Pop-up flash reflector

November 18th, 2011
After seeing @stkimage 's link on camera gadgets the other day I became interested in this little thing - http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/pop-up-flash-bounce/ . In the past I've used a white side plate from the kitchen and held it at an angle infront of the flash. It's worked quite well eventually, but not particularly practical or consistent in results (mainly 'cause I've got one hand on the shutter release and another holding a plate in the air infront of my forehead!).

Has anyone any experience of using something similar to this? Good results? Where did you get them from? I'm in the UK so would rather find something similar this side of the pond as I can't find this particular one anywhere online apart from the above link.
November 18th, 2011
It looks like a super cool idea, tempted to buy one.
November 18th, 2011
I've been tempted by the lightscoop, which is the same, but has a whole website with detailed instructions on how to get the best results with it and with and without photos. They have international shipping too. :-) http://www.lightscoop.com/index.html
November 18th, 2011
Ah, so it seems the one you've found is actually the lightscoop. Oh well.
November 18th, 2011
But apparently you might be able to get 10% discount if you follow them on twitter.
November 18th, 2011
@wormentude Great website/advert. I hadn't realised it was the same until you pointed it out either. Tempting?!
Works out about £18...Where did you see info re:shipping? How much is postage?
November 18th, 2011
I can't remember, but I think there's a page on the site called "buy it now" or something similar and the shipping info's on there. It's either about £8 or about $8 - I can't remember which currency it's in.
November 21st, 2011
@burningjello @wormentude

Hia - I went to my local camera shop yesterday to ask about this, and the camera-man was very sceptical. He explained why (many reasons, and they all made sense).

1) A popup flash will not have enough energy to bounce backwards and then forwards again unless you're in a tiny little room

2) There is no way of altering the angle of the mirror, so the results will vary greatly as to where the beam actually gets reflected onto (which in turn means that there would be a great variety in where it is then bounced to) - if there was a hinge you could adjust it accordingly in order for the beam to be directed onto the object/person (e.g. if you tilt the camera down a bit to take a photo of something on a table (food?) then the flash would be sent straight up to the ceiling and wouldn't diffuse (due to lack of angle etc)

3) He'd never heard of anything similar, and if they were any good he reckoned he would have.

4) He said I'd get much better results if I was to improve the light in the room and use reflectors (at which point I felt a bit silly having asked about it!...because all became a bit too obvious).

He did however, suggest that I could try and fashion my own version incorporating a hinge!

Save your money and put it towards something better - I'm sorry to have raised your hopes about something that now sounds a bit silly!
November 21st, 2011
Hmm, he does have some good arguments, but equally I have seen many very positive reviews online. Maybe using a compact mirror would be a good way to try without buying...?
November 21st, 2011
@wormentude A great idea, and much more practical and easier to hold than my white side-plate! (it did work though, promise!)
:)
Write a Reply
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.