For a photographer, sometimes it is necessary to use flash during the shooting process, especially in some dark environments (in scenes that need to highlight the subject/low light situation), such as night, club, party, micro photography, etc. . However, photos taken with only flash are prone to problems such as helmet strap shadow, harsh shadow, etc., which will ruin your efforts.
A flash diffuser is a perfect solution to this problem in this case. Reasonable use of a flash diffuser can help soften flash light, so that the picture looks softer and the object looks more natural. We will choose x types of flash diffuser for you here, and will tell you how to use the flash diffuser.
What Is a Flash Diffuser?
When you use a flash due to a low light situation, you may find heavy shadows and reflected highlights on your subject.
Flash diffuser is a camera accessory attached to your flash that can soften your flashlight. Reducing the shadows and reflected highlights will make your photo more natural.
It specifically contains a variety of styles, such as softbox, lightsphere, reflector and so on.
Best Flash Diffuser Picked Up for You
Overall, the Rogue FlashBender v3 Small Soft Box Kit – is the best option we’ve found for you in this comparison. Its high shapeability allows you to soften your flash in multiple situations with only one kit. It’s just that you need to have some skills to master it fully.
If you don’t want to spend much time learning how to use it, Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible Gen5 may be a better choice. Its collapsible design makes it easy to carry.
If your flash model fits, this Neewer Camera Flash Bounce Light Hard Diffuser may be the easiest way to attach. All you need to do is just cover it over your camera flash, then it starts to work.
Kachifoto Flash Diffuser Reflector has two reflector sides within one pad, so you can take a quick switch during photography. But it may take up some space considering that it’s unfoldable.
MagMod Starter Flash Kit 2 is so smartly designed. Its magnetic modular design allows you to switch the flash modifier faster compared with adhesive straps.
Neewer Universal Soft Mini Flash Bounce Diffuser has an easy design but still does a good job as a flash diffuser. It’s also lightweight and collapsible. The only thing that may bother you is that it may not be suitable for heavy use.
Rogue FlashBender has a unique advantage over other diffusers for its shapeability. The reflector has ribs on its back, which allows you to shape it into different configurations as you wish.
For example, you can bend it forward to reflect the light directly towards your subject.You can also shape it as a snoot to focus the light into a specific area for a hairlight or focused backdrop light. Now, you don’t have to carry many other gears for different intentions. Just this one gear can meet your various needs.
With a quick release, you can fix it onto your flash within seconds. It makes a tighter attachment than a normal strap.
This kit also comes with a diffusion panel which allows you to combine it with the reflector into a softbox. You can apply it to get a softer light or eliminate dark shadow within portraiture photography.
The weight of this kit is 8oz, it may create a little stress on your hot shoe with the flash. Overall it doesn’t matter much, but you still need to take it into account.
Pros
- Shapeable for multifunction
- Quick release for faster attachment
- Foldable
- Bigger diffusion surface
Cons
- Large size may be a bit heavy
This cool lightsphere can be folded just like a dick, which makes it easy to carry. You can even just put it into your pouch.
Unlike many other flash diffusers, you have no need to remove it from your camera when you switch to shooting direct flash. Just push from front to fold it back and then you can start shooting.
It can be a bit difficult to fix it to your flash. But the connection between the flash and the lightsphere is really sturdy when fixed. It can bear the whole weight of your camera, even with your tripod.
The lightsphere is designed open on the top originally which allows the flash to send more light to the ceiling and makes brighter interiors. But it also comes with a dome, you can cover the lightsphere with this dome when you are in a situation with low ceilings.
Make sure you will take good care of the dome, some people complain that it is easy to pop out when covered on the lightsphere, which also makes it easy to lose.
Pros
- Collapsible
- Quick switch
- Very sturdy
- Portable
Cons
- Single dome is easy to lose
- The dome pops off easily
- Difficult to fix
Actually, this diffuser is just a translucent cap that fits over your flash. This is also why it’s so easy to use, just cover on your flash and then take a shot.
But you really need to pay attention to that if it fits your flash. The product description says that it ONLY FITs for some Neewer flashes, like TT560 and TT520. If you don’t want to cut it to fit your flash by yourself, just check your flash brand.
This diffuser is so small and doesn’t cost much. You can pocket it easily for outdoor photography.
It has limited applicable scenarios compared with other diffusers and the light may still be a little harsh. But considering its price and convenience, it may still be worth a shot, right?
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Small and portable
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Only fit for Neewer flashes
- Limited effect
Kachifoto flash diffuser is simply designed. A two-sided reflector has just two straps, making it very easy to fix to your flash.
The reflector has two sides: the white-side and the silver-side. White side provides you with a softer light while the silver side gives you more contrast.It’s light-weight, flat but unfoldable, you still can pack it easily.
