Professor Kobre's Light Scoop Review

June 15, 2011

Yesterday I introduced you to Katie Perkes and her incredible ebook The Key to Taking Pictures Like a Professional Photographer. So now, that you know all the ins and outs of your camera I wanted to introduce some really neat adds ons that will help you to take pictures like a pro!

Remember yesterday I mentioned how a lot of people use their built in flash indoors and how you don't need to do that? Well, I wasn't lying BUT there are some drawbacks to using no flash in low light. Now, don't get me wrong, I've seen people use their flash in perfectly fine lighting but I realize that there are some situations where not using a flash results in a very orangey, yellow picture. Now, I'd rather have that than a blown out over exposed face taken with a flash and try to clean the yellow out in Photoshop but that's just my preference. Some other people might like the crisper details of the scene. But I have a really GREAT secret. You can have both, a great crisp picture, no yellow and without the cost of an expensive speedlite.

I know a lot of you have heard of speedlites but can't afford to buy one. I got mine as a Valentine's Day gift but I know it costs close to $300 for a new brand name version. If the only reason you need a speedlite is to take indoor photos and avoid that head-on glare then take a look at the Light Scoop!
 
Now, let me preface this by saying that a speedlite will do about a million more things that a Light Scoop can't like adjust multiple angles of flash, take external flashes and adjust the brightness of your flash but honestly, a lot of those settings aren't necessary until you are a seasoned photographer in which case an expensive speedlite would be an appropriate purchase. For those of you who just want nice indoor shots, the Light Scoop is INVALUABLE! No lie. And at only $30, it's a heck of a lot less expensive than a speedlite.
Take a look at these two photos. Both were taken straight from my camera no digital clean up. The one on at top was taken with the built-in flash directed in front of the subject (Eloise), while the one below was taken with a Light Scoop. These were taken with a lot of natural light in the room but I have to tell you that you get the best before and after results when you use the Light Scoop indoors with artificial light. See here. See here. And here.
This is how it works....the Light Scoop attaches to your camera's hot shoe like any other external flash. Then when the picture is taken, the built-in flash is triggered and bounces off the mirror in the Light Scoop directing it up and away from your subject for a much more diffused, true-to-life lighting. I'm actually wondering why no one ever thought of this earlier. I'm ACTUALLY wondering why cameras aren't made with an adjustable flash standard but that's another story I guess.

Here's a video on how the Light Scoop works:
I bought mine at Photojojo. But I bet you're wondering "Will it work with my camera?" The Light Scoop will work with:
Canon 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, Rebel XTi, XSi, 400, 450, XT, XS, 350, 1000D
Fuji FinePix Pro
Nikon D40, D40x, D50, D60, D70, D70s, D80, D90, D100, D200, D300, D700
Olympus E420, E520, E3, E620
Pentax K10D, K100D, K20D, K200D
Sigma SD14

Sony cameras require a Sony Lightscoop, not a Universal model.
Sony a100, a200, a250, a300, a350, a330, a380, a500, a550, a700
It will not work with point and shoot cameras. Their flashes are not strong enough to bounce light onto the ceiling:(

Here's some more before and after shots I took with my camera. The one on the right was taken without the flash. The one on the left was taken with the flash pointed at the subject (Molly) and the one in the middle was taken with the Light Scoop.
One more thing, even though I OWN a speedlite I've found the light scoop to be far more practical. It doesn't require batteries and is light as a feather. I found that I was often leaving my speedlite at home because either I had forgot to charge the lithium batteries or it was just too bulky to tote around. Now, I leave the light scoop on my camera at all times and use it whenever the situation arises. Very convenient!
 

23 {comments}:

Lindsay said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks for the tip! I have wanted a speedlite ever since I got my camera but it's a bit out of my price range for now. I just ordered a light scoop and I'm excited to try it out!

--r said... Best Blogger Tips

i am so putting this on my wishlist.

