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Getting the best flash diffuser for your camera allows you to get rid of the glaring bright areas and sharply contrasting shadows. Flash diffusers differ in sizes and shapes, with each having its extent of diffusion. Lager diffusers will spread the light more, leading to a softer amount of illumination.
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There are multiple selections available when it comes to playing with the level of illumination from your external camera flash. What you intend to achieve and the subject you are photographing should help you determine the most probable option.
Below is an analysis of different types of flash diffusers. The highlights and flaws coupled with a few comparisons to help you choose the right flash diffuser for you.
If you want accessories to improve your subject exposure, the Godox Flash Kit is an affordable option. I like it since you get more features than what other kits like the Magmod professional flash kit offer, for almost a third the price.
While most of the kit has the Godox AKR1 and the S-R1 in mind, it also includes a magnetic adapter to fit rectangular-headed flashes. The adapter is pretty simple to attach to your flash. It also includes a sturdy knob that firmly attaches to your flash to prevent it from falling off.
There is a notable difference when using the flash diffuser on an AK-R1 or an S-R1 instead of using a rectangular-headed flash. The light from a round-headed flash fades smoothly into the edges while that from a rectangular-head flash changes recognizably sharper.
The light emanating from a round-headed flash is also much softer, whereas rectangular-headed flashes seem a little brighter. While you won’t get the same quality of light because of a different starting point, the kit is a fantastic addition to your photography equipment.
Even though it does not add that much mass to your flash, the adapter may mean that you cannot use the same amount of space to store your kit. Where you could fit two flashes initially, you may be unable to fit them with the adapter attached.
With its compact sizing, the Neewer 32x32 Inches Softbox offers you an impressive option while still allowing you to take it with you wherever you go without straining.
Being a softbox, it directs light at your subject rather than throwing it all around like an umbrella or multi-directional diffuser does. That means that you can get more light on your subject, even if they are a bit far from your Softbox.
The Neewer 24” octagon presents quite a challenge in terms of assembly to beginners. The process is less challenging with this unit, requiring less time though not as convenient as the tiny MagMod diffusers on review.
Like the Neewer 26 inch, this unit also comes with two diffusers. These two soften the light nicely, providing a smooth flowing exposure.
While relaying a relaxed light on your subject, they don’t bounce off as much light around the room as an umbrella would do. Photographers who like darker backgrounds are better off with this product than the Neewer 72 Inch Umbrella.
You can mount your flash horizontally or vertically using the attached clamp. It’s easy to use and holds your speedlight sturdily in place. It also has a wide range of compatible flash heads. From Sony to Nikon, Canon, Panasonic, Pentax, and Neewer, the unit supports multiple brands.
The MagMod MagSphere" / is an omnidirectional flash diffuser. Once your flash fires, it softly diffuses light in all directions leading to a bounce effect from all around you. The light wraps around your subject and creates what appears to be a more prominent light source.
I like its performance in small to medium-sized rooms because of how amazingly it fills in the areas where light isn’t reaching regularly. It offers an excellent direction of shadows in curved regions while still allowing light to fill in from all directions.
The flash may not be the best in a large room while bouncing your flash towards the ceiling. As the light travels upwards, you tend to lose a lot of the power by the time it hits your subject. The same case applies when bouncing it off a far-positioned wall.
While shooting in expansive spaces or during events, it’s best to point it directly to your subject to achieve adequate exposure. The resulting pictures have a soft transition on the edges as the flash offers a somewhat spotlight effect.
If you want to enhance the spotlight appearance and make your light shaper, you can use it with a grid. This is such a popular combination because of how it achieves a tighter effect.
It is also a compact flash diffuser hence convenient to carry while traveling.
The Neewer 72” Diameter Umbrella Diffuser provides you with numerous advantages while overcoming some challenges you may encounter with my other picks.
I love its immense size. At 72 inches, it is the largest diffuser on my list, giving you an extra-large surface area to bounce off your light. It is worth noting how with such a big difference in size, you barely need to add much to the price of the Neewer 43” umbrella to get it.
Being a parabolic umbrella, it throws light towards your subject rather than spread it. It, therefore, offers more output at further distances than a standard umbrella. Its light encompasses your subject nicely, giving you a beautiful touch to the shadows without being too harsh.
Unlike the Neewer 26 Inches Softbox, setting up this flash diffuser is simpler. You only have to push it out and attach the diffuser. The Neewer, 26-inch softbox, might be challenging if you are unfamiliar with such types of softboxes. You also have to pull up the metallic bits.
The unit features a standard shaft that allows you to attach it to a stand. You can position it as you like and throw ample soft light when shooting group photos.
If you do more than real estate
The octagonal Neewer 26’’ Softbox, despite being large, is still compact and suitable for on-the-go individuals.
The Neewer 26 Inches Softbox comes with two diffusers. You also get a much broader size than options like the MagMod flash diffuser. This way, you achieve an enhanced level of softness to ensure light falls more evenly on your subjects.
