Gauge Slimline macro Flash Diffuser Softbox - Compact, Foldable Softbox Flash for Macro Photography of Flowers, Insects & Details (Slim Version)

For years I have been taking macro images of things like insects. For all that time I have had constant bright spots on the subject from flashes, despite having diffusers on them. I decided to buy this unit, which to be frank is very big. But the images it produces are superb. The detail on the insects from the very diffuse light is just like taking images of them in a studio set up but in the field. I have never used anything like it before and now I will be buying the smaller version for my Laowa 25mm. The test shots above were taken on a Sigma 105 at f10, ISO 100 at 1/250th second. I have now tried it with my Nikon 200mm macro (a 20 year old model) and it fits perfectly. The diffuser is so versatile you can use it like a portrait light set-up in a studio with the diffuser above and to the front of the subject, so just the edge of the light reaches the subject (just bump up the power from 1/32 to full power. I cannot recommend this product enough. The results speak for themselves. It all fits together with press studs. The instructions are in Chinese but the numbers can be followed. 5-stars from me. It would be higher but 5 is the top score.

The Gua'ge large sized Macro flash diffuser seems to be well made although the press studs were a little tight the first time that I assembled it. Subsequent reassembly was much easier. Time will tell about its longevity but I have no doubt that it will last. The instructions for assembly in the form of a series of photographs were very unclear. However, I noticed in the Amazon product description page there was a video demonstrating assembly. This video was very clear and careful attention to this video made assembly very easy. Well done Amazon for including the video. I have not had a lot of time to use the diffuser yet but my initial photographs are very encouraging. Blown out highlights in the images are non existent! Previously, I had a home made flash diffuser and the images that I took using this gadget always had specular highlights and blown out details. I guess the double diffusion screens in the Gua'ge have overcome the problem with the home made gadget. The flash power may need to be increased to compensate for this but typically, I was only using 1/16 to 1/8 power so repeated photographs in a focus bracket did not overcome the recycle time at 5 frames per second. The Gua'ge diffuser appears to be almost identical in design to the 2 other well known commercially available products; even down to a very similar logo! I cannot check whether it is a direct copy because I do not have either of the other products. However, the Gua'ge is only a fraction of the price. Excellent value. I am delighted with this product and would recommend to to anyone who is serious about macro photography. It appears to be well made, more affordable and works well.

Fiddly to assemble but seems to ok if you look up instructions on YouTube

Putting the device together is not straight forward so I asked the company for help. They sent me a video but instructions were in ?Chinese and I could not get it to play. I finally figured out how to build it. The device itself is good.

This item split on assembly and I returned it

Great value for money works an absolute treat.

did,nt take long to assemble give a nice soft defused light only had the chance to use this only with good results the only down side is when taking photos of insects you have to watch the foliage

Four and a half maybe 5 stars. Most important thing was size and this (Size Three) fits my Lumix G9ii, Godox V350 and 90mm OM systems macro lens perfectly. I haven't had a chance to properly road test it yet and it may yet deserve 5 stars. It does seem a little expensive for a few bits of flexible plastic card and poppers but then again it is about half the price (£55) of the 2 or 3 leading brands (£100+) and seems very similar if not better than them. It packs flat (really important) and takes a few minutes to pop together - so don't wait until the insects appear to build it. It seems well designed and sits on my camera comfortably. It arrived well ahead of schedule (long delivery time of a month but arrived in about 2.5 weeks) and comes with a zipped bag which could have been a little smaller/neater. It is not as simple to carry and use as the £10 softbox diffuser I already have. It looks like it should produce better results as it has top and bottom reflector shields that allow a little adjustment to cast light on subject. It has a solid non-shaky feel on the camera. However it makes the camera into a considerably larger object which I hope won't chase off the insects as I approach.

Molto importante per la fotografia macro, non lo consiglio ad un principiante perchè bisogna prenderci un pò la mano. Montato sul flash è decisamente ingombrante e dovete abituarvi a scattare in un'altra maniera. La qualità non si discute, molto facile il montaggio.

le Guage Small Size II Vraiment idéal pour la photo macro. Son format très compact, La construction est propre, légère, et il tien bien sur mon flash cobra. Personnellement j'ai je n'utilise pas la partie du bas trop petit pour mon objectif Nikon 105mm mes sa fait très bien le taf Bref : je recommande pour les photos macro

The quality is not the best, but you get a fully functioning flash box that is adjustable for most cameras. In the end it’s the pictures that matter, and with this item you can achieve your macro goals for an affordable price.

Parfait merci beaucoup

Da una buena calidad de luz. Es como llevar una 'tienda de luz' pero portátil. Para ello necesitas un flash potente por supuesto, preferentemente de forma rectangular que es el que mejor se adapta. No es difícil de montar, y aunque es bastante aparatoso en volumen, es muy ligero, luego he observado que no suele espantar a los insectos, supongo que al ser tan blanco les llama menos la atención. He estado viendo el AKA y veo que son muy similares tanto en prestaciones como en calidad y creo que no merece la pena pagar el sobreprecio de importación.