Softbox questions - ezybox

TimSandhu

TimSandhu

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Just a few questions regarding the lastolite Ezybox (90cm). I am after one of these but was wondering what else I need use it with my sb600 (or an sb900 when I get one). From looking at other threads, I seem to need a coldshoe which attaches the flash to the lightstand or tripod? Is this right?

Do I need some sort of adapter to fix the sb600 to the Ezybox or is that included?

I notice that FITP sells an alternative to the Lastolite. Has anyone done a side by side comparison? Is there a difference?
 
TimSandhu said:
Just a few questions regarding the lastolite Ezybox (90cm). I am after one of these but was wondering what else I need use it with my sb600 (or an sb900 when I get one). From looking at other threads, I seem to need a coldshoe which attaches the flash to the lightstand or tripod? Is this right?

Do I need some sort of adapter to fix the sb600 to the Ezybox or is that included?

I notice that FITP sells an alternative to the Lastolite. Has anyone done a side by side comparison? Is there a difference?
Click to expand...

The mounting bracket can be included with the Ezyboxes and bought seperately iirc.

FITP's softboxes come supplied with bracket and are extremely similar, my brother has one and I have a lastolite.

The only difference is that the lastolite has an inner diffuser. My bro made his one out of velcro and linen.

I'd recommend FITP's version, make your own inner diffuser and save the cash. :thumbs:
 
I have one of Flash's softboxes, and its a +1 from me echoing Thomas' recommendations.

Thomas, any pics on what you mean about the internal diffuser? Not having seen the lastolite version I don't know what you mean.

Rob
 
Thanks for the tip Tomas. My only concern is that I might affect the light output by making my own internal diffuser. Eg. the Lastolite one is designed specifically for this and will be colour balanced so as not to affect the output. Will using "generic" linen cause a shift or colour cast?

Sorry to sound nit-picky, but I'm fussy :D
 
Rob.Marsh said:
I have one of Flash's softboxes, and its a +1 from me echoing Thomas' recommendations.

Thomas, any pics on what you mean about the internal diffuser? Not having seen the lastolite version I don't know what you mean.
Click to expand...

No probs mate, all it is, is another white sheet that's velcro'd into place before the secondary diffuser, warehouse express or the lastolite web page may have a photo, I'd take a pic of mine for ya but I'm not at home.


TimSandhu said:
Thanks for the tip Tomas. My only concern is that I might affect the light output by making my own internal diffuser. Eg. the Lastolite one is designed specifically for this and will be colour balanced so as not to affect the output. Will using "generic" linen cause a shift or colour cast?

Sorry to sound nit-picky, but I'm fussy :D
Click to expand...

Nah, that's not fussy, just a bit too cautious :lol:

As long as the inner diffuser is white, say polythene or some other kind of synthetic, then there will be no visible casts.

The one that Ben made is an identical material to the stuff inside my lastolite too.

Check his latest photo he used the FITP softbox on, click the set up shot for a goosie.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=165180

Light output is effected anyway, both versions will kill off a stop or two with or without the internal diffuser.
 
Make sure you buy a "knuckle" for the top of the lighting stand so you can tilt it. Straight ahead is somewhat limiting :)

I have the 60cm lastolite and it's a fab bit of kit, easy to put together and easy to use. Being slightly smaller it does not take off in a breeze either but should still be sandbagged outdoors. I use diving weights (2kg lead shot bags) to anchor mine.
 
A group of us used on of FITP's boxes at a workshop recently. They give a really nice light once you get the hang of them (bit of a bu**er to get back in the case though...) I don't know if more expensive ones are better, but I'd be happy with one of FITP's (should the wife be reading this an thinking of Christmas already...)
 
AliB said:
Make sure you buy a "knuckle" for the top of the lighting stand so you can tilt it. Straight ahead is somewhat limiting :)

I have the 60cm lastolite and it's a fab bit of kit, easy to put together and easy to use. Being slightly smaller it does not take off in a breeze either but should still be sandbagged outdoors. I use diving weights (2kg lead shot bags) to anchor mine.
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Good point Ali :thumbs:

60cm softboxes for hotshoe flashes are too heavy for the usual light stand and will need bagging outdoors unless you want to tempt a Mary Poppins style take off.

