Playing with the Lightsphere PJ

[leek]

A couple of portraits taken at today's mini-meet... using my newly acquired Lightsphere PJ... First impression is that it seems to be fairly practical to use and store - it fits onto the SB-800 very easily and stores easily in the bag due to its flexibility...

Here are a couple of mug-shots that I took with it...


Now I'll read the instructions here to see how it should really be used

[bloop]

How does it compare to the Lightsphere II?

[mic]

Geez I can't wait to have a weee Dram with these too.

[birddog114]

How does it compare to the Lightsphere II?

The LS PJ is a nice unit than the LS, soft, flexible and light, no inner plastic insert, it mould with the unit so install it on the SB800 is a breeze.
You can use the stock diffusers with the LS PJ but not with the LS II.

Easy to pack inside your bag (minitrekker or some sources of backpack)
Quality and the results of taking flash photo with it is the same withe LSII.

I don't like the weight of the LSII when you mounted it on the SB800, it makes the SB800 collapsed when the head bounces to 45 degree, it's a harder plastic and complicated with the dome, same as hard to pack along with your gears in the bag.

I like & recommend the LS PJ a must have in flash photography.

[Heath Bennett]

Is there anywhere that they can be rented? I have a corporate function on darling harbour on Thursday...

I went in to take a look at the venue on Friday and there is plenty of natural light and nice low ceilings for bouncing, would I even need one with such a good environment?

[birddog114]

Is there anywhere that they can be rented? I have a corporate function on darling harbour on Thursday...

For 60 bucks each! who will cater the rental?

I went in to take a look at the venue on Friday and there is plenty of natural light and nice low ceilings for bouncing, would I even need one with such a good environment?

Yes, well recommended!!!!

It works with the Expodisc in preset WB very well! and with the D2x, you can save few preset WB in it, make good efforts not to do much works in pp.

[Heath Bennett]

How long do they take to order Than?

Or is it a case of waiting for the next shipment for a bulk order?

Any chance that someone could lend me theirs and charge me a fee?

Does everyone like all these questions?

[birddog114]

How long do they take to order Than?

Couple weeks or couple months, depend on what's the demand on this board.

The last shipment gone within 30 minutes.

[shutterbug]

It takes forever to come. I just got my one a week ago.

Just bounce your flash, don't need it.

[Slider]

How long do they take to order Than?

Couple weeks or couple months, depend on what's the demand on this board.

The last shipment gone within 30 minutes.

Birdy,

Put me down as a definate for one when you get your next order.

[leek]

How long do they take to order Than?

Or is it a case of waiting for the next shipment for a bulk order?

Any chance that someone could lend me theirs and charge me a fee?

Does everyone like all these questions?

You can borrow mine for a night if you want Heath... as long as you pick up / drop off...

[leek]

I think that the LS PJ will also be very good for macro photography. It effectively increases the height of the flash unit, thereby avoiding shadows from the lens. It also broadens the spread of the flash, eliminating shadows.

As soon as I get a suitable macro subject, I'll take a few test shots...

[marcotrov]

Glad to see and hear that the LS PJ works a treat. Will get mine in a couple of days for my niece's 21st in Brisbane, thanks to the efficient Birddog. Won't have time to read the manual, well maybe on the plane. Looking forward to using it. Any tips Birddog, leek or anyone else for first time user? Thank god for digital to check results!
cheers
marco

[birddog114]

It takes forever to come. I just got my one a week ago.

Shutterbug,

Have you ordered? or put in a backordered?

It came and gone and came and gone!!!!!

If anyone wants to backorder, the best way is send an email with order form.
Once the stock arrived, and announced on this board, you have two days to complete your purchase, otherwise, it'll be allocated to other needies.
I had a case on yesterday, one member ordered the LSII, and I got the LS PJ, she confused and want to get the LS II instead of, coz she saw other LSII on some SB800 from other members, so I let it go to other needies.

Pls. note:
This "Group Buy" is not from me, MCWB did this favour few times for all of you and he's willing to order them more if we can see the demand is enough in one shipment, I'm just acting as a distribution point. He makes no profits there and he spent his times in organizing this.

