Hi all...i currently use two sb800's, off camera (bounce) for all my lighting needs. However, there are many times when that is just not possible. I want to keep things quick & simple (i'm a one woman show) & portable and utilize my sb800's. what soft boxes/umbrellas do you recommend?
It's a little expensive, but damn nice how portable it is. Something important to match the convenience level of an umbrella, but still have lots of diffusion.
I have two eBay 16"x16" that I have been using for the past year or more. I just switched from Vivitar 285s to Canon 550/580 flashes and with that switch I bought two of Photoflex's hot shoe bracket kits for their XS Softbox.
If I could justify it I would go with Lastolite's Ezy boxes just because of the setup and tear-down ease factor. I am looking for a strip light for speedlight currently and it looks like I will have to go with Photoflex or eBay.
thanks guys..i was looking at both of those you mentioned....but wondered if they were big enough. I am thinking when I am stuck for a nice bridal shot without natural light or anyplace to bounce sufficiently....will something as small as 15x15 be big enough to give me some nice soft light? I imagine if I go bigger, then I have to get studio flash?? how big can i go with using only speedlight?
If I use the set up outside, as fill on bright days....will those small soft boxes be sufficient?
Westcott Apollo 28 works great with speed lights, set-up like an umbrella and will easily light one or two people (the little 16x16s everyone is recommending are great for head and shoulder shots... not so great for full length shots... at least not if you want nice, soft light). The Westcott Halo is another good product for use with speedlights. They don't catch the wind as bad as traditional umbrellas or even softboxes, making them great for outdoors use.
If you decide to go with the Lastolite 16x16 find the Alzo Digital version instead... or one of the ebay knock-offs. Same product, much less money.
kim wrote: " I imagine if I go bigger, then I have to get studio flash?? how big can i go with using only speedlight?"
Not sure how big you can go with a speedlight. I, too, have heard that, the bigger the softbox, the more powerful the light needs to be. And they were referring to having a powerful enough monolight, not speedlights.
There's a mathematical formula to determine what size of softbox to use at what distance to light what size subject or area well. I saw it on the forum a couple of times. I imagine, if you ask in the lighting forum, someone will know. Chuck Gardener, in the people forum, is a great resource for that kind of stuff.
Brian Lingle wrote:
kim wrote: " I imagine if I go bigger, then I have to get studio flash?? how big can i go with using only speedlight?"
Not sure how big you can go with a speedlight. I, too, have heard that, the bigger the softbox, the more powerful the light needs to be. And they were referring to having a powerful enough monolight, not speedlights.
There's a mathematical formula to determine what size of softbox to use at what distance to light what size subject or area well. I saw it on the forum a couple of times. I imagine, if you ask in the lighting forum, someone will know. Chuck Gardener, in the people forum, is a great resource for that kind of stuff....Show more →
I, too, use speedlights with my 28" Westcott Apollo softbox. I like the light and it is just as portable as an umbrella. I have a friend who shoots with the 50" Westcott Apollo and uses speedlights - people have recommended against that, but it works wonders for her. I'
Deb, thanks...the westcott is definitely the one I am looking for. do you use it bouncing the light back into the lining for the softest light...and are you able to light up a full length shot with it? would you mind sharing what bracket i need with it.
Secondly,anyone know if i can get it in canada...quick check at vistek & henrys says no. vistek carries some westcott products but not many. does chimera make a similar product?
jcolman...thank you....i had looked at your post before and thought that is great, particularly outdoors when the wind will take a soft box away in a heartbeat! i think i shall have to experiment with that too.
I actually made my own 16x16 softbox out of some foam board. It works really well and if you have some time (and a knife) I recommend having a play before shelling out too much money.
I haven't had too many opportunities to use my 28" yet, but I can answer a few questions:
-You can bounce into the back or shoot through with it; the light is softer and more even if you bounce the flash; it's more center heavy if you shoot through
-You can easily shoot one or two people with the 28" - I can't guarantee that you can use it for full-length shots of more than 2 people, but I had good luck shooting three of us (see http://deborahcull.wordpress.com/2008/12/29/merry-belated-christmas/)
-It uses a general umbrella adapter on a lightstand -- it's very easy to set up. I try to use my 12' Avenger lightstands with an inexpensive umbrella bracket. It sets up just like an umbrella. The only downside is you have to take the front cover partially off to change the flash settings. That's only a minor set back -- it easily goes back together.
-I don't know about Canada, but I ordered mine from B&H. I imagine they'll ship to you, but it may cost quite a bit. Good luck!
Softbox wise - the lighting fashion drifts in and out. Make sure you have (or can rent) speedrings for your strobe system and then use the largest one you can get your hand on. We generally use the Octalites. Buy a lot of sandbags or hire large heavy assistants.
And - do not use a zillion lights - one is usually adequate. Also - get some super large foam core. And shoot a lot of shoots.
glad I could help. I'm looking to build a slightly larger one next.