New Light Modifier

[natek313]

I'm on the market for a new modifier for my AlienBees B800 unit. I am looking at either a 22" beauty dish or a 32" x 40" soft box.

Any opinions on what I should invest in?

EDIT: All I have right now are umbrellas and a reflector.

[SusanH1970]

Nate, I have the softbox that you mentioned and I love it. But it depends on the look you're going for.

Take a look at the group pool in the Alien Bees Flickr group. Do a search in their pool for "beauty dish" and another for "softbox" and see what images come up. Most are cross-posted with the Strobist group so the info on their setup is available.

Hope this helps.

[i speak in math]

What would you like to to that you aren't able to do now? What limitations are you hitting with umbrellas and reflectors?

[natek313]

Thanks for the link, Susan! I'm checking it out now.

Eric, I'm looking for a little more directional control over my lighting. The umbrellas just throw light everywhere, which can be a good thing, but most of the time I would prefer if they don't. From what I've seen and read, both the soft box and beauty dish directs the light a lot better.

Also, a makeup artist has asked me to do some beauty/makeup shots for her, and I am planning on using butterfly lighting. I've heard a beauty dish works wonderfully for that. But, I suppose a smaller (30" or so) white, shoot-through umbrella could work.

[i speak in math]

Yea, the umbrellas are not great for controlling light indoors. If you want controllable and directional, those are better choices. I think the beauty dish will give you some harder light. Won't be as pleasing on women's faces. If you are looking to do beauty/makeup shots, I would go with the softbox.

[natek313]

Thanks, Eric.

Ideally, I'd get both, but the funds don't allow for that right now, unfortunately.

[GadgetRick]

Why not go for the Alien Bee PLM system? Oh, that's right, they're still out of stock...

Sorry, been wanting to buy this for a while.

[zona5101]

i have a BD and a soft box. 2 pretty different animals. I use the soft box more often...but the light from the BD is awesome. The one I have will hold a grid in the center so I can make that center spot fall off nicely. The BD light produces a more directional light and shadow while the Sb light is big and soft and wraps more.

[natek313]

Originally Posted by GadgetRick

Why not go for the Alien Bee PLM system? Oh, that's right, they're still out of stock...

Sorry, been wanting to buy this for a while.

A little bitter, eh? Haha.

Originally Posted by zona5101

i have a BD and a soft box. 2 pretty different animals. I use the soft box more often...but the light from the BD is awesome. The one I have will hold a grid in the center so I can make that center spot fall off nicely. The BD light produces a more directional light and shadow while the Sb light is big and soft and wraps more.

Yeah, I think I am leaning a little more toward the beauty dish. It's a little cheaper, and everyone that uses one raves about it.

But, I don't know. I still have to decide...

[Austin_HXC]

Well a beauty dish and a softbox are two different modifiers for two different jobs.

A beauty dish is for hard(ish), controlled, directional light.
A softbox is more for soft, controlled, directional light.

So if you want kind-of-hard, edgy light, go with the beauty dish.
However, if you want soft, umbrella-esque light, but more controlled, go with the softbox.