p.1 #1 · Brand Name (Photogenic) vs. Generic Softboxes
I own a set of 3 Photogenic monolights (1250DRs) and primarily use two Photogenic-branded 24 x 32" for the work that I do but I'm considering going larger, to either the 36 x 48" or maybe the 48 x 72" versions. I am doing some full length portraits where I am seeing light fall-off.
Photogenic branded softboxes are available on backorder, but expensive at those sizes, but they I am used to the way the work and like the look they produce. One of the seams on it is turn and taped up with gaffer tape.
FotodioX and Photoflex are the two brands that I see most often as options for Photogenic. Does anyone here have any experience with those brands?
I have uploaded a couple of examples from my most recent shoot where I thought I could have benefited from larger softboxes.
Thanks in advance.
More than full body portrait.
Canon EOS R3EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens80mmf/6.31/160s100 ISO0.0 EV
Full Body.
Canon EOS R3EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens120mmf/6.31/160s100 ISO0.0 EV
p.1 #2 · Brand Name (Photogenic) vs. Generic Softboxes
I had a bad experience with Photoflex. Ordered a large shoot through umbrella and the first one came broken, with missing parts. Thought it was a fluke so I exchanged it and the 2nd one came broken too. I've had good experience with Glow brand. You could also go with a scrim if you have room. and umbrellas break down and deploy really quickly,
p.1 #3 · Brand Name (Photogenic) vs. Generic Softboxes
There are so many lightning modifier brands on the market now it's difficult to really determine which offer the best performance and value. Is it still 'mainstream' modifier brands such as Chimera, Photoflex, perhaps Westcott or Paul C Buff? There are so many Chinese brands now...
I've pretty much gone with Elinchrom modifiers for the last ~15+ years, but not sure if an adapter ring is available for Photogenic. For a couple specialty needs on a limited budget, I bought Impact soft boxes from B&H. Their heavier duty softbox line suitable for constant light sources, including halogen, seem very well made, if heavy for the size. A 4x6' softbox will be very large and very heavy!
For a large light source option at a reasonable price and lighter weight, I'd suggest the Paul C Buff PLM umbrella in 86" soft silver and buy the front diffusion fabric for it. The current version works with the light's standard umbrella socket, negating the need for a brand-specific speedring. It packs up compact (while narrow, it is long) and is quite light for the size. https://paulcbuff.com/products/86-parabolic-umbrella-soft. Being a parabolic modifier, it's also a very efficient 'long throw' reflector if the light is positioned properly at the nodal point. I have used it in this capacity for many events where I had to throw light from the back of a large space without using an excessive amount of strobe power.
For full length work, you definitely want a large light source if you want fairly even brightness across the subject while still having soft shadow transition.
Here are a couple photos of an on location shoot I did some years ago. The front lights were Paul C Buff Einstein. One in a 64" soft silver PLM with diffuser and the other in an 86" soft silver PLM with diffuser. The background lights were each 60" white umbrellas with black backing fabric that were flagged to prevent spill on the subject. Those might have been Photek Softlighters, but also could have been something generic I got off Amazon. For this shoot the background didn't have to be perfectly lit as the subject was going to be cut out anyway.
Another tip, if you want a clean floor portion of the image, get a very large sheet of plexiglass, or something else glossy that is highly reflective. The background will reflect off it and be a lot cleaner looking than just paper or fabric under the subject's feet.
p.1 #4 · Brand Name (Photogenic) vs. Generic Softboxes
I've tried some of the cheap no name softboxes available on that rainforest place, and to be honest, the pictures look fine, it is the longevity and ease of use that comes with problems. The material they use deteriorates over time even without use and stored properly, and shreds like some kind of chemical breakdown is happening. The stands and clamps are wobbly and not confidence inspiring, but the bulbs, and diffused output will get you fine shots. So I guess if someone was a student on a budget just doing a few sessions during a photo course and moving on, they would be fine, but wouldn't reccomend them for long term use or for pay. I can't speak to comparing current name brands, and I won't even mention my old stuff that has lasted forever because they are probably not even made by the same people anymore.
p.1 #5 · Brand Name (Photogenic) vs. Generic Softboxes
rscheffler wrote:
There are so many lightning modifier brands on the market now it's difficult to really determine which offer the best performance and value. Is it still 'mainstream' modifier brands such as Chimera, Photoflex, perhaps Westcott or Paul C Buff? There are so many Chinese brands now...
