I just purchased a SF20 and climbing its' learning curve. I am happy with its' functionabilty but the light seems a little harsh. I have tried thin kleenex as a diffuser but it is awfully fragile material. What other color neutral light diffuser/softener material would you suggest?

-- Brooks (bvonarx@home.com), December 18, 2001

Answers

Brooks

The trouble is not that the light is harsh, it is simply that the reflector is small. Diffusing the light by putting tissue over it will not do much, if anything. The only way to get it softer is to increase the size of the lightsource via a clip on diffusor (Lumiquest type things), or by bouncing the light. The trouble with that is that the flash is not so powerful, so when you start doing this kind of thing with it you are left with little light. Also I know of no clip on diffusor that will work in terms of increasing the apparent size of the reflector, although Lutz Konerman has something in the works. Personally, I use the SF20 in an emergency, or when I travel light, I might bounce the light if I am feeling ambitious, but for a really good flash session you need something more substantial with a GN higher than the SF20's. The SF20 is less intimidating than a big flash and great for the odd flash shot, or for fill in occasionally. If you want big flash features then I think you are better off with a more powerful unit. The SF20 does what it does well, but you cannot use it for everything and expect great results.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), December 18, 2001.

Hi, I assume you're using the diffusion panel that comes with the unit? if you are looking for a really cheap solution, wax paper makes a pretty good diffuser. There are a number of companies that make unit- specific diffusion attachments, but I am unaware if there is one made for the SF-20.

-- Marke Gilbert (Bohdi137@aol.com), December 18, 2001.

Hi Brooks-

I have an old Vivitar 3700 that has a clip on diffuser. For me though, even with the diffuser the light can be a bit harsh if not bounced. I rubberband a folded piece of unbleached muslin over the reflector and diffuser. It is three layers of fabric. Works well. Its very durable stuff, cheap too. I guess I didn't by a ttl for flash capability...

-- jeff voorhees (debontekou@yahoo.com), December 18, 2001.

I had an SF20 with my first go-round with the R8, sold them at the same time. The SF20 makes a nice catchlight/daylight-fill flash but I prefer one of the Metz units for a general-purpose flash.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), December 18, 2001.

The SF20 comes with a nice diffuser panel. Have you used it? I leave it on all the time. It creates a soft even light......

-- (applemac97@aol.com), December 18, 2001.

Diffusers for compact flash units have two significant effects: they cut down the range of the flash, and they spread the light over a wider angle. If the diffuser actually is softening the light, it's because additional stray light from the flash is bouncing off ceiling/walls/floor and providing some indirect fill. There are environments where diffusers might help, but don't expect them to turn your small flash into a source of "soft" light.

-- Mike Dixon (mike@miekdixonphotography.com), December 18, 2001.

I use a kimwipe under the diffuser head. Good cost effective "softbox".

Cheers,

-- John Chan (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), December 18, 2001.

Lumiquest ProMax Mini SoftBox with all the limitations described by Robin.

-- Lucien (lucien_vd@yahoo.fr), December 19, 2001.

the diffusion panel that comes with the unit?

As Mike says, it is not what I would call a diffuser: all it does is to scatter the light sufficiently to cover the angle of view of a 28mm lens. A real diffuser is something that significantly increases the size of the flash source such as the Lumiquest illustrated above. Putting the diffuser on your SF20 only has some effect (and only if you are not using a 28mm lens) if you get any significant reflection from adjoining walls, so the walls need to be close and correctly oriented to produce that effect. You woudl get pretty much the same effect when using the unit without the diffuser and with a 50mm lens -- the unit covers up to 35mm without the clip on diffuser.

As to the Lumiquest, I am not sure you can really fit it on the SF20, although I haven't tried.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), December 19, 2001.

SFILL for the SF20. Overdue... ;o) Out before the end of the year... promise.

-- Lutz Konermann (lutz@konermann.net), December 19, 2001.

-- Lutz Konermann (lutz@konermann.net), December 19, 2001.

Lutz - that looks great -- does it fold at all?

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), December 20, 2001.

Folds flat to the size of a postcard (4"x6"). When I make tea I make tea... ;o)



-- Lutz Konermann (lutz@konermann.net), December 20, 2001.