I fancy a Westcott Appollo umbrella Softbox

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Phil
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as per link

http://www.fjwestcott.com/products/product.cfm?itemnum=2334&tbl=products&head=haloapollo

I've been having a mooch around and spotted this umbrella softbox, which interests me and would suit my requirements of easy to use/portable and flashgun friendly.

Does anyone have experience of this style/model of umbrella softbox ?

While mooching about the net, the main supply source seems to be US. I see the Flash centre do some westcott products but not these.

Any recommendations would be greatfully received

Cheers

Phil
 
i love my westcott apollo 28. i would love to get the 50", but i dont think it practical for the type of work i do.
you will definitely not be disappointed.
 
They seem like quite a lot of money for something that looks neat but is actually rather awkward to adjust for position and power.
 
adjusting power is as simple as pulling open the corner of the front diffusion panel. but i rarely ever have to make an adjustment. depending on the ambiant light, my flash is set between 1/8 and 1/4. everything else is done in camera.
positioning is exactly the same as any other softbox or umbrella.

the major benefits of this is the ease of set up and transport. i keep mine strapped to the light stand to carry, and can set it up and use it w/o any assistance.
 
Te Amo said:
adjusting power is as simple as pulling open the corner of the front diffusion panel. but i rarely ever have to make an adjustment. depending on the ambiant light, my flash is set between 1/8 and 1/4. everything else is done in camera.
positioning is exactly the same as any other softbox or umbrella.

the major benefits of this is the ease of set up and transport. i keep mine strapped to the light stand to carry, and can set it up and use it w/o any assistance.
Click to expand...

I've only used one of these once, but I agree that it's a doddle to use and very efficient.
 
HoppyUK said:
They seem like quite a lot of money for something that looks neat but is actually rather awkward to adjust for position and power.
Click to expand...

more wind safe than the lastolite, I've had someone holding the stand then the softbox blows off the dam bracket, like the look of these for the quick setup and strength. The power issues aren't too much of a problem for a lot of what I do which is full power/half power/quarter power to kill the approximate level of ambient
 
To be honest I wish I had stretched my budget for one of these. I got a lastolite-esque one, already it doesn't fold down properly and the bracket is bent from the weight. I have never seen a negative review for the westcott one, it's meant to be really good.
 
had mine a few weeks, only tested it once so far and was mighty impressed with the results. to be honest i tend not to need to change my flashgun power so much from when i turn it on (im not bragging, i just seem to have pretty good luck when setting the power for the first time..) but that was the only thing i was worried about. turns out accessing the front is quick and painless and so no issue at all. the great thing about them is you can very easily stick 3 flashguns on a bracket inside the softbox, for added power.

the quality of light from this thing is fantastic, very very pleased. im used to either shoot through umbrellas with my flashguns (which as it happens, i love) or large impossibly annoying to set up softboxes with my studio lights, so this apollo 28 is a god send in ease to set up vs quality of light!

i bought mine from a local lighting place up the road from me and the chap there reckoned theres an even bigger one on the way, though it wasnt clear if he meant an apollo or a knock off in the same design (they sell a lot of the cheaper FITP style stuff as well). still, i reckoned the 50" looked a little large!
 
Thanks... I hear what you are all saying ! Plenty of challenges and plenty of good points....

I see that the UK Price is almost what is costs in Dollars :eek: doubt there would be much difference in cost by ordering from US.... :thinking:

I like the fact that it's easy up easy down and probably quick with it....

My kids won't stand still for 2 mins, so to set up something more substantial would be a waste :thumbs: ....

I'll try and watch the market as they are few and far between in the UK it seems...

Many thanks

Birthday soon so gotta finalise my list ;)

Phil
 
Thats the same price as Creative video where doing them, so competition has had no price decrease, Still an awesome softbox.
Mart
 
I payed 125 ish for my lastolite little fella before the FiTP sort were around so its not too bad at all

espesh as its not built very well
 
I have 2x 28" Apollo's
Love them, once I got used to putting them up. The light is nice and even, and so convenient.

I do curse sometimes at the reduced down angle, but I'm going to invest in a boom for when I want it like that.

Oh and like any softbox, watch the wind!
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Oh no it's not, first light wind and it's over, mine is currently lying in pieces in the garage......
Click to expand...

yeah but you can peg or weight or have someone hold the stand right

I was holidng the stand myself and the lastolite blew off and flew away and I had to chase it down, nb Matts on of yours is better but still v shifty
 
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