As Diffuser
In the above picture, I should have turned around the diffuser along the flash side to yield more coverage over the flash-head. Also, I should keep a bigger space in between the flash head and the diffuser. I used this position for straight on flash while the translucent panel serves as a diffuser
As Bouncer, Diffuser & Reflector
I look for a diffuser to be used with the Pentax AF540 flash. I am pretty new to using flash but I find flash a necessity to make the shot clean. I like natural looking picture and hence I long for an easy to use bouncer and diffuser. Also as an amateur to flash, I experiment on using flash bouncing light with light color wall and roof. The caveat that I found in flash bouncing is in not finding a nearby light color wall and roof. And I found this gadget with Spectra Light comes in handy. Its design and look is intuitive and easy to experiment and learn with.
I don't have in-depth experience with other diffuser such as Gary Fong Lightsphere and hence I don't quite know how it compares. But one thing is for sure, the Spectra Light is inexpensive to get as I paid roughly $15.00 in ebay. And I used it in first shooting with my niece graduation and it helps the newbie strobist in me, giving me more confidence into fill-flash with a natural looking pictures.
Golden Panel next to
translucent panel
Spectra Light Diffuser comes with five panels and a pocket holder:- The translucent panel is used for flash bounce and diffuser
- The golden panel is used as a warming reflector. It comes with a sticky label on back that one can peel out and attach to the solid white panel.
- The silver panel is used as an intensify reflector. It comes with a sticky label on back that one can peel out and attach to the solid white panel.
- The two solid white panels can be used for bounce serving as a 4x4 solid panel redirecting light as a nearby wall or roof. Unlike the translucent panel, no light will go through the pane.
- Depending on your choices, I learn from Russel to attach the gold label to one side of the solid white panel and attach the silver label to the 2nd solid white panel. In that arrangement, I can have an alternate white panel to go with a colored panel in silver and gold color. Sweet arrangement for multiple strobes.
And I kind of like the design in the ball-head that allow me to move the panel quite freely in the vertical and horizontally.
I have used the gadget as a diffuser and bouncer using the translucent panel in my niece graduation ceremony. So far, I am quite satisfied with the assistance that Spectra Light offers to help bounce and diffuse light from my flash. Results seems consistent as if no flash is used.
Outdoor as
Diffuser and Bouncer
with no wall & roof
Indoor
as bouncer, reflector & diffuser
I used it mostly for Fill-Flash
Impressions & Notes- A good value for $15.0 in purchase cost from ebay
- Very effective in use in outdoor as a fill-flash bouncer and reflector.
- I think the golden panel will serve well as a warming reflector. I have not used it to confirm as I mostly used the translucent panel
- Indoor using the Spectra as a diffuser to cover the flash head directly and aim object straight on still has that undesired flashy look that I try to avoid. I need to experiment with lowering flash strength and flash compensation. I prefer the indirect approach bouncing light from the panel tilted at an angle instead.
- I am experiment strapping the diffuser Velcro strap on lens and use the diffuser for the built-in flash. It may work but I am yet to test it
- Lightweight
- Easy to adjust angle for bouncing flash.
- Partial light reflected from translucent panel helps in reflection.
- With the golden and silver reflector, I expect adjustment needed for the flash strength to one's liking.
- I buy it from this store called discountbulbs in ebay for $14.56 plus shipping
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160323473891
and they seem to run out at the current moment.
Related:
I managed to use iWeb to update my website within few hours of effort. There is minimal programming needed. I have not even touched a single line of HTML or JavaScript code. It is both nice and limited in terms what I can do in the page. Most pages are done in the nature of selecting a theme and duplicate page elements. I have used both the Flickr slide-show and that of Pictobrowser to compose Galleries. And I am experimenting similar slide-shows in the Portfolio section.
