Wing Light Flash Modifier Review

Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification

The Wing Light is a flash diffuser with an adjustable adaptor to fit most common flash guns including Nikon or Canon Speedlights and, as seen below, the Olympus FL-50R.

Wing Light Flash Diffuser Features

It's a simple design. A plastic adjustable adaptor slips over the flash head and a Velcro band is used to tighten it in place. The band will expand to approx 270mm, so a flash with head dimensions smaller than 100x35mm or 90x45mm etc will be fine. Two diffuser panels then Velcro to the sides to give the wing like effect. The adaptor has mirrors in the middle to split the flash and direct light into the wings.

Wing Light Flash Diffuser Handling

It does have a bit of a home made feel about it. Rubber pads grip the top and bottom of the flash head while the Velcro band is tightened and secured to stop the adaptor coming off the flash head. The wings then Velcro to each side. As with all Velcro products it's an instant fix so attaching can be quite tricky, especially getting the alignment right. They're less easy to take off mid shoot too. A clip attaching system may be more practical but would put manufacturing costs up.

The wings store flat so take up little space, but the adaptor is quite bulky.

Wing Light Flash Diffuser Performance

The Wing Light fitted various test flashguns including a Sunpak PZ42, Vivitar 283 and Olympus FL-50R with ease. It's easy to use once you have the wings aligned correctly. The illumination is even and neutral as seen in the images below.

You can see by using just left or right wings how the illumination can be changed for more creativity. Also how adding the Wing Light does give a less harsh lighting with good soft shadows and 3D-like feel. The catchlight in the eyes is quite interesting too, with two shapes rather than one that curve around the eye.

It's not practical to use the Wing Light in vertical format for still-life if you're shooting table top objects from a low viewpoint as the bottom wing can get in the way. The top wing provides a good level of shadow softening. Shadows are still present so you get a sense of 3D, but not harsh as they are with direct flash.

Wing Light Inc Wing Light Sample Photos

Value For Money

The Wing Light costs $60 from Amazon and there's not really anything else out there like it, but $60 can buy you a lot when it comes to flash modifiers. Check out the range at B&H and for our UK buyers consider WEX's range of flash diffusers. You could spend a lot less and get a much more simplified Phottix Soft Flash Diffuser and for similar money the Gary Fong Lightsphere is a popular choice.

Wing Light Flash Diffuser Verdict

The Wing Light is a novel idea, created by someone who realised that direct flash modifiers weren't giving him the right type of diffusion. So what looks a bit like a prototype has been released. It's functional, the light spread is good and it's versatile in use, but does look a bit home made and is certainly at the higher end of the price table. If you prefer the wider, thinner light spread it's the main man. However you can buy a lot of better looking kit for similar or lower prices.

Wing Light Flash Diffuser Pros

Interesting catchlights
Good light spread
Lightweight

Wing Light Flash Diffuser Cons

Velcro wings fiddly to attach
Bulky adaptor
Expensive
Home made look

FEATURES
HANDLING
PERFORMANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY
VERDICT