Just wondering what anyone's experience with Alien Bee's softboxes are. Need to purchase something and the cost is making the AB tempting. I understand that Photoflex/Westcott etc are superior quality?

I have little room for my medium softboxes, so I am constantly putting them up and taking them down.

Photoflex- Assembly is fairly easy. You can remove the outside diffusion panel and still use if you so wanted. Easy to get to get to the inside diffusion panel as well.

Alienbee (not the foldable version)- I can assemble this as quickly as I can the Photoflex. Many people complain about the design & assembly of this softbox, but I don't see what the big deal is. It is designed completly differently than the Photoflex, so you can not use it without the outside diffusion panel. Due to design it is not as easy to get to the inside diffusion panel. I like the way it draws up around the light in the back better than the photoflex design.

AB comes with a speedring, Photoflex does not. If I were in a place that I could leave them up all the time, I would use AB. If money were not a problem and I had to take them down after every use, I would use Photoflex. Money & space are an issue so I have 3 AB's and 1 Photoflex.

Westcott..I don't have any.

Just me....

John

Thanks, Money is not a problem, I don't mind paying for quality but what do you mean about not the foldable version. I thought ABs were foldable?

Thanks for the info. Anyone else?

mccaf wrote:
Thanks, Money is not a problem, I don't mind paying for quality but what do you mean about not the foldable version. I thought ABs were foldable?

Thanks for the info. Anyone else?


There are two versions of the AB softboxes--foldable and non, I assume jwp has the non. I have the foldable large octa and foldable strip box and it is easy to remove the front diffusion panels (as long as I'm thinking of the same thing jwp is) since it's only attached by velcro with the inner baffle attached by snaps.

I like the AB stuff and would have no problems recommending them, but I have no experience with any other brands.

Correct mine is the non-foldable version. Check AB website and you will see the difference. Setting it up involves placing the rods into the front diffusion panel vs. the sides of the softbox. (complicated to explain... just trust me on this).

As far as quality I see no difference between Photoflex & AB....

John

I've used both of those, and the Photoflex imho are much better. Some of the best softboxes I used were Norman, and they weren't much more money. I personally didn't like the AB softboxes.

Contractor wrote:
I've used both of those, and the Photoflex imho are much better. Some of the best softboxes I used were Norman, and they weren't much more money. I personally didn't like the AB softboxes.

what didn't you like about the AB softboxes?

I recently bought an Interfit softbox w/o ever using any of their equipment ( I needed it overnight, and Amazon could do that for me late in the evening the night before the shot)

Wasn't expecting much, but the build quality (heavy, nice fabrics) and fit/finish are very nice. Amazon frequently has one or two on "sale", and I have since bought 3 more (2 strip lights, and 2 medium boxes.)

After a couple-dozen set-ups/take-aparts, I am really happy I didn't overpay on other "name" brands, and all my misc. speedring fit the Interfits no problem.

Just my .02

Calumet brand softboxes are built like the Chimera brand. While I don't own them, I've used them a few times when I've rented gear from Calumet and they are quite good in terms of build and set up.

Photoflex has velcro flaps that allow for easy break down, which is nice for larger modifiers.

I looked at the Calumet Illumina and my main problem with it was lack of inexpensive grids...you can get them from Lighttools, but they cost more than the softbox

Deezie wrote:
Calumet brand softboxes are built like the Chimera brand. While I don't own them, I've used them a few times when I've rented gear from Calumet and they are quite good in terms of build and set up.


Are these regular calumet ones? Link would be nice.

IIRC, Calumet has 2 softbox lines, the Illumina is the higher-quality line (made by Plume or Red Line?), the Nova is the budget line.

I have a Calumet Nova, and it is pretty cheap. The aluminum rods (older style?) are easily deformed (bent).

I have the large foldable octobox from AB and I love it.

I have 2 of Westcott brand. Large and medium size. Both have heavy metal rods. The fabric is a very heavy canvas like material. They have been taken apart dozens of times and the only issue I have with the large box is the rods fit so tight it is a fight to take it apart. The medium is not a problem. No question they were made to last. This was a model made for hot lights so I can't say if some of the new models they have are as heavy duty.

jefferies1 wrote:
I have 2 of Westcott brand. Large and medium size. Both have heavy metal rods. The fabric is a very heavy canvas like material. They have been taken apart dozens of times and the only issue I have with the large box is the rods fit so tight it is a fight to take it apart. The medium is not a problem. No question they were made to last. This was a model made for hot lights so I can't say if some of the new models they have are as heavy duty.

I ended up getting a Westoctt 36"x48" and agree about putting/taking the rods in the cast speedring. I'm wondering if the plastic photoflex ring is better. My GFs rods are a cinch into the plastic rings on her softboxes...

Have never tried the plastic style. I have aftermarket Elinchrom and are metal. The edges can be a bit sharp so trying to apply enough pressure to hold the speedring and bend the rods is a major issue. Gloves would help the hands but pure force is still required.