Customer Reviews

Opteka Inflatable Universal Studio Soft Box Flash Diffuser for Canon EOS, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Sony, Sigma, & Other External Flash Units

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

PROS
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1. Inexpensive
2. Does what is expected
3. Compact for storage

CONS
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1. Woah, talk about CHEAP! I mean, I'm almost ashamed to use this thing...the build quality is worse than anything I've seen
2. I can see the draw string that cinches this over the flash just RIP off the plastic after 30 uses.
3. I've never felt like such a dufus as when I pull this out.
4. Being that it's universal, it doesn't fit my 580ex II very snug. (i keep thinking it will fall off...but it never has)

Conclusion
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Hmmm, I guess it depends on what your requirements are. It works better (in some cases) than the standard plastic difuser you can purchase for most flashes. It's so cheap looking and being that you blow it up...it's not a confidence builder by any means.

Q&A
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1. Would I use this professionally? Maybe as a last resort.
2. Would I use this frequently for personal use? Nope, the plastic difuser works well enough most of the time.
3. If I could start over, would I buy this again? That's tough, I probably would...for two reasons - A. It's so inexpensive / B. It's extremely portable (as a photographer, you want to keep all your options open.)

In short, if you have an extra $15 lying around and want to keep your portable lighting options open...it's not a bad idea to have this in your bag. Who knows, maybe it will grow on me...??

You do look like a moron while inflating this thing. But then you get a BIG diffuser that took no space in your bag. As lawyers say, 5 minutes of disgrace is worth it ;)

This device works well on close up portraits I encounter on the job. The problem is you look like a fool blowing up this odd looking thing prior to taking your shot. If you can get past this, you can make this goofy thing work well for you.

I just shot a wedding with this guy and it really diffused and softened the light very well. At first it didn't seem like it would stay on the flash unit but it didn't fall off the entire wedding. It's also nice that it really didn't add any extra weight to my camera.

The product is cheap, simple, but works very well. I ordered two by mistake, gave the second diffuser to a friend who was also delighted.

This is a great accessory for your digital photograpy needs. It produces pefect results. It's a must if you do photography for a hobby or living. It's well worth it.

Love the fact that it can be put in my bag and it takes up very little room.

Diffuser has to be blown up and then fit over the external flash which may make you look like a dork before taking pictures. Seems to hang down in front of the flash but does not seem to harm the exposure. About the same effect as the other diffusers, as long as you take the trouble of blowing it up every time.

...but it totally does the job. I must warn you guys that this is my first diffuser but it works for my amateur ambitions. I am looking to try other diffusers but this thing will totally do for now.

Apart from having to blow it up - which gets you the odd wierd look - this is a brilliant piece of equipment!!