Lightsphere beneficial for outdoor portrait?

[JohnT]

I have an outdoor portrait shoot on Saturday. For those of you who do this regularly, do you think a GF Lightsphere would be beneficial? I'll have my 580EX and a 5-in-1 with me.

[JohnT]

Guess I'll go ahead and order one tonight. If I don't like it, I'll send it back or try to sell it here.

[Steelsun]

I have one and use it occasionally on outdoor shots if I am close. It does do good diffusing of the flash and adds a bit of fill light without being overbearing.
I do find a reflector works about as well.

[JohnT]

Thanks, Brian. If nothing else, I'll be able to use the LS at indoor events.

[MRCPix]

I have found I take the diffuser off outside unless I am close enough to get harsh shadows from the flash, but mostly shoot without it and just turn the power down on the flash to get a balanced fill affect.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by mikeN80

I have found I take the diffuser off outside unless I am close enough to get harsh shadows from the flash, but mostly shoot without it and just turn the power down on the flash to get a balanced fill affect.

I've done the latter as well. I think I'll go ahead and get the LS and give it try. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

[akimartymar]

Originally Posted by mikeN80

I have found I take the diffuser off outside unless I am close enough to get harsh shadows from the flash, but mostly shoot without it and just turn the power down on the flash to get a balanced fill affect.

Actually, the farther away you are, the harsher the shadows are produced from a flash. Bigger, closer flash is less harsh and smaller, farther away flash creates harsh shadows. I normally use a mini softbox mounted to my flash for outdoor photos.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

[Wes]

I have a LS and it seems pretty good. In essence, it's a softbox. You'll probably need to be within 6 feet or so for it to work well. Since it's not very expensive it's worth a try.