pop on flash diffusers outdoors

[boxofrocks]

I see a lot of photographers using a flash diffuser like the one below outdoors. My understanding is these are designed to spread the light to bounce off of walls and ceilings, and I use one like the one below indoors with great results. However, I see folks using these outdoors, and I've wondered if it's a waste of flash output. I can't see how it's going to soften the light much when you're shooting from more than just a few feet away. I've even seen people using them at football games!

Am I missing something here? Aren't you just killing your batteries faster when using these outside with no reflection source?

I could see using something like the lumiquest pro max, as long as you have a panel inserted--at least that gives you a relatively larger light source. But these little ones?

Help me understand this--I'm confused.

[Dobick]

One thing that I have noticed in using this shooting sports, is that it really tends to soften the "flash arc" on the ground.

Other than that, it just seems to soften the overall feel some (which in essence is probably killing the effective range)

[CaptainTom]

I would agree that it drastically reduces the range of the flash, hence sapping the power quicker. If you aren't concerned about shadow edges then it is a waste of power. Of course, the farther you get from the subject, the harsher the shadow.

[rott]

I've just recently learned how effective catch lights are for creating depth in portraits. I use the setup above or the little white pull-out card on the 580EX with flash EV set at -1 2/3 to soften shadows and create catch lights. Can't say I know why you'd use that setup for long range -- seems like it would only be effective at 10' or less.

[BigEasy]

Tom, I have used mine outdoors, but not in the 45/degree angle you are showing. Straight on it can give a good defused fill in harsh light, al be it at reduced ranges of around 12 feet or less. But 12 feet is pretty good in a crowd. Can't see where using it at football game makes any sense though?

I have also found myself using the GaryFong Puffer a lot recently. It is well built and I keep it mounted when moving around in areas or conditions where keeping the SB800 mounted is impractical (busses, trains, outdoors in close quarters). You would be surprised how good it works with the onboard flash if you crank up the flash to about +1.0. Still limited in range (even more so than the SB800 with the small cup defused) but in crowds with up-close subjects the TTL-BL gives good results.

[Jim Victory]

For those shots beyond that slap on a Better Beamer to provide fill flash at telephoto distances.

[BigEasy]

Originally Posted by Jim Victory

For those shots beyond that slap on a Better Beamer to provide fill flash at telephoto distances.

I have one of those... but couldn't get it to work last time I tried to use it.. Was using it with a 70-200 f2.8 and I guess the magnifying lens was sticking out to about the same length as the 70-200 with lens hood. When I fired the flash, it would give me all kinds of light inside the lens hood. I need to mess with it more to get is right. May need to make a cardboard hood that extends past the Better Beamer magnifying lens?

[CaptainTom]

BB literature recommends it be used with 300mm lens and longer.

[BigEasy]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

BB literature recommends it be used with 300mm lens and longer.

Ahh..... that Could have been the problem. So Tom are you saying I should go buy a bigger lens... cause I will

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by BigEasy

Ahh..... that Could have been the problem. So Tom are you saying I should go buy a bigger lens... cause I will

Gene
Yes ! I insist you buy a bigger lens so you can use your Beamer. !!!


You can edit this part out so the your wife won't know it was a set up.....

[kamari]

I've used it outside in the dark at a 45 degree angle at a party. I got some pretty good results in that faces were exposed good and the light fell off further down the subjects bodies, kinda highlighting the faces in the crowd.

[robert t]

I use the one from Harbor Digital

[PeteQ]

Tom, fwiw I found somewhat more reliable outside CLS performance with the diffuser on the master. I dunno, maybe the sensor on the slave 'sees' the diffuser light up better if it is a bit off-axis. Nothing scientific on my end to be sure....

[boxofrocks]

Originally Posted by robert t

I use the one from Harbor Digital

Outside?

[BigEasy]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

Gene
Yes ! I insist you buy a bigger lens so you can use your Beamer. !!!

You can edit this part out so the your wife won't know it was a set up.....

Hmm... just stopped at Sammy’s Camera here in LA. They have 5 new 24-70mm f/2.8G FXs that just came in... very tempting. Although I think I would still need a 300mm lens for the Beamer...