portable softbox light

jhob

jhob

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John
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I'm looking to get some sort of accessory to soften the light from my hotshoe flashes. I'm intending on using it for weddings where I would have flash mounted on an off-camera stand.

I need something that packs up really small so that I can just travel with the one photo rucksack. I have discounted umbrellas as they will too easily be blown over in the wind.

I'm currently looking at the lastolite ezybox which looks a good solution. Does anyone have experience with the ezybox and can comment on how they got on with it? Are they any exybox alternatives that are any cheaper?

Any other products out there that would do a similar job?
 
John - I have the Lumiquest softbox - the larger of the 2 - it is roughly 6" by 4".
As an alternative to direct flash, it really helps, but is not as wonderful as I hoped (sights too high maybe ?) It is made to fit the flash on camera, so may not be what you want. If longevity is not a problem, a few bits of card would do the job as well, but might not look so good on a paid shoot....
It folds flat, is light, and takes 20 seconds to fit. Not sure if it is big enough for you, but it is easy to own. However, it isn't cheap for what you get - but then, what is ??
What size is the ezybox ?

Good luck !
Steve
 
I have the 60x60cm ezybox, Its reflective on the inside and has two separate diffusion panels, but you could just use one if you wanted, it produces a nice soft light but it doesn't seem to reduce the power output of the flash by much, I would say well less than a stop.

You can get a handle for it if you prefer to hand hold it instead, this might be a better alternative for the smaller ezybox.

I think its a bit expensive for what it is, but it seems well made.
 
paul - I looked at the ezybox, and it certainly looks the biz, and I guess is much better than the softbox I have, but for my use, it was too big to carry around, but would produce a much nicer light.
Like my thing - expensive for what you get, but good at what it does !
 
I have the ezybox 45cm x 45cm. I looked at the cheaper clones and went for the Lastolite because it's made of stronger stuff.
I use it with a radio-triggered SB800, really handy, fast to use and gives a great light.
 
I don't know what triggers you are using, but I was also looking at the Ezybox. I spoke to Lastolite customer services, and they said that I couldn't use it with the cheapo Ebay triggers - the total height of the flash and trigger makes the unit too tall and the flash doesn't protrude into the softbox. I just went for an umbrella ...
 
Thanks for the suggestions folks, a good range of choices in there.

I think that lumiquest one is a bit small for what I want. I rarely, if ever, use direct on camera flash as my main light, just a bit of fill now and again.

That lastolite apollo looks good too, price is pretty reasonable as well.

I think the one I really want is the ezybox although not sure which size will suit me best. I will go to a shop and try a couple out, that's probably best. I'd really like to see how small they pack down. Only thing that puts me off them is the rather high price.

MrGrumpy - I do have ebay triggers but they are ones designed for studio lights that I soldered a PC sync jack onto. I then stuck a bit of velcro on it and I stick it to the side of the flash when in use so that it doesn't effect the total height of the flash. Definitely good to be aware of this though.

cheers all
 
The 60cm ezybox packs down into a round bag about 25cm in diameter and 12cm deep, it doesn't fold totally flat like the reflectors, but not bad for its opened size.

I use a ST-E2 to trigger it, which is of course infra red and works fine, so I can't see you having any issues with wireless triggers.
 
MrGrumpy said:
I don't know what triggers you are using, but I was also looking at the Ezybox. I spoke to Lastolite customer services, and they said that I couldn't use it with the cheapo Ebay triggers - the total height of the flash and trigger makes the unit too tall and the flash doesn't protrude into the softbox. I just went for an umbrella ...
Click to expand...


I use the Ebay ones, Cactus brand. They work just fine on the Ezybox. The SB800 pokes it's head in the softbox opening just fine. If there is a clearance problem, the SB800 can be linked to the receiver with a short sync cord. I've tried that and it works a treat too.
 
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