So I am going to Calumet on Sunday, looking to buy a Soft box

Raymond Lin

Raymond Lin

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Which one should I buy? I haven't really thought about a budget so don't know where to begin.

What size do I need for portrait work?

What brand? I notice Lastolite are the cheapest, there must be a reason?

I am leaning towards Profoto, something like this perhaps?

Profoto 90cm Octa Soft box
http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/product/profoto-rfi-3-90cm-octa-softbox/339-335Q/

Profoto
RFi 1 x 3' Soft box
http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/produ...ftbox/339-335K/?tracking=|searchterm:soft|box

I am only planning to use my flashes in them for now, will that work ?

I already have a Bowen stand.

Thanks

note to self, need to get 2 lightstand to hotshoe adaptors.
 
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Which size you need depends on a lot of factors, not least of which is the size of your studio space and the ceiling height.

You really need to think about the style and range of work that you intend to carry out with it, before buying one.
Once you have decided this, you can think about both size and shape, and then after this you can think about which make to buy. I suggest that you do this, thoroughly, before going off to buy one. In any case, there is no point in going off to Calumet tomorrow to buy either of those very expensive Profoto ones, as they are both out of stock.
 
Raymond Lin said:
Speed ring?
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The bit that fits into the softbox and then joins that to your light. Normally something like a bowens s-type or elinchrom fitting on a strobe depending upon the make. In the case of flash / speedlite for example you can get speedring direct to a speedlite bracket, or bowens fit speedring and then use an bowens speedlite adaptor.

It's a serious amount of money for all the profoto kit and while there is no doubting the quality and design you can get kit for a fraction of the cost from Lencarta, Elemental etc. that will do a fantastic job.
 
I only plan to buy 1 soft box with the bits, to be honest, it's not urgent so I can research as long as I like and your info helps :)

My thinking is buy cheap, buy twice so I have no problem getting a profoto set up and they will hold their value.
 
Raymond Lin said:
I only plan to buy 1 soft box with the bits, to be honest, it's not urgent so I can research as long as I like and your info helps :)

My thinking is buy cheap, buy twice so I have no problem getting a profoto set up and they will hold their value.
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No worries and yeah understand your thinking totally. Thankfully there is a happy medium between the very high end gear and the bottom of the ebay knock off's, Lencarta defo fit in that middle ground of value and quality.

Softboxes or more to the point light modifiers in general are much like lens, start with one and get sucked in. I started with one large softbox, then ended up with a strip softbox, then got a gridded octobox, beauty dish the list goes on. As well as the quality of light they produce its the catch lights in the eye, so i can change between rectangles, octagon and circular. All good fun :)
 
I don't think i want ebay knock offs. I am willing to pay that little for quality, and it's all tax deductible too :D

I guess i would want something middle of the road and fairly flexible. hence something about 100x100, octobox? I take it that people like octobox is because of the catch light is nicer? is that the main difference?

I am tempted to get proper lights to go with it too since it would be for indoor use so will need some of that too....I am new to this since I am mainly a natural light shooter but want to learn this side of photography.
 
Whoa! Slow down fella. If you want to get serious about studio work, then put the speedlites away. They are incredibly useful (and can work well with studio lights if needs be) but if you have mains power, start with the right kit. Studio strobes have modelling lights and fast recycle, they won't over-heat, and fitting different modifiers - the thing that really makes the difference - is what they're designed for. They can also have a ton more power, though you actually don't need much for portraits and small groups.

If you want the best, then Profoto is it. But be careful, as you'll get locked into their system and could end up spending a fortune. It's easy enough to spend a couple of grand on a good set of much more modestly priced gear - think 50% on heads and 50% on modifiers. My preference is Elinchrom, or Lencarta will save a bit more cash. Read through a few older posts, get a feel for what's what, then post some more questions before jumping in. But don't be put off, the water's lovely :)

My advice: choose a system/brand, and buy just one middle-of-the-road head and a nice softbox. Use it with a reflector, learn about light - how it works, how to shape it. Then add one or two more heads when you know what's what. If you're tempted to buy a 2/3 head kit because it's a good deal, by all means, but still start with one light or you'll just end up with a mess of conflicting shadows and not know where you are. Built it one step at a time.
 
SIZE of the room you are going to use the lights in........??????? will the power of the lights work in the space ( ie to powerfull ) i asked that same question.. My advice dont jump in read through a few older posts....... gary / richard and others know about lighting .
 
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