Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card/Flag review

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Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card / Flag

Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card (best flash diffuser rating: 8.99) is a member of Rogue FlashBenders family of flash light modifiers from ExpoImaging. By utilizing a bendable metal rod, Rogue Bounce Card can be shaped in different ways delivering a significant amount of lighting flexibility.

The bounce card is relatively large, yet very lightweight (2oz), and it creates a light source up to 5"x9".

The quality of the materials of Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card is excellent. The rod inside the card is made of coiled steel that is extremely durable. The reflective surface and the backing are washable. The unit is definitely built to last.

Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card/Flag: twisted Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card/Flag: vertical position
Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card/Flag: logo on the back Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card/Flag: logo on the strap

Unlike many other flash diffusers on the market today, FlashBender Bounce Card comes as a single piece accessory. There are no separate straps or Velcro tabs to attach it to a flash head. The strap is simply a part of the diffuser itself. It features a stretchy strip that tightens the strap on the flash.

Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card/Flag: attachment system Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card/Flag: stretchy strip tightens the strap

Please note that the card can be mounted on any side of a flash head. Attaching to a narrow side allows you to quickly switch from landscape to portrait camera orientation without a flash bracket.

Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card can be used straight up as a regular index card. The image below shows Honl Photo (right) and Rogue (left) Bounce Cards side by side. (Note, both diffusers are mounted on wide sides of flash heads.)

Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card/Flag: compared to Honl Photo Bounce Card/Gobo

The steel rod of the Rogue Bounce Card is easy to bend, and it holds the shape very well. Thus, you can use this diffuser as a variable angle card, similar to Demb Big Flip-it!, for example. (In the images below, the diffusers are attached to narrow sides of flash heads.)

Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card/Flag: compared to Demb Big Flip-it! reflector Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card/Flag: set at 45 degrees, compared to Demb Big Flip-it! reflector

For more fill light, you can tilt the diffuser forward. To reduce the amount of fill, you can set it back (like with vari-angle bounce cards) or you can keep it vertical and bend it, say, in the middle to reduce the size of the reflecting surface.

Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card/Flag: tilted back Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card/Flag: bent in the middle

Rogue FlashBender Card can also form a shape similar to the one provided by Demb Saucer Flip-it! to slightly elevate the light source (Saucer Flip-it! employs a flap).

Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card/Flag: compared to Demb Saucer Flip-it! reflector Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card/Flag: elevated light source position

Since Rogue Bounce Card is bendable, it is very portable. You can not only slip it in virtually any space in your gear bag but also leave it on your flash while transporting.

Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card/Flag: in a gear bag

Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card can also be used as a flag (gobo). It comes with a black cover that can be attached to the reflector with Velcro. Thus, the light doesn't spill over, and it is not reflected in the opposite direction.

Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card/Flag: attaching black cover to use as a flag

The left image below is taken with Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card positioned straight while bouncing from the ceiling and the left wall. The right image is taken with the card shaped like Saucer Flip-it! reflector.

Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card/Flag: ceiling/wall bounce example, straight position Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card/Flag: ceiling bounce example, elevated light source position

The conclusion is fairly simple. Being as flexible and portable as other leading industry products, having great built quality, and featuring a great attachment system, Rogue FlashBender Bounce Card is one of the best flash light reflectors for hot shoe flash units on the market today.