My Free Softbox

[Phil V]

I've hinted at this so I thought it was time to put pen to paper.

For my 50th birthday one of the 'useful' presents I received was a grid for an 120cm Octagonal softbox (my own fault it was on my Amazon wishlist)

I ought to point out I didn't have an Octobox

So I set about finding one that was 'easy up', affordable and didn't come with a grid. I found the perfect thing on Amazon, so I put in my order. It was only then I discovered it'd be coming from China, so I sat back and waited (I'm not naming the supplier for obvious reasons).

I was quite impressed initially at the build quality, and I was able to demonstrate to a few house guests finally what the strange webbing I'd got for my birthday was for.

Then, when putting it up for the 3rd time; disaster struck! The catch collapsed

Not happy I contacted the seller, and eventually provided pictures of the faulty component. They were speedy in their response, an apology, a promise they'd feed back to the factory, and an offer of a full refund, clearly they don't want me to ship the faulty goods back to China.

So I bought a catch for the gate, and a chain for the plug in the sink .

To produce this:

And here's the first test shots:

So not quite free, it was about a fiver in hardware from Clas Ohlsen, it's slightly fiddly to get the pin in, but not the end of the world.

 

[Garry Edwards]

I know that softbox, it's a copy of the orignal version of our design, but they cheapened it.
The catch is in fact on a short shaft that screws into place, and if you had asked me very nicely I could have supplied you with one that wouldn't break

How are you getting on with your new Safari 2?

 

[Phil V]

I know that softbox, it's a copy of the orignal version of our design, but they cheapened it.
The catch is in fact on a short shaft that screws into place, and if you had asked me very nicely I could have supplied you with one that wouldn't break

How are you getting on with your new Safari 2?

I'm happy with my 'mod', but Thanks Garry

Only had the Safari out for 'practice' so far, loving it, can't wait to use it in anger, but that's a few weeks away yet, I have a session with all our kids over Easter.

 

[Dr_O]

'You canny go wrong for a fiver' was a catch phrase of mine a few years back- with inflation etc and what you could actually then get for it, I was never quite sure where that point should move to but good to see it's still applicable- even if not quite the whole story

I like a bit of ingenuity and looks like you're onto a winner there- 'good enough' I believe is the current phraseology.

Glad the 'compromises' haven't dampened the output. Did you see what I did there? Where's Jenny when you need her?...

 

[amfoto]

thanks for the tip on the mod ,,, same happened to my 120cm Octagonal softbox
,, and it didnt come via amazon or ebay

bit of diy coming up soon

 

[JennyGW]

Nice deal, Phil. Very good light in your shots. Am wondering roughly how high you had the box?

 

[Phil V]

Nice deal, Phil. Very good light in your shots. Am wondering roughly how high you had the box?

Thanks Jenny

The outside one, 2.5 m (the top of the stand) to the centre.

The indoors ones, up to the ceilings 1930s ceilings, about 8.5 ft to the top of the box. I liked the feathered light best, the Mrs liked the straight on ungridded softbox look.

 

[JennyGW]

Thanks Jenny

The outside one, 2.5 m (the top of the stand) to the centre.

The indoors ones, up to the ceilings 1930s ceilings, about 8.5 ft to the top of the box. I liked the feathered light best, the Mrs liked the straight on ungridded softbox look.

Thanks Phil. Hmm .. off to experiment with my 120cm octabox. I'm interested in the catch light position compared to the height of the box.

And a very belated Happy 50th Birthday

 

[Phil V]

And a very belated Happy 50th Birthday

Thanks Jenny

 

[JennyGW]

Interesting, first time I'd used the 120cm octabox as the only light. Very nice soft catch light that is still well positioned even with my limited ceiling height. Love the wrap and fall off with it close up. Definite winner.