Sto-Fen Omnibounce: Are they worth it?

a.seki · 12-23-2010, 12:31 PM

.....

Last edited by a.seki; 08-20-2011 at 06:17 PM.

mtroute · 12-23-2010, 01:33 PM

absolutely worth it.

Andrew Lang · 12-23-2010, 01:35 PM

I would do a diy, take a look at the difference in the shots you get with the diffuser vs, hard light... I don't think it's worth it... find a milk bottle and put some velcro on it, and then put some velcro around your flash... it makes the same light for a lot cheaper.

Ubuntu_user · 12-23-2010, 02:01 PM

I personally don't think it's worth it...

audiobomber · 12-23-2010, 02:07 PM

I love mine, definitely worthwhile to me.

Leaf Fan · 12-23-2010, 02:11 PM

It is one of the few accessories that I've used the most. I'm not a very good flash photographer, but I'd say that the omnibounce has helped me beyond any other accessory by leaps and bounds. It softens the harsh light perfectly. Now, I was too lazy to make my own, but I've seen some very creative DIY versions, that likely work just as well to soften the light. Whatever you do, soften that harsh flash light and you should see immediate improvement in flash photos.

Todd Adamson · 12-23-2010, 02:19 PM

They work great. As water bowls for parakeets and other small mammals. Check this:

DIY Reflector-Diffuser

I don't know anything about Pentax flashes, but when I used to use Nikon flashes, I never could see a difference between the Stofen, the stock diffuser, the Fong salad bowl, and, believe it or not, the bare flash, provided I wasn't overfilling. So I stopped using diffusers altogether. But if I WAS going to use one, Chuck's DIY is awesome, cheap, very packable, and easily replaceable.

jolepp · 12-23-2010, 02:34 PM

Just found a similar item for my YN-560 flash for US$ 1.50 on Ebay. At that price I guess it is worth a try :-)

Ira · 12-24-2010, 06:48 AM

I'm trying to come up with an idea for a DYI diffuser, no bounce, for my SunPak 555.

When I had a similar flash back in the day, I used to rotate the head 180% backwards, and I had this great inflatable bounce thingie that I can't seem to find anywhere.

eddie1960 · 12-24-2010, 07:08 AM

Originally posted by Todd Adamson

They work great. As water bowls for parakeets and other small mammals. Check this:

DIY Reflector-Diffuser

I don't know anything about Pentax flashes, but when I used to use Nikon flashes, I never could see a difference between the Stofen, the stock diffuser, the Fong salad bowl, and, believe it or not, the bare flash, provided I wasn't overfilling. So I stopped using diffusers altogether. But if I WAS going to use one, Chuck's DIY is awesome, cheap, very packable, and easily replaceable.

I'm with you Todd
I've used the salad bowl just a giant PITA, I just build my own, but really the one flash accessory i do use is gels to balance the lights to the same value (if i'm using flash there is probably tungsten or florescent somewhere in the shot) otherwise it's homemade cards just taped on for bounce purposes when needed
(dead cheap easy and can usually be mcgivered on the spot if you didn't bring one with you- I used aq bit of wine case the other week held on with duct tape which i did have with me- it's the Canadian in me search red green

)

COULDBE2 · 12-24-2010, 09:23 AM

I made one of the DIY difussers that Todd mentioned. It works great and only cost 2.47 for materials purchased @ Michaels Craft store. The sheets of fun foam were 12x18 which made two units. I glue I used didn't hold as well as I had hoped, so I added staples around the perimeter. Fun project with great results.
,

Mike

Todd Adamson · 12-24-2010, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by COULDBE2

I made one of the DIY difussers that Todd mentioned. It works great and only cost 2.47 for materials purchased @ Michaels Craft store. The sheets of fun foam were 12x18 which made two units. I glue I used didn't hold as well as I had hoped, so I added staples around the perimeter. Fun project with great results.
,

Mike

Cool. I bought all the materials once, but never made one.

