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pakuchn · 01-10-2010, 03:01 PM

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I have a Pentax 540 flash and I'm looking for a diffuser. I dont want anything crazy looking. Does anyone have suggestions. I found some on ebay for $3.99, but I have no idea if those are any good.

Thanks.

SOldBear · 01-10-2010, 03:24 PM

Not sure what features of a diffuser you're looking for, here are some cheap ideas:

One

Two

pakuchn · 01-10-2010, 03:26 PM

I was thinking about something like this:
Amazon.com: SBM Supreme Light Diffuser for Various Canon, Contax, Nikon, Sony, Sunpack, Vivitar, Metz, Pentax, Achiever, Sigma, Panasonic, Minolta & Olympus Flashes: Camera & Photo

but, I dont know if there is a difference between the $4.00 and $14.00 item.

SOldBear · 01-10-2010, 03:51 PM

Originally posted by pakuchn

I was thinking about something like this:
Amazon.com: SBM Supreme Light Diffuser for Various Canon, Contax, Nikon, Sony, Sunpack, Vivitar, Metz, Pentax, Achiever, Sigma, Panasonic, Minolta & Olympus Flashes: Camera & Photo

I have the "expensive" version of that: Sto-Fen (about $20). In fact, I have 4 or 5 of them (mostly came with stuffs I bought used), almost 1 for each flash units I own.

Since I discovered the "cheap" diffusers (referred to in post above), the Sto-Fen diffusers have been sitting on the shelf.

pakuchn · 01-10-2010, 03:53 PM

Sto-Fen is so big and ugly looking.

:-)

Pentaxiac · 01-10-2010, 05:37 PM

It might run $40 but the Gary Fong Cloudy Lightsphere has been extremely helpful.

RBellavance · 01-10-2010, 05:59 PM

Originally posted by Pentaxiac

It might run $40 but the Gary Fong Cloudy Lightsphere has been extremely helpful.

I agree. However, it probably does not pass the OP's "not crazy looking" test

Pentaxiac · 01-10-2010, 06:41 PM

Originally posted by RBellavance

I agree. However, it probably does not pass the OP's "not crazy looking" test

I don't know. Looking at it on my flash and comparing it to a snoot or Gary Fong's Origami diffuser, it doesn't look that crazy looking.
Pakuchn, you can see it here.

pakuchn · 01-10-2010, 06:49 PM

Thanks for the link.
I think it's a great product. Is it close to this item?
PRO DIFFUSER FOR PENTAX SPEEDLITE FLASH AF500FTZ NEW - eBay (item 390141454640 end time Feb-08-10 17:52:50 PST)

I know the Ebay diffuser is not better, but would it be close?

Thanks.

Peter

Pentaxiac · 01-10-2010, 07:04 PM

Originally posted by pakuchn

Thanks for the link.
I think it's a great product. Is it close to this item?
PRO DIFFUSER FOR PENTAX SPEEDLITE FLASH AF500FTZ NEW - eBay (item 390141454640 end time Feb-08-10 17:52:50 PST)

I know the Ebay diffuser is not better, but would it be close?

Thanks.

Peter

I'd swear that one from your link looks just like a Sto-Fen. Now I've never worked with Sto-fen's but I've heard all they do is drain your flash's batteries and don't truly soften the harsh light like what the Lightsphere does.

veezchick · 01-10-2010, 07:22 PM

I got the Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce for Metz 40MZ-1I ,40MZ-3I and Pentax AF540-FGZ Flashes (Adorama SKU: SFOMMZ40) for $16. Works great. Easy to take on & off. I tried taping/banding other diffusion material on & off flash head, but the Sto-Fen is just easier to deal with. Nice diffusion. I'll still bounce it and/or dial it down a bit in certain siutations, but I dig it. Just sayin'.

pakuchn · 01-10-2010, 07:35 PM

Veez,

Is this the one?
Amazon.com: Sto-Fen OMNI-BOUNCE OM-MZ40 - Flash diffuser: Adorama Camera

veezchick · 01-12-2010, 05:13 PM

Originally posted by pakuchn

Veez,

Is this the one?
Amazon.com: Sto-Fen OMNI-BOUNCE OM-MZ40 - Flash diffuser: Adorama Camera

Yep

1st product review even references secure fit on 540 flash.

Green Li · 02-12-2010, 10:58 AM

Originally posted by pakuchn

I have a Pentax 540 flash and I'm looking for a diffuser. I dont want anything crazy looking. Does anyone have suggestions. I found some on ebay for $3.99, but I have no idea if those are any good.

Thanks.

Are you looking for something that works or looks good?

You might want to check this out: best flash diffuser

Over a dozen diffusers ranked including easy of use, quality, appearance, etc.

Hope this helps.

Wheatfield · 02-13-2010, 09:41 AM

Before you go off and buy a diffuser, think about what they are doing.
A diffuser that doesn't significantly increase the area of the flash output is not improving the quality of the light so much as just spreading it around.
If you want to improve the output of a flash, you need to increase the size of the head.
A simple diffuser plate isn't doing that.

