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Diffuser: Cygnustech vs. AK vs. Popeshield

Started Jan 15, 2022 | Discussions
donedo
donedo New Member • Posts: 9
Diffuser: Cygnustech vs. AK vs. Popeshield
3

Hi,

I am thinking about buying a macro-diffuser. Are there any tests or reviews available for those known diffusers:

Cygnustech (https://www.instagram.com/cygnustech)

AK (https://zamy-10.wixsite.com/ak-diffuser)

Popeshield (https://popeshield.com/?v=3a52f3c22ed6)

Regarding Cygnustech diffuser v2: i found it extremely hard to find anything about it - the only way to buy it seems to be via instagram (?). AFAIK the price seems to be $150 USD for shipments to germany.

Are there any big differences between those 3 in terms of results, reliabilty and features?

My Setup:

Olympus EM1MK2 + 60mm Macro + Godox 350o (+ Raynox 250 and/or Extension Tubes)

 donedo's gear list:donedo's gear list
Olympus OM-D E-M10 II Olympus E-M1 II Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F4-5.6 R Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm F1.8 Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm F2.8 Macro +1 more
andrewcooper
andrewcooper Regular Member • Posts: 277
Re: Diffuser: Cygnustech vs. AK vs. Popeshield

i have the Cygnustech, have had limited use so far weather permitting.

take a look at

geraintradfordmacro

sourmilksea_

both on instagram Geriant is an Oly ambassador

-- hide signature --

www.andrewcooper.photography

donedo
OP donedo New Member • Posts: 9
Re: Diffuser: Cygnustech vs. AK vs. Popeshield

andrewcooper wrote:

i have the Cygnustech, have had limited use so far weather permitting.

take a look at

geraintradfordmacro

sourmilksea_

both on instagram Geriant is an Oly ambassador

Thanks, I could get some impressions of the Cygnustech V2.

 donedo's gear list:donedo's gear list
Olympus OM-D E-M10 II Olympus E-M1 II Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F4-5.6 R Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm F1.8 Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm F2.8 Macro +1 more
JMcHaffie Forum Member • Posts: 58
Re: Diffuser: Cygnustech vs. AK vs. Popeshield

AK review in Arizona Highways PhotoScapes- "The Best Macro Diffuser Ever"

https://ahps.org/the-best-macro-diffuser-ever/

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JMcHaffie Forum Member • Posts: 58
Re: Diffuser: Cygnustech vs. AK vs. Popeshield

Macro Photography Lighting - Flash Diffusor Test and Review 2022 - How Good is the "Pople Shield"?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDC1aqNSOgQ

 JMcHaffie's gear list:JMcHaffie's gear list
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chunkysoup New Member • Posts: 8
Re: Diffuser: Cygnustech vs. AK vs. Popeshield

I don't have either, but am interested in acquiring a macro diffuser in similar design. It looks to me like the cygnustech stores more easily than the AK; it flattens and can easily be carried in a bag - whereas it appears as though the AK would be significantly more work to break it down when not in use.

The AK has the added fill reflector to attach to the bottom, whereas the cygnus doesn't. It also looks like the AK comes with an led modeling light as a standard, whereas you have to pay extra (total $200) for an led with the cygnus.

I'm interested to know what other folks experience who use these diffusers.

 chunkysoup's gear list:chunkysoup's gear list
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Olympus E-M1 II Olympus E-M1 III Olympus 17mm F1.2 Pro
John K Veteran Member • Posts: 9,870
Re: Diffuser: Cygnustech vs. AK vs. Popeshield

chunkysoup wrote:

The AK has the added fill reflector to attach to the bottom, whereas the cygnus doesn't.

Unless you're crushing the shadows that reflector isn't necessary. Really easy for that reflector to erase the shadows, and the resulting image might look "flat".

It also looks like the AK comes with an led modeling light as a standard, whereas you have to pay extra (total $200) for an led with the cygnus.

I'm interested to know what other folks experience who use these diffusers.

I've never used one, but on camera flash isn't very good, IMHO. The light is too top down, too on axis with the lens, and potentially too low. No way to really control highlights and shadows in the scene and the light ends up looking "flat". You'd be better off with an off camera bracket so you can get the light off to one side, a little high and at a 45 degree angle.

