Hi,
--
John Power
Racehorse in the Desert
'Life is too short to miss out on photography.'
No, I don't have that model. I have the Midi Bouncer, which I have
only used once. I wasn't particulary impressed with its benefits.
I also have the Softbox which I have used extensively on my film
camera, shooting perhaps over 1,000 images at weddings, with very
good results. My tests with the Lumiquest Softbox on an AF360 and
my D show additional underexposure of about 1 stop (something we
don't need with digital). I have been using Stofen diffusers with
my AF360s and D but am about to go back to the Softbox and just
dial in another stop of exposure. I like the way the Softbox
channels the light toward the subject, whereas the Stofen diffuser
(similar to the Lumiquest Ultrabounce, by the way) does more
scattering of the light (good for wide angle shots though).
--
John Power
Racehorse in the Desert
'Life is too short to miss out on photography.'
No, I don't have that model. I have the Midi Bouncer, which I have
only used once. I wasn't particulary impressed with its benefits.
I also have the Softbox which I have used extensively on my film
camera, shooting perhaps over 1,000 images at weddings, with very
good results. My tests with the Lumiquest Softbox on an AF360 and
my D show additional underexposure of about 1 stop (something we
don't need with digital). I have been using Stofen diffusers with
my AF360s and D but am about to go back to the Softbox and just
dial in another stop of exposure. I like the way the Softbox
channels the light toward the subject, whereas the Stofen diffuser
(similar to the Lumiquest Ultrabounce, by the way) does more
scattering of the light (good for wide angle shots though).
--
John Power
Racehorse in the Desert
'Life is too short to miss out on photography.'
I didn't keep my previous Stofen vs. Lumiquest exposure tests but I was getting about 1 stop underexposure with the Lumiquest Softbox. I will just increase the flash (AF3560) by one stop when using it and watch the LCD screen. I like the light coverage it gives of individuals and small groups.
I didn't seem to get erratic flash, just constant 1 stop underexposure with it. I am going to try it again.
Yes, that was my finding too. Close-up, inside, with a low ceiling, the 45 degree bounce works well with it. Otherwise the bottom half of the subject is dark!
The external lead acid power pack I bought is working VERY WELL. The red light does not go out unless you are in a huge room or outside with a full discharge, and even then it comes back in a couple of seconds. The only thing you have to remember is not to take more than about 5-6 in a row or the flash will overheat and shut down. I bought it from this guy (no connection).
--No, I don't have that model. I have the Midi Bouncer, which I have
only used once. I wasn't particulary impressed with its benefits.
I also have the Softbox which I have used extensively on my film
camera, shooting perhaps over 1,000 images at weddings, with very
good results. My tests with the Lumiquest Softbox on an AF360 and
my D show additional underexposure of about 1 stop (something we
don't need with digital). I have been using Stofen diffusers with
my AF360s and D but am about to go back to the Softbox and just
dial in another stop of exposure. I like the way the Softbox
channels the light toward the subject, whereas the Stofen diffuser
(similar to the Lumiquest Ultrabounce, by the way) does more
scattering of the light (good for wide angle shots though).
--
John Power
Racehorse in the Desert
'Life is too short to miss out on photography.'
Perhaps I am confusing things then. There were some threads some time ago, which you and Brett were involved in. Perhaps it was that he was getting overexposure with the Stofen and the Sigma and you were getting underexposure with the Lumiquest and the Pentax.
Do you have a picture of the connectors that go into the flashgun? I'm not sure how this is meant to work.
--No, I don't have that model. I have the Midi Bouncer, which I have
only used once. I wasn't particulary impressed with its benefits.
I also have the Softbox which I have used extensively on my film
camera, shooting perhaps over 1,000 images at weddings, with very
good results. My tests with the Lumiquest Softbox on an AF360 and
my D show additional underexposure of about 1 stop (something we
don't need with digital). I have been using Stofen diffusers with
my AF360s and D but am about to go back to the Softbox and just
dial in another stop of exposure. I like the way the Softbox
channels the light toward the subject, whereas the Stofen diffuser
(similar to the Lumiquest Ultrabounce, by the way) does more
scattering of the light (good for wide angle shots though).
--
John Power
Racehorse in the Desert
'Life is too short to miss out on photography.'
John Power
Racehorse in the Desert
'Life is too short to miss out on photography.'
I have both the Ultrasoft bounce diffuser and the Mini-SoftBox. I use the latter the most. It does a good job of spreading the light source for direct flash and is less dependent upon room reflectivity.
Yes, Brett was getting inconsistent and strong overexposure with the Stofen on the Sigma. I was getting consistent 1 stop underexposure with the Lumiquest on the AF360 and using my D. But I liked the light coverage with the Lumiquest, and am going to go back to it.
You have to make a notch under the battery cover on the flash so that the cable can get inside the battery compartment. (I would only do this to units that are OUT of warranty.) When finished I put a piece of gaffer's tape over the battery cover on the AF360 because I have had some of the covers pop loose just at the wrong time and the flash wouldn't fire. Have not had any problems since then.
I have only used it for about 200 shots at a time but I wouldn't doubt that it would be possible. He also advertises that it can "sit" on the charger and always be ready to go.
He doesn't supply a cord or a shoulder strap. I had a very nice strap from a leather bag that I used. You just put the battery under your armpit with the strap over your shoulder and you hardly know it is there. I bought a small nylon bag at Ritz for $10 because I didn't like the metal case of the battery banging against things in my camer bag.
Yes, I have looked at the Lightsphere, and it is interesting. However, it does not appear that it could be used with the AF360 because of the lack of swivel, but on the Sigma yes. And the AF360 probably doesn't have enough power for straight diffusion. Thanks for the post and link.
Thanks Godfrey.
Yes, Brett was getting inconsistent and strong overexposure with
the Stofen on the Sigma. I was getting consistent 1 stop
underexposure with the Lumiquest on the AF360 and using my D. But
I liked the light coverage with the Lumiquest, and am going to go
back to it.
You have to make a notch under the battery cover on the flash so
that the cable can get inside the battery compartment. (I would
only do this to units that are OUT of warranty.) When finished I
put a piece of gaffer's tape over the battery cover on the AF360
because I have had some of the covers pop loose just at the wrong
time and the flash wouldn't fire. Have not had any problems since
then.
I made my own fake batteries from 1/2" wood dowels, per the
instructions on his site. But he shipped two of his plastic ones
with the battery.
At first I used an old cell phone car charger coiled cord, but
found that it pulled on the flash bracket too much and I was
getting crooked images. So I ended up using some black lamp cord
that I bought at Home Depot. I put a two connector auto trailer
connector in line so that I could disconnect the cord near the
flash.
I have only used it for about 200 shots at a time but I wouldn't
doubt that it would be possible. He also advertises that it can
"sit" on the charger and always be ready to go.
He doesn't supply a cord or a shoulder strap. I had a very nice
strap from a leather bag that I used. You just put the battery
under your armpit with the strap over your shoulder and you hardly
know it is there. I bought a small nylon bag at Ritz for $10
because I didn't like the metal case of the battery banging against
things in my camer bag.
Good luck! I am very happy with mine!
--
John Power
Racehorse in the Desert
'Life is too short to miss out on photography.'