Other related: pls. don't ask me what's the warranty condition and warranty period for this toy. I can't provide any warranty or guarantee on these, in quality of product or failing to give you a perfect flash photos.

You have to learn it all and it's your jobs.

[leek]

Won't have time to read the manual, well maybe on the plane.
Any tips Birddog, leek or anyone else for first time user?

There's no manual delivered with the LSPJ, it's all online at http://www.digitalphotographers.net/ls2pj

If you don't have time to read even that, then print out the quick ref card which is at http://www.digitalphotographers.net/ls2pj/page08.html

[birddog114]

Just bounce your flash, don't need it.

Are you sure? I thought you are not a "flash man" as you mentioned in another thread!

Many happy campers of the owner of the Lightsephere so far on this board and I'm the one among those!

[marcotrov]

Thank you on behalf of us all MCWB
cheers
marco

[shutterbug]

Hi Birddog,

I have one in my gear bag. It arrived this week after waiting for 1 month tested it on friday night...works great.

[marcotrov]

Thanks muchly Leek. I can now print one out and then read it on the plane
cheers
marco

[birddog114]

Hi Birddog,

I have one in my gear bag. It arrived this week after waiting for 1 month tested it on friday night...works great.

Shutterbug,

It's a contradiction with your ealier post

Just bounce your flash, don't need it.

[shutterbug]

Just bounce your flash, don't need it.

Are you sure? I thought you are not a "flash man" as you mentioned in another thread!

Yes not a flash man, until it gets too dark

Use it for receptions only.

In Heaths case, he said the venue has nice light and low ceiling...so bouncing will not be a problem,even if he cannot get his hands on a LS

[birddog114]

Use it for receptions only.

Pls. tell us why do you need it for reception only? skin tone effects?

In Heaths case, he said the venue has nice light and low ceiling...so bouncing will not be a problem,even if he cannot get his hands on a LS

Of course, in HB case, he does not have one so he has to use the method of bouncing flash, no choice! if he has one in his bag like your then why doesn't he use it?

Bounced flash with stock diffuser has its limitation and boundary, that why people invented the LSII/ LS PJ or other similar products.

[shutterbug]

Birddog you are killing me

I have not used the LS for event as yet...still testing it. But so far it looks great

Reception.....flash. Just for a light source for the must have images that parents request . As for the dance images...I drag the shutter and also have another camera ready with my 20mmF1.8 and high iso to capture some fun images

[Heath Bennett]

Thanks go to Leek for offering me his, but due to a packed week I won't have the time to pick it up.

Instead I'll just bounce my flash off the roof for roaming pics, and for the presentation formal pictures I'll bring along a multiblitz strobe or two with softboxes.

[Nikkofan]

I had a case on yesterday, one member ordered the LSII, and I got the LS PJ, she confused and want to get the LS II instead of, coz she saw other LSII on some SB800 from other members, so I let it go to other needies.

Hi Birddog

If you are referring to me, could I just gently correct you here. I was not confused at all: I did order a "Lightsphere" but was not aware that there were 2 types until I saw the PJ at the minimeet. I had only ever seen one, (another member's, as you said), which happened to be the LSII. When I saw the LSPJ, that was the 1st time that I became aware of the old/new model situation and hence I ordered the LSPJ, not the LSII. If I caused you any inconvenience by this, again, I apologise.

Thanks

Lynn

[birddog114]

I had a case on yesterday, one member ordered the LSII, and I got the LS PJ, she confused and want to get the LS II instead of, coz she saw other LSII on some SB800 from other members, so I let it go to other needies.

Hi Birddog

If you are referring to me, could I just gently correct you here. I was not confused at all: I did order a "Lightsphere" but was not aware that there were 2 types until I saw the PJ at the minimeet. I had only ever seen one, (another member's, as you said), which happened to be the LSII. When I saw the LSPJ, that was the 1st time that I became aware of the old/new model situation and hence I ordered the LSPJ, not the LSII. If I caused you any inconvenience by this, again, I apologise.

Thanks

Lynn

Back to this Nikonfan,
Last week, you sent me an email and PM order the LSII, after I got stock of the LS PJ, I had your name on the BO list and you mentioned you will pick it up on Saturday at the mini meet same as collect the Methanol fluid.

