Few months ago I saw someone using what appear to be a mini softbox mounted on his 580EX, I believe he use a flash bracket for the 580EX. Where can I get these mini-softbox? how effective are they and do you have any experience with them?
If 2ftx2ft is still "small" i've been using a Lastolite Ezybox for quite a while now. I love it's quality of light and setup. Plus, it folds down to a bag smaller than most reflector bags, which is KEY.
yauyi wrote:
yes the LQ-107 looks just like the one I saw....thank you very much, I'll have to try one of these.
For the price, it won't hurt too much to try one; just don't expect miracles. It is what it is, as the kids say.
Oh, one more thing; you'll need an off-shoe TTL adapter cord to connect the flash to the camera's hot shoe for TTL metering. A simple PC cord won't work. I use the Canon-brand cord, but there are cheaper off-brand copies.
Mini softboxes don't diffuse flash like their big brothers in the studio because the flash tube of a hot shoe is encased in plastic and shot forward through fresnel lenses vs a bare bulb radiating in all directions.
The key in diffusion is making the light less parallel relative to the object it hits. Its how many different directions and intensity the light has which makes light distinct or diffuse.
You'll get more diffusion for the same surface area with a diffuser where the flash is aimed up and the light direction is changed. Lumiquest Big Bounce works like that, or for a few bucks you can make something similar:
You can find all the materials at most Walmart stores or a craft shop. Instructions and template are here: LINK Use a stapler instead of stitching and you can knock one out in 15-20 min for under $5.
cgardner wrote:
...You'll get more diffusion for the same surface area with a diffuser where the flash is aimed up and the light direction is changed. Lumiquest Big Bounce works like that...
I have a Big Bounce that I used with my Vivitar 285HV. Move the diffusion lens into place, zoom it all the way out, and it'll fill the Big Bouce pretty well.
The Big Bounce doesn't look as impressive as a Qflash or the old Sunpak 120J, but it'll do the job.
Chuck, I like your DIY bouncer, too. (I'm just too lazy to DIM.)
There are lots of articles that use that new Lumiquest SB-III over on strobist.com He's got good examples of what it's capable of, you have to use it extremely close to your subject for a 'soft' effect.
