Pop up flash diffuser

     It has arrived.  The pop up flash diffuser  I ordered from Shashinki.com yesterday afternoon arrived today at around noon.  I immediately tore open the packaging and found that it came in two pieces which you have to put together.  One piece is the white shield is used to diffuse the flase, and the other piece is the black arms with a hot shoe adapter, that holds the white piece in front of the pop up flash.

This is what the diffuser looks like in action.  You can view more pics of the diffuser in my previous post.

     As soon as I got home, I started shooting some photos to get the hang of having the diffuser attached.  I've made the following observations:

• The flash still casts shadows but their not as harsh.  I found that if I put my business card between the diffuser and my flash, the card would sit at almost a 45 degree angle and deflect the light to the ceiling.  This creates pretty much an effect similar to bouncing flash off of the ceiling with the more expensive Canon external flashes.
• Its best to shoot in manual (M) mode, set the shutter speed to 1/200s and ISO to 100 to get good results.  I used this with my nifty 50 and I had extremely sharp pictures.
• If the lighting is really low, the nifty 50 has trouble focusing, even when the flash is popped up.  This is due to the fact that the diffuser is blocking out most of the strobes that the flash is emitting which the focusing mechanism normally relies on to get a focus lock.
• With the diffuser attached, the flashes reach is only enough for about 20 feet, maximum.  Beyond that, I had to start reducing shutter speed, increasing ISO and increasing aperture.  Of course, if you wanted to get creative, then non of this applies...

     Below are sample pics taken in doors with the diffuser attached.  This was just before and just after sunset.

     If you're looking for an inexpensive way to soften your flash, this is a really good solution for a really low price.  Only RM 29.50 or around US $8.  You can think of it as a poor man's solution for diffusing and bouncing flash effects!

Flash diffuser for 450D pop up flash....

     My daughter told me last night that her school is doing a prize giving session on Thursday and the parents are invited.  Typically the students will also do stage shows.  So that means I'll have an opportunity to take photos.  Which, in turn means I'll need my nifty 250 on hand. So, it looks like I have to put my plans to send in the Nifty 250 in for calibration on hold for a few days.

     Sigh...  Looks like I'll only be able to send it in next week.  On the upside, I'll have an opportunity to put the nifty 250 through its paces for an indoor event and see how it performs.  I'll also be using my 50mm MkII.  Which got me to thinking - I think I need a flash diffuser. However, I don't have one of the external flashes, just my on board, pop up flash.  So I was wondering if there is such a thing as a flash diffuser for the Canon on board flash.  This would really help to soften the light and not cast harsh shadows.  It would be really handy for macro shots too.  With this diffuser, I'd no longer need to use a piece of paper (or wrap the flash with a kleenex) to soften the light.

     So I went on the Net in search of this beast.  My first stop is naturally Shashinki.com.  I recall having seen such an accessory on this site before.  After a short time browsing, I found it (see pic below).  I also discovered that, priced at around USD 7, its no beast.

You mount it on your camera's hot shoe when you want to use it, and that's it.  In theory, simple and effective.  How effective, we'll have to find out once the item arrives.  Yes, I've ordered and paid for it at Shashinki.  Hopefully, they ship it today so that I can get it tomorrow morning.  As it is very inexpensive, trying it out was a no brainer for me.  If it doesn't work out, I'll get a really nice external flash... (after I get my 135 L that is... heheh).

     I'll post a quick review of it as soon as I receive it..

Time to decide...

EF-S 55-250 f/4-5.6 IS

     Ever since I'd discovered that my 55-250 IS was back focusing, I've had these nagging thoughts bouncing around in my head every time I shoot a picture that seems soft using this lens.  And this is in comparison to other pictures from this lens I've seen on many forums.  Its driving me nuts because I keep second guessing myself.  Is it me?  Did I not set up the shot correctly to get enough shutter speed so that it would not blur?  Sigh.  Compounding the problem is the fact that not all of the pictures are soft.  But most of them are.

Obvious back focus at 55 mm

     So, I'm thinking, to settle this once and for all, I should send the lens in to Canon for a check, and hopefully it will come back to me tuned to the sharpness I expect from this lens.  So, tomorrow morning, I shall be the first customer at the Canon After Sales office at Peremba Square.  If my experience sending in my 50 mm f/1.8 Mk II is anything to go by, I can look forward to receiving my lens this Friday.

     I'll put in an update after I get back the lens.