Remark that this reflector is stiff and cannot be bent into more useful shape,which limits its usefulness for macro photography and other flash photography
Universal mount allows it to fit most flashes, but some may be a bit floppy. Some complain that the threading comes undone after being used for some time. It’s still worth a try considering that it’s not expensive.
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Light and portable
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Unfoldable
- Floppy
- Rough production
MagMod actually provides you with a simple flash modifier system in this kit. The kit has a MagGrip, a MagSphere and a MagGrid which are all upgraded compared to previous versions.
After you put the MagGrip on your flash, you can very easily switch the MagSphere and the MagGrid as they are all attached by magnet. The MagGrip is stretchy and a little tight, you may take some effort to put it on your flash every time before using this system. But if you keep it on your flash, it takes up space relatively.
The strong magnet keeps the diffuser attached to your flash tightly. It generally doesn’t fall off easily unless you’re running fiercely during the shoot.
But the strong magnet also causes problems, for example, it sometimes attracts metal stuff easily like paper clips or some metal tools. So, If you want to avoid this trouble, you need to keep the gear separately.
Pros
- Quick switch
- Easy to use
- Sturdy
Cons
- Heavy
- Mag Grip makes it not easy to store
- Strong magnet also causes problems
This diffuser is just like a small pouch, it’s made up of cloth and a reflector on one side inside, which means that it can also work as a bounce card.
It’s not complicated and is cheap, but it also seems not for heavy use. But considering its price, you may accept it.
It’s small and made up of mainly cloth, so you can even put it in your pocket. And then put it out and cover it on your flash within seconds when needed.
The diffuser is designed universal for most brands, but can be loose for some flashes.
Pros
- Small and portable
- Cheap
- Easy to use
Cons
- Not suitable for heavy use
- Loose for some flashes
What to Consider When Choosing a Flash Diffuser?
Weight
If the flash diffuser is too heavy, it will create more stress on your hot shoe with your flash, reducing its service life.
Ease of use
You don’t want to fiddle around with assembling your flash diffuser on set. Or go through tedious steps to switch back to direct light mode, right?
Portability
It’s good to fold it up and pack it in a bag, and it’s better to stuff it into some side pocket of your camera bag, taking up no space.
Multi-function
If a flash diffuser is only a diffuser, you may need many other gears for different scenes. You can’t expect too much from just one piece of gear, but it’s always more convenient to carry less than more.
Should I Use a Diffuser on My Flash?
Yes. No matter if you are an amateur or a professional photographer, a diffuser is always needed. I don’t mean that you need a diffuser in each shoot. But it’s necessary to put a diffuser on your flash when you want to avoid a harsh light and eliminate the dark shadow.
How Do I Install a Flash Diffuser?
Most flash diffusers are designed with some straps, band it to your flash and make sure that it’s fixed tightly.
Some are designed uniquely, for example, MagMod’s flash diffuser consists of MagGrip, MagGrid and MagSphere. You need to set the MagGrip on your flash first, then you can attach the MagSphere or MagGrid to the grip. They are attached tightly with magnetic force.
Some other diffusers are generally designed to be compatible with specific flashes. You need to check if the diffuser fits your flash in advance.
What Can I Use Instead of a Diffuser?
You can make a flash diffuser on your own with some simple material. Once you know the rule of light diffusion, a simple flash diffuser made by yourself can also play a fairly good effect.
How to Make a Flash Diffuser?
There are many cheap and simple ways to DIY flash diffuser. Here I will show you a very simple method from Spyros Heniadis.
All you need in this way is just a white craft foam and some velcro.
1. Tape a loop of velcro around your flash head(for attaching your modifier quickly).
2. Cut the white craft foam sheet into about 9 x 12 inches.
3. Cut a 9 inch trap and tape it to the bottom of the edge.
4. Stick it to the velcro on your flash, wrap it around the head and now it can work as a diffuser.
It is really simple, right? But the effect of the diffusion can be limited, you need to spend more time to test it.
Conclusion
I picked up the Rogue FlashBender v3 Small Soft Box Kit here for you. It may not be the cheapest choice, but it provides you with more than one function for its shapeability, which means that you actually save money for other gears. And you can both use it as a flash reflector or a softbox.
If you don’t need so many functions and just want to have a try on a flash diffuser with limited budget, Neewer Universal Soft Mini Flash Bounce Diffuser is also a good choice. It’s cheap and compatible with most flashes.
Magmod provides the most comprehensive system. It may be the coolest way to switch your diffuser by its magnetic module. You can start your first experience with this MagMod Starter Flash Kit 2 .
You surely can DIY a flash diffuser on your own, but you will have to spend more time to test the effect of different materials. Choosing an off-the-shelf product will save you a lot of time, but it still depends on you.
Anyway, all these tools or gears here are to help you modify your flashlight. And all my job here is to help you save your time on choosing. I hope this article can provide you some convenience.