Saturday morning, at the time of your arrival, two units of LS PJ were on the table and you were sitting next to it, I told and show it to you: It's yours. I can read your hesitation in picking it up.

Paul has the LSII with him and played with between two units, same as you did try the two while sheepie used and played with his diffuser.

I did also explain to you right on the spot same as telling you the pros and cons in between but you were still not make up your mind.

You did order the LS II not the LS PJ as you referred to the one which belongs to our Geoff, you mentioned the one Geoff showed you previously and wished to have one similar.

I said: we're not going to get them anymore and I know you're confused and could not confirm yourself what you should get, finally, before you left, you mentioned you'll come back during the week........

As pointed out before, this is a "Group Buy" and not stock items and this is the work which MCWB did behind the scene for all, I'm acting as a distribution point and that's.

[Nikkofan]

OK Than

Sorry to disagree with you, but I'd like to clarify something further. As mentioned, I did not know that there were 2 models, so I asked you about getting the LSII. You said that I had to backorder it, and did not say anything about it being available on the Saturday.

When I arrived on the Saturday, then you showed me the PJ which, as I said, was the 1st time I was aware of its existence. My "hesitation" about the PJ came from the fact, as I privately explained to you, that I hadn't brought enough cash with me to purchase it on the spot (and was therefore feeling somewhat embarassed), because I didn't know it would be there, having thought it was on backorder. Again, thanks for the offer to take it home without paying but, as I said, I don't feel right about that and we agreed that I could swing past this week to pay & pick it then.

I can only apologise again for the "nth" time that I am sorry for any inconvenience this has caused you.

Lynn

[birddog114]

Nikonfan,
I posted this on Friday:

http://www.dslrusers.net/viewtopic.php?t=10792

And expected all the backorders had to be picked up on Saturday.

[Nikkofan]

Sorry Birddog

I didn't see that post so I didn't know. Had I known, I would have brought enough cash with me on the Saturday, and we could have avoided all of the confusion.

Nikkofan

[Jeko70]

Is Now Available to Australia and New Zealand,
If any one needs urgently for $59.99 you can order from an australian importer here
http://www.qualitycamera.com.au/product_info.php?cPath=34&products_id=1406

If they will ship it soon you can get it in three days!

Trust me!

Fab

[gstark]

If they will ship it soon you can get it in three days!

Trust me!

Fab,

What, if any, is your connection with these people?

[Jeko70]

Fab,

What, if any, is your connection with these people?

Nil connection at all!

I don't have any connection with anyone here, I could have some back at home but really not here!
Please accept my apology if buying a L S PJ from them means a sort of connection to you.

Fab

[sirhc55]

I must say that I have purchased from Stuart Simmonds in the past and he is one Australian seller that I would highly recommend - he’s mainly Canon tho’

[Jeko70]

I must say that I have purchased from Stuart Simmonds in the past and he is one Australian seller that I would highly recommend - he’s mainly Canon tho’

Me too!

Yeah, canon stuff.

What, if any, is your connection with these people?

gstark,
I told you, I'm still working for Nikon Ita, that's why I may not ever be connected with them!
Fab

You can find it in my signature!

Or if you can read Italian language

http://www.nikonclubitalia.it/nikon_club_power_user.htm

[gecko]

Hello all

I'm interested to see that Gary Fong's reference sheet and instructions for the Lightsphere PJ often says to point it forward at 45 degrees.

I've had my LSII for a little while now and think it is great, but I recall that the website instructions for the LSII indicated that you should NOT point it forward at 45 degrees.

The results from the PJ and the LSII (that I have seen) seem to be very close - can anyone explain why you wouldn't use the LSII exactly the same as for the PJ??? (except for the diffuser dome top)

Thanks
Gecko

[Paul]

Gecko, If you use the LSII at 45 degree's you run the risk it will force the flash head to 0 degree's as it is too heavy for the flash to hold.
The PJ is much lighter and the flash head can handle it's light weight easily.
I've got the LSII and have never seen the need to angle the flash to 45 deg.

[gstark]

Fab,

What, if any, is your connection with these people?

Nil connection at all!

I don't have any connection with anyone here, I could have some back at home but really not here!
Please accept my apology if buying a L S PJ from them means a sort of connection to you.