The 'knuckles' are also known as umbrella swivels and these kind are my recommendation, I've bought various ones and these don't break. Even with the postage from the states they're much cheaper than the calumet or manfrotto ones.
 
Cheers Thomas, I'll take a look at the diffuser pics later. I wonder if I need to bother with the second diffuser mod, I stick a Stofen on the flash insdie the softbox anyway.

re the knuckle - Flashes softboxs come with the bracket on a ball head so no knuckle is needed.
 
Rob.Marsh said:
Cheers Thomas, I'll take a look at the diffuser pics later.

re the knuckle - Flashes softboxs come with the bracket on a ball head so no knuckle is needed.
Click to expand...

Are you sure about a supplied ball head?

Those softboxes are pretty darn heavy, a good umbrella swivel is a much more economical bet IMO :thumbs:
 
Yeah, certain, mine does anyway!!
 
Rob.Marsh said:
I wonder if I need to bother with the second diffuser mod, I stick a Stofen on the flash insdie the softbox anyway.
Click to expand...

It's really not the same mate, what separates a better softbox from a regular softbox, is the inner diffuser. :thumbs:
 
I think FITP is getting internal diffusers made for his softboxes.

I have one and think it is great, once you get the hang of putting it away
 
Bruce120 said:
I think FITP is getting internal diffusers made for his softboxes.

I have one and think it is great, once you get the hang of putting it away
Click to expand...

Yep, it's the same principle mechanics as any reflector or diffuser, the first time I had to collapse and store a 2 metre lastolite background with a train was like a few rounds in a boxing ring :lol:
 
Rob.Marsh said:
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=157807

See the first pic.
The ball head mounts straight onto the light stand.
Click to expand...

Cool! Is there any slippage or give on extreme angles?

The reason I ask is that small ball heads like that aren't easy to find, I have a couple Cullmann ones which seem to have dropped of the face of the earth as far as retail is concerned.
Hama ones suck the big un and manfrotto ones are obscenely priced.
 
TimSandhu said:
I am after one of these but was wondering what else I need use it with my sb600 (or an sb900 when I get one). From looking at other threads, I seem to need a coldshoe which attaches the flash to the lightstand or tripod? Is this right?
Click to expand...


Its easy to work around and fix, but its worth noting the Standard Lastolite coldshoe doesn't take an SB-900 but does fit the 600/800 fine.

Hugh
 
Tomas Whitehouse said:
Cool! Is there any slippage or give on extreme angles?

The reason I ask is that small ball heads like that aren't easy to find, I have a couple Cullmann ones which seem to have dropped of the face of the earth. Hama ones suck the big un and manfrotto ones are obscenely priced.
Click to expand...

I have not found any slippage as yet, but I have only used it indoors, and a handful of times so far. I' having a problem finding willing models at the moment!

You do need to rotate the softboxe a bit when you want to get an extreme downward angle, as the rim of the bracket can get in the way. Thats more a user error I think though, as I only have an upright stand, a boom type would probably solve this.
 
Rob.Marsh said:
I have not found any slippage as yet, but I have only used it indoors, and a handful of times so far. I' having a problem finding willing models at the moment!

You do need to rotate the softboxe a bit when you want to get an extreme downward angle, as the rim of the bracket can get in the way. Thats more a user error I think though, as I only have an upright stand, a boom type would probably solve this.
Click to expand...

Dandio! Cheers Rob, I bought a boom stand from Germany a couple weeks ago, it's a cheapie (89 euro) and has a little play in the top column but does give softboxes and the like a bit more freedom. :thumbs:
 
I have two of the easy fold soft boxes and the ball head is pants... it's a steel ball in an aluminium cup, take it outside in the wind and it struggles a little to stay put and it is very easy to over tighten and thread the darn things. you are better off replacing the ball joint with a cheap swivel umbrella bracket.
 
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