I have been using a Photoflex LiteDome Xtra-Small with a Speedlight on a pole for off-camera lighting, fill, etc. It works well but the light is not as "soft" as I would prefer. The only diffusion panel is the front panel.
At Photo Plus Expo yesterday I saw the SMDV Diffuser 50 by Fotodiox
It is approximately 20" across, octagonal box and has an internal panel as well as the front panel. Is anyone familiar with this unit? It appears well made and while not outrageously expensive ($160), it is more than I would prefer to spend without hearing some comments or experience.
It looks nice but for wedding use I'd be concerned about the speed of setup. An umbrella or a softbox that opens like umbrella (Westcott Apollo) would be much easier to use.
You'll have to get in fairly close to get soft light from a 20" box, so that might be something to consider...
A shoot through umbrella (like a 48") is really fast, cheap, and folds up very small. It'll give essentially the same light as a softbox, with maybe a little less efficiency. If you're using it outdoors, you don't have to worry about back spill. If you're shooting tight, you'll probably like the catch lights from a SB better though.
For a softbox, I really like my Lastolite EZ box...it's really nice, but not cheap. I've heard good things about the Cowboy Studio version as well..
Scott Mosher wrote:
I've got one of these and I love it. Setup is very quick. My only nitpick is I have to keep tighening some of the screws on the bracket.
I would say get a reflective umbrella with diffusion fabric, essentially like a smaller Paul Buff PLM. Super portable, super fast setup, and softer light with a more even spread than a 20" softbox.
We use the gridded one...has been great for us. Kitty is right, you have to have be close to keep the light soft, but typically, you are going to have to be fairly close when using just a speedlight anyway (especially outdoors in daytime)
