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Have you been looking to try the new MagSphere/MagBounce flash diffuser for your commercial product photography studio?
We all know that controlling light is one of the most important skills a photographer can have, so I’ll spare you the lecture on how important modifiers are. Considering that these items are geared more towards enthusiast photographers, my assumption is that you’ve already decided you want to purchase one of these options but don’t know which one is going to be better.
The straight answer? In my opinion:
The MagSphere is better than the MagBounce for product photography. Because the MagBounce is designed for larger spaces, it can bounce light unfavorably. Since the MagSphere is an omnidirectional diffuser, it provides the perfect amount of background light while creating shadows and contrast.
However, deciding which one is going to be better for YOU is a little more complicated. So in this post, we will discuss how the MagSphere stacks up against the MagBounce, why the MagSphere is the better option, and when it might be beneficial to use either of these diffusers while photographing products.
Table of Contents
How Does the MagSphere Compare to the MagBounce?
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The MagSphere is better than the MagBounce for product photography, but what are the differences between each of these diffusers?
There are a few similarities between these two products, particularly in the attachment system and materials used. However, to give you a side-by-side breakdown of why the MagSphere is better than the MagBounce, we also created a table with each diffuser’s strengths and weaknesses.
The following list highlights the similarities between MagMod’s MagSphere and MagBounce diffusers:
- Small and compact
- Flexible, collapsible, and easy to store
- Simple and quick to mount with the MagGrip magnetic system
- The cost for either system is the same
Now that we’ve discussed how similar each product is, how do these two options measure up? Let us look at a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of using these diffusers for product photography.
The following chart compares the MagSphere and MagBounce to see which one will work for your studio:
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| MagSphere | Good for products and portraits Great replacement if you do not have a softbox Lose less than one stop of light Efficient Semi-transparent Softer light and fewer battery changes Great background light Easily attaches to your camera with multiple modifiers | Harsh shadows Not a huge difference from softboxes |
| MagBounce | Bounces light but works very similar to a softbox Great to bounce the flash in a setting where white walls are not available Easily shoot in both landscape or portrait photographs 360 degrees of rotation Four configurations | Not a huge difference from softboxes Not great for smaller rooms No spotlight effect |
(Source: YouTube)
When Should You Use the MagSphere?
The MagSphere is an omnidirectional light source that helps wrap light around a subject, which is what you usually want in product photography. This diffuser fills in areas where light does not reach well and works well in smaller settings. The MagSphere can also work well in a large room if you direct your flash right at the subject.
You should use a MagSphere when you want:
- A spotlight effect
- A soft transition of light
- To bounce light off ceilings
- To shoot in small and medium-sized rooms
One of the best things about the MagSphere is that you can easily add additional modifiers to the flash, with the final addition being the MagSphere.
MagMod makes both attachable gels for the MagSphere and attachable grids. This can give you more control over your product image and so it makes the MagSphere the superior choice for commercial product photography.
Adding a grid will make the spotlight effect tighter on the product you are photographing. While adding a gel can transform and distort the colors present in the shot, you can also use it to create a nice spot light effect on the background to give your images that “professional” polish.
When Should You Use the MagBounce?
You may be wondering, well, if the MagSphere is better, why would you need the MagBounce?
Truth is, each modifier has their place (as you probably already know).
Overhead product photography with harsh shadows is becoming more of a trend nowadays, especially for Instagram posts and advertising. Since the MagBounce provides a directional light source, by using it you have more control over where you cast light on a subject and can be a great option for those dramatic advertising shots.
The MagBounce provides a large spread of light, and it nicely replaces a softbox or umbrella. You should use a MagBounce when you want:
- Directional light
- To shoot groups of people or products
- When shooting in large rooms
- When bouncing light would not ruin the shot
- When surrounded by dark walls or ceilings
Since the MagBounce diffuser is so easy to maneuver, you have more control over how close or far from the subject you place your flash. When at a distance of several feet from a subject, the MagBounce will act as an umbrella. But if you move the MagBounce closer to the shot’s focal point, you may get more exaggerated shadows.
The MagBounce will also help you avoid the flat light seen in many “conveyor belt” product shots, and will help give your images more character and dimension. But it may not give you the desired effect when shooting commercial product photography for labels and round objects.
Ultimately, you have to decide what kind of diffused light will work better for the type of products you photograph.
The MagBounce Test
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, the MagBounce may be perfect for your commercial product photography needs:
- Does your client prefer group product shots?
- Are you shooting from an exaggerated distance from the product?
- Do you need to switch between landscape and portrait-oriented photos quickly?
- Are you looking to cast dramatic shadows?
If you answered yes to the above questions, you should give the MagBounce a try!
Should I Worry About Having Magnets So Close to My Camera?
Since MagMod products are all designed to attach to a camera using a magnet system, there has been a lot of concern for whether or not it will ruin your gear. Magnets will not harm your camera or distort your shot or change the final image.
At least not modern equipment with limited moving parts.
The biggest draw for many commercial product photographers to the range of MagMod products is the magnetic capability that allows you to quickly attach modifications, MagSphere and MagBounce included.
The ability to throw on or remove a diffuser without much effort is what sets these products apart from other commercial product photography diffusers and can save a significant amount of time over the course of a year.
An important point to note: all of MagMod’s merchandise is intended to be used with the MagGrip system, which is sold separately from most of their products unless you choose to buy a bundle option.
Are These MagMod Diffusers Worth the Price?
The MagBounce and MagSphere are both on the pricey side of diffusers on the market. This is especially true, considering you also have to purchase the MagGrip to use the MagBounce or MagSphere.
The following chart compares the price of the MagSphere, MagBounce, with the average softbox and umbrella diffusers:
| Type of Diffuser | MagSphere | MagBounce | Softbox Diffuser | Softbox Tent | Umbrella Diffuser |
| Potential Cost | $49.95 plus $24.95 for the MagGrip | $49.95 plus $24.95 for the MagGrip | $25 to $200 | $30 to $200 | $20 to $150 |
If you are still wondering why a photographer might spend the money on these products, here’s your answer. The reason many people choose to splurge on MagMod products is that they are:
- Small
- Flexible
- Portable
- Fast and easy to set up
They are also tax deductible, since most product photographers are using these items directly for their business.
There is a major difference from these units to bulky diffusers like softboxes or umbrellas. However, it may not be what you need if your commercial product photography is done in a studio where you do not need to move between diffused flash, flash, and no flash scenarios quickly. If the price is what is holding you back, another product may work just as well.
But the MagSphere is still by far the best option because of its versatility as an omnidirectional light source.
In Summary: The MagSphere Is the Best Option
In my opinion the MagSphere is the better option for commercial product photography because it provides a nice spotlight effect that will give the product soft transitions in photographs. The MagSphere can be used in small to large rooms, with easy adjustments for any space. The MagSphere also works in tandem with other MagMod products like the MagGel and MagGrid.
The complete customization that MagSphere gives you outshines the advantages of using a MagBounce, by a landslide. The MagBounce is great in portrait settings, where you are taking images at a distance. It does not work well close up and can cause large spreads of light to wash out a product.
However, there inevitably will be times where you would want to use the MagBounce for certain types of product photography shots.
Have you tried out the MagSphere/MagBounce for product photography? Leave a comment below with your experience!
