Biggest practical Lencarta profold Octobox for in home use?

dubcat

dubcat

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Amir
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Hi, can you tell me what the biggest Lencarta Profold Ocotobox is for practical use in most average homes? I will use it with a 6x7 hilite. I was thinking of the 120 - but would prefer the 150 if it is not too big for in home use.

What power flash will I need to light it? Will smartflash 200 do or should I got to elite 300 or 600?

This is for taking pictures of families indoors.

Thanks,
Amir
 
It's a difficult question to answer. The 120 & 150cm softboxes are BIG and look even bigger unless they're in a large room - but the quality of the light is pretty amazing. IMO the biggest single problem though is ceiling height, because a low ceiling can prevent you from putting the softboxed light high enough to create depth.

As for power, the ElitePro 300 will be plenty, the SmartFlash 200 will be enough.
 
So Garry - let's not restrict it to just 120 and 150cm. Given the size of most average living rooms which one should I go for? It's living rooms I will be using them in. I do want to get the biggest practical one though :)
 
Well, personally I feel that the 70 x 100cm and the 100 x 100cm are probably the best all-rounders, with the 140 x 30cm as the best specialist softbox, but there are plenty of people using the 120cm and 150cm octas too - it's difficult for anyone to advise you on this.
 
Gary - out of interest can you tell me why you think the 100x100 softbox is more of an all rounder than the 120 octabox? This is not a loaded question - i really am that clueless :)
 
dubcat said:
Gary - out of interest can you tell me why you think the 100x100 softbox is more of an all rounder than the 120 octabox? This is not a loaded question - i really am that clueless :)
Click to expand...

Just my personal view really, don't attach any importance to it:)
It's a bit smaller so is effectively higher when used in a room with low ceilings
It's square, so can simulate a window light - especially if you stick electrician's insulating tape to the front to simulate glazing bars (you can do that with an Octa too, but first need to mask it to shape)
It can be used in feathering mode to create a graduated background - an octa can't
 
Ah the last one is a particularly good one. Apart from the round catchlights is there anything in the octa's favour?
 
Everybody goes wow when you get it out ;)

You can also shove it in close and get some pretty nice wrap.

Smartflash with 150 octa and noting else.

hilite_005.jpg
 
Although I dont use the exact product I use a 110cm brollybox for home shoots and to be honest I wouldnt want anything bigger as it would just get in the way in what tends to end up being quite a cramped studio space once you have the background up, two or three lights, family coming in and out, etc.
 
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Dubcat, you seem to trying to arrive at the perfect outfit by remote control, asking questions of others. That's fine up to a point, but as Garry says above, there comes a time when only you can decide.

The best thing to do would be hire a D-Lite kit and big octa from The Flash Centre. You'll then get to see how much power you want - 200 to 400 Ws is not a huge difference anyway, one stop on the ISO dial or aperture will get you the same effective difference. And you'll find out how much room you've got/need. I think you get some of the money back when you buy.

The Lencarta Profold 70x100cm softbox has been mentioned before. That's a very versatile light for anything from solo portraits to small groups, depending on the result you want, but it will do it. And bear in mind that a 100cm box is about 120cm across the diagonal - it's not a small light by any means.

And as I think I suggested to you in a PM, there's a D-Lite 2/4 kit or you could just get one, see how you get on, then you can decide on the other two on the basis of solid experience. Personally, one 400 and two 200s would be my choice, or even better a BX-Ri 500 and two 250s - more money I know (you get the Skysport Speed version with the BX-Ri too).

Basically, I think you need to get something to test for yourself, in your own cirumstances and style. It's the only way to know for sure.
 
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