doesn't explain the attachment proceedure. It does, however, give a series of Gary Fong promotional demos, featuring Gary Fong.

I figured it out pretty quickly but it was just a lucky guess. Before you even reach for your Gary Fong Lightsphere, you wrap the Gary Fong archival rubber band around the top of your flash. Make sure the side that says GaryFong.com is facing outwards. The rubber band provides enough friction so that when you tighten the Gary Fong Velcro strip, the diffuser will stay in place. You'll know the Velcro is oriented properly when you see "GaryFong.com" prominently displayed.

Otherwise, its a good, soft diffuser.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very pleased!, February 13, 2008

By 

M. Moriarity (Augusta, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal System Cloud (Electronics)

The Gary Fong Lightsphere Cloud Universal System is great. You are able to use it on any flash. With several different cameras, I do not have to mess around with a light diffuser for each camera.

I love this product. It really takes the "blunt" light away and illuminates wonderfully.

If you are looking for something that can be packed away in a tight space, this is not the product. It is hard plastic. I run the strap of my camera bag though it and store the dome in the bag. Easy to get to and you will always know you have it with your camera.

I love this and would recommend it to anyone looking for a superior diffuser.