Everyone knows about the Gary Fong Lightsphere. Gary invented this flexible rubberized diffuser dome to fit onto the end of your flash unit, and included some seperate end pieces which come in various colors for color matching your existing light. The results were marvelous. The Lightsphere was an impressive little accessory that not only softened the quality of your light, it enhanced it.
The problem is that while this device is impressive, it’s my opinion that the Lightsphere is a little overpriced. Gary charges $50 for the actual lightsphere, and another $20 for the amber dome (which helps under tungsten lighting). I’m all for personal business ventures, especially in the photography world, but when I found the Lambency version of the Lightsphere on eBay for 1/4 of the price – I couldn’t justify spending that kind of money on Gary’s original version… especially after hearing stories like this and this. So I bought the eBay Sphere.
While I applaud Mr. Fong for his ingenious device, and would be willing to throw some money his way for it, I’m a little confused as to why this replica diffuser can be manufactured and sold at such low costs in comparison to his “authentic” Lightsphere. If you feel the same, and want to save yourself some money, check out the Lambency diffusers.
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January 24th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I think I bought the replica version of it, as it cost me RUR 900 (about USD 35) here in Russia, considering there were also transport charges included.
A wonderful device, though.
January 24th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
I have the Gary Fong Lightsphere and been using it over a year. I think it is amazing tool to use. Some people might disagree with me on this.
Gary Fong came out with the idea first that really worked and others are just copying his idea and then sell it cheaper than Gary. I have spent $15,000 over years on camera gear, lens and accessories trying to save $30 seems to be silly for me. I have seen it happen with people arguing over a $30 Photoshop action is feeling it was $10 more expensive than it should be. But they will spend $2,500 for a digital camera body or $1,600 for lens.
There even arguments buying a flash diffuser or using Mr. Coffee filter. So anyone buying a flash diffuser is overpriced compare to a cheap Mr. Coffee filter. I use Whilbal to grey balance my photos and I know a photographer who uses a white card they bought in a paint store and he tells me I got ripped off.
You might feel Gray Fong is over priced, but I can tell you from the flash photos I have taken using it. I think it is worth it. I have seen this over and over again. Someone comes out with great idea or product. Later someone copies it and sells it cheaper and that supposed to make it a good it.
It would be like a photographer sees your photograph that you have are selling. Then the photographer shoots the same photograph and then offers to sell it to anyone, sells it cheaper than you. Would I support this type of behavior?
Bill
January 24th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Realistically, you’re right – what’s $30 more? Still, I enjoy saving money where ever I can. If I can easily make it myself, I will. If I can find a better deal, I’ll go for it. The Lightsphere works wonders – I love it… and I applaud Mr. Fong for creating a fantastic little accessory. I’ve tried the coffee filter idea, but I’m not sure it produces the same kind of results as this accessory, so I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it. Still, if I can find an equivalent for a fraction of the cost, why not?
January 25th, 2008 at 11:45 am
I agree, the sphere is great, but you can find “Fary Gong” sphere alot cheaper. Well I dunno if they are actually called that, but I should market it :D :D :D!!!
January 25th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Haha, Fary Gong. Nice one, Todd. :D
I have a Lightsphere but haven’t used it in a while, only because I feel like I’m getting more comfortable with controlling flash. I’d totally recommend it to anyone who just wants good, balanced light without stressing too much about the details. I’ve gotten some pretty sweet results with my Fong Dong.
January 25th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Hahaha… Fong Dong. You guys are going to get me in so much trouble. Seriously though, if you’re shooting with a single flash, it’s a really handy device and I can’t stress enough how well it softens and disperses the light. Try getting the orange end-cap for balancing light temperature in tungsten conditions. Long story short… whether you get the authentic Gary Fong version, or one of the bastardized rip-off versions – it’s worth while.
June 17th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I bought LS Gary Fong couple weeks ago on Gary Fong website E-store, (1st time), I was very disappointed that they sent LS & dome & DVD manual in post office box. I thought it was Fake one. I tried called but not get throught, then I tried chat online. the service support told me that “it is right one” by warehouse of gary fong; only retail dealers such as adorama or B&H store sell with the “retail box”.
Gary fong E-store cost: $39.99 plus & shipping ( customers WILL PAY for return shipping)
retail dealers cost the same: $39.00 plus shipping (customers NOT PAY for return shipping)
I think that gary fong E-store sent me deffective one, so I return it to them then paid for return shipping.
Then I order Lambency from China dealers, it took week to get USA. it look just identical and work perfectly
I love it, I paid 1/2 price vs Gary fong for LS
Note: Gary Fong customers is BAD , I send you the defective one without retail box.
The other send completed box, cost 1/2 price and work perfectly.
NO more buy directly to Gary fong E-store.
they lose one customer , it does not hurt their business, but they will lose reputation
November 14th, 2008 at 7:03 am
Copying is cheaper, without the developpement product of Gary no copy still exist…
You paid for the developpement cost, product, advertising etc.
Go ahead, buy China and the economy will drop again and again..
Remember this China guy’s paid 1 dollar for a working day and they buy our compagny
Save 1 dollar today will cost you your house tomorrow
February 6th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Well, many talk about the copy. The copy is not the bad thing. I bought a copy, it seems the quality is good, just want to say, if the replica do not cut the quality. why do we choice a copy. it give us a economic choice
March 5th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Anyone wanna buy a cheap lambency diffuser ? please send me a mail to heart_lost@hotmail.com for sales enquiry
April 1st, 2009 at 9:15 pm
I bought the Gary Fong Cloud kit, but the but it did not completely suit my needs. And… to get the individual component I wanted, I would have to purchase another complete kit, the Lightsphere. I was somewhat disgruntled with this selling approach. When I spotted the Lambency kit, it was priced in such a way covering all my needs+++. The service was fast, the kit was better quality and fit. Lambency (Jue Ying) has improved what Gary started in many ways. This world thrives on plagiarism, and has progressed because of it, sometime good, sometimes bad. “Nanos gigantum humeris insidentes” (Dwarfs standing on the shoulders of giants)
Many giants – Newton & Einsten to name a few – throughout history have used this phrase in one form or another to credit those who have come before them. Ironically, merely quoting this phrase is plagiarism…
June 11th, 2009 at 3:07 am
Wanted to save more money. Home made diffuser is even cheaper than a replica of someone else idea. Go to your neighbour’s recycle box and pick up any gray fong lightsphere look alike plastic will cost nothing, dud!!!
June 13th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Even better, I think, is a home-made (as in DIY) flash diffuser I read about on Instructables.com (www.Instructables.com/id/DIY-Gary-Fong-Lightsphere/) a while back. It’s made with silicone shelf liner from Ikea and Velcro tape. A roll of the shelf liner is around $5 USD and the total cost of the diffuser works out to about 30 cents. It took me about 5 minutes to make one. And it really works well! Plus it’s light and collapsible, so it doesn’t take up any room at all in a camera bag. If you use the white Velcro tape it has a nicer appearance (they show it with black.)