Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

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Ben C
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p.1 #1 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

I am comparing Westcott Apollo Umbrella Softbox with others. So far I found Brolly Box, which is kind, similar. Is there any other easy to assemble location softboxes out there?

Oct 06, 2009 at 06:49 PM

Gregg Heckler
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p.1 #2 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

The Lastolite Ezybox is very popular.

Oct 06, 2009 at 07:58 PM

RDKirk
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p.1 #3 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

I've been using Westcott Apollos as my sole type of softbox for several years now, working mostly on location. I've got one of the 28-inch, a 50-inch, and two of the rectangular RL models.

What I like about them is that they fold extremely compactly (more compactly than most folding softboxes because they have no speedring) and that they erect very quickly. Because the light is inside the softbox pointing to the rear, they don't need the inner diffuser, which speeds assembly even more.

An advantage over the brolly box is better control of the light because of the recessed front edges.

The main disadvantage is that the light is inside the softbox, which means it's not as easy to adjust. For me, that's a minimal problem because my lights are fully controlled wirelessly from a handheld control at the camera, so I don't have to change the settings on the light itself. The second disadvantage is that the larger, longer monolights don't fit very well.

Oct 08, 2009 at 11:14 AM

Eric Schwab
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p.1 #4 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

Ben C wrote:
I am comparing Westcott Apollo Umbrella Softbox with others. So far I found Brolly Box, which is kind, similar. Is there any other easy to assemble location softboxes out there?

The apollo is a very nice modifier. Good directional light and it's semi flagged to keep it from spilling all over. It isn't quick to setup though. Kind of a pain. A brolly box is not the same, it's just a more efficient shoot through umbrella with no spill going behind the unit. The light from it is very different though. They usually have more of a hotspot and lots of spill.

Oct 08, 2009 at 03:44 PM

Sid Ceaser
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p.1 #5 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

I use both the 28" and the 50" Apollos for studio and location shooting and its fantastic. I highly recommend them.

And I find it very quick to set up - its an umbrella! It pops open and you feed it on the umbrella shaft - how is that not fast? Its very fast, and the front panel is velcro so you can access the flash inside - which is, again, very fast (it is for me at least). The baffle around the edge is great to control spill.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Oct 08, 2009 at 11:57 PM

gregSC
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p.1 #6 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

I just got the 28 inch wescott appollo and love it. I use my SB-900 in it, what other flashes does every one else use in thiers besides small speedlights.

Oct 09, 2009 at 10:28 AM

Sid Ceaser
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p.1 #7 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

The Alien Bee monolights fit in there like a glove.

Oct 09, 2009 at 11:23 AM

bobbyz
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p.1 #8 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

Sid Ceaser wrote:
The Alien Bee monolights fit in there like a glove.

Do the bees go in reverse position like the hot shoe flash? How do you adjust power etc?

Oct 09, 2009 at 01:23 PM

Sid Ceaser
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p.1 #9 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

Facing the strobe to the back of the softbox is the best way to get even light. To adjust power settings, the whole front panel of the Apollo is attached with Velcro, so you just pull it up, make the adjustment, and then close it.

Easy peasy.

Oct 09, 2009 at 01:26 PM

ciccaldo
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p.1 #10 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

Hi Sid,

Do you use the Bee with the original 7-inch Reflector or without?

Thanks, Fabrizio.

Oct 11, 2009 at 05:03 PM

Sid Ceaser
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p.1 #11 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

I take the reflector off when I'm using it inside the softbox.

Oct 11, 2009 at 05:27 PM

Krymedogg
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p.1 #12 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

Sid,

Just to clarify...the 28" apollo will take the AB800

Looking to upgrade my Photoflex Mini and am on the fence between the 28 and 50.......

Thanks in advance for your reply.....

Krymedogg

Oct 12, 2009 at 05:43 AM

RDKirk
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p.1 #13 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

[Post icon] p.1 #12 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox? Sid, Just to clarify...the 28" apollo will take the AB800

Yes, it will. Not a problem.

Oct 12, 2009 at 08:30 AM

Sid Ceaser
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p.1 #14 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

Krymedogg wrote:
Sid,

Just to clarify...the 28" apollo will take the AB800

Krymedogg

It absolutely will:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

flickr

Shooting with one inside the 50":

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Cheers,
Sid

Oct 12, 2009 at 11:59 AM

bobbyz
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p.1 #15 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

Other questions,

How do you adjust the appolo (up/down) with the AB inside it? Do you need to use umbrella adapter? In typical softbox setup, the AB is mounted from the back with their tighting knob available to adjust up/down position.

