Biggest softbox that i can use with 580 ex mk1

scottduffy

scottduffy

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Hi Folks,

I am looking at getting my speedlight off camera indoors for protraits and i was wondering what's the largest softbox i should consider using.

I know the larger the softbox and the closer it's placed to my subject the softer the light it will produce but i've only ever used 60x60 softboxes with lencarta smartflash heads when i had them and i'm unsure how powerful the mk1 580ex is compared with these.

Finally could anyone recommend me a good quality softbox which will produce night light as i'd much rather pay a bit extra than buy a cheaper version then upgrade anyway.

Thanks in advance.
 
I've got a 28" westcott Apollo umbrella soft box that was recommended to me from a couple of people on here. Works a treat for me and is really portable and quick to erect.
 
Power is a secondary issue. The real problem is that the light is all concentrated forwards, to work efficiently in a softbox it needs to bounce off of the side walls, which spreads the light nicely.

If you set the zoom to the widest possible AND fit a stofen-type diffuser the results aren't terrible, but you still won't be able to light a large softbox evenly, and the larger the softbox, the greater the problem.
 
ChrisHeathcote said:
Sorry to hijack, so what you're saying Gary is that the Wescott where the flash is inside is better than the EZbox?
Click to expand...

The reverse-firing type is inherently better for spreading the light around, though there are often other problems. Such as positioning the gun on-axis, often limited ability to tilt the whole thing down, and the shadow of the gun/head appearing in catchlights.
 
ChrisHeathcote said:
Sorry to hijack, so what you're saying Gary is that the Wescott where the flash is inside is better than the EZbox?
Click to expand...

What Hoppy said - better in some respects, worse in others
 
Byker28i said:
I've got a 28" westcott Apollo umbrella soft box that was recommended to me from a couple of people on here. Works a treat for me and is really portable and quick to erect.
Click to expand...

Do you have a link for this kit Byker ? Cheers
 
So if i used a smaller softbox with a stoffen type diffuser fitted to the 580 the results should be ok. I'm surprised the results would be iffy considering the amount of people who use speedlights these days but i'm sure you've forgotten more than i know so thanks for the advice.
 
Thank you. I did a search but thought the deep umbrella was the wrong thing.
Your link confirms I was wrong.

Thanks again.
 
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