-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Gerard Maas
Sent: Monday, December 11, 2000 9:37 AM
To: Eos
Subject: EOS Softening Flash Light.
Hi,
I currently use a Lumiquest Softbox over my 380EX to soften the flash
light.
After a bit more than 1 year of use it's beginig to tear out and I'm
thinking of a replace.
Till the moment I've been happy with the results it gives, but recently
I've read a lot of good things about the Sto-fen diffusor.
How do they compare.
Without having the Sto-fen I can see few points:
The softbox is bulky over the flash and you have to build it on the
flash. It doesn't take longer once you have practiced a bit.
You just have to insert the Sto-Fen over the flash. No build-time
needed, no fight with velcro's.
The Lumiquest lightbox folds down to an almost flat rectangle. Very
practical in the MiniTrekker, the sto-fen always occupies the same
volume.
You can use the softbox in any flash, provided that you buy some extra
self-adhesive velcro and put some in the right place. You have to spend
$20 for each Sto-fen/ flash-type. (thinking about an 550EX ;-)
What I'd like to hear of is comparisons in light quality, softness of
shadows and light-loss. I've the impression that with the Sto-fen, you
loose a lot of light.
Opinions?
Thankx,
Gerard.
Hi Gerard,
I have a Sto-Fen AND an Ultra SoftBox for use on my 540EX and they are very
different! If you are happy with the softbox get another one. The softbox
can be used outside (which the Sto-Fen cannot, well not effectively anyway),
and is very effective indoors and out (gives very natural looking fill when
the flash is cutback a couple of stops and the background exposure is
cranked up a bit). The Sto-Fen is another kind of creature and most people
have not figured it out right! To use the Sto-Fen you MUST be indoors and
have a light colored room AND ceiling for best results! The Sto-Fen is
really a soft bare-bulb attachment for conventional flash units that can
tilt and swivel, it relies on the room to work its magic. I say this
because if you use the flash in the straight ahead position there is
virtually no softening effect while eating up plenty of power from the
flash. To use the Sto-Fen you must position the flash in the straight up
position to spread the light all around the room. This makes for soft,
natural looking light with few shadows and dark areas but does eat up
batteries! It does take a lot of power to get the job done but the results
are very good in the right room and conditions. Small rooms as I mention
above are best and white or light, neutral colored wall are best or the
image gets a tint from the walls.
HTH,
Chip Louie
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