Fab

Fab,

Ok, thanx for this. Your post's context suggested to me the possibility of a connection, and I just wanted to clarify that if there was such a connection, that a full disclosure was made.

You have stated no connection, and I'm perfectly happy with that.

[gstark]

Or if you can read Italian language

http://www.nikonclubitalia.it/nikon_club_power_user.htm

More than most would believe, actually.

I know enough (very poorly spoken) Italian to enable me to travel around Italia without getting surprised in restaurants, and being able to book an hotel room in small villages in the mountains between Maranello and Monterosso Al Mare in Le Cinque Terre. After stopping at a small roadside farm stall and buying some reggiano on the way through first, of course.

Sadly, we were in a Ford, rather than something more befitting the roads in that region of the world.

Is there no Italian word for didgeredoo?

And if you clarify one thing for me ... grandicello - the "grandi" has me slightly confused here - suggestive of a large cello, which is making me think in terms of my instrumnt - a double bass, but I suspect not.

Ciao.

[gecko]

Gecko, If you use the LSII at 45 degree's you run the risk it will force the flash head to 0 degree's as it is too heavy for the flash to hold.
The PJ is much lighter and the flash head can handle it's light weight easily.
I've got the LSII and have never seen the need to angle the flash to 45 deg.

Thanks Paul
I have never used it at 45 until last night after I read this thread. The results were quite good. I am using an SB600 and have not yet had the problem of the flash head tilting down to O degrees yet.
Photographed about 100 people at a function last night and got asked 'what is it' about 100 times as well!!

Cheers
Gecko

[nito]

Sorry for reviving an old thread. I was just wondering if anyone has used the lightsphere PJ with the foward dome attachment?

Does it give nice skin tone and colour? i.e. no washed out flash look.

[leek]

Sorry for reviving an old thread. I was just wondering if anyone has used the lightsphere PJ with the foward dome attachment?

Does it give nice skin tone and colour? i.e. no washed out flash look.

Nito,

The PJ doesn't have a dome - it's just a flexible translucent rubbery thing that attaches to your flash. You may be thinking of the LSII...
The PJ has several advantages - most of which are listed in the thread above...

[nito]

Sorry for reviving an old thread. I was just wondering if anyone has used the lightsphere PJ with the foward dome attachment?

Does it give nice skin tone and colour? i.e. no washed out flash look.

Nito,

The PJ doesn't have a dome - it's just a flexible translucent rubbery thing that attaches to your flash. You may be thinking of the LSII...
The PJ has several advantages - most of which are listed in the thread above...

It has a dome now, thats why I am asking to see if I should order it with or without dome

http://store.garyfonginc.com/liiido.html

http://www.qualitycamera.com.au/product ... ts_id=1405

[sirhc55]

I ordered the dome about an hour ago

[nito]

I ordered the dome about an hour ago

Darn, so it's that new!

[phillipb]

Starting to look like tupperware again.

[leek]

It has a dome now, thats why I am asking to see if I should order it with or without dome

Ah... sorry - I'm obviously behind the times...

Starting to look like tupperware again.

It looks more like a Dutch Cap to me

[sirhc55]

You‘re showing your age John

[nito]

With a LS, I can picture my parents pouring drink down my flash now.

[blacknstormy]

Wow - I was like a little kid when I saw this post - and I've ordered the lid (and am on the tupperware bandwagon)

And Leek - I use mine for macro photography always - I know I don't take the greatest shots, but seems to work pretty well Sometimes I use my left hand and actually pull the bottom of the lightsphere down at the front with one finger while I'm taking the shot, gives me a little more light when I'm working really close up

Rel

[big pix]

Wow - I was like a little kid when I saw this post - and I've ordered the lid (and am on the tupperware bandwagon)

And Leek - I use mine for macro photography always - I know I don't take the greatest shots, but seems to work pretty well Sometimes I use my left hand and actually pull the bottom of the lightsphere down at the front with one finger while I'm taking the shot, gives me a little more light when I'm working really close up

Rel

Think about getting a bigger flash....... CT60 or about 1 stop slower CT45 ......... both are a lot lot faster that a SB800......... you will be shooting about f16 or F22 on close up or change the power to suite........