I would like to purchase two Lastolite Hot Shoe EZYBOX Softbox Kits. I plan on taking indoor and outdoor photos of individuals and small groups (8-10 people) with this setup.

I am going to use a 550EX in each of two softboxes. Triggered by a ST-E2 or a third 550EX as the master.

My question is which size do I buy ? 15"x15" or the 24"x24"

I am sure the larger softbox would diffuse the light more but will the light be strong enough to light my subjects ?

Also does anyone know if the stand that comes with this kit is an air cushion model ?

Is there anything that I am forgetting ?

Thanks for you help,

Bob

I'm a big fan of the Canon E-TTL system but what you going to be asking of it here is going to be difficult, if not impossible. At least for large groups when using the Ezybox.

I use the Ezybox and the E-TTL system and it's great for individual and also two people more than that it struggles even with ambient. It's just too small and it's not really designed for this. In Addition outdoors you will find that the ST-E2 won't cut the mustard for reliability and you may also struggle with the 550EX on occasion. You may have better luck for larger groups of people with umbrellas it really comes down to how much ambient to flash you want to mix. Especially as you're going to be losing power when you use any modifier.

It might be cheaper to consider a couple of cheap studio lights and a portable power back (Elinchom D-Lites with a Tronix Explorer), that way you could drive a couple of larger softboxes with power to spare.

Faolan,

Thanks for the response. You saved me a bunch of money, for now.

I will probably just buy a less expensive softbox for taking portrait photos for now. Then save my money for some studio lights with the portable power pack as you suggested.

I am not a professional photographer, just trying to get more experienced.

Thanks for the help,

Bob

A shoot through umbrella is probably a good place to start. It creates a defused and spread light source so you can keep it closer to the group and feather it.

Two, one on each side of the camera, or both to one side of camera but feather across the group will permit you to even the light.

Remember that the TTL signal windows have to be line of site with the signal light source on the camera (STE2 or master speedlite).

Here is a group of 20 lit with a single 580EX bounced of the wall and ceiling over my left shoulder.

So, it can be done with a speedlite and TTL but it takes some planning.

dmward wrote:

Nice photo.

Good idea. This would be much cheaper than a softbox. Will get it a try and see how I like it.

A shoot through umbrella is probably a good place to start. It creates a defused and spread light source so you can keep it closer to the group and feather it.

Two, one on each side of the camera, or both to one side of camera but feather across the group will permit you to even the light. What do you mean by "feather" it ? Seems like on both side of the camera would even it better.

Remember that the TTL signal windows have to be line of site with the signal light source on the camera (STE2 or master speedlite). How did you trigger the one flash ? Wired or wireless ? STE2 or master speedlite ?

Here is a group of 20 lit with a single 580EX bounced of the wall and ceiling over my left shoulder. In which direction did you have the umbrella pointed ? Toward the subjects or away from the subjects ? or are you saying that you did not use and umbrella and just did the bounce ?

Why did you use an ISO of 800 ? What is the advantages of that ? To get more distance out of the flash ?

So, it can be done with a speedlite and TTL but it takes some planning.

Why ISO 800?

There is no way you are going to light 20 people bouncing 1 speedlight with enough depth of field at ISO 100 or 200. He was at f/6.3 at 1/30 sec, but f/8 at 1/60 or 1/125 would have been even better. If you reduce your shutter speed then everyone is going to have to stand very still. This picture is prety good for one speedlight but using two lights shot through umbrellas would give you more power, control, and allow you to use a smaller f/stop, and minimize noise from higher ISO's.