I've pretty much gone with Elinchrom modifiers for the last ~15+ years, but not sure if an adapter ring is available for Photogenic. For a couple specialty needs on a limited budget, I bought Impact soft boxes from B&H. Their heavier duty softbox line suitable for constant light sources, including halogen, seem very well made, if heavy for the size. A 4x6' softbox will be very large and very heavy!
For a large light source option at a reasonable price and lighter weight, I'd suggest the Paul C Buff PLM umbrella in 86" soft silver and buy the front diffusion fabric for it. The current version works with the light's standard umbrella socket, negating the need for a brand-specific speedring. It packs up compact (while narrow, it is long) and is quite light for the size. https://paulcbuff.com/products/86-parabolic-umbrella-soft. Being a parabolic modifier, it's also a very efficient 'long throw' reflector if the light is positioned properly at the nodal point. I have used it in this capacity for many events where I had to throw light from the back of a large space without using an excessive amount of strobe power.
For full length work, you definitely want a large light source if you want fairly even brightness across the subject while still having soft shadow transition.
Here are a couple photos of an on location shoot I did some years ago. The front lights were Paul C Buff Einstein. One in a 64" soft silver PLM with diffuser and the other in an 86" soft silver PLM with diffuser. The background lights were each 60" white umbrellas with black backing fabric that were flagged to prevent spill on the subject. Those might have been Photek Softlighters, but also could have been something generic I got off Amazon. For this shoot the background didn't have to be perfectly lit as the subject was going to be cut out anyway.
Another tip, if you want a clean floor portion of the image, get a very large sheet of plexiglass, or something else glossy that is highly reflective. The background will reflect off it and be a lot cleaner looking than just paper or fabric under the subject's feet.
Great recommendation, totally agree. For larger than full body on a budget, a couple of large umbrellas would also be my pick. I always bring a couple 86" umbrellas with diffusion for corporate events in case they need me to light a large group quickly.
Photoflex and fotodiox are kind of the you get what you pay for territory. Diffusion material is cheap and not sure how well it will hold up over time. Westcott makes some decent quality stuff and the PCB umbrellas are also great.
Not a budget friendly option, but I love the look of a 12x12 scrim with a couple medium umbrellas pushing through it for fill for full body or larger, with a 5 ft gridded softbox as key, and a couple 1x4 strips on the background. Gorgeous quality of light and minimizes hot spots from the umbrellas on talent.
p.1 #6 · Brand Name (Photogenic) vs. Generic Softboxes
I appreciate all of your suggestions, everyone. I don't have too large of groups for the most part, but occasionally up to 12 or so athletes join a group picture. I do like the price of umbrellas as compared to softboxes, even if I have always used the latter.
p.1 #7 · Brand Name (Photogenic) vs. Generic Softboxes
Caleb Williams wrote:
I appreciate all of your suggestions, everyone. I don't have too large of groups for the most part, but occasionally up to 12 or so athletes join a group picture. I do like the price of umbrellas as compared to softboxes, even if I have always used the latter.
Now I just have to decide before next August!
Thanks!
7 foot umbrellas for the win! You can use 2 to light an entire team. Some people pull it off with just one. Can't beat them. Impact brand is pretty much identical and cheaper, and the cases they come in are better than westcott's.
I have 2 white, 2 silver, and 2 diffusion socks for my silver ones. I prefer them over everything else I have for the most part. My only complaint, is how directional the silver is, and I only use it with diffusion as a result.
Glow and Cheetah make affordable pebbled/beaded umbrellas that I will try next. Just had 2 impact beaded 43" umbrellas delivered to play around with.
2 7' silver umbrellas with diffusion, in front, up high, 45 degree down.
by Zack Pollak, on Flickr
One 7' silver with diffusion camera left, 2 white 7' left and right of subject to edge and fill backdrop.
by Zack Pollak, on Flickr
p.1 #8 · Brand Name (Photogenic) vs. Generic Softboxes
BigBabyMoses06 wrote:
7 foot umbrellas for the win! You can use 2 to light an entire team. Some people pull it off with just one. Can't beat them. Impact brand is pretty much identical and cheaper, and the cases they come in are better than westcott's.
I have 2 white, 2 silver, and 2 diffusion socks for my silver ones. I prefer them over everything else I have for the most part. My only complaint, is how directional the silver is, and I only use it with diffusion as a result.
I like the look of that! (And it's a simple two light setup so it's easy to get setup and taken down, which is always a plus.
To confirm, you're referring to the following products:
