Softbox for Speedlight

Lastolite Hotrod Octa is nice
 
joel222 said:
Thanks for all the replies. I think I'm gonna go with the bessel 120cm. Would I need to buy anything else like an adapter or something to use with speedlights or not?
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You'll need an s fit adaptor. Bessel do one. Lencarta do one which you can attach more than one speedlight to, which might be better?

S
 
Sir SR said:
You'll need an s fit adaptor. Bessel do one. Lencarta do one which you can attach more than one speedlight to, which might be better?

S
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In a softbox of that size you will definitely need more than one flashgun, the light from one won't spread out anywhere near enough.
 
I use a Westcott Apollo 28" and it's probably as far as you can push a single speedlight in terms of coverage and even exposure. I never really use mine in a studio environment so I'm never relying on it for consistent lighting across something like a white background.


Pellets (set-up_ by Pat MacInnes, on Flickr


Pellets (in print) by Pat MacInnes, on Flickr

Recently bought an umbrella-style unbrella softbox off Amazon - think it was about £20 and it does a nice job with one speedlught.
 
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joel222 said:
I have a few speedlights so using more than one is not really an issue. I have just had a look at the s fit adaptor from bessel, but can see how you would attach more than one to it. http://www.bessel.co.uk/info/Speedlite S-Fit Adapter Bracket.html
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I think you can get cross bars that allow multiple speedlights to be used, but they have to fit back-to-back for this type of bracket I think, so the heads fit inside the ring. Plus, is two speedlights going to actually give you a massive advantage (inverse square law and all that) other than slightly quicker recycling times because of lower power levels used?

Personally, if you need oodles of power in a portable package, get one of the brackets that holds four or more speed lights, a'la Dave Black, or just buy a proper set of lights like safari Ions or Quadras :)

Anyways, I've probably gone off on a tangent :lol:
 
How to fill a big softbox with hot-shoe gun.

I've found using the wide panel works pretty well, better than the other trick of a Stofen-type diffuser cap, though YMMV. But for really big ones, say bigger than 100cm, try a modified Stofen.

Start with a double-diffuser softbox. You need to get more light out to the edges, so take the Stofen (or similar, dead cheap on Amazon) and drill or cut some holes in the sides to force more light out in that direction. You may need more, so take some tiny squares of kitchen foil, size of small finger nail, and stick them inside the front.

You'll need to fiddle about a bit to get the best balance. It works, but you'll be pushing the gun for power. There comes a point when hot-shoe guns are not really up to it.
 
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