I was intrigued by comments about the SoftLiter II from Photek, so I ordered two.
One broke when I was spreading the umbrella portion for the first time. The umbrellas are "delicate" but the diffuser that fits around the strobe and covers the umbrella is nice. Wish they would sell just that portion.
Anyway, while I was at it I did a comparison of all the modifiers I have for my AB800s.
I will add replies to the thread to include each example for comparison.
The first is the 7 inch reflector straight. The numbers on the post its are my Minolta flash meter reading taken at the nose of the subject. (It was nice to find a subject that doesn't complain about having to sit still and not move for a test like this.)
AB 24X36 inch Soft Box:
This is a very nice unit. It has an internal structure that permits spreading it like an umbrella, tightening the set screw and then snapping the diffuser in place and then valcroing the SB panel.
It actually takes less time to set up then the Softliter.
SoftLiter II 60 inch:
As mentioned the unit includes a "delicate" Umbrella and the diffusion panel. There is a "cuff" that fits around the strobe. I used the AB spill reflector which does not protrude into the unit. It is just a disk with a minor dishing.
And to complete things, here is a lighting test using two Softliters, one on each side of the camera.
The one on camera left was aimed toward the wall on the right, and feathers a bit to bring up the exposure on the left edge of the frame. The light on camera right was aimed toward the wall on the left with a bit of feather to light the right edge of the frame.
My recollection is that the exposure was F8 at ISO 200 on my 5D. The metering ranged within about 2/3 stop across the room. The top of the Softliters were place about 3 feet below the celling.
Here is another example of the Soft Liter. Again one on each side of camera, tilted down about 30 degrees with the top edge of the unit against the ceiling. (BTW the ceiling is 10 feet in this room.)
Did a second exposure using just the modeling lights to get the flames then masked the layer and painted the flames into the Soft Liter exposure.
The light unit reflections are "hidden" in the painting over the fireplace. Also feathered the lights to give a bit of vignette to the edges. (And remembered not to do the lens vignette corrections in Camera Raw.
I think these Soft Liter units are keepers, even with the "delicate" umbrellas.
Now just have to get the broken one replaced. (I hope the warranty is longer than 24 hours. )
Yes,
all at full power.
I think I mentioned that the figures on the post its are the meter readings. I found that the whites might clip on the Color Checker at the nearest 1/3 stop. stopping down another 1/3 stop gave me a histogram without clipping or buried shadows.
I think I am really going to like the Soft Liters for their smooth light for interiors and art work photography. The build quality is the only negative. I expect that the defuser will fit on a Photoflex or other 60 inch umbrella when the one that comes with it is shot.
The Softliter's have 10 sides, so the covers won't fit other brollies.
David, do you have the silver or white backed Softliters?
Also, you neglected to mention the type of standard brolly in your test. White? Silver? White with removable back cover? Thanks for taking the trouble to post your findings.
Edited to add: I just noticed this is an old thead that's been resumed by Bobbytan.
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