Demb Flip-it vs Saucer

[Dave Guy]

I've used the Demb saucer before and I was really happy with the results. If you have a white ceiling, you can bounce the flash off the ceiling and the flat saucer provides a catch light in the subject's eyes. If you don't have a white ceiling, then you can put the saucer in its cupped position, and it will reflect light right at your subject (though it will be well above the flash, which is usually a good thing.)

So.... it seems that Demb's Flip-It is far more popular and I can't understand why. It seems that it doesn't provide the same flexibility as the Saucer, since you can't put the Flip-It into a cupped position. So what am I missing here? Which do you think is better?

 

[Zeee]

I'm surprised Joe did not come in here to answer it. Two different purposes. The Saucer is throwing light forward. The flip it can do the same, not as effectively but you can angle it back to bounce off the ceiling and through light forward. You can also redirect light so the flash bounces off a ceiling and the flip it can direct light to a wall.

Now I'm taking a guess that the saucer does not flip back as I have never used it I am use assuming it does not. The smaller flip it is a little less intrusive looking but that is a personal thing.

--
There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept.

Ansel Adams

 

[Dave Guy]

Yeah, you can tilt the saucer back (and forward), so it seems like you could still do all those things you mentioned with a saucer.

 

[Joe Demb]

The Saucer was created as a logical step in product evolution. The original Flip-it, now called 'Classic', has a flash strike point which is rather low on a flat reflector. I wanted to raise the strike point (the small blast of light), so I created the angle support piece of the Pro. Many many former users yearned for the original design, so the Classic came back. Naturally, I was then requested to create a design which would raise the strike point without having the angle support. The result was the Saucer, which accomplishes both objectives by virtue of the cup shape. The Saucer has the same hinge as other Flip-its, which holds any position you set. You may set it to have the light strike just the top half, both halves, or neither, in case you want just ceiling bounce without any forward reflection. These positions may be learned quickly by flashing into a mirror while noting where the light strikes. Some folks like to use it flat to emulate the Classic when desired. The (off) back position also allows direct flash without having to remove it. I have not found the cup shape to produce a lighting or shadow pattern which is essentially different from that of a flat reflector. Its purpose is to raise and spread the flash reflection. It is also kind of fun to 'pop the top'.

 

[Dave Guy]

Makes sense, Joe. I'm still surprised that I see so little talk about the saucer in this forum. As I mentioned before, I was quite happy with it.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

 

[Joe Demb]

Glad to hear you are happy with the results. Please send me some samples anytime. BTW, they are now available at B&H.

 

[calson]

I find the Lumiquest reflectors better than the Demb for two reasons. They do not require the use of a flash bracket but can be used with one if desired. The Lumiquest are more compact overall and easy to keep in a side pocket of my camera bag and pull out when needed.

Something that works well in certain situations is to take the plastic diffuser that comes with the speedlight and cut off the end of it opposite of where it slides over the flash. With this section removed 100% of the light going up to the ceiling is not diffused and you do not lose 50% of the output. The light going directly from the flash to the subject through the sides of the diffuser are diffused.

I want to minimize the power needed from the flash as this increases battery life and minimizes recycle times for more shots per minute when there is action happening. I am using a high ISO setting so all I need from the flash is fill lighting for the eyes of the subject. I do not need diffusion when the light from the flash is 1/4 of the ambient light. The worst light modifiers are the Fong ones where 80% of the output of the flash is wasted entirely not to mention the extra stress on the foot of the speedlight and the hot shoe of the camera.

 

[Joe Demb]

I have an old Pocket Bouncer, so I just did this controlled comparison test on a vertical subject.