Umbrella box query

Eisbar

Eisbar

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Richard
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Has anybody had any experience of an umbrella softbox similar to this one http://www.karlu.com/product_info.php?products_id=7794 ?

They are significantly cheaper than a softbox but are they any good?

As far as I can see it's a reflective umbrella with a diffuser over the front.

I would like to know if they can be used with a speedlight (canon 580EXII) or as they reduce the light by 2 stops is a speedlight powerful enough?

If I can use a 580EXII can I still use TTL via a ST-E2 as with a Lastolite Ezybox?

What's the quality of the light like with these as compared to normal softbox eg Lastolite Ezybox.

I'm looking for a prtable softbox to use with a speedlight but wondered if this would be any good

Cheers
 
I have a large umbella softbox made out of a lastolite brolly, the do give very nice soft light but are not as directional as a propper softbox. Yes a speedlight is powerfull enough, mine big so I use 2 B800's in it. You should be able to use the TTL via ST-E2, nikons cls works with the Ezybox most of the time.

Mart.
 
Yes, it's a reflective umbrella with a bit of plastic in front of it, i.e. it isn't a softbox.

This doesn't mean it's a waste of money but you need to be aware of the fact that any lighting modifier can only produce soft light if it's placed close to the subject - softboxes can, this can't because it faces the wrong way.
 
Photomart do an Ezyboz clone, called the "Magic" for less than the price of that umbrella....
 
Marvin d martian said:
I have a large umbella softbox made out of a lastolite brolly, the do give very nice soft light but are not as directional as a propper softbox. Yes a speedlight is powerfull enough, mine big so I use 2 B800's in it. You should be able to use the TTL via ST-E2, nikons cls works with the Ezybox most of the time.

Mart.
Click to expand...

Cheers for that
 
Garry Edwards said:
Yes, it's a reflective umbrella with a bit of plastic in front of it, i.e. it isn't a softbox.

This doesn't mean it's a waste of money but you need to be aware of the fact that any lighting modifier can only produce soft light if it's placed close to the subject - softboxes can, this can't because it faces the wrong way.
Click to expand...

So does this mean it's as "good" as a reflective umbrella and the extra cost over a standard umbrella isn't justified?
 
Eisbar said:
I've been considering this, how've you found it, expense excepted?
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Flash is probs the best to ask that of, as he actually has both Magic and Ezybox :thumbs:

The Ezybox has a second removable diffuser fabric panel, but that's about it I think. So if you've got a bit of white cotton fabric and a pair of scissors etc then you could easily mod the Magic if you think necessary.
 
david1701 said:
i hate you i just bought an ezybox:bang:
Click to expand...

don't fret too much, the ezybox is better as it only sucks IIRC .5 or 1 stop of light as opposed to the clone which sucks 2 stops of light. Photomart staff told me via email a while back.
 
well it gives a really nice soft light and doesn't steal too much power, I maybe coulda gotten away with just a shoot through but the softbox gives a nicer light (I think) to headshots through to 3/4 length at at full length I need the umbrella in shoot through

haven't gotten to use it as much as I would have liked as my recent shoots have all been concentrating on the dresses not the girls so I haven't been able to do nice tight crops (for my final images) which I am usually so fond of
 
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