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01/11/2007 11:51:01 AM · #1 |
In my basement pocket-studio I am going to kill myself for certain. Last night I got the ubmrella tangled in the ceiling rafter, water lines, and wires from the hanign bare bulb. Time to conserve some space for actual photographic subject matter.
I use the Canon 430EX with those TOTALLY AWESOME Ebay cheap-o radio triggers. Does anyone have any experience with either of the softboxes below?
Photoflex Q39
or
Westcott Apollo Micro
Thank you.
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01/11/2007 12:02:04 PM · #2 |
Those are pretty vastly different in size. (relatively) 5x8 vs 12x16
I think for more sudio-like work, you'd want to get the Photoflex.
If you just wanted a small diffuser, I think a Lightsphere LSII is probably more versatile than the Westcott, IMO. Though you do lose a few stops because not all the light is going forward, but the bounce qualities provide nice fill.
I wonder if placing a sto-fen on the flash inside the Photoflex would make the light softer.
I'm hoping to get something akin to this setup when the money appears by magic, so these seem interesting. I'd like to know how they work out also.
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01/11/2007 12:13:19 PM · #3 |
Thanks for the reply. Yes they are very different in size. Using the Stofen inside the box is brilliant! Hopefully somebody that has experience with one of these will pipe in.
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01/11/2007 12:15:11 PM · #4 |
I used the Wescott for a while, but evenutally bought the lightsphere for better diffusion and better fit - the Wescott fell off often and just seemed a bit clumsy to use (folding parts, etc). I've never tried the Photoflex, but of the 2 you posted I think its the better solution.
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01/11/2007 12:23:54 PM · #5 |
The Wescott is just too small to be much use as a softbox. Photoflex makes good equipment and I think this one would suit your needs.
I wonder how I'd look at a wedding with that on top of my flash bracket? ;-)
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01/11/2007 12:28:46 PM · #6 |
I currently use the photoflex Q39s so often with my SB-600s (about the size of the 430EXs) that I usually leave them set up. I wouldn't pay for the $33 adjustable bracket unless you have many different size flashes you use. I just went to my local hardware store and made my brackets using simple aluminum 1/8" x 1/2" flat stock that comes in 36" lengths for less than $5. I had enough left over to make a macro butterfly flashbracket.
The soft boxes themselves are quite light, provide excellent soft light at moderate distances and pack into a small sleeve bag that is included (the speed ring won't fit into bag). They can be set up from bag to ready to go in 3-4 minutes. I'm always nervous that I may break one of the rods or rip the fabrics but haven̢۪t yet. Photoflex sells extra rods in case of breakage.
I also have and used the Micro Apollo that I bought from Calumet about 10 years ago. It developed a slight yellow tint in about three years of light use, requires putting sticky velcro on your flash and weighs quite a bit for its size, as the ring is thick steel. Mine might be an older design, as the fabric part does not come off like the one at B&H.
Edit to fix atrocious spelling & grammar
Message edited by author 2007-01-11 13:18:37. |
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01/11/2007 12:36:42 PM · #7 |
Also consider This if you're going to do anything with modeling. Those small softies aren't really going to do the job.
With this, you'd not need to fuss with the speedring also, simply attach to the flash bracket with the umbrella bar, and you're good to go. They have a bounce-plate also, but I'd experiment with a sto-fen and possibly a white piece of cardboard instead of shelling out another $20
Of course, these are twice the price.... but also twice the size and look to be twice as easy to set up.
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01/11/2007 12:46:57 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by wavelength:
Also consider This if you're going to do anything with modeling. Those small softies aren't really going to do the job.
With this, you'd not need to fuss with the speedring also, simply attach to the flash bracket with the umbrella bar, and you're good to go. They have a bounce-plate also, but I'd experiment with a sto-fen and possibly a white piece of cardboard instead of shelling out another $20
Of course, these are twice the price.... but also twice the size and look to be twice as easy to set up. |
Those are for studio strobes that have an umbrella receptacle. tcmartin was looking for a softbox for his Canon 430EX flash, which is a hotshoe flash. A cheap way to go would be a small shoot thru umbrella and a bracket like this.
edit to add: I do agree that the Photoflexes are quite small for modeling except for head shots.
Message edited by author 2007-01-11 12:49:27. |
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01/11/2007 12:50:08 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by hyperfocal:
Those are for studio strobes that have an umbrella receptacle. tcmartin was looking for a softbox for his (her?) Canon 430EX flash, which is a hotshoe flash. A cheap way to go would be a small shoot thru umbrella and a bracket like this. |
read the OP again, using "Ebay radio triggers", not on the hot-shoe, presumably already on lightstands with flash brackets, which usually have an umbrella slot.
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01/11/2007 12:59:59 PM · #10 |
Thank you guys for the great info.
Hyperfocal: thanks for jumping in. One of your other posts somewhere show your softboxes and I tired to blow up the shot to read the manufacturer, but couldn't make it out. These are what I think I am after.
Wavelength: thank you too for the suggestions.
At this point size REALLY does matter. When I set up my umbrella there is no room left for anything else in my pocket-studio. I think I can make the 12x16x9" box work. Yes, since I have the umbrella I also have the stand and the bracket.
P.S. with the suggested mods to make those triggers work with the 430EX, these are the coolest photo toy I own.
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01/11/2007 01:00:54 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by tcmartin:
Thanks for the reply. Yes they are very different in size. Using the Stofen inside the box is brilliant! Hopefully somebody that has experience with one of these will pipe in. |
IMO using the stofen inside the softbox makes little sense. What does it accomplish - other than losing an extra 1 1/2 stops of light? Just adjust your flash for wide angle and the illumination of the softbox surface will be quite even.
FWIW, I have made my own softboxes as described in this thread. The description is for a 6.5"h X 9"w X 6"d unit, but I also made a 12"h X 19"w X 12"d unit. Both had less than 1/3 stop dropoff from corner to center. You can judge the effectiveness of the smaller unit by checking the link in the message. |
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01/10/2008 09:55:49 PM · #12 |
Barrowing this thread to show my homemade softbox and results :) I have used this at last wedding, and gave me great results, could be better but I couldn't find the right fabric :)
[thumb]631383[/thumb]
Flash only shot. You can see the sharp shadows.
[thumb]631384[/thumb]
Bounced flash-only shot, flash strait up to sealing (about 7 feet high up and white color).
[thumb]631385[/thumb]
Soft box shot aimed to the subject. You can see the shadows very pleasant :)
[thumb]631386[/thumb]
Sounds will be a bit(!) funny, but inside the box there is a piece of plastic that I cut from a BRAND NEW shower curtain. This plastic cover has smaller windows reflect bunch of flashes inside the box before goes out and hits the fabric. At front, there is plain white fabric that I purchased from Wal-Mart :) and hot glued everything (cardboard box that I cut out) together, inside and out. The head fits into my flash perfectly; I have to put a tape on top only to prevent head down drag of the box when I take shots.
So, here you have it :)
FP
Message edited by author 2008-01-10 22:46:42. |
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