Lightsphere and Sigma EF-500 DG Super

[Steelsun]

If anyone has bought Gary Fong's Lightsphere and the adapter it comes with for the Sigma EF-500 DG Super flash, you quickly found out they don't easily fit together.
They are just too dang tight (takes a long time to get the suckers on), and even after trying to use a penknife to make the fit better, it still does not work well.

My solution was to line the LS opening with the soft side of velcro in order to make a snug fit. The LS now can go on and off easily, and you don't have to keep track of the adapter. Also the velcro will prevent scratches to the flash.

Here's some quick and dirty picks.

[forksphoto]

I was a little put off with the plastic adapter. I guess I felt that for $40.00 he could have retooled the molds for the indiviual flashes.

Anyway, this looks like the route I'm going to go, so thanks for the photos and write up.

Best
Joe

[TonyKInTexas]

To remold the entire base unit for each individual flash unit gets very expensive. Thus one loses the scale of economies of mass production.

I have the same problem regarding the "adapter" and may try the velcro strips.

Originally Posted by forksphoto

I was a little put off with the plastic adapter. I guess I felt that for $40.00 he could have retooled the molds for the indiviual flashes.

Anyway, this looks like the route I'm going to go, so thanks for the photos and write up.

Best
Joe

[jhom]

I recently received my LS II. When I ordered, I had to indicate which flash I wanted the LS II for. Apparently, the LS II has different versions according to the model of flash, at least for Canon Speedlites.

[forksphoto]

Originally Posted by TonyKInTexas

To remold the entire base unit for each individual flash unit gets very expensive. Thus one loses the scale of economies of mass production.]

Maybe, but if stofen can do it, so can Gary Fong. It's little things like that IMO that separate a good product from a great product.

Best
Joe

[swanny338]

how do you like the light sphere, I have been considering buying one

[jhom]

So far, I like it. However, it is a bit cumbersome to carry and it looks like a tupperware bowl on top of the flash. Nonetheless, it seems to do its job. I like the effect. I am using a 580ex on my 1D2. It is set for ETTL. I have not found a problem with underexposure that some have commented about. Indoors, I shoot in M and set the shutter speed and aperature for a correct exposure. The 580ex and 1Ds do the rest. I have not tried it as fill outdoors yet. However, you need to take my comments with a grain of salt. I consider myself flash challenged. Most of my shooting is done in ambient light with fast glass. I have avoided flash photography like the plague. I can probably count on one hand how many shots I have previously done with flash.

Jim

[Steelsun]

I also like the LS. I am still learning the best usage of flash , and the LS added it's own new levels of complexity, but I really do like it.

2 places I have used it where it really came in handy:
1) Full body portrait in an area with limited space - needed flash and the LS really prevented harsh shadows.
2) Pont De San Angelo (or however it's spelled) is a historic bridge in Rome near the Vatican lined with large statues. Taking pics of them at night either resulted in blurred (times) shots or blown out (flash) shots. The LS really helped on them. (example: http://uebelhart.net/picalbums/rome-...pages/3003.htm )

[TonyKInTexas]

Gary probably thought he hit on a better idea. Whether he did or not is a different question. And Stofen is a mfg. Gary is a photographer, consultant and now a mfg. He might not have the facilities to retool for each type of flash.

Originally Posted by forksphoto

Maybe, but if stofen can do it, so can Gary Fong. It's little things like that IMO that separate a good product from a great product.

Best
Joe

[jhom]

I'm not sure what the original LS was like, but LS II is being sold as if there are different versions for different flashes. In fact, when buying the LS II, you are strongly urged to select the type of flash you are buying for or it will delay delivery for 5 weeks. The drop down menu has a large selection of popular flashes to choose from. If this means that Gary Fong has to carry inventory for all the available flashes, then this may partially account for the $40 price.

Jim

P.S.: I noticed this evening while examining the LS II that amoung other information embosed on the body is the version. In my case, it says Canon 580. So, Gary Fong must be producing LS II specific for different flashes.

[forksphoto]

I don't want anyone to get the idea I'm whining about the product or making a big deal about it. I'm not.

So first of all I really like the results LS II produces. It's great and I'd buy it again, even for the same $40.00.

So my other comments are really minor nits. And obviously Mr Fong has produced different molds for various different flashes. My flash is the FL50 for Olympus, and obviously there are not near as many of those flashes around as other flashes for Canon and Nikon.

However, when I purchased the Stofen Omnibounce, the product number corresponds to another flash (some model of Canon I believe). The point being that the Oly flash head has the exact same dimensions of another major brand flash out there somewhere.

I realize there is little chance for anyone to produce a mold for every single flash out there, that would be unreasonable. My only minor niggle was that little plastic adapter on the LS II (yes the LS II is still being shipped with the plastic adapter for some if not many flash heads). I did use the drop down menu and selected the Olympus FL 50.

Maybe as time goes on more molds and exact fit LS II's will be available, and in fact that's probably pretty likely.

But as I said it's a minor niggle. I'll just put a little soft sided velcro around the inside of the base as illustrated and continue to use it because I really like the results it produces. And that's the real bottom line, the end result.

Best
Joe