on-camera flash modifier system – Spinlight 360
For the past few weddings I have photographed, I’ve been testing out a new flash modifier – the Spinlight 360. I’ve been putting it through its paces, checking whether I like it and whether it would hold up during actual shooting of an event. And I do. So *this* post is the public premiere of this device. The auspicious announcement of the Spinlight 360
Instead of just diffusing flash, or having a bounce card, the Spinlight 360 also encompasses the idea behind the black foamie thing – that it is all about the direction of light, not just how your flash’s light is dispersed from on top of your camera.
I’ve had many people suggest I should sell the black foamie thing, but for me the BFT has always been about the technique, rather than the actual device. And I loved that it was so cheap and easily crafted. But it has its limitations when there is nothing to bounce your flash off, and you really need a bounce card to act as a larger surface to create softer light. Also, the BFT wasn’t easy to adjust from horizontal to vertical position. But with the Spinlight 360, you can easily rotate the black card which flags your flash. It is flexible and adaptable.
So here it is – a versatile modular on-camera flash modifier.
More info on the Spinlight 360, and info on how to order one.
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If it wasn’t that expensive (150 USD), I whould definitely replace my Black Foamie Thing with this spinning thing :)
Comment by Alex Bunea — February 21, 2012 @ 4:05 am
Does it mean this is the end for BFT for you Neil?
Comment by Arnold Gallardo — February 21, 2012 @ 5:41 pm
Looks like a pretty interesting gadget Neil. I may have to try this one out.
Comment by Jason — February 21, 2012 @ 9:26 pm
Too funny…I just bought the BFT on Friday. I thought about modifying my old Lightsphere (from Gary Fong) to make it more like the BFT and this product sounds just like that.
Comment by photomatte — February 22, 2012 @ 12:30 am
[...] a great deal of control over its direction. So, isn’t that the concept behind all modifiers? Click here to check out this new item and read a short review from Neil. He knows lighting and his opinions are worth considering (hint: [...]
Pingback by Dealer Markup on D800 … And A Contest Winner | Photos on the Go — February 22, 2012 @ 1:18 am
hmm, interesting. i just really like how the bft can fit in my pocket or camera bag and not add any weight. and you can’t beat the price. however, the swivel on this looks enticing.
Comment by laura n. — February 22, 2012 @ 1:35 am
It looks like a well thought new flash modifier. To me, $130 when compared to the cost of the gear I use in events is minimal. I’ve invested thousands of dollars in lenses, cameras and flashes so, if the Spin360 can give me the ability to work faster, go from horizontal to vertical in a more straightforward way, I definitely welcome this announcement.
Comment by Walter Rojter — February 26, 2012 @ 1:47 pm
Hi Neil
I have a quick question about the Spinlight 360 , If your in a situation where you are to close to bounce the flash off a Wall because the angle of the light is to acute do you need to swop to the white card ?
Comment by Lou Recine — February 29, 2012 @ 4:00 pm
Comment by Neil vN — March 3, 2012 @ 4:19 pm
Spinlight 360 is definetely a welcome addtion to light modifiers for wedding and portait photography. I wonder how light-weighted it is because if it is a heavier, the flash head tilts to a wrong direction when using in a vertical position. (my EX580 and EX580-2 are pretty much used up, and each flash head can rotate so easily. )
Comment by Shig Tokuda — March 11, 2012 @ 12:08 am
I’m using similar idea on Lightsphere – black flag connected to the dome, so I can simply rotate it (when changing horizontal to vertical).
Additional bonus of LS, put two pieces of velcro inside LS and you can simply filter the light with LEE filters available in LEE swatchbook ;) (after gluing some velcro also on the filters).
Comment by Olesku.pl — April 15, 2012 @ 4:47 am