81258606 Regular Member • Posts: 297
Re: Diffuser: Cygnustech vs. AK vs. Popeshield
2

Recently got the cygnustech.  Had been using an old Gary Fong diffuser that worked reasonably well on bugs.  Been out three times with the Cygnus.  I'd say it does very well diffusing the light and evening out.

I'm using a Nikon Z9 and 105mm macro S.

The Cygnus is a bit large so that moving it between leaves sometimes causes the subject bug to skeedadle when the leaves are jarred.

Don't know about the others.  Ship time from Australia is 7-10 days.

John K Veteran Member • Posts: 9,870
Re: Diffuser: Cygnustech vs. AK vs. Popeshield

81258606 wrote:

The Cygnus is a bit large so that moving it between leaves sometimes causes the subject bug to skeedadle when the leaves are jarred.

That's also a concern with those diffusers.

Beetles
Beetles Forum Member • Posts: 61
Re: Diffuser: Cygnustech vs. AK vs. Popeshield
1

I only have the Cygnustech so can't compare among the 3, but I can compare a little with a canon setup using the diffuser from Ian McConnachie via Macrodiffuser.com (that website seems to be down now. First I'll say that the form factor of the vertical/single diffuser vs twin flash diffusers for me has been a little less disruptive in terms of getting in close, the side to side and out front projection bumps into branches more for me than the further out, but only vertical, projection of these diffusers. That and the much lighter weight, smaller size means I've been using it much more than the Canon combination, but the Canon can work so well in manual focus I've put off going to just one system. Diffusion is good, but I will say I am still learning and tweaking, and need to be more systematic, because right now all I can say is sometimes it's clearly not pointing in the right direction, because I need ½ power to illuminate a scene, so I'm not getting the action-freezing without raising ISO past 800, other times it's happily at â…› or less at ISO 200. I need to experiment more and vary attachment angles, I think this is solvable. Also, I get better diffusion/aim/exposure with a Raynox added for higher magnification than with a 2X extender / extension tube on the 60mm macro, maybe just because of reduced aperture from the extender, but I think also some light aiming issues. Here's a few with the Cygnustech paired with the Raynox, all sharpened with Topaz lab Denoise and Sharpen

iso 200 f/14 1/100

iso 400 f/14  1/100

iso 400 f/14 1/100

iso 400 f/14 1/100

J4Hug Senior Member • Posts: 1,479
Cygnustech
3

Great images! There is good light in all of them without too many glossy reflections.

I really like the Cygnustech diffuser, it works well with the 60mm with or without extension tubes. I agree though it is very much experimental with flash. I have some using focus stacking but I am more successful using a single exposure.

I don't have a Raynox but might get one having seen your images

I do not think I could have achieved these images with the Twin flash Olympus STF 8.

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mapleleaf56 New Member • Posts: 1
Re: Diffuser: Cygnustech vs. AK vs. Popeshield
2

Hi

I have a Radiant Diffuser purchased from there instagram account, just search for Radiant Diffuser.. it cost me $68cdn including shipping and I got it in less than 2 weeks from India!! it works fantastic..

Picture below it was taken using diffuser…

Bryan Conner
Bryan Conner Forum Member • Posts: 99
Re: Diffuser: Cygnustech vs. AK vs. Popeshield
-- hide signature --

Ravensburg, Germany

I ordered a Pope Shield Magnetic and the appropriate ring 5 weeks ago.  At the time I ordered the stated wait time for production was 3 weeks.  After 3 weeks, the website stated that orders of a certain order number range, including mine, would be shipped at the end of that week (week 3).  The website plainly states that if you wish to have the tracking number, to ask and they will provide it.

At the beginning of week 4, which was after the latest shipping estimation on their website, I asked for the tracking number.  A few days passed and no answer.  So, I politely asked again.  I got a nice reply apologizing for the delay in shipping and that my order would ship the next day (Thursday of week 4).  I waited a day and asked for a tracking number.  No answer.  Waited another day, and politely asked again.  That was yesterday and still no answer.  Now, their homepage states that they are working hard and that the expected time to produce and ship is currently 4 weeks.  Tomorrow will be 5 weeks since I placed my order.

