Is anyone using large softboxes, over 40 inches, for their speedlights - which brand/model are you using. I'm looking for one above 40 inches, and have a limited budget
large softboxes for speedlights - what are you using
- Thread starter sanjosedave
- Start date
surapon
80% BY HEART, 15% BY LENSES AND ONLY 5% BY CAMERA
sanjosedave said:
Dear friend, Mr. sanjosedave
For my self, I love the cheapo one and it work for me = Photo Studio 40" White Reflective Umbrella Softbox Flash Lighting Borlly Box= Less than $ 23 US Dollars for two of them, and very portable too.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-Photo-Studio-40-White-Reflective-Umbrella-Softbox-Flash-Lighting-Borlly-Box/181465221054?_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982&_trkparms=aid%3D333001%26algo%3DRIC.FIT%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D24143%26meid%3D8381944269377805181%26pid%3D100009%26prg%3D10240%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D251401796009
Enjoy.
Surapon
Upvote
0
Well, I'm afraid I can't beat the price on what Surapon has suggested! Well done! ;D Amazing what you can get for the price these days.
But the biggest modifier I have, which works extremely well with speedlites, is this one (50"):
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/62236-REG/Westcott_2348_Apollo_JS_Softbox_with.html
I quite like the Westcott gear, seems to give good value for money. It's not as wildly priced as "pro" brands like Profoto, but still has better than average build quality and design. I have a couple smaller, pricier softboxes by Lastolite and Lightware and while they're excellent for their purpose, the Westcott is far easier to set up with its umbrella design.
But the biggest modifier I have, which works extremely well with speedlites, is this one (50"):
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/62236-REG/Westcott_2348_Apollo_JS_Softbox_with.html
I quite like the Westcott gear, seems to give good value for money. It's not as wildly priced as "pro" brands like Profoto, but still has better than average build quality and design. I have a couple smaller, pricier softboxes by Lastolite and Lightware and while they're excellent for their purpose, the Westcott is far easier to set up with its umbrella design.
Upvote
0
I have a pixapro 24x36" and an essentialphoto 48" octa. Both are reasonably well made and very cheap but I don't know if you can get them across the pond. These come with Bowens-S fittings and grids. These would be my recommendation if you can get hold of them.
Just bear in mind that the large softboxes are not filled brilliantly by a single speedlight and the light output is pretty poor. Large silver reflective umbrellas may be an answer if you can live with slightly harder and more specular light. If you can spring for an umbrella type softbox that will save you a lot of hassle as I'm guessing you are using speedlights for portability.
Just bear in mind that the large softboxes are not filled brilliantly by a single speedlight and the light output is pretty poor. Large silver reflective umbrellas may be an answer if you can live with slightly harder and more specular light. If you can spring for an umbrella type softbox that will save you a lot of hassle as I'm guessing you are using speedlights for portability.
Upvote
0
Hannes makes a very good point that I neglected to emphasize - for these larger modifiers, they really do excel with more than one speedlite. I usually gang a minimum of two in the 50" Westcott.
It is possible to get decent results with a single speedlite, but it will work quite hard in normal lighting situations and your recycle times may suffer.
Just something else to consider. Remember, these big modifiers are trying convert a hard, 4" light source into a soft, 50" light source. There will be a bit of compromise involved.
It is possible to get decent results with a single speedlite, but it will work quite hard in normal lighting situations and your recycle times may suffer.
Just something else to consider. Remember, these big modifiers are trying convert a hard, 4" light source into a soft, 50" light source. There will be a bit of compromise involved.
Upvote
0
I use the Westcott 43-inch Apollo Orb.
You can view images and information through either of the links below.
http://www.adorama.com/WEAO36.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/820996-REG/Westcott_2336_Apoll
rb_36_91_4.html
With respect to the size of a softbox used with a single flash unit, here is an interesting thread. A citation from the thread notes that
"You can see that going from a tiny softbox to a very large one only shows 6/10 stop difference and
still gives a very high output."
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1032866&highlight=myth%2C+speedlight%2C+softbox
Still, I do not hesitate to use three Speedlites in a softbox so that I can use lower power levels for faster recycle times.
You can view images and information through either of the links below.
http://www.adorama.com/WEAO36.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/820996-REG/Westcott_2336_Apoll
rb_36_91_4.htmlWith respect to the size of a softbox used with a single flash unit, here is an interesting thread. A citation from the thread notes that
"You can see that going from a tiny softbox to a very large one only shows 6/10 stop difference and
still gives a very high output."
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1032866&highlight=myth%2C+speedlight%2C+softbox
Still, I do not hesitate to use three Speedlites in a softbox so that I can use lower power levels for faster recycle times.
Upvote
0
For big the 50" Westcott Apollo is difficult to beat and at $169 isn't too expensive considering its quality and size. In this thread I gave some test shots of the output:- http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=20523.msg388422#msg388422
Upvote
0
Thanks everybody for the feedback.
I will probably get the 50" Westcott Apollo after I find a buyer for my 2008 13inch MacBook
I will probably get the 50" Westcott Apollo after I find a buyer for my 2008 13inch MacBook
Upvote
0
