New Speedlight Softbox

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Archive 2009 · New Speedlight Softbox

CGP4
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p.1 #1 · New Speedlight Softbox

Gary Regester of Plume and Paul Peregrine of Lightware have united to create the FourSquare:

http://www.lightwaredirect.com/

Although it's only an announcement at the moment, looks way better than the Bogen/Lastolite TriFlash -- I can't wait to try it out!

It'll be interesting to see how wireless triggering works given the configuration, but the new PocketWizards should to be the perfect solution.

Mar 12, 2009 at 08:13 PM

cgardner
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p.1 #2 · New Speedlight Softbox

There is a point of diminishing returns with hot shoe. It would be simpler, cheaper and far more effective to use a studio flash + battery/inverter than a rig like that

Mar 12, 2009 at 09:08 PM

Devin Hillam
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p.1 #3 · New Speedlight Softbox

cgardner wrote:
There is a point of diminishing returns with hot shoe. It would be simpler, cheaper and far more effective to use a studio flash + battery/inverter than a rig like that

If one doesn't already have 4 flashes and is lacking in the studio flash department

Mar 12, 2009 at 09:17 PM

surly
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p.1 #4 · New Speedlight Softbox

Well you could always use it with two flashes.
I think its pretty cool. I wonder how many ding dongs it will cost

Mar 13, 2009 at 12:47 AM

nreeque
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p.1 #5 · New Speedlight Softbox

cgardner wrote:
There is a point of diminishing returns with hot shoe. It would be simpler, cheaper and far more effective to use a studio flash + battery/inverter than a rig like that

+1 on this, Im a HUGE Speedlight fan but this does not look like a cost effective solution.

Mar 13, 2009 at 04:48 AM

surly
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p.1 #6 · New Speedlight Softbox

4 285s cost $340
16 AA Enloops cost $20

What monolight AND inverter are you getting for under $400?
More power yes.
Simpler is debatable
Cheaper is just inaccurate.

I agree it sure appears excessive but I already have to 285s a 580 and a 430. I don't consider myself a HUGE speedlight fan but that could indicate I have a problem

.... I use the 285s for off camera work and the 580 when I am lazy either on camera or a bracket. The idea of mounting two flashes in a small softbox without having to lug a heavy lead acid battery around seems way easier to me. Heck I already take the same but with umbrellas and two flashes.

We can all speak with our wallets though right?

Mar 13, 2009 at 10:54 AM

j.curtis
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p.1 #7 · New Speedlight Softbox

That thing is hilarious. Is it for real?

Mar 13, 2009 at 01:43 PM

bobbyz
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p.1 #8 · New Speedlight Softbox

How does it look from the back with all those flashes. Are the flash buttons covered or not? How does one change settings if covered.

Mar 13, 2009 at 02:09 PM

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p.1 #9 · New Speedlight Softbox

Wow. The lengths people will go to just to be unconventional.

The only time I can really see the value of that is where ultra-short flash durations are necessary and you're using something like 285HV's at minimum power to get them.

Mar 13, 2009 at 02:13 PM

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p.1 #10 · New Speedlight Softbox

bobbyz wrote:
How does it look from the back with all those flashes. Are the flash buttons covered or not? How does one change settings if covered.

You control them with the new Pocket Wizard Flex TT5 from your camera using a Pocket Wizard MiniTT1. For best results you should use either Canon 580EX IIs or Nikon SB900s.

I think I'll stick with my AcuteB 600R. YMMV

Mar 13, 2009 at 05:56 PM

j.curtis
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p.1 #11 · New Speedlight Softbox

c.d.embrey wrote:
bobbyz wrote:
How does it look from the back with all those flashes. Are the flash buttons covered or not? How does one change settings if covered.

You control them with the new Pocket Wizard Flex TT5 from your camera using a Pocket Wizard MiniTT1.

Does this mean you need to have 4 PW's? If so, thats $1000 worth of PW's to make it work!!!

Mar 13, 2009 at 06:55 PM

Talofa
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p.1 #12 · New Speedlight Softbox

j.curtis wrote:
c.d.embrey wrote:
bobbyz wrote:
How does it look from the back with all those flashes. Are the flash buttons covered or not? How does one change settings if covered.

You control them with the new Pocket Wizard Flex TT5 from your camera using a Pocket Wizard MiniTT1.

Does this mean you need to have 4 PW's? If so, thats $1000 worth of PW's to make it work!!!

Headphone splitters wouldn't work? Me thinks you'd only need 2 PW's in there

Mar 13, 2009 at 07:16 PM

c.d.embrey
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p.1 #13 · New Speedlight Softbox

Here's the URL for the Pocket Wizard TT1 and TT5 Manual http://www.pocketwizard.com/products/images/TT5-C.pdf

Seems like if you want E-TTL you need 4 PWs, if in manual mode splitters would work. Take a look at the manual ... I may be wrong.

One PW TT1, four PW TT5s, four 580EX IIs and one FourSquare. E-TTL Strobist shooting made easy ... how bitchin' is that ?

Mar 13, 2009 at 08:07 PM

CGP4
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p.1 #14 · New Speedlight Softbox

Everyone loves to bust on solutions for multiple speedlights, citing the cost vs a dedicated system. For serious shooters, it's a non-issue: they're all different tools and most have more than one.

In any case, one needn't use all four slots just because they're there. If you look at the sample image, you'll see that they bounced the flash into the side of the box without using the diffuser for a nice effect. If you can't visualize this concept, this potential approach is also nicely illustrated in Plume's Jumbrella:

http://www.plumeltd.com/jumbrella.htm

I have not doubt that this is a premium product and targeting a certain niche, but if the niche doesn't fit your needs it doesn't mean it's not worthwhile to others.

