g2tegg

Went to Henrys last night and picked this up. I've been looking for a flash for quite some time and I originally was going to pick up the 430. Damn salesman convinced me on the 580EX II. Amazing flash and well worth the money IMO. This thing is so complicated when in manual. I have ALOT of learning to do lol

salesman

i have the same one. I picked it up 3 months ago, great advanced flash.

Blue Dragon

whats complicated about it?
You can do flash compenstion, you can control other flashes, set the ratios, and you can decide whether or not the on camera flash fires.

its me.. mario

get a gary fong lightsphere for that bitch.. cloudy

g2tegg

^^ Already have one. Bought it off of fuzz at a meet

VTEC_Inside

Might want to also look at this:

http://www.dembflashproducts.com/diffuser/

I've found that I can replicate 98% of the look of my clear Lightsphere with the Demb flip-it and diffuser. That last 2% is lost from the lower overall height of the light source using the Demb.

More important for me is that the Demb can be adjusted very quickly to blast more or less light forward. Ultimately I prefer the Demb if out and about shooting at different distances.

Blue Dragon

Thats an interesting product, but it looks like it takes a while to figure out the angles for how much light you want thrown forward. In a fast paced situation like a wedding, you don't have time to guess. That means that its the GF lightsphere for me

its me.. mario

i just picked up a 430ex and need to pick up something for my flash.... looking to get a gf lightsphere or i was also looking at the flip-it

VTEC_Inside

I used the Flip-it for the first actual event this weekend.

I have to say that I got what I was after far easier than I have with my Lightsphere. I didn't touch the flash compensation button once, just subtle adjustments of the angle of the reflector.

I did get some shadows, but from the pics I've looked at so far, I don't think the sphere would have faired much better in those cases. Still they are soft shadows, so not too distracting.

All in all I'd have to recommend it if you are interested in flash modifiers.

g2tegg

Have you used both to compare? It seems the the sphere is easier to use.

VTEC_Inside

I own both the Flip-it and the clear Lightsphere 2.

[Keep in mind that this is my experience and preference. My official opinion is that you should do whatever works for you and that there is no RIGHT way]

My biggest issue with the sphere is the amount of power that it eats up. Once you are out past 8-10ft you really need to + compensate with it or you'll be underexposed and might have color balance issues. So, why not simply bump up the flash comp? Well, it hurts recycle times. I was able to fire off shots in fairly quick succession using the Flip-it. Waiting another second, isn't always an option.

When using the Flip-it, I didn't touch the flash compensation once. I just quickly adjusted the angle of the reflector, slightly back when up close, slightly forward of straight up for distance. If anything it was still too strong up close, but I wasn't using the supplied diffuser. I probably could have fiddled with the flash comp for even better results, but meh...

I contemplated selling my Lightsphere, but I won't for a couple reasons:
- It still has the edge when shooting up close.
- Its a great massive diffuser when shooting straight ahead out doors.
- As I play around with it more I might find that I get more use out of it. Heck I may prefer it more one day.

I have to add, that regardless of what anyone says, I believe that a flash bracket is pretty much a mandatory if you are going to be doing a number of portrait shots. The difference in height from Landscape to Portrait is noticeable. Need to keep that bugger high, no matter what modifier.