Speedlight softboxes

specialman

specialman

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Pat MacInnes
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I know there are several threads already about what to buy, but this is a bit more specific:

I have a softbox that has the slot-in fitting for attaching it to the hotshoe bracket (very similar to the one below)

00REnJ-81221784.jpg


Thing is, outdoors this kind of fitting isn't the most stable and several times I've had the softbox blow off, nearly taking the stand and flash with it.

Are there any other fittings available that are a bit more secure? I tend to hand-hold my softbox a lot for close-up shooting of outdoor portraits (to create fast light drop off) and i need something that's going to take care of itself while in my hand so i can focus on shooting with the other. My current box does the job in terms of lighting but the fitting is a bit gash....
 
I actually thank you for saying this!

I was going to buy this for location photos in abandoned buildings/ urban environments so I've noted the whole stability issue you mention.

I've noticed softboxes that simply velcro on, have a google search for the Lastolite Micro Apollo and the Lastolite Ezybox Speedlite. these could be what your after :)
 
Whilst the velcro ones are good they are not as good as the dual layer mounted ones. Mind you I have the 45 cm Apollo from lastolite and 60 cm strobist softbox. They have their uses. Having both is not a bad thing. My Apollo I use on camera and the softbox off camera. Another thing is I rather the softbox fall of its mount rather than the whole thing crash to the ground which is what the velcro one will cause.
 
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An alternative is the Westcott Apollo, it certainly can't blow off the mounting bracket, however, as with every other similar light modifier a good gust of wind can send it flying if it's not anchored properly. On the plus side, it folds down like an umbrella for transporting, the negative is the price, it's not cheap.....
 
FITP - know what you mean, pricey, but I like the umbrella-type attachment.

I actually handhold mine a lot but I'm just trying to sort a hack so I can mount a cold shoe/speedring type arrangement on a standard tripod. I use those Konig ball head tripods for my bare speedlights currently and they're super-stable. Even they may struggle though with a big 80x80cm box.

33L - was think velco might come in handy, maybe going across the speedring attachment in a cross to hold it...hmmmmmmm :)

mastertrinity - think the ezybox is the same attachment system. Will look at the other though.....
 
specialman said:
I know there are several threads already about what to buy, but this is a bit more specific:

I have a softbox that has the slot-in fitting for attaching it to the hotshoe bracket (very similar to the one below)

00REnJ-81221784.jpg


Thing is, outdoors this kind of fitting isn't the most stable and several times I've had the softbox blow off, nearly taking the stand and flash with it.

Are there any other fittings available that are a bit more secure? I tend to hand-hold my softbox a lot for close-up shooting of outdoor portraits (to create fast light drop off) and i need something that's going to take care of itself while in my hand so i can focus on shooting with the other. My current box does the job in terms of lighting but the fitting is a bit gash....
Click to expand...


You could try four strips of velcro running from the outside through the ring and looping back over onto the inside of the softbox. That setup would be quick to attach/remove and the mod would cost about a quid all in :)
 
FITP - think that idea has a lot of mileage in it. Need to purchase some velcro for other uses so will try this on the weekend.

Mastertrinity - ha ha!! Thats diddy :)
 
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