01-10-2010, 03:01 PM	#1
pakuchn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 166	Looking for Diffuser for Pentax 540 Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. I have a Pentax 540 flash and I'm looking for a diffuser. I dont want anything crazy looking. Does anyone have suggestions. I found some on ebay for $3.99, but I have no idea if those are any good. Thanks.

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01-10-2010, 03:24 PM	#2
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Not sure what features of a diffuser you're looking for, here are some cheap ideas: One Two

01-10-2010, 03:26 PM	#3
pakuchn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 166 Original Poster	I was thinking about something like this: Amazon.com: SBM Supreme Light Diffuser for Various Canon, Contax, Nikon, Sony, Sunpack, Vivitar, Metz, Pentax, Achiever, Sigma, Panasonic, Minolta & Olympus Flashes: Camera & Photo but, I dont know if there is a difference between the $4.00 and $14.00 item.

01-10-2010, 03:51 PM	#4
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Originally posted by pakuchn I was thinking about something like this: Amazon.com: SBM Supreme Light Diffuser for Various Canon, Contax, Nikon, Sony, Sunpack, Vivitar, Metz, Pentax, Achiever, Sigma, Panasonic, Minolta & Olympus Flashes: Camera & Photo I have the "expensive" version of that: Sto-Fen (about $20). In fact, I have 4 or 5 of them (mostly came with stuffs I bought used), almost 1 for each flash units I own. Since I discovered the "cheap" diffusers (referred to in post above), the Sto-Fen diffusers have been sitting on the shelf.

01-10-2010, 03:53 PM	#5
pakuchn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 166 Original Poster	Sto-Fen is so big and ugly looking. :-)

01-10-2010, 05:37 PM	#6
Pentaxiac New Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 21	It might run $40 but the Gary Fong Cloudy Lightsphere has been extremely helpful.

01-10-2010, 05:59 PM	#7
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	Originally posted by Pentaxiac It might run $40 but the Gary Fong Cloudy Lightsphere has been extremely helpful. I agree. However, it probably does not pass the OP's "not crazy looking" test

01-10-2010, 06:41 PM	#8
Pentaxiac New Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 21	Originally posted by RBellavance I agree. However, it probably does not pass the OP's "not crazy looking" test I don't know. Looking at it on my flash and comparing it to a snoot or Gary Fong's Origami diffuser, it doesn't look that crazy looking. Pakuchn, you can see it here.

01-10-2010, 06:49 PM	#9
pakuchn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 166 Original Poster	Thanks for the link. I think it's a great product. Is it close to this item? PRO DIFFUSER FOR PENTAX SPEEDLITE FLASH AF500FTZ NEW - eBay (item 390141454640 end time Feb-08-10 17:52:50 PST) I know the Ebay diffuser is not better, but would it be close? Thanks. Peter

01-10-2010, 07:04 PM	#10
Pentaxiac New Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 21	Originally posted by pakuchn Thanks for the link. I think it's a great product. Is it close to this item? PRO DIFFUSER FOR PENTAX SPEEDLITE FLASH AF500FTZ NEW - eBay (item 390141454640 end time Feb-08-10 17:52:50 PST) I know the Ebay diffuser is not better, but would it be close? Thanks. Peter I'd swear that one from your link looks just like a Sto-Fen. Now I've never worked with Sto-fen's but I've heard all they do is drain your flash's batteries and don't truly soften the harsh light like what the Lightsphere does.

01-10-2010, 07:22 PM	#11
veezchick Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 51	I got the Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce for Metz 40MZ-1I ,40MZ-3I and Pentax AF540-FGZ Flashes (Adorama SKU: SFOMMZ40) for $16. Works great. Easy to take on & off. I tried taping/banding other diffusion material on & off flash head, but the Sto-Fen is just easier to deal with. Nice diffusion. I'll still bounce it and/or dial it down a bit in certain siutations, but I dig it. Just sayin'.

01-10-2010, 07:35 PM	#12
pakuchn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 166 Original Poster	Veez, Is this the one? Amazon.com: Sto-Fen OMNI-BOUNCE OM-MZ40 - Flash diffuser: Adorama Camera

01-12-2010, 05:13 PM	#13
veezchick Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 51	Originally posted by pakuchn Veez, Is this the one? Amazon.com: Sto-Fen OMNI-BOUNCE OM-MZ40 - Flash diffuser: Adorama Camera Yep 1st product review even references secure fit on 540 flash.

02-12-2010, 10:58 AM	#14
Green Li New Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 14	Originally posted by pakuchn I have a Pentax 540 flash and I'm looking for a diffuser. I dont want anything crazy looking. Does anyone have suggestions. I found some on ebay for $3.99, but I have no idea if those are any good. Thanks. Are you looking for something that works or looks good? You might want to check this out: best flash diffuser Over a dozen diffusers ranked including easy of use, quality, appearance, etc. Hope this helps.

02-13-2010, 09:41 AM	#15
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,991	Before you go off and buy a diffuser, think about what they are doing. A diffuser that doesn't significantly increase the area of the flash output is not improving the quality of the light so much as just spreading it around. If you want to improve the output of a flash, you need to increase the size of the head. A simple diffuser plate isn't doing that.

Looking for Diffuser for Pentax 540

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