While being a unidirectional light source, it has a much larger size than the Magbounce below. That means you can place it at a closer distance and still be able to soften the light around your entire subject adequately.
The most incredible thing about this flash diffuser is that you get a much broader and softer light for a minimal price difference. If you need a better flash diffuser to shoot in daylight conditions, this unit is a wise choice.
Putting it together is relatively straightforward. It, however, still takes a bit of time to set it up given the size and may not be the best option in situations where you need to be constantly on the move.
That said, you can attach most flashes, and it has a firm hold to ensure your speedlight doesn’t fall. Even though it is not the smallest unit on review, it folds compactly. You can also travel with it separate from your other camera gear thanks to the included carrying case,
Looking nothing like the MagMod MagSphere yet still with superb performance, the MagMod Magbounce is another great option to pick. Like the MagMod MagSphere, both have similar pricing, so which of these two should you choose?
Unlike the MagMod MagSphere, this is a directional light source rather than an omnidirectional light source. The MagMod Magbounce has a nice, large, efficient spread of light, almost similar to how the Neewer 43” Softbox operates.
With its unidirectional illumination, it performs great indoors in rooms with dark walls and ceilings. You don’t have to worry about bouncing like the Magsphere as it bounces directly off the fabric’s slightly curved shape.
When you need a flash diffuser that you can place on the side and use to create a significant, efficient exposure effect, the Magbounce is a great pick. It almost works like a replacement to a small softbox or an umbrella, giving you an immense spread of softened lighting.
As you shoot with it, you get to light up the subject and illuminate part of the surrounding, unlike the spotlight effect the Magsphere offers.
It is also an excellent flash diffuser when you need to throw much light behind your subject. With your flash at full power, the Magbounce can blast a ton of light to block out busy backgrounds. This feature is perfect for creating emphasis.
As a real estate photographer, you modestly take interior photos. Usually, you don't expect to find studio-quality lighting on the property. However, you can take aesthetically appealing photos by investing in a good diffuser for your flash.
The following features can help you choose a diffuser that meets your shooting requirements. The table below further illustrates the different features that affect the performance of the diffusers.
| Flash Diffusers | Weight (Pounds) | Material | Recycle Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Godox Flash Kit | 1.12 | Nylon | 1.5 |
| Neewer Softbox | 3.04 | Nylon, Metal | 0.4-2.5 |
| MagMod magSphere | 0.6 | Silicone Rubber | 0.01-2.1 |
| Neewer Diameter Umbrella | 2.7 | Silver, Nylon | 0.4-2.5 |
| Neewer Softbox | 1.83 | Nylon, Plastic and Metal | 0.1-2.4 |
| MagMod Magbounce | 0.75 | Silicone Rubber material | 0.01-2.1 |
As the name suggests, diffusers diffuse and spread the light from the camera flash to make it softer. This allows you to shoot without hard shadows or brightly lit areas. From this description, you can tell that the size of the diffuser is important.
Generally, a large diffuser such as the Neewer 32 x 32 inches Softbox can spread the light more and result in a softer light. This is important, especially when using wide-angle lenses that capture a wide field of view.
The main trade-off you might need to make is bulkiness. Unlike other camera equipment such as flashes or lenses where a compact design doesn't mean lower performance, in diffusers, the bulkier ones are the ones that tend to diffuse the light best.
Unlike how most photographers believe, flash diffusers are not compatible with every flash. Before investing in the diffuser, make sure it's compatible with the flash model you are using. For more versatility, consider getting a diffuser compatible with many flash models, such as the Godox Flash Kit.
Unlike a camera lens that you might need to mount and use, the diffuser needs to be set up. Generally, the diffuser is large, and you might need to fold it and pack it in the camera bag or backpack when traveling.
That means you need to open and set up the diffuser to use it. If you are a beginner who is unfamiliar with flash diffusers or you are taking several photos per property, and you need to keep on packing and setting up, consider getting a diffuser that is easier to set up, such as the Neewer 72" Diameter Umbrella.
The main difference between a flash diffuser and a flash reflector is that a flash reflector is capable of changing the direction of light, which a flash diffuser can’t. On the other hand, a diffuser has more power and creates a complementary and natural-looking light.
Yes, you can work with a diffuser outside, as it is capable of softening the light output from your camera flash. For instance, when you want to shoot a dramatic look in low-light outdoor photography that makes the subject pop off the background, you might need a flash diffuser as either the fill light or the main light.
The most popular materials for making flash diffusers are white nylon, white translucent plastics, and white tissue paper. The white translucent material is one of the best because it is durable, lightweight, and easy to work with, especially when you are shooting macro photos.
Remember, size does matter in the level of softness. It’s essential to determine how soft you want your light and how dramatic you want your photos to appear. Portability and the ease of setting up your flash diffuser are crucial, especially if you’ll have to chase your subject around.
