Flash Modifiers Review: Soft Boxes, Diffusers, Brackets, FlashBender vs Lumiquest vs ProMax
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2024
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⭐Diffuser Cap on Amazon help.tc/cap
⭐Small Soft Box on Amazon help.tc/SmallSoftbox
⭐Flash with Medium Soft Box on Amazon help.tc/ProMax
⭐Flash with Large Soft Box on Amazon help.tc/BigBounce
⭐LumiQuest Big Bounce LQ-104 on Amazon help.tcv/BigBounce
⭐Rogue FlashBender on Amazon help.tc/FlashBender
Tony & Chelsea Northrup c
Tony & Chelsea Northrup ffe
Which Bracket did you use in this video?
Curious to know if you prefer the large or the x large Rogue?
What size of the FlashBender was used in this video?
Tony and Chelsea,
As a photography educator myself in my own way, I want to say I really like your style. As a couple and as teachers, you really have a great presence, work beautifully together. and share your information and experience in a delightful but straightforward and impactful way. Kudos! Since I'm a fan, maybe I'll buy the book as a gift for someone just starting out.
I wanted to say how impressed I am with your videos. You are a born demonstrator and explain things clearly. When you want to spend time thinking about creative photography and not spend all of yoUr time thinking about tech, then your videos are great. Thanks!
Thanks, Tim!
Can I ask you...I am taking a portrait in an dark artists studio, which is effectively a shed. In this video, you have a light diffused background but I won’t have this. Will the Rougue Flashbender still work in that environment? Thanks Tony and Chelsea.
This video is the only one extant that demonstrates ALL (or nearly all) of the various types of flash modifiers. Excedingly well done. Thank you.
Thank you Billy Bob Thornton
Lol. I’m dying.
Just got my first DSLR and your SDP book, and I'm totally loving it! Thank you for the clear and concise lessons!
The Rogue Flash Bender is excellent - especially for travelling as it packs away completely flat. Taking one to India next month with one Yongnuo & a Fuji X100...all I need!
I use a Rogue and it works well. I found it also works great on your flash for backlighting a back drop. Mount the flash on a small stand about 35" tall, point the flash straight up, attach the rogue with no bend, set the flash power at about 1/16(play with it), and place the stand about 15" from the backdrop.
There are a gazillion flash modifiers out there and I have used most of them. However, my favorites are the Demb Flash Products such as the Flash Diffuser Professional and/or Wedding Saucer Pro Flip-It. I have been shooting with the same Demb Flash Diffuser Professional unit for 15-years and it still works fine (although I did replace the elastic strap at three for five dollars)...
To be honest I think the pic taken with large soft box is the best! Better than with flash bender.
The diffuser Cap thing, for far the best!!...here applies the "Less is more" quotation.
Thanks for sharing Tony and Chelsea.
I love how you actually called it a "diffuser cap thing" on the screen. Very nice video. You talked me into getting some things and out of other things.
I used go thru all those modifiers when I was deep into photography. When indoors my fave was the gary fong lighsphere. Outdoors I used to use bounce light, even direct light when, but when able to off camera light was my fave using pocket wizards.
Thanks for the presentation of various ways to use flash with accessories love the class
I've been so in love with my new CLS flashes I haven't used my old bracket in ages. Might have to break it out again!
Thank you for the solid video. I'm constantly looking for something balanced in size and shape for outdoor fill flash. The Bender looks like what's got my eye now. I have a few things I like, but you're right, there's a point when all your work is ignored and the only thing people talk about is how silly you look with the ridiculous contraption you have attached to your flash. VERY nice informative video, thank you.
Hey guys!! great video!! Can you make a video like this one but placing the subject outdoors at night?? it would be nice to see how diffusers works without bouncing the light to the celling
Many thanks for answering all my 'speedlight on camera' questions in one concise, excellent video. Thank you.. JR.. in the UK
Thanks for all the videos you've posted. I'm new to photography and your posts have helped greatly.
thanks for all the hard efforts to teach us, especially I am a beginner, aka rookie.
I really enjoy your time to share with all of us.
The photo taken with the diffuser cap looked the best.
