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Lightsphere II

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I use it with my 550EX.

The light from it seems to be more even and the shadow is not very visible as compared to Stofen Omnibounce I have been using.

It seems to produce a much warm tone than the Omnibounce when shooting indoors. So far I like but I have only used it twice.
--
Nelson
http://pbase.com/nelsonc
 
Could anyone post a picture of the LSII please. We dont seem to be able to get them in the UK but my Daughter is going to HK and the States in 2 weeks time so if they are compact then I may ask her to bring me one back.
thanks
Dave
--
pbase supporter at http://www.pbase.com/dav4184
for equipment see profile
 
Pros:
-Diffuses more than the Stofen
-Outperforms almost anything when indoors with 10 feet ceiling.

Cons:
-Does not work well when subject is close in vertical position
http://s126613707.onlinehome.us/photos/cadclub/fall05/33image.jpg

-You may notice the "side flash" look that may be undesirable.
Side:
http://s126613707.onlinehome.us/photos/cadclub/fall05/21image.jpg
http://s126613707.onlinehome.us/photos/cadclub/fall05/27image.jpg
Top:
http://s126613707.onlinehome.us/photos/cadclub/fall05/24image.jpg

-Obnoxious size, you can't really put it in your pocket like a Stofen.

-May not see a difference in ultra high ceilings against a Stofen.
LSII:
http://s126613707.onlinehome.us/photos/cadclub/fall05/05image.jpg
Stofen:
http://s126613707.onlinehome.us/photos/cadclub/autum05/092905/03image.jpg

What do I prefer?

For shooting in a home, the LSII is the best. It lights up everything. As for gigantor halls, I prefer the Stofen. The Stofen uses less power therefore faster recycle time. The LSII needs to be pointed upwards and requires a lot of power to light up the sphere, therefore less slower recycle time, and less pictures taken.
 
I don't own one, but I did look very closely at getting one.

After downloading many sample images from other users, I found that I could achieve the same result from a 20 cent piece of tracing paper that was wrapped around the flash head as a tube with no top.

Not only was this much cheaper, the tracing paper could be stored flat in my camera bag side pocket.... something that just can't be done with the LSII.
 
I don't know where to begin but suffice to say I cannot imagine flash photography without one. For weddings the LS-II is indispensable-it's light and extremely portable compared to using brackets that add more unecessary weight to the camera. I used to dread shooting weddings because the StoFen I had just made a mess of the vertical shots that produced ghastly shadows. If the venue had reasonably low ceilings it would get better results from simple pointing the flash head straight up and letting light bounced back down for a more even lighting but anyone who has used a LS-II knows what I mean unless for some reason you remain unconvinced.

I use both LS-II at the same time as portable softboxes. Set them up each on a tripod with a LS-II mounted on each 550EX. The flashes are triggered remotely by the ST-E2 mounted on camera hotshoe. I have not yet learnt how to use ratios but this setup gives me very nice lighting without the bulk of carrying large studio lights.

Because the 550EX uses significantly more power when shooting with such large diffusers, I power them with a Quantum Turbo 2x2's dual outlet making it a perfect choice when you use their extra long power cords. Again, I emphasize the LS-II gives me studio light quality that completely portable and effective.



More of my comments in an earlier thread here:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=14909093

--
Jan Shim
Pro Events Photography
http://www.janshim.com
 
Andy Wilson said:
...how tight a fit is it? I have velcro tabs already on my 550EX
for other light adapters. Would they prevent me fitting the LSII?

Thanks
--
Andy
Click to expand...
Both my LS-II has identical fit on the 550EX which is to say, they are tight enough. Do note however that because the LS-II "Portraiture" models are made of hard plastics (actual material refer to Gary Fong's website for details), shooting in a crowd carries a small risk of getting knocked off if you're lucky, in more extreme cases, a violent knock on the LS-II may result in damage to the 550EX. I have had the LS-II come off numerous times, landing on concrete floors and business goes on. Aside from insignificant scratch marks, I'd say the LS-II is very well constructed.

The LS-II isn't going to fit over the 550EX if you have Velcros. Something you want to think about. I do not have velcros on either 550EX and do not see the need for them as long as the LS-II continues to work for me.

--
Jan Shim
Pro Events Photography
http://www.janshim.com
 
First of all inside the house you should not have the dome one. Its increases the shadow. Thats how its recommended to use.

http://www.digitalphotographers.net/LS2/

Pros,
Softer shadows even under 100% darkness. Here stofen produces a shadow.
Well built. Very sturdy.

Cons
Its cumbersome to carry and I dont seen any difference outside.

Yes it fits but stofen fits better and can be removed easily.

Overall, people who have been scared of flash photography should at least get a stofen or a LS2.

Now people who have stofen, try using it vertically instead of using it at a 45 degree angle. It kind of gives the same effect.

Also a photgrapher told me to use a small strip of tin foil on the same side to reflect more light (For sto-fen)

Use f/5.6 at 1/30 manual.
 
It is very bulky and brings a lot of comments. The light is wonderful, but I find it clumsy. I guess if I made my living shooting weddings, etc. , I'd make more use of it. The Sto-Fen is just more convenient.
--
Juli
http://www.pbase.com/julivalley/galleries
Canon 2oD, Canon Gee3, and Canon S7o.

I keep trying to find an artist's eye in the B & H catalog

 
Tremint said:
First of all inside the house you should not have the dome one. Its
increases the shadow. Thats how its recommended to use.
Click to expand...
There is no right or wrong way of using the LS-II. You're free to use it anyway you find it suitable. I just follow a simple rule: if the room has low ceilings, put the half dome on and it works for me this way.
Tremint said:
Cons
Its cumbersome to carry and I dont seen any difference outside.
Click to expand...
I have also found the 20D, 550EX and Quantum Turbo extremely cumbersome and heavy to carry but I got used to it. I think the LS-II PJ would be a better alternative to the "Portraiture" model.

--
Jan Shim
Pro Events Photography
http://www.janshim.com
 
Thanks for the great detailed feedback and the pictures!

Power is a bit what I was worried about (especially since I have the 420EX). I currently have the Lumiquest Softbox and don't like the results all that much when using it pointed direct. I have mixed results bouncing off the ceilings with no diffuser - sometimes they look great, sometimes the downward shadows - shadows under they eyes, nose, etc. - are too harsh.

The LSII look good in theory, but it's also rather large -- there's anew one that is made of flexible plastic but it doesn't have the dome on top. In the pics you shared did you use the dome on any of them?

Amy
--

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.



http://www.nyphotos.net ~ http://www.something-fishy.com/photography
 
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