Softboxes

  • Thread starter Thread starter stupar
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stupar

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I like doing some portrait work with the misses in the house.
I would like to try some new techniques for lighting now that I have a firm grasp of bounce flash and OCF.

I notice softboxes give a more even spread of soft light which can look a lot better than a flashgun on its own.
What recommendations would you suggest to use with a flashgun either direct fit or bracketed and can they fit a yongnuo flash?
 
What about a couple of cheap shoot through umbrellas to use with your flash units, and the Gary Fong lightsphere is good, but I reckon it's overpriced for what it is. You might get one cheap from somewhere though.
 
So is there much of a difference between using an umbrella and using a softbox.
I would have thought the softbox would create more control over the light when doing silhoutte work against black backgrounds.

What are both options like for portability and storing away?
 
Sounds like you need a softbox (Lastolite, Interfit, loads on ebay) stand and reflector - way to go.

The light you get on the subject from a softbox and a shoot-through brolly is basically the same, size for size, but you get tons of spill from a shoot-though - out of the back and all around.
 
HoppyUK said:
Sounds like you need a softbox (Lastolite, Interfit, loads on ebay) stand and reflector - way to go.

The light you get on the subject from a softbox and a shoot-through brolly is basically the same, size for size, but you get tons of spill from a shoot-though - out of the back and all around.
Click to expand...

See thats what I thought with the brolly because it's not fully enclosed like a softbox.

I take it the brackets used to hold the sppedlite and softbox are compatible with yongnuo flashes?
I've been reading about S brackets which are apprently more versatile.
Is that because you can change between speedlite and something like a bowens setup for example?
 
stupar said:
See thats what I thought with the brolly because it's not fully enclosed like a softbox.

I take it the brackets used to hold the sppedlite and softbox are compatible with yongnuo flashes?
I've been reading about S brackets which are apprently more versatile.
Is that because you can change between speedlite and something like a bowens setup for example?
Click to expand...

All flash guns are a standard size fitting (except for Sony, which causes all sorts of unnecessary problems). And they all have a central contact for triggering (that's the 'hot' bit of the hot shoe). Then auto-TTL systems have several other contacts which are all brand specific, but you don't need to worry about that. Should be fine.

Not sure what you mean by and S bracket. The popular Bowens studio lights use a thing called S-fit, and many other brands have adopted it, but that's not for flash guns. Maybe you're referring to an interchangeable speedring, which would allow you to swap the softbox between different flash options.
 
HoppyUK said:
All flash guns are a standard size fitting (except for Sony, which causes all sorts of unnecessary problems). And they all have a central contact for triggering (that's the 'hot' bit of the hot shoe). Then auto-TTL systems have several other contacts which are all brand specific, but you don't need to worry about that. Should be fine.

Not sure what you mean by and S bracket. The popular Bowens studio lights use a thing called S-fit, and many other brands have adopted it, but that's not for flash guns. Maybe you're referring to an interchangeable speedring, which would allow you to swap the softbox between different flash options.
Click to expand...


Think thats what I was getting at, cheers!
So basically the softbox is attached to the stand and the flashgun attaches to a bracket on the stand.
I take it there's plenty room for the wireless triggers that attach to the bottom of the flash?
 
stupar said:
Think thats what I was getting at, cheers!
So basically the softbox is attached to the stand and the flashgun attaches to a bracket on the stand.
I take it there's plenty room for the wireless triggers that attach to the bottom of the flash?
Click to expand...

Sounds about right. These things are usually adjustable, check the illustrations to make sure everything will fit your kit.
 
stupar said:
Cheers Richard

Your knowledge is much appreciated!
Click to expand...

No worries Stuart :)

If money's not too much of an issue, I'd look at a Lastolite Ezybox. Decently designed and made, not too pricey.

I use one of their Umbrella Boxes which is cheap and very quick to put up. Or a plain white opaque umbrella is also pretty good, and not too much spill.
 
I will have a look at the lastolite stuff tonight.
Are they storage friendly - space wise?
 
stupar said:
I will have a look at the lastolite stuff tonight.
Are they storage friendly - space wise?
Click to expand...

Yes, very. Lastolite invented the twist-and-fold-up trick that so many others have copied. Packs down to the size of a dinner plate :thumbs: Check out their videos.
 
HoppyUK said:
Yes, very. Lastolite invented the twist-and-fold-up trick that so many others have copied. Packs down to the size of a dinner plate :thumbs: Check out their videos.
Click to expand...

Perfect!
Thanks once again
 
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