Oh man this is too funny. Chelsea has me cracking up sitting there. It’s almost like she doesn’t want to be there and the other part of her is trying hard not to LOL. And then Tony’s hair 😂 I’m like what year is this. At first I thought it was a new video but I had to scroll and see the date. I love you two 🤣 I’m so glad UA-cam recommended this just now.
Great vid Tony. I gotta say that the more i watch the more i like. At first had you down as a little Ned Flanders;-), but liked your come back to the F stop and crop factor stuff. You've really opened my eyes and you're a super star!
Glad to see some of the difusers and soft boxes in actual use. I am still tossed about the flashbender and the DEMB flash difuser products. Hope down the road you can do a little more on the other products that you didnt do in this video.
If you do later compare the gary fong sphere can you also get a plastic cup over the flash as well for comparison, just want to know which one is better. Love the work on your existing comparison very informative and unbiased.
Great work. A nice, simple, FAST demo that explained several features clearly. Thank you so much.
P.s The Chelseas are so pretty!
Thanks for this review. I especially appreciate the 8x spread at the end with the different effects. Over the years, I've collected a several different modifiers, but I've never seen a comparison of them side-by-side. I've stumbled my way onto the bracket mounted FLashBender, but I could have found my way there 3 years ago, lol.
Excellent video, thank you. About the flash cords (8:33) IMHO if you're a Nikon user with a Nikon flash, use the branded cable; if you're a Yongnuo flash user on a Nikon camera, use a Nikon cord (as opposed to the Yongnuo cord). I've learnt the hard way that Yongnuo seems more compatible with Canon than with Nikon.
very good comparison! i will use the flash bender for my next wedding. greetings from hamburg, germany
You are the best Photography teacher on utube.i am learning studio lighting from you.
What 4,5 expensive photography class taught me ,u did in just two free videos.
Thank you so much.🙏💐
Thank you, Tony. Very informative and useful. Preparing my first shoot with the flash bender.
caligari89 Glad I could help!
When did Cesar Millan changed his profession? Ain't no money in Dog Whisperer career..
+TheRumRunner73 I was thinking the same here broo. HAHAHAHAHAHA lol
Hahahahaha!!!
Psst!
😂
I’m new to y’all’s channel, and checking y’all’s work; the one were y’all were kinda acting, and Chelsea throwing away the GF had me LOL!
Re: the Gary Fong LightSphere, he's sending over a kit for review, so you'll see the video in a couple of weeks.
Fongs are a waste of money. Way over priced for what they are. A piece of foam core and a large rubber band work better for pennies on the dollar.
Dan Ponjican they are alright, but yes they are way over priced compare to the competitors
Williamchan87 He copied the lightsphere from an old chinese brand called lambency dome (PLagiarism)
Mark Douglas Actually it was the other way around.
***** why not?
Great stuff. I usually would attach the bracket to the lens instead of the camera. This would facilitate going vertical with the camera quickly without looking awkward. GHP
thanks for the video Tony & chelsea. do you have a video showing whats best to use for weddings with high ceilings such as churches or places with dark ceilings etc? if not can you all make one or give suggestions?
Hi Tony, your videos are very didactic and simple to understand. I'm really enjoying to watch all of them :)
"Defuser cap thing" LOL I love you Tony!
Would’ve loved to see you test the Gary Fong Lightsphere against those modifiers. I’ve been debating whether to get one. Anyway, nice video 👍🏼
The model is beautiful
I think getting Chelsea to hold a small reflector below at arms length would have helped for shot 2. I would have tried that before proceeding, but this isn't a criticism as I know you are just demonstrating the different types of gear for each single shot. :-) Keep up the great work both. Phil from the UK.
The slubby texture in that sofa fabric is nice ✌️
That Staring Sizzling look of Chelsea ;-)))
Beautiful review. I went with the Rogue for an anniversary party I'm working.
Always awesome videos. 10/10. Many thanks.
Chelsea is your wife!? I thought she was your sister all along! Hahaha... I always been thinking, what a great brother and sister dual, both having passion for photography.
Raymond is Snapchicks brother. Get it right.
That’s some incest I’d like to see!
Thanks for the video. I am trying to decide what to use with my Yongnuo 568.
I'am start getting interested on this.. but need to upgrade camera to more effective one.. Thanks for this video..
