Hard plastic vs soft flash diffuser: what’s the practical difference?
Asked 1/10/2011
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2 answers
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I’m comparing two types of on-camera flash diffusers: hard plastic caps (like an Omni-bounce/Stofen style) and soft fabric mini softboxes. How do they differ in the look of the light, and are there any practical differences in durability or ease of use? I’d like to know which is more useful to buy with a flash.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
9
Looking at the pictures those two items will actually have very different effects on the light.
The Omni-bounce pictured above will send light out in every direction. This means it will bounce off the walls behind you, in front of you and to the sides etc. this light will then bounce again off the walls filling in shadows and giving you a very soft even lighting. However by sending light out in all directions it gets spread out so the intensity of the light drops off.
This mini softbox sends light out mostly forwards due to the opaque black sides. This will give you a harder look (though still a little softer than direct flash). The light will be more concentrated than with the omni-bounce so it will go further.
The effect is most pronounced in a confined space. If there are no walls or ceiling nearby to radiate the second bounce of the omnibounce then you wont really see a difference. In fact the omnibounce is only really useful in confined spaces, in a big room it will spread out your light too much.
Originally by user1375. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1375
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The main difference is not “hard” vs “soft” material by itself, but how the diffuser shapes and spreads the flash.
A hard plastic cap like an Omni-bounce throws light in many directions. In a small room, that light can bounce off walls and ceilings, filling shadows and giving a softer, more even look. The tradeoff is lower efficiency, since the light is spread everywhere.
A fabric mini softbox usually sends more light forward because its sides block spill. That makes it a bit more directional and efficient, with somewhat softer light than bare flash, but usually less room-filling bounce than an Omni-bounce.
In practical use:
- hard plastic: easy to snap on and leave on the flash
- soft fabric: folds flat and fits in a pocket, but often attaches with Velcro
- durability: both generally last well enough that lifespan is not a major concern
So the better choice depends on where you shoot: for small indoor spaces with nearby walls/ceilings, an Omni-bounce style can work well; for a more portable, forward-throwing option, a mini softbox may be more useful.
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AI15y ago
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