peterjones00
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I saw an Octa soft box on ebay ..are these good? and what would you guys recommend ? ...Thank you
Octa
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Michael Sewell
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That's like saying "I saw a camera, is it any good."
There are certain features that can enhance the octabox's abilities, such as a recessed front to allow feathering. It would also allow the fitting of a crate (or grid), to control the light in a tighter manner.
Decent diffusion material on the front and inner panels makes a difference too, as does the distance around the perimeter of the inner panel, as well as the distance between the inner and outer panel.
Can you supply a link to the listing, so we can at least give you advice based on what you are thinking of purchasing.
There are certain features that can enhance the octabox's abilities, such as a recessed front to allow feathering. It would also allow the fitting of a crate (or grid), to control the light in a tighter manner.
Decent diffusion material on the front and inner panels makes a difference too, as does the distance around the perimeter of the inner panel, as well as the distance between the inner and outer panel.
Can you supply a link to the listing, so we can at least give you advice based on what you are thinking of purchasing.
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peterjones00
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Ok Michael I understand what you are saying ....Here is the link to the Octa I saw ..is it good value ? Thanks
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Softbox-1...s=63&clkid=3671628459373023158&_qi=RTM1089356
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Softbox-1...s=63&clkid=3671628459373023158&_qi=RTM1089356
Garry Edwards
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It will work but...
The front is flat, it needs to be recessed. Because it isn't recessed, it can't be used to feather the light and it has to be facing away from the camera, otherwise light from the front will reach the camera lens and cause flare.
It doesn't seem to be very deep. Bowens used to make a shallow softbox that was excellent (their Wafer softboxes cost a fortune but they were very effective) because it was extremely well designed. This one doesn't seem to have those features, so the light will probably be pretty uneven.
I can't see from the listing how thick the diffusion material is, but it doesn't look thick enough to me. Years ago, I bought something similar and by quadrupling the thickness of the front diffuser and changing the position of the inner one, I turned it into a usable softbox - but it would probably have been cheaper just to have bought a decent one in the first place...
The front is flat, it needs to be recessed. Because it isn't recessed, it can't be used to feather the light and it has to be facing away from the camera, otherwise light from the front will reach the camera lens and cause flare.
It doesn't seem to be very deep. Bowens used to make a shallow softbox that was excellent (their Wafer softboxes cost a fortune but they were very effective) because it was extremely well designed. This one doesn't seem to have those features, so the light will probably be pretty uneven.
I can't see from the listing how thick the diffusion material is, but it doesn't look thick enough to me. Years ago, I bought something similar and by quadrupling the thickness of the front diffuser and changing the position of the inner one, I turned it into a usable softbox - but it would probably have been cheaper just to have bought a decent one in the first place...
Michael Sewell
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Sorry Peter, I had replied but it obviously hadn't sent the reply before I shut the ruddy window. Garry has put it more eloquently than I did. I do have one similar in the studio, and it works, but it's limited insofar as it doesn't really control the light, just gives an enormous lightsource, making it soft. Fine for a few things, but quite restrictive really, and nowhere near as flexible without the features Garry and I have mentioned.
You would do better paying a bit more and get far more use out of your Octa. If that's the sum of your budget, try finding something else that at least has a recessed front
You would do better paying a bit more and get far more use out of your Octa. If that's the sum of your budget, try finding something else that at least has a recessed front
So, if a softbox is flat it isn't any good ?
Sorry, I can't agree with that.
This is like saying that umbrellas are no good --- without taking any account of the environment in which they are going to be used and the way in which that environment will reflect light back into the shot ...
It is common knowledge that, sometimes, umbrellas are by far the quickest most convenient accessories to use, but they should be used with consideration to the randomness of potential reflections.
Flat softboxes can be feathered and have been for many many years, in fact, they can be used to do two jobs using the spill off the edge ... for example feathering a fill in softbox off the subject and onto the background, can give you two bites at the cherry. A narrower light on the subject for better definition of the shadows, and a background light.
