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For advanced compact cameras that have a built-in flash powerful enough to bounce.
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How to use
Lightscoop® Jr.

First steps to bounce lighting with compact cameras that have a built-in flash powerful enough to bounce: like the Nikon Coolpix 7100, Pentax Q, Canon G12, G1X, Powershot S100, Olympus XZ1, Fuji FinePix X10.

GETTING STARTED

Bouncing a built-in flash requires these settings to optimize the amount of light a scene receives.

See "Troubleshooting," below, if your pictures are too dark. For more background, see Frequently Asked Questions.

SET UP YOUR CAMERA

  1. Turn on the camera.
  2. Metering Method: Any.
  3. Exposure Mode: Manual (M).
  4. ISO: 800 or higher.
  5. Widest lens aperture (f/2.8, f/3.5, f/4, depending on camera).
  6. Shutter speed: 1/200 or higher
  7. Flash "on" – no red-eye reduction, slow sync, etc.
  8. Flash Exposure Compensation: +1 or +2. Experiment.

USE LIGHTSCOOP® JR. IN THESE SITUATIONS

The Lightscoop works great in most home and office situations—rooms with light, neutral-colored ceilings no higher than 8-12 feet or walls no farther than 3-4 feet from the camera. As when bouncing an external flash, the Lightscoop redirects light from a pop up flash to a ceiling or wall – so there MUST be a surface from which it can bounce. The Lightscoop will not bounce outside. As these comparisons show, neither will an EXTERNAL flash. Outside, there is nothing for the light to bounce from. The same is true in churches, gyms, rooms with cathedral ceilings.

Troubleshooting

Use the Lightscoop as directed and you will love the results. Problems? Consider the following...

Pictures too dark?

Look for a lower or brighter ceiling or wall; open the aperture (f-number) wider; zoom lens back to wide angle; be sure your camera is compatible; use a faster ISO (some very recent cameras produce great exposures at 1600 and even 3200).

Pictures too light or too blurry?

Confirm that the camera exposure mode is on Manual and NOT an automatic setting that could slow down the shutter speed to admit too much light or cause blur from movement. A very slow shutter speed can result in blurry images even with flash. To reduce brightness if you are on Manual, try lowering the ISO or reducing the pop-up flash compensation.

No effect from the flash?

In a brightly lit room, there may be more available light than light produced by the flash. You may not need the flash at all. Or, you can darken the room by turning out lights or closing curtains.

QUESTIONS? Ask Professor Kobré. He WILL answer!

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For dSLR cameras

with pop-up flashes

LIGHTSCOOP® ORIGINAL,Universal

LIGHTSCOOP® DELUXE

The dSLR cameras BELOW work with both dSLR Lightscoop models. We have found new models of these brands to fit as we have tested them. 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.

Canon 35mm dSLR cameras that have a pop-up flash. On some Canon models, it's necessary to slightly back the Lightscoop out of the hot shoe in order for the flash to fire.
Fuji FinePix Pro Series
Nikon 35mm dSLR cameras that have a pop-up flash.
Olympus E420, E520, E3, E620
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2K, DMC-G3K, DMC-G5 (Lightscoop shoe fit is tight and does not slide completely into the hot shoe.)
Pentax K-7, KX, K10D, K100D, K20D, K30, K5II, K-5II-S, K200D
Sigma SD14 Series

LIGHTSCOOP® ORIGINAL, SONY

Sony cameras require a Sony Lightscoop Original, NOT a Universal model.
Sony a100, a200, a250, a300, a350, a330, a380, a500, a550, a700

LIGHTSCOOP® DELUXE does NOT support Sony cameras

Don't see your camera here? We have not assured its compatibility. However, we have found the Lightscoop to fit new models of these brands' SLR line when we've tested them as they've appeared. 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.

For ADVANCED compact cameras

LIGHTSCOOP® Junior

For advanced compact cameras that have a built-in flash powerful enough to bounce: like the Canon G12, G15, G1X, Powershot S100, S110; Fujifilm X series (including X10, X20, XF1); Lumix DMC-LX7; Nikon P310, Coolpix 7100; Pentax Q; Olympus XZ1, TG-1x, Panasonic CMV-zs30, DMC-zs25

NOTE: Less advanced compact cameras do not have built-in flashes powerful enough to bounce... it's physics. Sorry!
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