The KOBRA Flash Modifier completed a very successful Kickstarter campaign, earlier this year. The project was backed with over $90,000! If you missed out, you get a second chance to fund it via Indiegogo, for the next month only.
If you use on-camera flash, the KOBRA Flash Modifier is very slick. It’s a two piece modifier: a clear, flexible silicone diffuser, which snaps secure into the “KOBRA Band”, a black silicone band that hugs your flash head tightly. It looks elegant, won’t pop-off your flash, and is compatible with many different brands.
Via their Indiegogo campaign, they’re offering a band + diffuser for $48+shipping and the band + diffuser + 6 gels for only $68+shipping. Don’t miss it (again)!
How does this compare with the Gary Fong?
If you go to the Kickstarter page, they have a video that shows a brief comparison to the Fong Lightsphere. Where this is beneficial is that it bounces light Forward more than it does omnidirectional, like the Fong does. It’s also silocone, so it is easier to fold up and put in a bag. Sure, it’s not perfect modifier (nothing is), and there are other modifiers out there that have similar functionality. But ultimately it is up to you to decide if this is for you, and how you would use it. I did back the Kickstarter on this, even though I already have the Lumiquest 80/20 system. The Kobra looks so much easier to set up, and I’ve had the Lumiquest fall off my flash more than once in crowded settings. And at $48, it’s still cheaper than the Fong Lightsphere and much cheaper than the MagMod system. My intent is to use the Kobra as my new walk-around modifier.
Oh wow thanks for the reply. What benefit/advantage do you feel this would grant over your lumiquest? Also there are modifiers/inserts for the Gary fong, like the silver one that reflects the light to a certain direction. The fong is also silicone and it’s telescopic so it can be folded up too. do you feel it’s worth the $50 to get another light diffuser or it does not grant much more of a benefit than that over the fong?
The Fong Lightsphere does have issues, as all modifiers do. The biggest issue for me is the dome caps, which I can’t seem to get to stay on. Plus, it takes up a lot of room, even folded down, in my camera bag. And then there’s the velcro strap. The biggest plus though, is that it’s easily modifiable, as you said with the various inserts. Of course, that means more costs. But the Lightsphere is also “universal,” meaning it projects the same light whether the flash is horizontal or vertical.
For me, when I use the flash and modifier, I need it to generally project light straight ahead. And at least in theory anyway, the Kobra does that better than the Fong. The MagMod also claims the same, but is considerably more expensive than either of the Fong or the Kobra. And the MagMod is heavier, which is its single biggest complaint. We shall see when the Kobra arrives if it’s easier to use and set up than the Fong. If it is, my intent is to keep the attachment band on the flash all the time, and the modifier in one of my side pockets in my camera bag, something I can’t do with the Fong now.