External flashes

[annnewjerz]

Not sure exactly what one you are looking for, but Adorama seems to have all of the same ones (or similar) that B&H has, and it doesn't look like they are closed for the holiday (although they were for Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanna (sp?))

Good luck.

 

[edolyne]

I do alot of business with Adorama and believe that they are closed for the holiday. An email that I got just yesterday from their used dept said that they are closed until the 23rd.

 

[annnewjerz]

I do alot of business with Adorama and believe that they are closed for the holiday. An email that I got just yesterday from their used dept said that they are closed until the 23rd.

In that case, you might want to try Amazon.com. They are reliable and also seem to have a variety of Gary Fong flash diffusers.

 

[RadioNate]

Neither B&H or Adorama is shipping until after the 23rd, which will be too late. Need it for the 25th.

does anyone have an opinion on cloud v. clear? I'm also open to suggestions for another model. This shoot has sorta snuck up on me.

 

[My2Girls66]

What kind of flash? I have a Sto-fen that I use on my SB-600. I don't know how it compares to a Gary Fong, tho.

 

[DVC Jen]

MY DH ordered one for my for my b-day this past July. Of course he didn't order the flash to go with it - so it doesn't fit my current cheapo flash and is just sitting in a box - patiently waiting and hoping that come christmas it will have a flash to diffuse.




It's the thought that counts though - right?

 

[dr_zero]

Lumiquest has been making diffusers for years you might find one of them that work for your need.
http://www.lumiquest.com/

Also if you can hold of on the Fong and use another in the interim check this out.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14201
Price: $17.70 free shipping

They got the dome one also
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15061


Since you are in Fl

LumiQuest Dealers in FL


Marshall's Camera
Auburndale, FL 33823 863-967-3942
Fulmer's Photo Service
Clearwater, FL 34616 727-441-2416
Pro Shop
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441 305-490-0082
Photos Ar Nice
Gainsville, FL 32608 904-336-4008
Orbens Camera Center
Jacksonville, FL 32207 904-398-9789
Camera Shop
Lakeland, FL 33803 863-688-1092
Southern Photo Supply
Melbourne, FL 32901 321-254-4224
Pitman Photo, Inc.
Miami, FL 33156 800-432-7562
World Wide Photo
Miami, FL 33137 305-756-1744
Pasco Camera Exchange
New Port Richey, FL 34652 727-844-0904
The Camera Shop
No. Palm Beach, FL 33408 407-842-5555
Colonial Photo & Hobby
Orlando, FL 32803 407-841-1485
Lake Shore Camera
Palm Harbour, FL 34684 727-938-6594
Bryan-Olson Corp.
Panama City, FL 32401 850-769-6276
Stuart Photo
Stuart, FL 34994 407-283-6752
Tallahasee Camera
Tallahasee, FL 32301 850-877-1152
North Tampa Photography
Tampa, FL 33612 813-935-9339
Miracle Photo
Titusville, FL 32780 321-268-2922

 

[pjacobi]

I suggest using a bounce card instead of a diffuser. A simply white index is all you need! Listen to a Pro explain why a bounce card is better than a diffuser at:

http://abetterbouncecard.com/


-Paul

 

[RadioNate]

thanks everyone. It is a 90th birthday party, my grandmothers. I'm not a good photographer, lol. The only reason I have a dSLR is for my DS's outdoor soccer games. I needed the shutter speed that one provided. BUT this now makes me the official family photographer. It is at an indoor restaurant.

I hate the way indoor shots look with the regular direct flash. I know a diffuser will help.

One of the shops Dr Zero listed is close so I'm going to head down there and see what they have.

 

[pdarrah]

In August, I took photos of my grandmother's 100th birthday party. It was indoors in a church hall with pretty awful lighting. Like you, I was apointed photographer since I have a DSLR - but I only got it in January and am very much a beginner (I had a film SLR 20 years ago, but have used only p&s from then until now).

At the time of the party, the only flash I had was the one built into the camera. Since I knew I would hate any photos taken with the flash, I resorted to using my "nifty 50mm" lens and no flash. I have been amazed with how well the photos came out. I'm positive a pro with the right equipment (and a better eye!) could have done better, but my photos are way better than all the P&S photos taken that day. It was definitely worth skipping the zoom lens - my feet were able to handle any "zoom" I needed for the event and the fast lens was great in the poor lighting.

I also upped the ISO to 400 - I figured a little grain was better than having to use the flash or blurry photos!

Hope this helps a little,
pdarrah

 

[handicap18]

I have the Lightsphere II clear. However, in a pinch I also keep a piece of white cardboard in my camera bag with velcro attached to it so I can attach it to my flash.

I almost never use my flash without a diffuser or the white cardboard. The overall look is so much better than with that "direct-blast-flash look".

pdarra's suggestion is good, however, in group settings using the wide aperture settings to gather light will give you a lot of out of focus images. For individual shots its great, but if you have a few people in the shot and are using a wide aperture only 1 person will be in focus.

My suggestion is to use (with a flash & diffuser) at least ISO400 and keep your aperture no less than f/5.6 if there is going to be more than 1 person in the shot.

 

[mabas9395]

Or just make your own.

http://super.nova.org/DPR/DIY01/

I made one and use it all the time with great results. Cheap too.

 

[YesDear]

I have the Gary Fong and love it. I think you can order directly from his site without fear.

 

[RadioNate]

I got one, lol. Just a small update. I'm so used to ordering photo equipment online from the major retailers that I had forgotten about the local shops.

Yesterday I ventured out to one of the shops that Dr Zero posted. I forgot how wonderful local shops and personal attention can be.

Thanks everyone.

 

[edolyne]

This thread has had me looking into getting a diffuser as well and I stumbled onto the Gary Fong Whale Tail, does anyone have experience with this one and would your reccomend the Whale Tail or the Lighspere 2?

 

[edolyne]

After much debate I have decided to keep my Sony and add on to my kit. Right now I have the a700 and the kit 18-200 f/3.5-5.6 lens. I am looking to either upgrade my kit lens to the Carl Zeiss 16-80 f/3.5-4.5 or keep the kit lens and add on the new HVL-58 flash gun. Ultimatly I am primarily concerned with getting a good comibination for the upcoming holidays as I only have the money to invest in one or the other and then hopefully early next year I would be able to get the other piece of kit.

 

[Steve's Girl]

Given the lenses you mentioned, I would go with the flash. The Zeiss lens will not be fast enough for indoor photography without a flash. For indoor holiday shots, you will either need a very fast lens (low f number) or a good flash.

 

[Groucho]

I would agree, a good flash is worthwhile. The ability to bounce flash off the ceiling for indoor pics at home makes an enormous difference.

If you want a stepup lens, you may want to consider one of the wide fast third-party zooms; Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina all have F2.8 17-50mm (or very similar focal length) lenses that are generally regarded as being quite good. No matter how good the optics on the Zeiss are, they may be compromised if you're forced to go with a very high ISO because the lens is relatively slow.

 

[handicap18]

I would also agree with getting the flash over that lens. Your not really gaining much (if anything) by getting that particular lens. Now if you were talking about getting an 18-50mm f/2.8 lens, that would be a MUCH harder decision.

 

[MistyD]

I took the plunge and got a D60 a couple of weeks ago. I LOVE IT! LOL! I want to get an external flash as well but I'm not sure which one. A friend who also has the D60 has an SB-400 but what I've read about it makes it sound like it's not really compatible with the D60... is that right? Should I go for the 600 instead?

I would love your suggestions! Thanks!