Opteka SB-1 Mini Universal Studio Soft Box Flash Diffuser for Canon EOS, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Sony, Sigma, & Other External Flash Units

by Opteka

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0017U0WM8
• Item model number: UV-S-DIF
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (181 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #1 in Camera & Photo > Accessories > Lighting > Lighting Controls & Modifiers > Diffusers
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 15, 2008

Product Description

A dramatic, eye catching photo can mean dramatic profits. Getting a well exposed photo is extremely important. Photographers often turn to a flash to help light the scene. The problem is that flash can cause harsh reflections or glare spots or create deep shadows that distract viewers. This little, portable universal external flash diffuser will prevent those problems when using a flash. Simply put the unit over the camera's flash, point and shoot. The light will be softened and your photos will be well exposed, without the harsh glare spots.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

195 of 200 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Gadget, June 19, 2008

By 

Irene Spargrove "Newshound" (Columbus, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Opteka SB-1 Mini Universal Studio Soft Box Flash Diffuser for Canon EOS, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Sony, Sigma, & Other External Flash Units (Electronics)

I can't believe what great lighting this little $13 gadget gives. It softens the light giving your subject a beautiful, even glow. I used it in total darkness to shoot a picture of a sleeping baby and the results were amazing... plus the baby wasn't affected by a bright flash in her face. The diffuser folds flat for storage. Don't be discouraged when you first receive it... yes, it feels flimsy in your hand but once you open it up and attach it to the flash unit it's stable. I would definitely buy this product again.

114 of 121 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Total Loss - Not Recommended., March 21, 2010

By 

G. Collins (Kansas City, KS USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Opteka SB-1 Mini Universal Studio Soft Box Flash Diffuser for Canon EOS, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Sony, Sigma, & Other External Flash Units (Electronics)

I ordered this diffuser very recently, and was anxious to try it out when it arrived. (Good delivery time, by the way.) I was very surprised to discover that the package contents did not match what was described on the package. The diffuser is supposed to strap onto the flash unit by first wrapping the flash head with a "friction band", and then the assembled (I assume by some method involving velcro) diffuser, which has had a velcro strap threaded thru loops on the diffuser, is placed over the friction strap and tightenes to hold the diffuser in place. These instructions are clearly printed and illustrated on the packaging.

Problems:
1. No loops on diffuser.
2. No friction strap.
3. No way to assemble the diffuser.
4. The only possible method of attaching this thing to the flash unit is by the supplied 4 velcro "loop" patches which are apparently to be somehow glued to the flash unit (of course, unacceptable!). These would be grabbed by "hook" patches heat-welded to the plastic. Of course, the loose patches had no means discoverable by which to adhere these to the flash unit, even if I had wanted to do so.
5. The diffuser face of the unit was marred by a large oval of welded plastic, which would certainly project artifacts on the subject being photographed. Not a good thing.
6. Even at the low $12.95 price this thing is way overpriced.

I of course returned this to Amazon the same day I received it. They handled the return very well and quickly. They are a quality concern, and I will certainly be dealing with them again.

56 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It works., May 9, 2008

By 

K. Rank (Boise, id United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Opteka SB-1 Mini Universal Studio Soft Box Flash Diffuser for Canon EOS, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Sony, Sigma, & Other External Flash Units (Electronics)

It feels kind of cheaply made, but I can't expect TOO much, since it is fairly cheap. It defuses the light, which is good, and what I wanted it to do. Folds up very small. No complaints.