I'm only watching a video and even I blinked when the flash went off when you used the Lumiquest Big Bounce haha
Ohhh I was looking for that information! Many thanks, love You guys! (More Chelsea though....).
Hi Tony. I bought the flat bendy one and really like it. It also came with a non bendy smaller one that works well indoors. It’s brilliant for shooting at F1.8 on my nifty fifty and harsh light conditions. Just enough to soften the light in the face. I still get the what the hell is that question though Untill the see the end result.
It’s partially useful since I started using this mini lightweight HSS TT350 flash on my canon T6s. I love the light weight but of course the light source is smaller. I’ve been tempted to try a small soft box, but from your video it looks like no advantage
Great video guys!
This has been a great help, trying to decide on which softbox to choose and ran into your video. The side by side has been major1 Subscribing to your channel. Thanks.
Great video on lighting. Love it.
Very informative vid, clear, concise, and helpful.
My goodness I need more practice to train my eyes I can barely tell the difference between the shots and that's really bad. But this is a great way to compare each shot.
Great video and...lovely smile
Hello I'm a new follower and I'm also new a photography. You guys are great teachers and I can't wait to read your book. I'm into portraits but don't have room to build a studio. Which one would you recommend most to start with to photograph kids and family portraits? I have a canon 60D
It is not the camera what is matters. focus on good lens which has fast aperture and sharpness. and little play with settings. you will realize your self how it should go :)
What happens when u take a photo sideways? Does that effect the light on the person and shadows
Gary Fong did a similar comparison, but he totally scammed it. His Lightsphere was pointed toward the ceiling to get that ever-important bounce, but the others were pointed toward a dark wall. Completely unfair and biased comparison done by him. The small softbox would probably benefit with a window at the top of it to get some of that beautiful ceiling bounce. Thanks for a fair comparison. UNLIKE GARY FONG!
Chelsea is a very pretty model. She has beautiful skin and teeth, a pretty smile, and she poses nicely. Of course your misses is quite a nice model, too. And you're a handsome guy yourself.
I love Chelsea Lipp... She is amazing woman ❤️
0.35 his voice ! hahahah !
HAHAH ok that was too funny tbh
Late onset puberty 😂
Hi Tony
Did you use the same camera settings for all pics? It can make all the difference between the results everyone debates about with all the different diffusers out there. I think their all capable giving great results if person takes the time learn each diffusers limitations and learn to make adjustments. Great video!
I had to bump up the flash output to make the effects noticeable; obviously some of the devices absorb more light than others.
Me encantan tus videos, muy bien explicado todo!!!
Thank you Tony
so basically the bigger the softbox on the flash the better lighting it is?
Thanks for the look at your light modifiers
Hm.. I have the flash bender.. I purchased the small and large a while back.. they are great.. But damn.. That soft box looks better in my view. Is it really that flimsy And troublesome to use???
Fantastic Sam's best customer!
Wonderful model btw!
Nicely made video But I disagree with one point - If I hire a photographer I want him visible and professional looking - my first choice would be a photographer with a hasselblad digital on a huge tripod and 3 studio softboxes and a fishing vest. 2nd choice a person with a Big DSLR , a huge wooden handle stroboframe grip (or a big metz flash). If a photographer showed up at my wedding with a little mirror-less, and a yongnuo flash holding it a foot from their face like a cell phone- I would be very nervous about the quality of images I would get
I have large and extra large Flash bender , work really well for me. ( Flash off).
Hi Tony, thanks for the nice comparison! Have you guys posted the follow up review for the Gary Fong LightSphere? Thanks
Excellent. What about Gary Fonginators?
Thanks Tony for the wonderful work you do for dummies like myself. I belong to a photography group with about 75 active members. I have posted your email address and website our notice board, with reference to your 'Stunning Digital Photography, and Equipment Guide books, which I purchased.
I think that you have the bracket put on the wrong way because I have a bracket also but the handle would be on the left side of the camera so I could use the grip on my camera and be able to the press the shutter button more comfortably. Peace, Flood!
You would really have an experience if you shot with a vintage Larson "Soff Shoulder". I have one - the light is incredible - but the first time my wife saw it she asked me what channels I got with it (ridiculous?). Tony, for some fun look it up and maybe buy one, I did.
I saw Chelsea sneak quite a few peeks of your rump there!
