best diffuser for SB-400?

[westmill]

Hi, I have been doing macro for about a year. I realised flash is very important. Initially, I use the external flash and shoot it directly at the insect. It is too harsh in my opinion. So, I tilt it at 45 but the lighting is not even. So I add a bounce card.

With these changes, I ask myself a few questions but I don't really know the answers. I would therefore like to hear from you guys here if you know the answers.

1) If the direct flash is too harsh, when I add a diffuser cap and tilt it 45 away from the insect, then where do the TTL comes in?
2) A bounce card does help to redirect more lights to the subject in open area. What is the difference if I have a good diffuser cup on the flash gun that can provide even distribution of the light?
3) Most new flash gun now comes with a diffuser and bounce card that can be slot within the gun. Arent they able to do most of the job or we still need to do add on?

I try to use the flash gun diffuser and add an external diffuser cup. Instead of aiming directly on the subject, I tilt it at 45. I took another using a bounce card without the diffuser. Frankly, I cannot tell which photo belongs to which setting. Am I not detail enough to notice it or just them they produce the same result?

Depending on your subject, if you need to shoot at a bigger area to fill in the light, I personally think you cannot use a bounce card but to use a diffuser cap. If that is the case, the diffuser cap is more essential than the bounce card.

Please help with your comments.

A diffuser like the stofen would give a softer more even light. The basic problem is... the flash is firing way above
your subject when shooting macro. To get nice even soft lighting you need to use reflectors.
Idealy, for shadowles lighting, you need a purpose made flash, called a ring flash.

 

[Bukitimah]

I bought a flash bender today. Very similar to what Jack DIY but it cost me around $28. I could have DIY myself but I thought it will look better when I took it out and use it.

After reading and trying to understand more, I think this is most logical and efficient reflector. I don't know of the effect but someone told me sometimes it could be too strong when you use it indoor.

 

[westmill]

I bought a flash bender today. Very similar to what Jack DIY but it cost me around $28. I could have DIY myself but I thought it will look better when I took it out and use it.

After reading and trying to understand more, I think this is most logical and efficient reflector. I don't know of the effect but someone told me sometimes it could be too strong when you use it indoor.

You should be fine The 400 is not an overly powerful flash. Plusy with macro, you are normaly stopping down to F11 or F16
Plus any diffuser robs the flash of light. So hopefuly it should work just fine

 

[slowpoke]

I never thought of ptting a defuser on my sb400.I think it would be a great idea and I see you guys got it handled.Having said that,I was wondering why you wouldn't just bounce the flash straight up and use a piece of white cardboard,slid down between the flash and the flash housing.Cut down cigarett package works great.You can make it as long as you want.