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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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
