Wedding/Portrait Shooters...Softbox recommendation

[mbower05]

Looking to switch to softboxes as I am just not overly thrilled with my umbrellas. I would like to get portable softboxes I can use with my SB900s on location. Most likely applications will be outdoor bridal portraits 1/2 to 3/4 length.

I have my eye on the Lastolite Ezyboxes but I have 2 questions for those who use softboxes regularly.

1.) Given my usage what size softbox would be most appropriate. Again I would like something reasonably portable. Would a 24" x 24" be sufficient?

2.) While I am a firm believer in you get what you pay for...my business is still in the early stages and so I do need to be cost conscious. Are there any other more "cost effective" brands or alternatives to look at?

[scootermcq]

My last wedding, I decided to use a 24" softbox on a "stick" with an assistant holding it, and a second flash on a stroboframe with diffuser as fill. I was extremely happy with the results, and I will post a couple images when I get home. Here are a couple taken with just a single SB600 in a 24" softbox to give you an idea of coverage (obviously not wedding pics, but I will get you some)

I would say going much larger than 24" would start to pose problems with wind and portability of a wedding situation.

[sk66]

Look into Alzo
I would suggest the mini-box for mobile wedding work

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

My last wedding, I decided to use a 24" softbox on a "stick" with an assistant holding it, and a second flash on a stroboframe with diffuser as fill. I was extremely happy with the results, and I will post a couple images when I get home. Here are a couple taken with just a single SB600 in a 24" softbox to give you an idea of coverage (obviously not wedding pics, but I will get you some)

I would say going much larger than 24" would start to pose problems with wind and portability of a wedding situation.

+1 for this. Though I use a 22" beauty dish mounted on a monopod held by my assistant, with ancillary strobes on mini-pods . The versatility is incredible.

[mbower05]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

My last wedding, I decided to use a 24" softbox on a "stick" with an assistant holding it, and a second flash on a stroboframe with diffuser as fill. I was extremely happy with the results, and I will post a couple images when I get home. Here are a couple taken with just a single SB600 in a 24" softbox to give you an idea of coverage (obviously not wedding pics, but I will get you some)

I would say going much larger than 24" would start to pose problems with wind and portability of a wedding situation.

Thanks for the info as well as some example shots! Looks like the 24x24 it is. May I ask what brand softbox you are shooting? Biggest thing I noticed about the bargain softboxes is that there is no inner diffuser panel. I was curious to see how much of a differenct (if any) the inner panel really made.

P.S.. I had a chance to check out your website. I really liked the engangement shot with the couple sitting up against the giant hay bail (forgive me if that is the wrong term!) Was that shot with a softbox as well?

[OsmosisStudios]

oddly, I'm interested in where this goes. Does anyone have any opinions on Westcott modifiers? There's a kit I can get from them that has an air-cushioned stand, bracket and 24"x24" softbox. I'd just like to know what everyone thinks of their gear.

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by mbower05

P.S.. I had a chance to check out your website. I really liked the engangement shot with the couple sitting up against the giant hay bail (forgive me if that is the wrong term!) Was that shot with a softbox as well?

My box is identical to the ones SK66 pointed you to. I have a couple larger ones for studio, but that is the one I take outdoors. It does have the diffuser panel and I have never tried removing it, so I can't comment on the difference it makes.

Yes, that couple with the hay bail where shot with a single SB600 in the 24" soft box. Interestingly enough it was their wedding I shot on Saturday where I used dual flash for all the portraits and a fair amount of the candids. The fill light just above the camera makes a really nice addition to the image.

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

oddly, I'm interested in where this goes. Does anyone have any opinions on Westcott modifiers? There's a kit I can get from them that has an air-cushioned stand, bracket and 24"x24" softbox. I'd just like to know what everyone thinks of their gear.

Zack from the one light DVD's etc loves them, and that is about all he uses. I would love one of those umbrella softboxes that they have, but just choke on the price tag.

[zona5101]

i'm a big fan of Photoflex - worth a second to check out their offerings in this area as well...
Photoflex - Shoe Mount Flash

I just got a Softlighter II. Lots of good reviews, and pretty inexpensive at $80 for 60". Probably not great for outdoor portraits (wind magnet), but would work great for indoor stuff.

I was a little concerned that my 580exII wouldn't be powerful enough for that big of a light modifier. But I metered it at 5 feet at full power and got f5.6 at ISO 100.

The 24" softbox is a good recommendation too...I might have to pick up one of those as well.