I am about to take some wedding photos and have been given the advice to get a "pillow diffuser". It inflates like a balloon and is placed over the flash. I would like to know if this is equivelant to a soft box or even if these are appopriate for weddings. If now, what should I use. Also, what type of batteries are best for a 420EX Canon Speedlight.

-- (shadowman181@yahoo.com), February 08, 2002

Answers

I've got one of these. It diffuses the light about the same as one of the larger bounce reflectors or a small soft box. They look rediculous, but seem to work fine as long as you are up close to your subject.

All these small diffuser/bouncer devices are about the same in the quality of light they produce and the amount of light that the eat. (figure on up to 2 stops lost) Usually the larger ones that diffuse the most also loose the most.

These things will reduce your max distance to about half, but that's okay because their effect is only good if you are a lot closer than that. Once you get out about ten feet you loose the effect because the diffusion surface is too small to matter froma distance. They work best when you're within 3-6 feet. Be prepared to quickly remove it when the distances get longer.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), February 08, 2002.

I shoot a lot of weddings and I always usa a Stofen Omnibounce on my 550EX. It's small and produces great pictures.

-- Magnus (magnus.olausson@home.se), February 08, 2002.