Customer Reviews

Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce for the Canon 580EX Flash

5 star:		(67)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

This seemingly simple piece of molded plastic was recommended to me by a professional photographer. Basically it's the shape of an open box that slides firmly onto the flash. It is small and sturdy enough to stash in your camera bag without worrying about damage. When used the light disperses more evenly and is less harsh on the subject being photographed.

The white box is for general use. Also available are the green Omni-bounce for florescent lighting and the gold Omni-bounce for a warming effect.

PROS:
Inexpensive solution for better flash photography.
A quality product that works.

CONS:
None

I use this little gadget mainly for macro and portrait work. When you have it on the light emitting from the flash is diffused which gives you a more flattering less contrasty light to illuminate your subjects with. Unless you are going for a very shadowy, high-contrast, image this diffuser can save the day. It is very light weight and easy to pack in small places, so you should never have a good reason to leave it behind. Sometimes it is the simple things that make the biggest difference in a photo, and using this can defiantly make very noticeable differences.

...in that it diffuses the light energy of the flash in different directions, essentially turning the flash into a point light source. The light going off in different directions then bounces off nearby objects to fill in the shadow areas on the subject, making for a more pleasing softer look, especially on people.

Note of caution: because this device diffuses the light from the flash, it takes much more energy per flash. Using the Stofen will drain your battery much quicker (about 4X in my experience) and it takes the flash much longer to fully charge after each shot, say 8-10 seconds vs 2-3s. Always keep a spare set of flash batteries with you.

Another note...because it requires bouncing light of nearby objects to be effective, using this outdoors is not recommended. You're better off removing the omni-bounce and aiming the flash directly at the subject (and living with the harsh lighting).

Purchased for my new 580EXII speedlight - it is a perfect fit for the flash head. Diffuses most hot spots and is great for higher ceilinged rooms. Paired with my ETTL 580EXII - the power put out by the speedlight is adequate for almost all my bouncelight diffuser situations. It doesn't work as well with my TTL 420EX speedlight that doesn't produce as much light.

My other diffuser for my 420EX speedlight requires velcro strips and alignment and adjustment before use. In most photo shoots using ETTL and a 580EX the OMEY plastic cap is the superior solution.

This diffuser works as advertised, and actually fits snugly on the flash unit, as opposed to others which just rest on the flash and fall off when tilted. The diffuser makes the light from the flash softer and gives pictures a more natural look.

It's at least not as overpriced as Conon's lens hoods; it fits a Speedlite perfectly and really softens and spreads the light. It is much more professional looking than some of the other options.

If you have a 580EXII flash, add this to your shopping cart - you won't regret it. My only complaint is that it doesn't fit over the flash as well as I would expect, you just force it over, but there is no click or feeling that it was meant to be there.

Put it on and point the unit straight up towards the ceiling. The light going up will be even more diffuse and a small amount of diffused light will be directed forward. When shooting in darker situations without ceiling, you can point it 45 degress - or even directly forward if you have to at night outdoors. Works fine for flash fill too. I have taken shots back-to-back with this vs the Gary Fong LightSphere and I can't tell the difference - I imagine that the lightsphere is marginally better (esp if you have to aim it directly under extreme conditions), but I can't tell the difference. And it's unobtrusive and it works. (Occasionally you might notice a small hot spot on a reflective surface when it is directed upwards - to completely eliminate that if that's your concern, just bouncing the flash backwards against walls and ceiling without the diffuser is best.)

This diffuser didn't really fit exactly right but thats not a big deal. It works as it is. The real problem is that it costs you about 4 stops in light. I got much better results with a white card reflecting the flash pointed straight up. I only lose about 1/2 a stop that way and it was free. $9 is way too much for a piece of tupperware.

Most people familiar with flash know about Sto-Fens, or will shortly. They're about the cheapest decent way to diffuse your flash somewhat. Don't expect amazing diffusion -- not possible from something this small -- but it makes a noticeable difference compared to direct flash.

Shadows are still present, but they're noticeably softer than with direct flash. If you're hoping for decent night or evening outdoor pictures using one, well, it's still close to direct flash, honestly... so just keep that in mind. A small umbrella is going to go a lot further to help even out the shadows.

It would be nice if Sto-Fen made a taller version of this; it would help quite a bit.