On their shipping info page, the information has not been updated in 2 weeks and still states that the expected shipping time is 3 weeks.

Hopefully, it will arrive soon.  I don't want to cancel my order and I am trying to remain patient.

This is only my experience and I am not offering any opinion or advice about purchasing this diffusor.

 Bryan Conner's gear list:Bryan Conner's gear list
Sony RX100 III Canon EOS R Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS II USM Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Tamron SP 24-70mm F2.8 Di VC USD +1 more
Sir Jake Regular Member • Posts: 108
Re: Diffuser: Cygnustech vs. AK vs. Popeshield

Bryan Conner wrote:

Waiting for mine to arrive, did you get yours yet?

It's close to a month now since I ordered mine.

 Sir Jake's gear list:Sir Jake's gear list
Sony a7 IV Sony FE 200-600 F5.6-6.3 Sony FE 20mm F1.8G Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG GN Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM +37 more
Bryan Conner
Bryan Conner Forum Member • Posts: 99
Re: Diffuser: Cygnustech vs. AK vs. Popeshield
1

Sir Jake wrote:

Bryan Conner wrote:

Waiting for mine to arrive, did you get yours yet?

It's close to a month now since I ordered mine.

I cancelled my order after waiting 5 and a half weeks.  The fact that more 10 days went by after the package was supposed to be shipped and during this time none of my emails were answered.

I did however receive a nice apology email after cancelling.

Let us know when you receive yours and whether or not you like it.

-- hide signature --

Ravensburg, Germany

 Bryan Conner's gear list:Bryan Conner's gear list
Sony RX100 III Canon EOS R Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS II USM Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Tamron SP 24-70mm F2.8 Di VC USD +1 more
jim mij Senior Member • Posts: 1,027
Re: Diffuser: Cygnustech vs. AK vs. Popeshield

Sir Jake wrote:

Bryan Conner wrote:

Waiting for mine to arrive, did you get yours yet?

It's close to a month now since I ordered mine.

Has it arrived ?, Any good ?, I'm considering ordering one despite delays. the web site mentions new production facilities to speed things up

Jim

 jim mij's gear list:jim mij's gear list
Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 AF 1.4x Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM
Sir Jake Regular Member • Posts: 108
Re: Diffuser: Cygnustech vs. AK vs. Popeshield

jim mij wrote:

Sir Jake wrote:

Bryan Conner wrote:

Waiting for mine to arrive, did you get yours yet?

It's close to a month now since I ordered mine.

Has it arrived ?, Any good ?, I'm considering ordering one despite delays. the web site mentions new production facilities to speed things up

Jim

Still waiting, fully expect to wait 2+ months.

Their shipping info is outdated and it's a toss up whether their email guy responds to your messages.

I will send another email after the 9th week (currently on the 7th) and see if they speed things up for me.

 Sir Jake's gear list:Sir Jake's gear list
Sony a7 IV Sony FE 200-600 F5.6-6.3 Sony FE 20mm F1.8G Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG GN Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM +37 more
jim mij Senior Member • Posts: 1,027
Re: Diffuser: Cygnustech vs. AK vs. Popeshield

Thanks, good luck 🤞

 jim mij's gear list:jim mij's gear list
Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 AF 1.4x Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM
bokesan
bokesan Contributing Member • Posts: 776
Re: Diffuser: Cygnustech vs. AK vs. Popeshield

In you are in Germany, you might want to consider Bones & Spiders, too:

https://alexandermett-photography.de/bones-spiders-makro-diffusor-v3  (German only)

No problems with shipping, and I'm sure the creator will be easier to reach for questions.

- chris

jim mij Senior Member • Posts: 1,027
Re: Diffuser: Cygnustech vs. AK vs. Popeshield

bokesan wrote:

In you are in Germany, you might want to consider Bones & Spiders, too:

https://alexandermett-photography.de/bones-spiders-makro-diffusor-v3 (German only)

No problems with shipping, and I'm sure the creator will be easier to reach for questions.

- chris

There are pages in English too, under products, click the right arrow for English text

-- hide signature --

Jim

 jim mij's gear list:jim mij's gear list
Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 AF 1.4x Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM
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