Softbox guidance please

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Mr Mike

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Im looking to add a softbox to my Lencarta smartflash, it will be on my christmas list but time is passin by so i better make my decision :thinking:

Anyway i am thinking about lencarta octa softbox although i see both a 85 and 90 version. Im unsure what the differences are or why they are so close to the same size? Plus can you use honeycomb grid on either?

The other option is the 100 x 70 softbox

This will be the only one i purchase although i may purchase a beauty dish in the future, this will be used in my home studio, small groups, portraits and full length. My problem is my roof height is only 6'10" although both the above should fit fine.

So to those who use them which one would you advise and why?

Thanks in advance
Mike
 
Mr Mike said:
Anyway i am thinking about lencarta octa softbox although i see both a 85 and 90 version. Im unsure what the differences are or why they are so close to the same size? Plus can you use honeycomb grid on either?
Click to expand...
The 90cm is not folding, the 85cm one folds.

Mr Mike said:
So to those who use them which one would you advise and why?

Thanks in advance
Mike
Click to expand...
Someone else who is more knowledgeable than me on people photography will be along to answer soon... ;)
 
I feel that the 70 x 100 is more versatile, in that it can be rotated to be either horizontal (say for a small group) or vertical, for a 3/4 length portrait or similar. With the restricted height of your ceiling, that might be a better option than an octa softbox.
The 70 x 100 softbox can also feather the light very nicely, because the edges have straight lines and because the front diffuser is deeply recessed (one of the things that separates the men from the boys in the world of softboxes).

Other than that, it's just down to personal choice. Do you prefer octagonal catchlights in the eyes or rectangular ones? Up to a point, you can fix temporary masks to the front of whatever to decide to buy, using Cinefoil or even black bin bags, to change the shape.
 
What Garry said.

I like the big octa. But if you don't have anything else, start with the 70X100. If you can afford it and don't have a permanent studio setup then get the folding one.

I spend a good portion of my lighting course having the delegates experiment with a single light and 70X100 soft box. Very versatile bit of kit.
 
Thanks all for the replies on this, looks like the 100x70 is the way forward for me although after searching around i found Bessel products. Obviously i cant compare side by side but read some good things about them and the price would allow me to have a 120x80 and a beauty dish for the price of the lencarta.

Does anyone have any input on Bessel products? :suspect:

Mike
 
I have a number of Bessel boxes at the studio. a 200x40 strip, 120x30 strip and the 120x80.
I also have their 60x60 folding box which is used on location and not at the studio.
Generally speaking, I've found the boxes excellent from a light output point of view. Their biggest drawback seems to be their robustness and quality control.
The 120x80 seems to be getting a little "thin". With the modelling lights on, I can see some light leakage in a couple of places in the middle of the panels (ie, not along seams).
The 200x40 strip had an unusual problem when it arrived. The front diffusion panel is about 2cm too short on length. Took a bit to get the damned thing to fit, and it's a bit of a fudge.
The 60x60 folder is fine, and I get a lot of use out of it. The others mentioned haven't had a great deal of use as most of my work is location stuff.
If you are only concerned about the price, rather than the quality of the item and its ability to last the race, then go with the Bessel.
If you are comparing those boxes against the folding Lencarta version, that's a bit cockeyed, when you should be comparing against the Lencarta non folders.

I don't regret the Bessels, and the strips are great, but I have a shopping list of items from Lencarta that will be replacing the Bessels.
 
Michael Sewell said:
I have a number of Bessel boxes at the studio. a 200x40 strip, 120x30 strip and the 120x80.
I also have their 60x60 folding box which is used on location and not at the studio.
Generally speaking, I've found the boxes excellent from a light output point of view. Their biggest drawback seems to be their robustness and quality control.
The 120x80 seems to be getting a little "thin". With the modelling lights on, I can see some light leakage in a couple of places in the middle of the panels (ie, not along seams).
The 200x40 strip had an unusual problem when it arrived. The front diffusion panel is about 2cm too short on length. Took a bit to get the damned thing to fit, and it's a bit of a fudge.
The 60x60 folder is fine, and I get a lot of use out of it. The others mentioned haven't had a great deal of use as most of my work is location stuff.
If you are only concerned about the price, rather than the quality of the item and its ability to last the race, then go with the Bessel.
If you are comparing those boxes against the folding Lencarta version, that's a bit cockeyed, when you should be comparing against the Lencarta non folders.

I don't regret the Bessels, and the strips are great, but I have a shopping list of items from Lencarta that will be replacing the Bessels.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your input on this, I think i will start with the Lencarta 100x70, ok i could have a softbox and beauty dish with change from Bessel but i want to buy once and have something that will last :thumbs:
 
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