Anyway, I never use flash anymore.

patriotap · 12-24-2010, 11:36 AM

Originally posted by a.seki

Hi,

Since i purchased a new flash, im looking into getting different light modifiers for it. I have since made a DIY speedstrap and bounce card.

Upon searching online, i found these Sto-Fen Omnibounce Diffusers (25 EUR/32 USD) at my local camera store and alternative/similar products such as this: Fotozaak - Foto Rembrandt Maastricht - Winkel - Metz FC-@6L Soft Diffusor kopen (in Dutch).

Question is, are these products worth it? Or should i go for DIY alternatives (please give some recommendations)?

Many thanks and Merry Christmas!

Are we talking the same thing I see on Amazon.com for $10? Is it really triple that over there?

alohadave · 12-25-2010, 09:59 PM

Originally posted by a.seki

Question is, are these products worth it? Or should i go for DIY alternatives (please give some recommendations)?

Sure, if you are shooting indoors with normal height ceiling and relatively close walls. The whole point of the attachment is to simulate a bare bulb and bounce light off of every nearby surface.

That is what makes the light very soft, having it come from the walls and ceiling. If you shoot with the flash pointed directly at the subject, with nothing to bounce off, it won't be any better than a flash with nothing on it, except that the attachment is going to eat 1-2 stops of light.

Using it outdoors doesn't do anything for you unless you are using the flash to trigger other flashes wirelessly/optically.

Mike Cash · 12-25-2010, 10:16 PM

If, as Dave mentions, you are shooting indoors with normal height ceilings you can do fine with no flash attachments at all....just aim the flash at the ceiling. By way of example, here are some shots I recently did in just that way. I think they came out just fine (except for one shot in a hallway). A few show vignette, but I added that in PP.

12-23-2010, 12:31 PM	#1
a.seki New Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 15	Sto-Fen Omnibounce: Are they worth it? ..... Last edited by a.seki; 08-20-2011 at 06:17 PM.

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12-23-2010, 01:33 PM	#2
mtroute Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Portland OR Posts: 533	absolutely worth it.

12-23-2010, 01:35 PM	#3
Andrew Lang Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Thunder Bay Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 184	I would do a diy, take a look at the difference in the shots you get with the diffuser vs, hard light... I don't think it's worth it... find a milk bottle and put some velcro on it, and then put some velcro around your flash... it makes the same light for a lot cheaper.

12-23-2010, 02:01 PM	#4
Ubuntu_user Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,545	I personally don't think it's worth it...

12-23-2010, 02:07 PM	#5
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	I love mine, definitely worthwhile to me.

12-23-2010, 02:11 PM	#6
Leaf Fan Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Canada eh! Photos: Gallery Posts: 673	It is one of the few accessories that I've used the most. I'm not a very good flash photographer, but I'd say that the omnibounce has helped me beyond any other accessory by leaps and bounds. It softens the harsh light perfectly. Now, I was too lazy to make my own, but I've seen some very creative DIY versions, that likely work just as well to soften the light. Whatever you do, soften that harsh flash light and you should see immediate improvement in flash photos.

12-23-2010, 02:19 PM	#7
Todd Adamson Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 722	They work great. As water bowls for parakeets and other small mammals. Check this: DIY Reflector-Diffuser I don't know anything about Pentax flashes, but when I used to use Nikon flashes, I never could see a difference between the Stofen, the stock diffuser, the Fong salad bowl, and, believe it or not, the bare flash, provided I wasn't overfilling. So I stopped using diffusers altogether. But if I WAS going to use one, Chuck's DIY is awesome, cheap, very packable, and easily replaceable.

