Product Review - Gary Fong Lightsphere

Christmas brought me two light modifiers that I normally wouldn't have bought for myself and so far I'm quite happy with them!

Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible with Speed Mount (Generation 5) is first up for a review. This little dome is listed as a Top Seller and retails at B&H for a little over $50.

The box is pretty sparse so I wasn't real impressed when I opened it up. There is more info on the outside of the box than the small card found on the inside can fit and you are instructed to visit YouTube if you need any further product information. You won't really need anything through. 

1. The body of the Lightsphere expands out nice and easily. It's flexible but it doesn't feel flimsy so I'm thinking it'll be OK with repeated use.
2. The dome snugs into the end with a little finesse. I used the dome out and then inverted it just to see what the light quality change was. It seemed a little more concentrated inverted but this was kind of a half-hazard test so don't quote me on that. 
3. The straps to hold it to to my speedlite (Canon 580EX II) worked exceptionally well. It didn't move, it didn't slip, and it didn't threaten to fall off in the river like so many before it have. :)
4. The light diffusion is absolutely beautiful. This was a not-so-great-overcast day and I went for a walk with the 50mm lens to shoot some silly things and try this new toy out. The camera was on manual settings but the 580 was in E-TTL mode and the Lightsphere really did a beautiful job. The light is well diffused with a great luminous quality to it. Click on the samples and take a peek: 

Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible with Speed Mount (Generation 5) is well worth the money. I know there is a million ways to DIY light modifiers at home, and that is part of the reason I hadn't bought one of these before, but you won't be sorry if you spend a little cash on this puppy. 

​https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1010800-REG/gary_fong_lsc_sm_lightsphere_collapsible_dome_diffuser.html

I'll spend some more time working with it and do a follow up review with better samples in a few weeks. In the mean time.....
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Happy shooting!