However, I would suggest that if you do want recessed front diffusers, grids, deflectors and other options, then you should weigh up the cost and advantages of such a system and make your own decision.
Or, rent such a system and see what it can do for you .. maybe then buy what will do the best job ,ost of the time and rent the extra accessories that you need from time to time ..
It's what the professionals do.
Sorry, I can't agree with that.
This is like saying that umbrellas are no good --- without taking any account of the environment in which they are going to be used and the way in which that environment will reflect light back into the shot ...
It is common knowledge that, sometimes, umbrellas are by far the quickest most convenient accessories to use, but they should be used with consideration to the randomness of potential reflections.
Flat softboxes can be feathered and have been for many many years, in fact, they can be used to do two jobs using the spill off the edge ... for example feathering a fill in softbox off the subject and onto the background, can give you two bites at the cherry. A narrower light on the subject for better definition of the shadows, and a background light.
However, I would suggest that if you do want recessed front diffusers, grids, deflectors and other options, then you should weigh up the cost and advantages of such a system and make your own decision.
Or, rent such a system and see what it can do for you .. maybe then buy what will do the best job ,ost of the time and rent the extra accessories that you need from time to time ..
It's what the professionals do.
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Michael Sewell
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Well, if you purchase a 'box with a recessed front, you can make a choice to set the diffusion panel right at the front if you wish to emulate a non recessed 'box. Unfortunately, you cannot do the reverse with a flat fronted model.
I intended to guide the OP so as he had the most versatility for his money.
Chris, you do have a good point regarding rental, but I had dismissed the idea due to the price of the item he was pointing to, possibly indicating a tight budget.
Of course, I may be wrong. However, a good alternative would be to borrow from a friend or colleague if possible.
I intended to guide the OP so as he had the most versatility for his money.
Chris, you do have a good point regarding rental, but I had dismissed the idea due to the price of the item he was pointing to, possibly indicating a tight budget.
Of course, I may be wrong. However, a good alternative would be to borrow from a friend or colleague if possible.
HoppyUK
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Isn't that 95% of what you want a 140cm octa for? Big, soft light? Can't go far wrong at £75, though no idea on the build quality.
Michael Sewell
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Yes you do want soft light, but is that all it's wanted for? Would he then need to spend more to purchase a second, more flexible 'box later?
If a big soft light is really all he will ever use, then it does represent value. But if the OP would like to develop his lighting, and also provide a more creative look so all his images don't have a similar look, then I would have thought the ability to vary the lighting effect would be more useful, would it not?
jacob12_1993
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Just grab a bessel one, recessed front, quick set-up, includes grid and only costs £79.99 http://www.bessel.co.uk/info/120cm Octobox Speedbox with Grid.html
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Softboxes are a problem product.
The problem is that they are extremely easy and cheap to make and require very little in the way of technology or knowledge, or at least they don't need much to make them badly.
The vast majority are made in China, and although things have improved a lot recently, many are just copies of copies of copies, and every copy is a cheaper and easier-to-make version of the copy that they copied it from - with the result that the manufacturers skimp on materials, design and build quality. And not just the Chinese. Some known makes produce softboxes that only have a single diffuser and which don't have a recessed front panel. Twin diffusers tend to produce more even lighting than single diffusers. Recessed front panels add to the versatility of the tool and also allow honeycombs to be fitted (but be aware that the honeycombs that are sometimes bundled with cheap softboxes may be useless).
Other economies can include very thin materials that allow light to travel through the back of the softbox, creating flare, poor build quality that causes them to fail quickly, poor machining of the speedring that sometimes doesn't fit the flash head properly and a shallow design that simply isn't deep enough for the light to become even by the time it reaches the front. Perhaps the worst 'economy' of all is to use a poor, semi transparent material as the diffuser. By saving a few pence, these manufacturers produce softboxes that produce uneven light, complete with hotspots. Many years ago, a friend of mine who is one of the very best fashion photographers, explained the reason why he uses Chimera softboxes - he said that it's because they produce a light which is both soft and crisp, and that they make cheap clothes look expensive - I can't put it any better than that.