2nd what about catch lights in close shooting situations. Do you see those big black bees in there?

Oct 12, 2009 at 01:48 PM

RDKirk
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p.1 #16 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

You would start to see a problem using White Lightnings, which start nearly twice as long as AlienBees units and grow physically longer as their power increases.

My X1600 White Lightnings just barely fit the 28-inch Apollo, and are only fairly confortable in the 50-inch Apollo JS.

Oct 12, 2009 at 01:49 PM

muskydave22
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p.1 #17 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

will the genesis lights fit inside this? it would be awesome if they did.

Dave

Oct 12, 2009 at 09:07 PM

RDKirk
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p.1 #18 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

muskydave22 wrote:
will the genesis lights fit inside this? it would be awesome if they did.

Dave

The White Lightning X1600 is 12 inches long and just barely fits the 28-inch Apollo. The Genesis 400 is just under 12 inches "with cap," so I'd say it should also just barely fit.

Oct 12, 2009 at 10:01 PM

kobold2
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p.1 #19 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

gregSC wrote:
I just got the 28 inch wescott appollo and love it. I use my SB-900 in it, what other flashes does every one else use in thiers besides small speedlights.

I use both the 28 and 50 w/ one or two sunpak 622s.
sz

Oct 12, 2009 at 11:09 PM

Jay Connor
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p.1 #20 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

Sid

Just got the Apollo

When I set it up i seems my Canon 580 flash rides too high

Would you be able to show a shot of your setup with a speedlite instead of the AB

Best
Jay

Nov 05, 2009 at 11:43 PM

Sid Ceaser
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p.1 #21 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

Jay,
Do you have it facing the rear of the softbox? Aim it at the back - the silver interior. It fills the inside and gives even coverage to the front.

I'll try to snap a shot of it inside while I'm at the studio tomorrow.

Nov 06, 2009 at 12:54 AM

Jay Connor
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p.1 #22 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

Thanks Sid

Yes I am facing speedlite to the back of box but with umbrella mount that I have ( and with the hotshoe mount that I have to attach to the 580 to connect to the PW which adds about an inch) the flash is nowhere near the central axis of the softbox - it is way above the center

Not sure if this matters but would love to see your setup

Best
Jay

Nov 06, 2009 at 01:13 AM

Sid Ceaser
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p.1 #23 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

Yeah, its higher to the top of the box. Isn't an issue. Still works flawlessly. I've got a frankenstein 120j with an extra inch of gorilla tape and balsa wood added on and it just about touches the top part of the inside fabric. But the light is fantastic. Doesn't really matter where the light is in that box, as its all bouncing around and filling up the diffusion panel.

Nov 06, 2009 at 04:01 AM

Sid Ceaser
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p.1 #24 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

Okay, I snapped a few shots the other day while mucking about the studio:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This first batch of shots are using a BogenBogen Swivel Umbrella Adapter with either a cold shoe, a hot shoe or just the metal spigot.
I'm showing four flashes in these: The 285, the SB-24, the 580ex and the 120j. The first two are using a cold shoe attached to the metal spigot on the adapter. The 580 is sitting on a hot shoe cord attached by the metal spigot. The 120j is just attached by the metal spigot. All of these flashes are in the top quadrant of the softbox. This doesn't cause any lighting issues. Because the light is facing the rear and bouncing around inside, it fills up more evenly from top to bottom. The 120j is just about touching the roof of the softbox, but that is because I Frankensteined the strobe a bit and it has extra vertical height after having to glue/tape some wood to the flash frame.

This second image shows the SB-24 and the Vivitar on the umbrella bracket that comes with the 28" Apollo Speedlight Kit @ B&H. This bracket is smaller and lets the flashes sit a tiny bit lower. This umbrella adapter does not work with something like the 580ex, which needs some sort of hotshoe to trigger it.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Hope that helps.

I have no problems using any of these flashes with the Apollo softboxes. Its a great modifier.

Cheers,
Sid

Nov 09, 2009 at 03:49 AM

sqdstf
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p.1 #25 · Westcott Apollo type of Umbrella Softbox?

Gotta get one

I'll use this with it....
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/611177-REG/Lastolite_LL_LA2412_Triflash_Bracket.html

Nov 10, 2009 at 03:48 AM


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