12-23-2010, 02:34 PM	#8
jolepp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 3,196	Just found a similar item for my YN-560 flash for US$ 1.50 on Ebay. At that price I guess it is worth a try :-)

12-24-2010, 06:48 AM	#9
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	I'm trying to come up with an idea for a DYI diffuser, no bounce, for my SunPak 555. When I had a similar flash back in the day, I used to rotate the head 180% backwards, and I had this great inflatable bounce thingie that I can't seem to find anywhere.

12-24-2010, 07:08 AM	#10
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by Todd Adamson They work great. As water bowls for parakeets and other small mammals. Check this: DIY Reflector-Diffuser I don't know anything about Pentax flashes, but when I used to use Nikon flashes, I never could see a difference between the Stofen, the stock diffuser, the Fong salad bowl, and, believe it or not, the bare flash, provided I wasn't overfilling. So I stopped using diffusers altogether. But if I WAS going to use one, Chuck's DIY is awesome, cheap, very packable, and easily replaceable. I'm with you Todd I've used the salad bowl just a giant PITA, I just build my own, but really the one flash accessory i do use is gels to balance the lights to the same value (if i'm using flash there is probably tungsten or florescent somewhere in the shot) otherwise it's homemade cards just taped on for bounce purposes when needed (dead cheap easy and can usually be mcgivered on the spot if you didn't bring one with you- I used aq bit of wine case the other week held on with duct tape which i did have with me- it's the Canadian in me search red green )

12-24-2010, 09:23 AM	#11
COULDBE2 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: LAKE PLACID,FL Photos: Albums Posts: 110	I made one of the DIY difussers that Todd mentioned. It works great and only cost 2.47 for materials purchased @ Michaels Craft store. The sheets of fun foam were 12x18 which made two units. I glue I used didn't hold as well as I had hoped, so I added staples around the perimeter. Fun project with great results. , Mike

12-24-2010, 11:00 AM	#12
Todd Adamson Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 722	Originally posted by COULDBE2 I made one of the DIY difussers that Todd mentioned. It works great and only cost 2.47 for materials purchased @ Michaels Craft store. The sheets of fun foam were 12x18 which made two units. I glue I used didn't hold as well as I had hoped, so I added staples around the perimeter. Fun project with great results. , Mike Cool. I bought all the materials once, but never made one. Anyway, I never use flash anymore.

12-24-2010, 11:36 AM	#13
patriotap Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: South Jersey Photos: Albums Posts: 159	Originally posted by a.seki Hi, Since i purchased a new flash, im looking into getting different light modifiers for it. I have since made a DIY speedstrap and bounce card. Upon searching online, i found these Sto-Fen Omnibounce Diffusers (25 EUR/32 USD) at my local camera store and alternative/similar products such as this: Fotozaak - Foto Rembrandt Maastricht - Winkel - Metz FC-@6L Soft Diffusor kopen (in Dutch). Question is, are these products worth it? Or should i go for DIY alternatives (please give some recommendations)? Many thanks and Merry Christmas! Are we talking the same thing I see on Amazon.com for $10? Is it really triple that over there?

12-25-2010, 09:59 PM	#14
alohadave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Quincy, MA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,024	Originally posted by a.seki Question is, are these products worth it? Or should i go for DIY alternatives (please give some recommendations)? Sure, if you are shooting indoors with normal height ceiling and relatively close walls. The whole point of the attachment is to simulate a bare bulb and bounce light off of every nearby surface. That is what makes the light very soft, having it come from the walls and ceiling. If you shoot with the flash pointed directly at the subject, with nothing to bounce off, it won't be any better than a flash with nothing on it, except that the attachment is going to eat 1-2 stops of light. Using it outdoors doesn't do anything for you unless you are using the flash to trigger other flashes wirelessly/optically.

12-25-2010, 10:16 PM	#15
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	If, as Dave mentions, you are shooting indoors with normal height ceilings you can do fine with no flash attachments at all....just aim the flash at the ceiling. By way of example, here are some shots I recently did in just that way. I think they came out just fine (except for one shot in a hallway). A few show vignette, but I added that in PP.