Whale Tale (Reporting on the Whale Tail by Gary Fong)
[This review was posted earlier today in the Wedding Photography Forum as I had promised I would return and report on the product. Ryan asked me if I would also post the review here. Sorry if it is a repeat to anyone.] ~ April
I am reporting (as I said I would) on the Gary Fong "Whale Tail" Light diffuser.
Ok Here goes. Lighting wise it does one hell of a job and I cannot stop using it because it works. BUT...... The construction is so poor that I could scream. It is very cheaply made and piece come off of it all the time. I hate that part of it and I am disappointed that I paid so much for it (I bought the concept and function I suppose) It is very cheaply made and looks cheap as well. BUT....... it works and it produces some pretty amazing light from that flash. I have to admit I am impressed with the results of the light and clearly disappointed with quality.
I am reporting (as I said I would) on the Gary Fong "Whale Tail" Light diffuser.
Ok Here goes. Lighting wise it does one hell of a job and I cannot stop using it because it works. BUT...... The construction is so poor that I could scream. It is very cheaply made and piece come off of it all the time. I hate that part of it and I am disappointed that I paid so much for it (I bought the concept and function I suppose) It is very cheaply made and looks cheap as well. BUT....... it works and it produces some pretty amazing light from that flash. I have to admit I am impressed with the results of the light and clearly disappointed with quality.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ryan Armbrust on -
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Permalink Reply by Ryan Armbrust on
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I have a lightsphere as well, works good for what it is. My ittle brother has a whaletail, it does look like some space aged tupperware bowl.
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Permalink Reply by Jacob Zimmer on -
It looks like a space age toilet.
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Permalink Reply by Vintage Doll Studios on -
I have doth the whale tail studio version and the Lightsphere II Inverted Dome. I have to tell you I am In love with my inverted dome. It is always on my camera.
I have studio lights that I use but i also use the dome as an extra boost and it is absolutely perfect. I have used my whale tail like one time. compared to the dome it is a lot more complicated!
I have will agree with you about the construction. Although the body of it is pretty sturdy plastic. The top on my inverted dome does tend to fall off.
Oh I think honestly why I use my dome diffuser more than my whale tail is because the whale tail looks so odd, there is no way to really be private with that thing.
The dome, looks cool, on almost retro in a way.
Over all if you are looking for a god diffuser I would certainly recommend any of Gary Fongs products.
April
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Permalink Reply by Adam Lewis on -
Have any of you guys ever tried a flip? or a better bounce card?
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Permalink Reply by Erin on -
I have the Lightsphere. It's the only GF diffuser I've tried, and I like it for the most part. I've heard a lot of complaints in the past about them falling off often, but I have one of the newer versions (universal sized) and have never had it fall off. I get good results from it most of the time.
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Permalink Reply by Charles on -
I have the Lightsphere II "Clear" with inverted dome. I also have the Whaletail "Studio" and "Reporter". I'll just break down according to my experiences with them. For larger areas and lot's of peope, the Whaletail Studio is the way to go. For smaller settings and closer work, the Lightsphere II is the way to go. The Waletail has a steeper learning curve and you get different results depending on whether you have flat side out or curved side out. It's a matter of learning what 'side' gives what results. The Whaletail is also much more versatile with the flip-up lids and insertable color gels. The Lightsphere II is better for 'run and gun' / spray and pray shooting.
I use the Whaletail Reporter more often on a strobe that's mounted on a flash-stand and controlled by wireless.
I've had no problems with build quality or pieces falling off. My only complaint is that when I go to shoot in portrait mode, sometimes the weight of the diffuser will cause my flash head to swivel forward, to the point that I'm just about ready to take my strobe apart and figure out how to tighten the head up. :(
© 2012 Created by Ryan Armbrust.