Mar 13, 2009 at 08:26 PM

bobbyz
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p.1 #15 · New Speedlight Softbox

I will buy a vagabond and take my ABs. Weight not much problem as you need something to weight down that lightstand anyway.

Mar 13, 2009 at 11:00 PM

K_Strecker
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p.1 #16 · New Speedlight Softbox

c.d.embrey wrote:
Here's the URL for the Pocket Wizard TT1 and TT5 Manual http://www.pocketwizard.com/products/images/TT5-C.pdf

Seems like if you want E-TTL you need 4 PWs, if in manual mode splitters would work. Take a look at the manual ... I may be wrong.

One PW TT1, four PW TT5s, four 580EX IIs and one FourSquare. E-TTL Strobist shooting made easy ... how bitchin' is that ?

Dude, check this out. you only need 1 pocket wizard receiver. Set that flash as the master, the other 3 as slaves. they're all inside the softbox so the slaves will see the master's pulse in any possible lighting situation. Set the ratio on each flash as 1:1, probably one each on channels A, B, C, and as far as the camera's concerned all the light is coming out of the softbox as if it were 1 flash . . . Creative problem solving FTW!

At least that's the solution for my thought experiment, I don't have the PW's myself yet

Damn, just saw the "set remote flashes to normal, not Master or Slave," but screw it, this is the first thing I'm trying when I get my own pair!

Mar 14, 2009 at 04:18 AM

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p.1 #17 · New Speedlight Softbox

It's a great idea K_Strecker. Another is to use multiple modded OCC fittings.

This sort of stuff is springing up everythere -this is the third version I've seen offering three or four flashes ganged together.

What there designs would be good for is HSS. I'd love to get f2.0 or wider, and flash sync without needing ND. It has to be less trouble than actually using ND however...

Mar 14, 2009 at 01:17 PM

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p.1 #18 · New Speedlight Softbox

Almost as ridiculous as that "flash tree" McNally had in the desert in Dubai to get synchro sun and to push the sb-800's-900's

Maybe useful for times when you need 2 speedlights.

Mar 14, 2009 at 01:27 PM

c.d.embrey
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p.1 #19 · New Speedlight Softbox

K_Strecker wrote:
c.d.embrey wrote:
Here's the URL for the Pocket Wizard TT1 and TT5 Manual http://www.pocketwizard.com/products/images/TT5-C.pdf

Dude, check this out ... Damn, just saw the "set remote flashes to normal, not Master or Slave,"

Duh...RTFM ! ! That's why I included the URL to the PDF manual

Here's what looks like a good solution http://michaelbass.blogspot.com/2007/01/off-camera-shoe-cords-mods-accessories.html#OCC_withPassThru

Just hook the modded EC3 to your PW TT5 . Then add pass through splitters as needed and one flash end

Not Inexpensive ! ! Modded EC3 is $165.00, pass through splitter is $165.00 and the flash end is $110.00

He can also put a dedicated hot shoe on your EC3 for $130.00 http://michaelbass.blogspot.com/2007/01/off-camera-shoe-cords-mods-accessories.html#OC-E3_DedHS

Mar 14, 2009 at 05:33 PM

brucemuir
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p.1 #20 · New Speedlight Softbox

yea, that dudes stuff is way expensive.

Mar 14, 2009 at 05:41 PM

CGP4
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p.1 #21 · New Speedlight Softbox

Just to update this, here is Dave Black's take on it:

http://www.daveblackphotography.com/workshop/07-2009.html

Jul 13, 2009 at 07:28 PM

bobbyz
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p.1 #22 · New Speedlight Softbox

CGP4 wrote:
Just to update this, here is Dave Black's take on it:

http://www.daveblackphotography.com/workshop/07-2009.html

Reading on the link, it says:

"There is virtually no escape or loss of light out the back end"

I don't understand.

With inherent directional lights from speedlights, why would light spill form the back? Try same with bare bulb and see what happens.

Jul 13, 2009 at 07:59 PM

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p.1 #23 · New Speedlight Softbox

Honestly, except for faster recycle times ... or full on sun at high noon .... the need for multiple speed lights in a softbox isn't that high ... for location portraiture, I use a single SB800 in a photoflex small SB all the time ... I'll bungee a second SB800 once in a while if I need more light, but most often, one unit is all I need.

It is nice to know there are other options ....

Jul 13, 2009 at 08:12 PM

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p.1 #24 · New Speedlight Softbox

Bottom line: If you need this and can afford it, go for it. Just depends on your perspective.

I will say that Dave Black endorsing it is a bit misleading. He can shoot, so regardless of what multi flash modifier box you gave him, he would make it work.

Also remember he does work with a lot of strobes, like McNally. If I'm already invested in a half dozen plus speedlights, this wouldn't really be a bad idea. 2 stops more juice, high speed sync, a hand grip. It's a well thought out product, for a small niche of photographers. The fact that you may not be in that niche is neither good nor bad, it just is what it is.

I prefer having options, even if some of them are not worth it to me, simply because it breeds competition amongst vendors.

Max

Jul 13, 2009 at 08:58 PM

shoebox9
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p.1 #25 · New Speedlight Softbox

I agree that there's a place for this product.

David Bergman is another candidate. He's almost constatnly on the road/in the air, and usually traveling without assistants as he photographs rock bands for record labels etc. Small is big for him, and he uses tons of Nikon speedlites.

It goes without saying that the light quality will be nicer with an Elinchrom Quadra (my choice any day of the week), but if you've already got 10+ small flashes that you cover with gels like crazy, set ratios between, etc, this is a boon.

Jul 13, 2009 at 10:40 PM


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