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Archive 2012 · Softbox difference

  
 
iseeq4life
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Softbox difference


Can you use a monolight strobe in a softbox like this one?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/62236-REG/Westcott_2348_Apollo_JS_Softbox_with.html


What's a speed ring for?



Aug 15, 2012 at 06:11 PM
whitewash
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Softbox difference


It looks so shallow, I'd have had my doubts, but several of the reviews indicate that people are using monolights in it.

As to your second question, a speedring is an adapter that allows you to attach it to a particular light (or type of light) and position the light correctly. The descriptive copy is just saying that the softbox can be used with small flashes without using a speedring to mount them.

Comparing with a few other sellers, that seems like a good price for that softbox. Must be a rebate going on?



Aug 15, 2012 at 06:57 PM
BrianO
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Softbox difference


iseeq4life wrote:
Can you use a monolight strobe in [an Apollo JS Softbox]?

...What's a speed ring for?


Most monolights include an umbrella holder, and the Apollo softboxes are designed like square umbrellas, so they'll simply slide onto most monolights.

They'll also work with Speedlites, by mounting the Speedlite on an umbrella adapter fitted to the top of the light stand.

As whitewash said, a speedring is for use with traditional softboxes, beauty dishes, and other modifiers that hang onto the front of monolights and strobe heads. Since there are many different head designs, you need a speedring that is specific to the design you have.

No speedring is needed for the Apollos.

Here's a bit more info:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0gqqjb3D5Rg

I've been using the 28" Apollo for several years, and now with the new 50" model being on sale I'm ordering one of them, too.

whitewash wrote:
It looks so shallow, I'd have had my doubts, but several of the reviews indicate that people are using monolights in it.


Because the Apollos are retro-firing designs they can work quite efficiently even with relatively shallow depths.

whitewash wrote:
Comparing with a few other sellers, that seems like a good price for that softbox. Must be a rebate going on?


Yep, F.J. Westott's "Summer Promotion."



Aug 15, 2012 at 10:39 PM
Elan II
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Softbox difference


Brian covered this well. The only thing I would add is that the size of the strobe can make a difference. I use Photoflex strobes, which are quite long and likely won't have enough clearance even in the 50" model. A more compact strobe like the Alien Bees should work just fine.






Aug 18, 2012 at 09:21 AM
BrianO
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Softbox difference


Elan II wrote:
...the strobe can make a difference. I use Photoflex strobes, which are quite long and likely won't have enough clearance even in the 50" model.


Westcott has a solution for that: the Apollo Mono Mounting Arm, which sells for about US$30.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/178003-REG/Westcott_1080_Mounting_Arm_for_28.html

Here's a product video:

http://fjwestcott.com/photo-lighting-tips/product-reviews/light-modifiers/product-tip-video-mounting-all-apollo-light-modifiers-on-mono-arm

Horrible audio on the recording (I guess they never heard of boom mics or lapel mics), but it shows how the Arm works.



Aug 19, 2012 at 07:52 PM
RDKirk
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Softbox difference


I've been using the big 50" JS, the 28", and the now-defunct rectangular RLs for years. My longest light is my White Lightning 1600, which just barely fits the 28" but has no problem at all in the JS.

I don't mess with the optional monolight arm. I use a wireless remote control so I don't have to reach into the softbox for ordinary adjustments, and even if I did, the generously sized zippers on bottom and side are easy/quick enough to use.

To empahsize what BrianO said, because the light fires into the rear of the softbox (as with an umbrella) there is no need for an internal diffuser...which also speeds deployment of the softbox.



Aug 20, 2012 at 07:39 AM
dmward
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Softbox difference


I like the concept but was alway fighting with the limited tilt ability. I solved that with a PCB mini-boom arm.

I have a post on my blog (www.dmwfotos.wordpress.com) that describes how I accomplished it with an Apollo Octa.




Aug 21, 2012 at 03:56 PM





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