Speedlights and Modifiers - how big can you go?

[Adam_M]

I wonder in peoples experience with conventional speedlights and modifiers such as large softboxes, what has been the limit on size before they become unsuitable?

I ask because I just noticed that there's a Bowens S mount flash bracket for speedlights, sold by Lencarta and a few others.

I've never been fond of the results I've seen from smaller modifiers, so I'm hoping to get say a 90x90cm softbox, use it with this bracket and hopefully get a better quality of light and invest in a set-up that works with both speedlights and strobes. Though I expect I'll have to bump the ISO up a little bit with speedlights.

And also, using a reflector on a unit like this with a speedlight, a worth while thing to do? I'll probably try it anyway...

I may also be using these with Metz 45/Metz 60's, which are more powerful than a standard flash by a long way, if I can ever ever sort out my battery problems with them... :bonk:

 

[Michael Sewell]

A 90x90 should be fine. The main problem is the fact the tube in the speedlight is quite recessed, and has a reflector behind, to throw the light forward. Your softbox works better with a bare bulb scenario, where the light can effectively bounce around unhindered before passing through the diffusion panels and exiting.

One way around this is to use a stofen type fitting, as this makes the light act similar to a bare bulb. There is a cost in the amount of light produced, as the stofen itself reduces the output to some degree.

I would suggest you try the speedlight with and without the stofen to assess light reduction and output etc.

 

[Adam_M]

Thanks Michael, that's pretty much what I thought. That bracket/mount that you guys sell really opens up a lot of options and a future upgrade path for when I can afford Safari's.

I imagine that beauty dishes however wouldn't work too well with speedlights, even with a diffuser on, but I can live with that.