Nice work tony .... good usable info....
This was very helpful thank you Northrups
Very instructive thanks.
Honestly, in all but the worst lighting scenarios, the diffuser cap is the simplest, cheapest and most portable solution. It (with small amount of lightroom editing) is easily comparable to the others.It will certainly leave harsher shadows than the larger options, but if you just need more diffuse light, that with a bit of a bounce is a quick and effective solution.
I also have a GF Lightsphere, which I've used extensively at weddings and it puts the cap to shame. But at 4x the price, and at a significant size increase, it should.
Great video, it was great to see all the results.
Instead of shooting on camera I find it better to use the flash off camera with my teenage daughter holding the flash. The shadows and highlights are more pleasing and most of the time having a person holding the flash instead of using a light stand makes it more discreet. That is it's more discreet in those times when my daughter is not whining and complaining.
Jim Mauch
Jim Mauch
is she available for wedding rentals?
Its almost year 2018,I feel like they should be able to invent a small flash that just fires soft light...
But then why would you spend your money on more flashes, diffusers and other accessories?
It's almost 2019 an people still don't understand the fundamentals of light an its physics.
Julius W Right. Light quality is dependent on the size of the diffuser and its proximity to the subject. At that range, these are all small light sources. The bigger the better. With portraiture I would probably never shoot with anything smaller than an 80 x 80 cm soft box. I prefer 120. But there are situations, like weddings (which I don’t shoot BTW), where off camera flash and big modifiers are simply too slow and cumbersome.
This was really helpful! Thank you!!
Hello Tony & Chelsea, can you make video on Godox ML cd15 with v860ii Flash, indoor and outdoor portrait?
have u use other brands like flashpoint or yongnuo? which one is better flashpoint or neewer? each one probably has some advantages...built quality, features? i am thinking between flashpoint and neewer??
Ok but it would be nice to see some pictures in front of a white wall to see how are the shadows behind
I like the Flashbenders, I got some knockoffs as the original is pricy, but they attach less securely to a smaller flash. There are factory second with small defects that are more convenient. Have you tried the FStoppers flash disc?
The soft boxes are a great way to give that studio like photo but as they get bigger, don't you run into problems with the Flash to communicate with the subject, as the box covers the Flashes infrared window?
Watching this at the end of 2021 :D
🤓
Thanks for the review, it's help me make up my decision. Decided to purchase the flashbender over the gary fong.
I think about purchase a small one for on camera flash, and the XL pro one for off flash. Mainly use for wedding stuffs. You think it a right choice, or one L size can versatile enough to cover both situation?
Good call, we do have a Gary Fong, too, and I *much* prefer the FlashBender.Re: the size, I've only worked with the XL. It's a bit cumbersome, but the light is nice. I like your approach, though, of using the smaller one on-camera--you definitely don't want the XL when navigating a reception.
could u recommend some third party speed light? have u used neewer or flashpoint? what could u tell me ? i want a budget saving speed light that has built in diffuser and speed sync and other options....which features are must have when purchasing a speed light??
Hello isn't adding a diffuser the same effect as lowering the output of your flash? Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Missing one popular one from your diffuser collection: Light sphere. Its kinda expensive for a simple silicone tube, but you can find knock off's on ebay for about 10 bucks. Look for Lambency Flash Diffuser. Kinda goofy looking soup bowl thing, but it does wonders.
We've requested a LightSphere for review. Thanks for the suggestion!
TONY, IS THIS BOOK GEARED TOWARDS THE CAMERA YOU USE, CANON? I HAVE A NIKON D7100. MY BIGGEST PROBLEM IS LIGHTING AT SMALL VENUES (BARS) AND THE LIGHTING, MINIMAL AT BEST. I'M TRYING GET A LOT BETTER AT MANUAL. I TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS AT ALL THE GIGS WE GO TO AND IT'S HIT OR MISS HALF THE TIME THAT I END UP USING THE AUTO MODE. THANKS!
Fun to watch Chelsea's reactions! Question: what do you think of the Super Scoop by Lite Genius? Seems like a nice refinement of the lightbender idea. Thank you.
chelsea 2 is 6'4" 95lbs.......your photography or she really is? nice video, great results, fabulous team. u guys deserve my money, buying your book...
Thank you Tony!