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HOW THIS UNIT DIFFERS FROM THE ORIGINAL PORTRAIT-DOME DIFFUSER
While the original Lightsphere LS2--now called the "Portrait-Dome"--provides incredible lighting, I wanted to design a diffuser slightly more compact and better suited to fast-action photography. Because the LS2 needed to be fairly large, it is a bit bulky for fast reportage. So now I have designed a sleeker version called the "Photojournalist"--the LS2PJ.
Here are some of the reasons I consider this diffuser to be a really exciting innovation:
1) It is a flexible, bead blasted industrial CLEAR VINYL. Why Vinyl? Because it is flexible, stretchable like a swim fin. Imagine how a swim fin fits tightly on your foot. This one will not fall off in a bump; instead, it will bump objects silently and absorb the impact. This is the only diffuser anywhere made out of flexible vinyl--vinyl that holds its shape due to its circular construction and the design of the cool ribs we put inside."
2) The inside of the Photojournalist is completely textured to make the light dispersion even more "sloppy" than it would be otherwise! And because of this design, we were able to make the material more translucent, keeping the unit from losing a lot of light while actually increasing the diffusion and softness of the light. Because of this, the new "Photojournalist" does not require the dome!
3) The LS2PJ was designed to be smaller and more compact than the original LSII. It's clear vinyl cuts down on light loss and also gives it a more sleek professional appearance while still delivering the soft diffuse light you demand. This version is designed for fast action, tight spaces and crowds. The new vinyl construction ensures a snug fit on a wide range of flash heads without the need for adaptors. Everything you asked for is finally here!
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO?
DO YOU USE THEM DIFFERENTLY?
The new Photojournalist is smaller , CRYSTAL CLEAR, and made of totally soft vinyl. It does not come with a dome like the Portrait-Dome. The diffusion properties are very similar in all indoor shooting, but the Photojournalist, because of its totally clear vinyl loses less power indoors.
For shooting outdoors with fill-flash, I would recommend the Portrait-Dome. It has the optional super-soft half dome for direct shooting through a soft diffuser. You can still shoot outdoors with the Photojournalist, but you would want to be about 1 stop more open in aperture.
WHAT ABOUT IMAGE QUALITY DIFFERENCES? (CLICK HERE TO SEE THE DIFFERENCES)
Shooting straight up casts too much of a dark shadow onto the eye sockets. Shooting direct at the subject gives a harsh, unflattering look. The New Lightsphere Photojournalist looks just like the Classic LS2 Portraitist, the only difference is that the Portraitist gives a very flightly warmer tone (note the yellower cast on the Portraitist). Still it is very close. The Portraitist would be handy outdoors when shooting direct. Other than in that instance, you may substitute the Photojournalist for all indoor situations.
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