These are the reasons why I would never suggest that anyone should buy a cheaply made softbox. If budget really is important, and if the softbox can be left up permanently then by all means buy a cheap one, but buy a plain white shower curtain from Wickes too, and make a front diffuser from it.
The problem is that they are extremely easy and cheap to make and require very little in the way of technology or knowledge, or at least they don't need much to make them badly.
The vast majority are made in China, and although things have improved a lot recently, many are just copies of copies of copies, and every copy is a cheaper and easier-to-make version of the copy that they copied it from - with the result that the manufacturers skimp on materials, design and build quality. And not just the Chinese. Some known makes produce softboxes that only have a single diffuser and which don't have a recessed front panel. Twin diffusers tend to produce more even lighting than single diffusers. Recessed front panels add to the versatility of the tool and also allow honeycombs to be fitted (but be aware that the honeycombs that are sometimes bundled with cheap softboxes may be useless).
Other economies can include very thin materials that allow light to travel through the back of the softbox, creating flare, poor build quality that causes them to fail quickly, poor machining of the speedring that sometimes doesn't fit the flash head properly and a shallow design that simply isn't deep enough for the light to become even by the time it reaches the front. Perhaps the worst 'economy' of all is to use a poor, semi transparent material as the diffuser. By saving a few pence, these manufacturers produce softboxes that produce uneven light, complete with hotspots. Many years ago, a friend of mine who is one of the very best fashion photographers, explained the reason why he uses Chimera softboxes - he said that it's because they produce a light which is both soft and crisp, and that they make cheap clothes look expensive - I can't put it any better than that.
These are the reasons why I would never suggest that anyone should buy a cheaply made softbox. If budget really is important, and if the softbox can be left up permanently then by all means buy a cheap one, but buy a plain white shower curtain from Wickes too, and make a front diffuser from it.
Michael Sewell
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The box itself is ok, but the grid is enormous and doesn't do anything. I have one of their stripboxes, and the grid is the same size and totally pointless.
jacob12_1993
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Obviously it's not going to be perfect but bang for buck its one of the best value modifiers. It's around half the price of similar boxes such as your very own Lencarta Pro Fold 120. I would be interested to see if there was any visible difference when they are shot side by side (without grids).
Michael Sewell
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Not interested in a bun fight Jacob.
My own Bessel strip is fine except for some small niggles. If I could talk Lencarta into doing a two meter strip, I'd buy two instantly. End of!
My own Bessel strip is fine except for some small niggles. If I could talk Lencarta into doing a two meter strip, I'd buy two instantly. End of!
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peterjones00
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Guys thanks for the advice and everyone has made a good point ....i am a novice and i do want to buy a decent one and not another at a later date when my knowledge and technique are better ....So recommendations would be welcome that's what i like about this site you can ask ...thank's guys
HoppyUK
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If you're a newcomer, I would just ask why you want such a big softbox.
Unless you have a lot of space, they're wonderfully soft but a bit of a one-tick pony. 140 octa is about 40% larger than 120 and tends to take over. Even 100cm is big enough for most things, and very soft when used close. What are you shooting?
adamgasson
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Peter, you'll get what you pay for. That octobox won't be as good as, say, the ProFoto one that costs £600. That said there are workarounds. If you're getting flaring off the light then you can usually block this with card or boards.
Elemental's modifiers are fine for the money - have a look here.
Elemental's modifiers are fine for the money - have a look here.
jacob12_1993
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I don't know what you are getting at but I'm certainly not looking for a 'bun fight'. The OP seemed to be after a low budget octabox which the Bessel excels at, being around 1/2 the price of competition. I was pointing out that if you forget about the grids (which most of the competition don't include) then there will be very little difference between the light coming out of the bessel one and it's close competitors (i.e Lencarta Pro Fold.
SamuelHearn
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Just get it. I don't understand how people on this site can kick up such a fuss about nothing! This softbox will be fine for you, in fact I have used this softbox on occasion, it is surprisingly well built for the price. Just remember it's how you use it. The brand shouldn't matter.
