> -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Simon Rose > Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2004 12:08 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: EOS Sto-Fen Flash Diffusers > > > Hi, > > I have recently purchased a Sto-Fen Flash Diffuser to go with my Sigma 500 > Super flash gun and EOS300/ 30 bodies. Has any one else used these before > and care to part with any hints and tips? > > I understand so far that I should always use it at about 45 degrees rather > than head on but other than that the manual doesn't say much. > > Also the Canon flashes say they have a pre-flash for the metering > system but > I can't detect on with the Sigma - or is it too quick for me to see? > > Regards > > > Simon > >
Hi Simon, Sto-Fen's diffusers only work well in small rooms with white walls and ceilings unless you don't care about the color. Then the problem is that the flash output picks up the colors of the walls and ceilings and lights the room with off color uncontrolled light. This is chancy at best and plain bad at worst as you have no control over the light color or direction. BUT Sto-Fen diffusers work very well in a small rooms with white walls and ceilings if you have a high output flash head. I have one and for this they work well, kind of like a 40's or 50's bare bulb effect. If the room is big enough your subjects will look OK as the colored light from the room is less of an influence then the light coming directly from the diffuser. But if you are that close (relative to the subject vs. the walls), then what's the point? The Sto-Fen won't make any difference except to use up more battery power. Diffusion works by spreading and/or increasing the area of the light source. Sto-Fen on flash diffusers are not significantly larger then the bare flash head. This is why they make no difference in light quality in large rooms where the walls and ceiling bounce is too weak to make a difference. If you want to soften the light from your flash get a bounce type diffuser or a bounce diffuser with diffusion panel on the front that's LARGE. Lumiquest's makes the best I've seen and used. I also like the 80/20 from Lumiquest. Look here: http://www.lumiquest.com/ Hope this helps! Cheers/Chip * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
