Graslon Prodigy, Insight and Spark: Three Useful Flash Diffusers in Different Sizes
Photographers make diffusers a standard part of their shooting inventory, especially for product photography and portrait work. Products like the Graslon Prodigy, Insight and Spark are especially helpful at softening shadows and creating a more natural look out of an artificial light source. The idea behind a flash diffuser is simple—a translucent material is placed in front of a flash to change the direction and pattern of light. In practice, it can get a bit complicated, with some diffusers doing a better job than others. Cheaper imitator diffusers are often just pieces of plastic like the kind used for milk bottles that haphazardly attach to your flash.
Instead of just relying on a just a translucent material to disperse light coming from a flash, Graslon diffusers use a series of mirrors to scatter light before the light even reaches the outside reflector lens. The image at the left shows how mirrors disperse light before it even reaches the translucent outside lens of the Graslon diffuser. Graslon claims that their diffusers work better than almost every other—and they are right.
You can use choose from three Graslon models: the Prodigy, Insight or Spark. The Graslon Prodigy and Graslon Spark are large rectangular boxes that strap to Speedlight flashes with a Velcro and thumbnut system. The Graslon Spark attaches to popup flashes though a hotshoe mounting system. Mounting for all units is pretty simple and all three diffusers feel quite sturdy once attached. You don’t have to worry about any of the units falling off in use, they stay right where you want them.
They are fairly simple to use—once attached to the flash you shoot away. The internal mirror system of each diffuser unit does a good job at diffusing the light from the flash unit with little loss of power and intensity.
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Do they work? Absolutely!
The Graslon diffusers we tested produced dramatic results, effectively reducing the washed out look and harsh shadows cast by a mounted flash in the case of the Prodigy or Insight and reducing the same problems created by a pop-up flash. In the sample images below, we aimed our Speedlight directly at our subject with and without the Graslon diffuser. As you can see, the results are immediately noticeable and fairly dramatic. All images were shot with a Nikon D800 with a 24-70mm f/2.8.
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At $99.00 for the most expensive model, the Graslon system is definitely something worth looking at. We highly recommend it. Some photographers will tell you that you can just bounce a flash off a wall or ceiling to create a similar effect. Despite what some may say, there really is no substitute for a high quality diffuser like those in the Graslon lineup, especially if you are shooting in an area where there are few opportunities to bounce light—like at a wedding or shooting portraits outdoors. Because Graslon diffusers create their own bounce effects internally, they effectively deliver more light to subjects in challenging lighting situations that other diffusers.
These Graslon diffusers are worth every penny. Unlike many other models they require less adjustment and hassle. If you are looking to get softer shadows in your photos or more attractive portraits the Graslon Prodigy, Insight or Spark are the perfect tools for the job.In addition to a range of three diffusers, Graslon also produces Amber dome lenses for its diffusers as well as a flash stand for off camera work.
Click here to read other Graslon Prodigy Dome Flash Diffuser Reviews.
Photo copyright by PhotographyTalk member Alex Schult