Stephanie said... Best Blogger Tips

This looks amazing! Do you know if it works with a Nikon D3000?

http://handyliving.blogspot.com

Grosgrain said... Best Blogger Tips

@Stephanie

Looking at that camera online I'd guess yes. The hotshoe/flash setup looks very similar to my camera. If for some reason it doesn't work Photojojo does have a 30 day return policy. But you can only get store credit if it's opened and you probably have to pay to ship it back yourself. You could always try emailing Professor Kobre's Light Scoop to be sure.
Here's the link:
http://www.lightscoop.com/contactus.html

But my guess is yes.

Grosgrain said... Best Blogger Tips

@StephanieThis is what I found on the Lightscoop.com website:

Don’t see your 35mm SLR here? We have not assured its compatibility. We have found that the Lightscoop to fit new models of these brands’ SLR line as they’ve appeared and we have had the opportunity to test. We do have a 2-week return policy if you'd like to try the Lightscoop with your camera and return it if it doesn’t work out.

Ana said... Best Blogger Tips

What a great tip! I'm definitley going to get this, because I hate using the flash.

Meg said... Best Blogger Tips

Is the light scoop from photojojo the same as the one sold on lightscoop.com (I got to that site by clicking on the links you included to example images)?

Also lightscoop.com sells a "warming" light scoop that too. Do you think that makes colors appear more natural, or more yellow?

I'm so glad you posted about this, I've wanted a speedlite but just couldn't afford one. The light scoop will be fun to try!

niddetissus said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks for this! I'm definitely putting this on my 'must-have' list :)

Grosgrain said... Best Blogger Tips

@MegYes it's the same. I bought mine at Photojojo so that's the one I promoted in the post. As for the warming filter, I'd say if it's removable then go for it. But I don't think it would be appropriate for all situations. I've found that normally, my pictures are a little on the warm side to begin with so I don't see the need for the filter but I guess it depends on what kind of photos you'd be taking. Ones with natural light might benefit from a warming filter but ones taken indoors with artificial light, probably not.

banclothing said... Best Blogger Tips

Wow the difference is remarkable. I need to get to know my DSLR better before I invest in one.

Hayley said... Best Blogger Tips

I have the lightscoop and LOVE it.

Liz Stanley said... Best Blogger Tips

great tip! i'll have to try it out

Katelyn McKay said... Best Blogger Tips

So funny you write this now...I just ordered mine a week ago and LOVE it! It works miracles, especially in low lit buildings for weddings, parties, and events.
The review was great though!

Gingercake said... Best Blogger Tips

awesome info! I am totally going to order this. I am really looking forward to this series!

Lanna said... Best Blogger Tips

Amazing tip, love it!

Follow my blog at :

http://lannalsu.blogspot.com/

and check out my first giveaway! it's coach...

Peppermint Mocha Mama said... Best Blogger Tips

I have wanted a Light Scoop forever but I was wondering about the practicality - thanks for showing me that there is nothing to worry about!

J. said... Best Blogger Tips

I got one of these for my birthday a couple of weeks ago and have had similarly great results--and i'm a very novice photographer.

To the commenter who asked about the Nikon D3000 compatibility: yes, it works.

Amy said... Best Blogger Tips

I have one of these as well, and I have found that (for me) you MUST be under a white ceiling. Some of our ceilings are painted a light (but darker than white) cream color, and the photos are NOT ideal. It's funny how much a few shades makes in the effectiveness of the Light Scoop (in my experience).

Tasha said... Best Blogger Tips

I am totally excited to try this out! @Stephanie I just checked their site because I literally just got the same camera yesterday, and it is indeed listed!

Molly said... Best Blogger Tips

I love the lightscoop. It's freaking awesome. I'll have to link to the photos I've taken wwith and without it. It's definitely worth having!

Stephanie said... Best Blogger Tips

Wow - thanks to everyone for checking for me! I did find another website that listed the cameras and saw the D3000 listed. So excited - mine's shipping right now - as I've long been hemming and hawing about investing in an external flash or diffuser, but this looks amazing!

http://handyliving.blogspot.com

Samantha said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks for the info. I had seen the Light Scoop before but was not sure it would really work as advertised. Nice to hear a real life person's experience with it.

thingsforboys said... Best Blogger Tips

Thank you so much for this post. I went and bought one straight after seeing it. It arrived yesterday and i love it! The difference is amazing!

 
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